Overview
Our nursing science program is a research-focused doctoral education program that grants the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The program is designed to prepare scholars for research and academic careers in major universities and for research positions in public or private sectors of health care. All students will receive core courses related to both health services and clinical research.
The PhD in Nursing Science Program at Vanderbilt University prepares nurse scientists to engage in innovative multidisciplinary biobehavioral research and transform the discipline of nursing through advancing health equity. Vanderbilt’s rigorous training and collaborative environment lead to high achievement and leadership positions that advance the discipline and practice of nursing through research, education and health policy, locally, nationally and globally.
Our research is organized into the signature areas of:
- Acute and Chronic Illness (pain management; cardiovascular; diabetes; cancer; sleep; substance use disorders)
- Maternal Child Health (pregnancy outcomes; mother, infant, child and family health)
Learn more about our PhD program faculty and their programs of research.
Course work is delivered using both face-to-face and technology driven instruction with limited on-campus visits. Courses are taught using a combination of:
- Face-to-face concentrated on-campus blocks (i.e., intensives) three times per academic year for no more than 20 days total (4-5 days each visit).
- Synchronous classes (i.e., required same time sessions) are held weekly.
Students work full time with faculty mentors who guide and oversee their educational program from admission through completion of degree requirements. They engage weekly in intensive research experiences connected with faculty research projects and are exposed to a variety of research designs and analytic techniques.
Requirements for the degree include successful completion of advanced course work, qualifying examination, and dissertation. Students are only accepted for full-time study.
PhD Webinar
Our webinars include an outline of the PhD in Nursing Science Program, program format, application process, components of funding, etc. Webinars are conducted throughout the academic year, and particularly ahead of a new application cycle (which open annually on August 1). Contact the PhD Program Manager to request information on upcoming live webinars.
Degree Requirements
The PhD in Nursing Science degree is conferred by the Graduate School of Vanderbilt University and requires at least three academic years of graduate study. Our program requires 72 credit hours of study. Most students are able to transfer 15 credit hours from their master's degree, pending approval by the graduate faculty. The remaining 57 credit hours of work required for graduation are detailed below. All students will receive core courses related to both health services and clinical research.
The PhD in Nursing Science Program requires the following steps to receive the doctoral degree:
- Successful completion of 47 credit hours of required course work, which includes 6 elective hours and 10 credit hours of course work that supports the student's focus of research (4 research practica and 6 dissertation research credits)
- Successful completion of the written and oral components of the qualifying examination
- Successful completion of a dissertation, including a public oral defense
Block Intensives
The required in-person block intensives are a critical component of our PhD program. Scheduled during the beginning of each semester, students attend classes and progress through a series of sessions organized into three tracks:
- Navigating the World of Research
- Academic Preparation
- Research, Design and Statistical Analysis
In addition, our students are included in the Dean’s Diversity Lecture Series where invited guest speakers who are well-known in a content area speak on a variety of relevant topics. These speakers include both internal VUMC faculty as well as external speakers from across the country working in universities, private agencies and the public sector.
Social events with faculty and other doctoral students are also an important component of the intensives. Examples of topics covered include:
Navigating the World of Research
- Negotiating Authorship and Responding to Manuscript Critique
- How to Assemble a Research Team
- Research Considerations and Rural Populations
- Dealing with the Media
- Grants Management/Administration
- How to be a Scientific Reviewer
Academic Preparation
- Academic Program Evaluation and Faculty Role
- Academic Governance Structures
Research, Design & Statistical Analysis
- Grantsmanship
- Reading, Reviewing and Publishing the Scientific Literature
Past Guest Speaker Topics
- Maximizing Doctoral Education: Fostering Collaboration Between DNP and PhD Prepared Nurses
- Nursing at the Crossroads: The Future of Health Care
- Journey to Leadership in Nursing and Beyond: Insight for Future Nurse Leaders