PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science program is designed to prepare nurse scientists with expertise in clinical-translational research methods to advance the scholarly discipline and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in the field of nursing.
As the most trusted profession and primary caregivers in the healthcare setting, nurses bring a uniquely personal perspective to research. Nurses understand that optimal patient health requires a whole-person approach, recognizing the interdependencies of the various and sometimes deeply personal aspects of a patient’s life. Our PhD program emphasizes combining translational science methods with traditional research models to comprehensively address the health and healthcare needs of local, national, and global communities.
The PhD program is high-touch, offering students immediate immersion in research with opportunities to work as Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants from day one. Each student is paired with a mentor in their area of research interest, fostering close collaboration throughout the program. This mentorship helps students develop expertise in their chosen fields and evolve into scholars. Students will be educated by nurse scientists conducting cutting-edge research.
In addition to coursework, the program enriches students’ education through research seminars, where they will engage with leading scientists—both within and outside of nursing—who are conducting novel and high-impact research.
- Guaranteed funding for the first four years of the program.
- Guaranteed housing offer (visit UCI Housing for more information).
- Leading research faculty who incorporate interdisciplinary integrative health approaches to promote population health and well-being, one person, one family, one community at a time.
- Strong collaborative relationships across schools—from engineering to the arts—to create novel solutions for the health challenges facing underserved communities.
- Commitment to community-informed and community-based research methods to address population health needs with compassion and determination, focusing on creating appealing, user-friendly healthcare solutions.
- Dedicated, one-on-one mentorship in research and teaching.
UCI nursing science faculty conduct interdisciplinary research that incorporates integrative health approaches to promote population health and build healthy communities. The PhD program specifically fosters the development of scientific and theoretical expertise that contributes to scholarly endeavors in six key areas:
- Integrative health and wellness promotion
- Community health
- Philosophical and theoretical foundations in nursing
- Health services and practice
- Digital technology and health
- Health disparities and diversity
- You are passionate about developing and thoroughly testing new knowledge in a selected area of nursing science.
- You are excited about incorporating translational science into nursing research endeavors.
- You aspire to provide leadership for the health and well-being of communities through translational science and a deep understanding of the social, cultural, economic, and political contexts within which knowledge translation operates.
- You seek opportunities to contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives in your area of expertise.
Research/knowledge development
- Utilize professional and research ethics and judgment in the conduct of research
- Conduct independent original research
- Critique and integrate different scientific perspectives in the conduct of original research
- Engage in and prepare to lead interdisciplinary research teams
- Situate their knowledge within the history and philosophy of science
- Conduct culturally and linguistically compentent scholarship
Leadership
- Lead in advancing the discipline through scholarly and scientific contributions
- Provide career and research mentorship to others
Dissemination
- Communicate scholarship to professional, interdisciplinary, policy, and lay audiences
- Communicate scholarship through publications and presentations
Policy
- Demonstrate understanding of the influence of politics and policy on knowledge generation and implementation
Substantive area of specialization
- Demonstrate mastery of in-depth knowledge in a substantive area
Curriculum
The PhD in Nursing Science is a three to five-year, full-time commitment that includes a combination of formal courses, electives, independent study, teaching assistant assignments, formal examinations, and the completion and successful defense of a doctoral dissertation based on original research that contributes to the scholarly and scientific knowledge of the nursing discipline.
Early coursework will introduce you to the theoretical foundations of the nursing discipline and to advanced research methodologies in nursing, health sciences, and related fields. Elective and independent studies will help develop your expertise in specific areas of research, leading to your dissertation.
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