|
     
 
|
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest degree conferred by Rush University. The PhD is restricted to those scholars who have demonstrated superior ability in a recognized academic discipline. The PhD nursing program focuses on health promotion/risk management interventions and the translation of this information to patients, families, and communities. This degree culminates in a work of literary and scholarly merit indicative of the candidate's ability to conduct original research in a recognized specialty. The PhD student's program is directed by selected faculty whose research interests closely match the students. Each student's program includes formal courses, cognate subjects as required by the candidate's advisory committee, a guided individual clinical research practicum with a chosen clinical population or field of specialty study, and original research that serves as the basis for the scholarly dissertation.
Based on their previous education, students choose one of two options: the BSN to PhD or the MSN to PhD. Students in the BSN option select a clinical phenomenon, take selected coursework in this area and take all required PhD core courses. Students in the MSN option generally already have an established area of clinical interest, build upon this knowledge, and take all required PhD core courses.
The PhD in Nursing prepares students with the research proficiency required for careers as scientists and academic leaders. Using an on-line format, students engage in discourse, debate and the integration of ideas in an electronic community of scholars that convenes on campus, annually, as a forum of student and faculty colleagues. Students in the PhD program benefit from innovative teaching and mentoring strategies and multiple methods of curriculum delivery matched to course objectives. They are guided in this process by a faculty with rich and diverse academic and clinically-based research experience.
|
