School of Nursing—Doctoral Degree Programs

With one of the oldest nursing doctoral programs in the country, the School offers two programs to develop nursing leaders who can fulfill the expectations and demands of today's evolving health care system. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program prepares nurse scholars who will discover and extend scientific knowledge that advances the science and practice of nursing and contributes to other disciplines. Graduates can assume leadership roles within research teams, health care systems, and schools of nursing in academic institutions.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses within a clinical focus (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse anesthesia) or a systems focus (nursing administration). Graduates are prepared for advanced practice at a new level of state-of-the-art science expertise with a grounding in evidence based practice.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD program provides a coherent series of courses, seminars, and discussions designed to develop in the student a mature understanding of content, methods, and values of the discipline of nursing and its relation to other fields. The curriculum includes courses in history and philosophy of science, theoretical foundations and the structure of knowledge. Additional courses include advanced statistics; quantitative/qualitative and advanced quantitative research methods; research emphasis seminars; instrumentation; and several research practica with experienced research mentors. Students work with faculty nurse researchers and researchers in other disciplines. The dissertation is the culminating requirement in the course of study.

Admission to the PhD Program

Admission to the PhD program is assessed through interviews, references, standardized testing, and a written statement of goals. Documentation of academic success and achievement of competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are necessary.

Prerequisites to the advanced statistical courses in the program plan include two parametric statistical courses, which are to prepare the student in descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. If the student does not possess such a statistics background when entering the program, then the parametric statistics sequences offered in the Department of Biostatistics (BIOSTAT 2041 and BIOSTAT 2042) or in the Department of Psychology in Education (PSYED 2018, and 2019) should be taken and completed with a minimum of a B- grade. Students may fulfill these prerequisites at other universities. An evaluation of the content of a course taken elsewhere must be made by the Coordinator of the PhD Program to determine its comparability with the prerequisite knowledge base needed by all students. Prerequisite statistics course work can be reinforced by attending additional required courses during the student's doctoral program; a 3-credit course in regression analysis (BIOSTAT 2049 or PSYED 2410 or PSYED 3410) is required. The doctoral faculty strongly recommends that students develop knowledge of and experience with word processing, database management, and computerized literature searches prior to applying to the doctoral program.

Length of Program

The post-master's full-time student may complete the program in eight terms of study. The PhD Program requires a minimum of 92 credits (including a maximum of 30 credits transferred from a master's degree). The part-time student may complete the program in four to six years. The statute of limitations for completion of the program is eight consecutive calendar years from the first term of registration for credits that are in the required curriculum plan for the doctoral degree. (See Statute of Limitation/Leaves of Absence in the University bulletin for more information.)

In addition to the requirements for the traditional doctoral program, the BSN to PhD (94 credits) requires selected coursework from the master's program. These courses do not lead to a master's degree. Students admitted to the BSN to PhD program are expected to enroll full-time. The statute of limitations for completion of the program is 10 consecutive calendar years from the first term of registration for credits that are in the required curriculum plan for the doctoral degree. For more information, see School of Nursing Policy 208.

Post-MSN to PhD Curriculum

TOTAL CREDITS: MINIMUM OF 92 CREDITS

*One research emphasis course is required.

¹PSYED 2410, PSYED 3410, or BIOSTAT 2049 may be taken.

Note:

• HPS1653 must be taken before NUR3027 and concurrently or before NUR3016.
  
• The prerequisites for NUR3110 are NUR3016 and PSYED 2018 and 2019 or BIOSTAT 2041 and 2042.
  
• Either PSYED 2410 or BIOSTAT 2049 may be taken to meet the applied regression requirement.
  
• Only one Research Emphasis Seminar is required. These courses are offered every other year.
  
• The prerequisite for NUR3115 is permission of the instructor.
  
• See Policy 230 regarding the taking of the Preliminary Examination and Policy 235 regarding the Comprehensive Examination/Overview.
  
• Note that schools/departments outside the School of Nursing offer courses at their discretion; therefore, students may not be able to take these classes in the order appearing on this plan.
  

BSN-PhD Curriculum (Students are expected to enroll full-time)

TOTAL CREDITS: MINIMUM OF 92 CREDITS

Note:

• Two courses (Pathophysiology, Introduction to Genetics, Pharmacology, Advanced Topics in Genetics, Health Promotion, or Physical Diagnosis) are required.
• HPS1653 must be taken before NUR3027 and concurrently or before NUR3016.
• The prerequisites for NUR3110 are NUR 3016 and PSYED 2018 and 2019 or BIOSTAT 2041 and 2042.
• Either PSYED 2410 or BIOSTAT 2049 may be taken to meet the applied regression requirement.
• Only one Research Emphasis Seminar is required. These courses are offered every other year.
• The prerequisite for NUR 3115 is permission of the instructor.
• See School of Nursing Policy 230 regarding the taking of the Preliminary Examination and School of Nursing Policy 235 regarding the Comprehensive Examination/Overview
• Note that schools/departments outside the School of Nursing offer courses at their discretion; therefore, students may not be able to take these classes in the order appearing on this plan.

Preliminary and Comprehensive Examinations and Dissertation Overview

The preliminary examination is taken following the completion of no less than 18 credits of required course work. The examination is designed to assess the student's breadth of knowledge of the discipline of nursing and potential ability to apply research methods independently. Additional course work may be required if deficiencies are identified that may impede the student's success in program completion.

The comprehensive examination assesses the student's mastery of the general field of doctoral study, acquisition of depth and breadth of knowledge in a focused area of study, and the ability to use the research methods of the discipline. The comprehensive examination is taken after completion of all required course work and concurrent with the dissertation overview.

The dissertation overview requires the student to formulate a research plan and to justify the selected approach for studying the topic before the student's dissertation committee.

Dissertation Committee

Before completing the comprehensive examination and the dissertation overview, the student and research advisor propose, subject to approval by the coordinator of the PhD program and the dean, a committee of four or more members, one of whom must be from another school within the University and the majority of whom must be from the School of Nursing. A majority must also be full members of the Graduate Faculty of the University.

See Doctoral Committee under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees of the University bulletin.

Admission to Candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy

Admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree constitutes a promotion of the student to the most advanced stage of graduate study and provides formal approval to devote essentially exclusive attention to the research and the writing of the dissertation. To qualify for admission to candidacy, students must be in full graduate status, have satisfied the requirement of the preliminary examination, have completed formal courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.00, have passed the comprehensive examination, and have received approval of the proposed dissertation research by the dissertation committee. Admission to candidacy is granted by the Dean.

Residency Requirement

Students seeking the PhD degree are required to engage in a minimum of one term of full-time doctoral study (nine credits), which excludes any other employment except as approved. The doctoral student must notify the PhD program coordinator in writing the term that this occurs.

Dissertation and Abstract

The date and title of the dissertation defense must be submitted to the PhD program coordinator one month prior to the final defense. For definitions and detail on what constitutes an acceptable dissertation, please see Dissertation and Abstract under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees of this bulletin.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This practice-focused doctoral program will prepare nursing leaders for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. Throughout the program students will develop the clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills to design and implement programs of care delivery which significantly impact health care outcomes and have the potential to transform health care delivery. Graduates with this terminal clinical degree will be prepared for roles in direct care or indirect, systems-focused care.

Advanced practice nurses practicing in today's healthcare environment require complex clinical skills and sophisticated knowledge of the evidence-base for practice. Graduates of the DNP will be able to affect the healthcare delivery system by evaluating the evidence base for nursing practice, by becoming leaders in the clinical arenas, by establishing standards and policies, and by meeting the needs of today's diverse healthcare systems.

Admission to the DNP Program

The DNP Program has multiple points of entry and is planned to predominantly allow for three types of prospective students: post-baccalaureate RNs, current master's degree in nursing students; and advanced practice nurses and nursing administration practitioners who have completed a master's degree in nursing. However, nurses with a PhD could also seek the DNP.

Admission Criteria

All applicants must have:

• A baccalaureate degree
• A competitive GPA
• A current license to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the state or U.S. territory where the clinical practice requirements will be completed. Foreign applicants should see section on Admission of Students from Other Countries.
• A pre-admission interview. If the applicant resides at a great distance, a telephone interview may be substituted.
• Evidence of an ability to communicate in writing
• Pre-requisite statistics course
• Competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination

Applicants to the BSN-DNP program are required to submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination. Applicants to one of the post-master's majors must have a master's degree in the DNP track being pursued. Applicants interested in pursuit of a new major will be required to complete relevant master's level coursework. Students who have demonstrated successful completion of an MSN program with a competitive GPA will not be required to take a graduate admission exam. There may be additional requirements depending on the choice of a major. Applicants may be considered on an individual basis depending on prior education and experience.

Application Procedure

All applicants to the DNP program should obtain application materials from the Student Services Office, School of Nursing, 239 Victoria Building, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 or from the School of Nursing Web site. Each applicant should then submit the following:

1. Completed application form
2. Application fee
3. Complete official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
4. Admission test scores if applicable
5. Three professional letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes indicating the reviewer’s support of the student’s ability to successfully complete a demanding graduate level academic and clinical program
6. Personal essay stating one's philosophy of nursing, reasons for wanting to study in a particular area of specialization, expectations of the DNP Program, future career goals, and a potential topic for a clinical capstone project
7. Self-addressed mailing labels
8. Current CV or resume

The DNP Program uses a process of rolling admissions. Applicants will be notified at the earliest possible date of their admission status. Applicants wishing to be admitted for full-time study should apply for Fall Term admission.

Admission of International Students

Application is made through the Student Services Office, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 239 Victoria Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. Applications from international students are reviewed according to the DNP program admission criteria stated above and students are admitted on a rolling basis. The application must be completed in English and accompanied by official academic credentials with notarized English translations. A DNP applicant must have evidence of the receipt of a degree comparable to the American master's degree in nursing for admission to the MSN to DNP program or a degree comparable to the American baccalaureate degree in nursing for admission to the BSN to DNP program. The official transcripts must show all high school and post-high school work, including grades in each course, examination grades and standing in examinations and classes, and whatever other credentials are available to give a clear description of the student's academic accomplishments.

Important Information for DNP Applicants from Other Countries

International students may not register until non-academic clearance has been issued by the University Office of International Services. It is especially important that the student have adequate financial support.

After final admission, the School of Nursing reserves the right, even after arrival and enrollment, to require, at the student's expense if necessary, individual curriculum adjustments whenever particular deficiencies or needs are found. This could include enrollment in courses prerequisite to the regular course of study or additional course work in English as a second language.

To facilitate the educational experience and to help the student adjust to the United States, the University offers the support of the Office of International Services, 706 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260.

For international applicants whose native language is not English, successful achievement on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is required.

After admission to the DNP program has been granted, actual enrollment in courses is contingent upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Pennsylvania or the state or U.S. terriority where the clinical practice requirements will be completed.. To be eligible to take the NCLEX in Pennsylvania, a candidate must have passing scores on the CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) examination.

Length of Program

Students may be accepted to and enter the DNP Program after earning a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree. The duration of the full-time program will depend on the student’s level of entry: (1) Following a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing [approximately 3 years]; (2) Following a Master’s Degree (approximately 1-2 years). The student’s master’s transcript will be compared with the DNP curriculum and their previous coursework will be reviewed for permissible transfer credits in keeping with University policy and program requirements; and (3) Following a PhD Degree in Nursing [approximately 1-2 years, depending on the program]. Student transcripts will be compared with the DNP curriculum. Students will be granted academic credit for comparable coursework and will complete the required DNP coursework. Students choosing to pursue the DNP program on a part-time basis must extend the program time and design the specifics with an academic advisor. Review of applications is on an individual basis.

Curriculum

Coursework and clinical practice are required in the first two years of the DNP curriculum. Year three provides the advanced professional didactic and clinical education further required for the DNP. The core theory content and set of core competencies for all DNP graduates are aligned with the Essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN].

The DNP focuses on evaluating evidence and using evidence in clinical decision-making, developing leadership skills, implementing viable clinical innovations, and applying research and theoretical understanding to plan and make changes in practice. There is also emphasis on a population perspective, assessment of populations, use of data to make programmatic decisions, and program evaluation.

Core courses of this curriculum focus on advanced evidence-based practice, organizational and systems leadership, clinical research and analytical methods for evidence-based practice, informatics and patient care technology for the transformation of health care, health care policy and finance, clinical prevention and population health, and inter-professional collaboration for improving patient and population health outcomes. This knowledge is then expanded upon through cognates within selected areas of focus. The program culminates in a capstone project that reflects the synthesis and application of knowledge gained throughout the curriculum.

DNP Curriculum Plans

Major: Nurse Speciality Role

Nursing Administration Specialization BSN to DNP Curriculum:

TOTAL CREDITS: 81

*Students may take NUR 3050 Grant Writing offered in summer term in lieu of this course

Nursing Administration Specialization MSN to DNP Curriculum

TOTAL CREDITS: 38-48

* Students may take NUR 3050 Grant Writing offered in summer term in lieu of this course.

Major: Clinical Nurse Specialist

Medical-Surgical Specialization BSN to DNP Curriculum:

TOTAL CREDITS: 82

Medical-Surgical Specialization MSN to DNP Curriculum:

 

Fall Term (YR 1)
NUR		2011		Applied Statistics for Evidence Based Practice	3 cr.
NUR		2061		Organizational Theory/Management	3 cr.
NUR		2865		Fundamentals of Disaster/Mass Casualty Care	2 cr.
Spring Term (YR 1)
NUR		2680		Introduction to Genetics	3 cr.
NUR		2007		Research for Evidence Based Practice 2	2 cr.
				Cognate	3 cr.
Summer Term (YR 1)
NURSP		2075		Informatics	3 cr.
NUR		3050		Grant Writing	1 cr.
				Cognate	3 cr.
Fall Term (YR 2)
NUR	2900		Translating Knowledge Into Practice: The Basic Science of Care		2 cr.
NUR	3052		Manuscript Writing		1 cr.
NUR	3036		Capstone Project		2 cr.
NUR	3008		Ethics, Public Policy, Finance and Health Care Organization		3 cr.
Spring Term (YR 2)
NUR	3037		Capstone Clinical		1 cr.
NURCNS	3039		Med-Surg CNS DNP Role Practicum		1-3 cr.
			Cognate		3 cr.

TOTAL CREDITS: 36-38

Psychiatric Mental Health Specialization MSN to DNP Curriculum:

TOTAL CREDITS: 29

Major: Nurse Practitioner

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization BSN to DNP Curriculum:

TOTAL CREDITS: 38

Psychiatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization MSN to DNP Curriculum:

TOTAL CREDITS: 35

Adult Nurse Practitioner Specialization MSN to DNP Curriculum:

TOTAL CREDITS: 34-43

Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization BSN to DNP Curriculum:

TOTAL CREDITS: 82

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialization MSN to DNP Curriculm:

TOTAL CREDITS: 38-47

Major: Nurse Anesthesia

Anesthesia MSN to DNP Program:

TOTAL CREDITS: 32-36