The first cohort will be admitted spring 2008 and begin classes in fall 2008. Applications are currently being accepted and reviewed with a March 1, 2008 deadline. Applicants will be notified of admission status by April 15, 2008.
The online program prepares nurse leaders to:
- Design, conduct, and disseminate research that contributes to the advancement of nursing science.
- Improve health through the application of evidence-based nursing practice.
- Incorporate research outcomes to formulate policies pertinent to nursing and health, both nationally and internationally.
- Construct and implement creative and innovative strategies related to education for nursing and health.
Link to a press release about the program. (UT System's TeleCampus Offers State's First Online Nursing Ph.D. - February 5, 2008)
Courses
Link to a listing of the courses required for the program. To find out when the courses will be offered, link to the course catalog, select the program and click search. Catalog search results will return the schedules for at least two semesters, but not all programs are scheduled that far in advance.
Participating Institution and Advisor:
Barbara Haas, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Director of Doctoral Program
The University of Texas at Tyler
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, TX 75799
barbara_haas@uttyler.edu
(903) 566-7021
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
What type of degree is the doctorate? The degree conferred will be a Ph.D. or ‘Doctor of Philosophy’. It is a research degree that will prepare scholars for faculty roles and as researchers.
- When will the program begin? The first class will be admitted in spring 2008 and begin classes in fall 2008.
- What will be the format for the classes? The program will be online with minimal on-campus attendance required.
- What does minimal, on-campus attendance mean? Students are required to attend a 4-5 day orientation the last week in July, prior to the start of classes. No on-campus attendance will be required for individual courses. It is possible that the student and faculty will decide it best to meet on campus for preliminary exam or dissertation proposal and final defense but that is not anticipated. Of course students will always be welcome to come to campus to interact with faculty!
- What is the focus of the program? The focus of the program is ‘health in communities within the context of culture’. The cultural perspective indicates an awareness of the social, political, and economic forces that impact health care delivery. We are fortunate to have affiliations with international health organizations who collaborate with us to offer expert guest faculty and student experiences, if desired. Our program is also unique in that it is located in a nonmetropolitan area, providing faculty experienced in conducting research outside of the typical large medical center setting.
- When are applications due? The priority deadline for admission is March 1 of each year with notification regarding acceptance on or around April 15.
- What are the admission criteria? All applicants will be required to submit undergraduate and any graduate transcripts, graduate record exam (GRE) scores, a 3-5 page essay, and letters of recommendation. Foreign applicants will be required to submit TOEFL scores. Applicants may submit additional materials that reflect their credentials. Specific guidelines for the application are available online.
- I have already taken the MAT. Do I still have to take the GRE? Yes, all applicants will be required to take the GRE.
- Are there any specific prerequisite courses required for admission? Students are expected to be competent with statistics at the master’s level. Based on previous coursework and experience, some students may be required to take additional courses to prepare for doctoral study. Prerequisite courses do not count toward fulfillment of the doctoral degree.
- How many credits can I transfer in to the program? Students will be able to transfer up to twelve (12) hours of credit to meet degree requirements. Credit for all transfer courses is subject to approval of the student’s advisor.
- Are there any courses I can take now that will transfer as credit toward my doctoral degree? Probably, though this is difficult to address except on an individual basis. While every student takes the same core courses, doctoral education is very individualized. Appropriate courses that transfer in will be those that are applicable to the student’s research interests and program of work. For example, if you are interested in childhood obesity, a nutrition course may be appropriate. If you plan to use exercise as an intervention, a course in Kinesiology may meet your needs. It is in your best interest to consult with the Director of the Doctoral Program before registering for elective courses.
- What are the Elective/Cognate courses listed on the curriculum page? Students must take 12 SCH's of electives/cognates that are not offered in the program. Elective/Cognate courses are those courses that the student will select in consultation with their advisor to supplement their program of study. Technically an elective is a course that the student chooses of special interest to them. A cognate is a related course but offered through a different discipline (not in nursing). These courses will not necessarily be offered or taught by us. Students may transfer courses from other colleges or universities or they may choose other courses offered through the Telecampus or UT Tyler (with approval).
- Where can I get more information? Contact the Director listed above. Please include your full name, address, telephone number and e-mail address in your message.
Getting Started
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to doctoral study at The University of Texas at Tyler, the following criteria must be met for entry into the program:
- A degree in nursing from a college or university approved by a recognized national accrediting body.
- A master’s degree from a college or university approved by a recognized national accrediting body.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale on previous academic coursework.
- Submission of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the past five years.
- A current license to practice professional nursing.
- International applicants will be evaluated for equivalency on criteria 1-5.
- International students must score a minimum of 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 78 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For more information on International applications, please refer to the UT Tyler catalog.
- A 3-5 page paper linking professional goals and research interests to health issues emphasized in this program.
- Three academic and/or professional letters of reference.
Consideration for admission to the Ph.D. in Nursing program will also be given to one or more of the following: the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, socioeconomic background, first generation college graduate, multilingual proficiency, geographic region of residence, and level of responsibility in other matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community, service, and family responsibilities.
To apply to the Ph.D. in Nursing Program, follow the steps outlined on the UT Tyler website.
Additional information on admissions, registration and course access procedures can be found in Enrollment Services.