Ph.D. in Nursing

Ph.D. in Nursing

Program Objectives

The Ph.D. in Nursing program is designed to prepare researchers and leaders to develop the knowledge base of nursing. The goal of the program is to prepare graduates who demonstrate excellence in providing leadership to generate, integrate, and implement new disciplinary knowledge aimed at improving nursing, health, and health care.

Both full-time and part-time options for completing the Ph.D. in Nursing are available. The full-time program is completed in 4 years and a part-time program is typically completed in 6 years. Students who wish to be classified as part-time must obtain approval from their proposed supervisor and graduate program advisor as part of the admission process and complete the Schedule C Tuition Form. All graduate students are assessed full-time tuition fees, unless they apply for and are granted part-time status at the beginning of their program. Students are not permitted to switch between full-time and part-time after the initial payment of the tuition fees in the first term of the program. International applicants should seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant before pursuing part-time studies. 

The primary objectives of the Ph.D. in Nursing program are:

• To provide a rigorous, high-quality doctoral-level graduate program in nursing that builds on UBC Okanagan’s highly successful M.S.N. program.
• To enable students to actively participate in the development of nursing knowledge, adding to the evidence base to enhance nursing and health.
• To prepare outstanding nurse leaders to have expanded spheres of influence to enhance health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through leadership roles in academic institutions, practice settings, and policy arenas.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the program are admitted on the basis of outstanding achievement in their master's program; evidence of potential for research and scholarship; an ability to be self-directed; and articulated goals in keeping with the resources available in the program, including available faculty support and programs of research. The number of qualified applicants that can be accepted in any given year is determined by faculty resources and other factors. Applicants must at minimum meet the admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies. Canadian students must hold practicing nurse registration in BC or another Canadian province. International students must meet general eligibility criteria for nurse registration in BC.

Transfer from the M.S.N. to the Ph.D. in Nursing program is permitted under regulations set by the College of Graduate Studies.

Admission

Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for graduate studies. Applicants must also satisfy the eligibility requirement to be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum requirements will not ensure admission.

Admission Requirements

• A Masters of Nursing or a graduate degree in a health-related discipline from an approved institution with clear evidence of research ability and potential.
• Canadian students must hold practicing nursing registration in BC or another Canadian province.
• International students must meet general eligibility criteria for nurse registration in BC.

Exceptional Circumstances

• In exceptional cases, applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree with an overall ‘A’ average and who demonstrate advanced research ability may be granted direct admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program on recommendation of the School of Nursing graduate program coordinator and with the approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
• Students entering directly from a bachelor’s degree must, during the first two years of study, complete a total of 12 credits with a first-class average, of which at least 9 credits must be at the 500-level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first-class standing, to maintain registration as a doctoral student.
• Students who enter into the Ph.D. in Nursing program after partial completion of a master’s degree must, during the first two years of study, complete a total of 12 credits (at least 9 credits must be at the 500-level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first class standing) to maintain registration as a doctoral student. Also, students must demonstrate clear evidence of research ability and potential. Transfer into the doctoral program from a Master’s program is normally done after completion of the first year of study and will not be permitted after completion of the second year.

Program Requirements

The Ph.D. in Nursing requires completion of:

• NRSG_O 580 (3) Philosophy of Evidence in Nursing
• NRSG_O 581 (3) Leadership in Knowledge Application and Translation
• NRSG_O 554 (3) Advanced Research Methods
• NRSG_O 601 (3) Doctoral Seminar
• NRSG_O 699 (0) Doctoral Dissertation

Additional coursework may be required by a student's supervisory committee. All doctoral students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination within 24 months of their enrolment in the full-time Ph.D. program and within 36 months in the part-time Ph.D. program.  

After completing the comprehensive exam, students establish their supervisory committee and proceed to develop their proposal. The written proposal is approved by the committee, following successful completion of an oral defence. 

Admission to candidacy requires successful completion of all required coursework, the comprehensive exam has been passed, and approval of the dissertation proposal. Full-time doctoral students must advance to candidacy within the first 36 months. Part-time doctoral students must advance to candidacy within the first 48 months. 

The major requirement for the Ph.D. is completion of a research dissertation (NRSG_O 699), meeting the College of Graduate Studies requirements.