For more than 25 years, our PhD program has graduated over 100 nurse scientists who
have gone on to careers in nursing education, research and organizational leadership
in the United States and abroad.
The goal of our PhD program is to engage students in an intensive rigorous manner
that prepares them as nurse scholars to enter the workforce in a reasonable amount
of time. The program assists students in identifying, clarifying and articulating
their research topic and ideas early in the program. During the program, students
are mentored as they focus on their ideas and research goals. Emphasis is placed on
the health needs of vulnerable individuals and populations within the context of social
justice.
This program is offered online with residency opportunities on campus in Pittsburgh,
PA and as part of a study abroad experience at Duquesne's Rome and/or Dublin campus.
We welcome students to our program from all areas of the country and the world.
Program Outcomes
The overall purpose of the PhD in Nursing program is to prepare graduates for a lifetime
of intellectual inquiry, creative scholarship and research. Graduates of the program
will be competent in research, scholarship and leadership within the profession of
nursing. The graduate must possess and demonstrate specific competencies. These include
the ability to:
- Function as an independent researcher and conduct original research that builds upon
prior research and expands the science of nursing.
- Integrate theoretical frameworks and research findings from other disciplines to enhance
the practice of professional nursing.
- Produce scholarly work that contributes to the science and profession of nursing by
communicating creative solutions to problems in nursing and health care.
- Demonstrate leadership and collaborative strategies to reduce health care disparities
on a local, national and international level.
- Help improve the health of the community by generating new evidence for nursing practice
that solves problems related to health care delivery.
- Evaluate issues that affect health care and advocate for change in health care policies
based on evidence and the principles of social justice.
Program Options and Coursework
The program begins in May with the start of the summer semester. We offer three-year
and four-year curriculum options, as well as a DNP to PhD program, which permits nurses
with a DNP degree to gain valuable skills that will enable them to function as independent
researchers.
All options are offered online with residency requirements at our Pittsburgh, PA campus,
as well as at Duquesne's Dublin, Ireland campus as part of one study abroad experience.
3-Year and 4-Year Coursework Options
The School of Nursing offers both a three-year and a four-year option for pursuing
a PhD in Nursing program, allowing you to apply to the program that best fits with
your goals and lifestyle. The three- and four-year options are identical but differ
in intensity and duration.
The three-year option typically requires six-10 credits to be complete per semester, whereas the four-year option typically requires six credits per semester. If you are interested in applying to
the three-year program, you must have a commitment to prioritizing your time in order
to complete the program, unencumbered by expectations of an over-demanding life/work/job.
3-Year PhD Coursework - 56 credits
53 credits total if a 3-credit statistics course is transferred. (*Required on-campus
visit **Study Abroad)
Year One: Summer - Foundations
| Course # |
Course Title or Program Requirement |
Credits |
| GPNG 901 |
State of the Science and Discovery |
3 credits |
| GPNG 921 |
Foundations of Social and Distributive Justice in Health Policy |
3 credits |
| |
Doctoral Week* - Required Residency 1 of 4 (Orientation) |
|
Year One: Fall - Science, Truth and Knowledge
| GPNG 927 |
Structure of Nursing Knowledge |
3 credits |
| GPNG 922 |
Philosophy of Science and Theory |
3 credits |
Year One: Spring - Scientific Tools
| GPNG 943 |
Methods of Scientific Inquiry in Nursing I |
4 credits |
| GPNG 940 |
Statistics II or a Cognate |
3 credits |
| GPNG 908 |
Advanced Population Health |
3 credits |
Year Two: Summer, Global View
| GPNG 944 |
Methods of Scientific Inquiry in Nursing II** |
3 credits |
| GPNG 903 |
Measurement Issues** |
3 credits |
| |
Seminar: Topic Defense* (Doctoral Week) - - Required Residency 2 of 4 (Writing Intensive) |
|
| |
Study Abroad** - Required Residency 3 of 4 |
|
Year Two: Fall - Immersion and Articulation
| GPNG 931 |
Applied Qualitative Practicum |
3 credits |
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation Research Seminar: 1st manuscript (literature or other)* |
3 credits |
| |
Cognate |
3 credits |
| GPNG 918 |
Research and Theory in Health Behaviors |
3 credits |
Year Two: Spring - Developing Independence
| GPNG 930 |
Applied Quantitative Practicum |
3 credits |
| GPNG 915 |
Grant Writing and Dissertation Proposal Development |
3 credits |
Year Three: Summer - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation |
3 credits |
| Cognate Selection |
|
|
Year Three: Fall - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation |
3 credits |
Year Three: Spring - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation |
3 credits |
Final Semester (depending on start): Summer - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation Final Defense* - Required Residency 4 of 4 |
3 credits |
4-Year PhD Coursework - 56 credits
53 credits total if a 3-credit statistics course is transferred. (*Required on-campus
visit **Study Abroad)
Year One: Summer - Foundations
|
Course #
|
Course Title or Program Requirement |
Credits |
| GPNG 901 |
State of the Science and Discovery |
3 credits |
| |
Doctoral Week* - Required Residency 1 of 4 (Orientation) |
|
Year One: Fall - Science, Truth and Knowledge
| GPNG 927 |
Structure of Nursing Knowledge |
3 credits |
| GPNG 922 |
Philosophy of Science and Theory |
3 credits |
Year One: Spring - Scientific Tools
| GPNG 943 |
Methods of Scientific Inquiry in Nursing I |
3 credits |
| GPNG 940 |
Statistics II |
3 credits |
Year Two: Summer - Global View
| GPNG 944 |
Methods of Scientific Inquiry in Nursing II** |
3 credits |
| GPNG 903 |
Measurement Issues** |
3 credits |
| |
Seminar: Topic Defense* (Doctoral Week) - - Required Residency 2 of 4 (Writing Intensive) |
|
| |
Study Abroad** - Required Residency 3 of 4 |
|
Year Two: Fall - Immersion and Articulation
| GPNG 931 |
Applied Qualitative Practicum |
3 credits |
| GPNG 918 |
Research and Theory in Health Behavior |
3 credits |
Year Two: Spring - Immersion and Articulation
| GPNG 930 |
Applied Quantitative Practicum |
3 credits |
| GPNG 908 |
Advanced Population Health |
3 credits |
Year Three: Summer - Foundations
| GPNG 921 |
Foundations of Social and Distributive Justice in Health Policy |
3 credits |
| |
Seminar: Topic Defense* (Doctoral Week) |
|
| |
Cognate Selection |
|
Year Three: Fall - Immersion and Articulation
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation Research Seminar: 1st manuscript (literature or other)* |
3 credits |
Year Three: Spring- Developing Independence
| GPNG 915 |
Grant Writing and Dissertation Proposal Development |
3 credits |
Year Four: Summer - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation |
3 credits |
Year Four: Fall - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation |
3 credits |
Year Four: Spring - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 935 |
Continuous Registration |
0 credits |
Final Semester (depending on start) - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 935 |
Continuous Registration Dissertation Final Defense* - Required Residency 4 of 4 |
0 credits |
DNP to PhD Option
Apply the knowledge and skills you learned in your DNP program to this DNP to PhD option which allows you to conduct research related to your DNP Project. The DNP to PhD program
requires completion of 38 credits, which typically takes two-and-a-half years, including
dissertation.
DNP to PhD Coursework - 38 credits
38 credits total. (*Required on-campus visit **Study Abroad)
Year One: Summer - Foundations
|
Course #
|
Course Title or Program Requirement
|
Credits
|
| GPNG 901 |
State of the Science and Discovery |
3 credits |
| |
Doctoral Week* - Required Residency 1 of 4 (Orientation) |
|
Year One: Fall - Science, Truth and Knowledge
| GPNG 922 |
Philosophy of Science and Theory |
3 credits |
Year One: Spring - Scientific Tools
| GPNG 943 |
Methods of Scientific Inquiry in Nursing I |
3 credits |
| GPNG 940 |
Statistics II |
3 credits |
Year Two: Summer - Global View
| GPNG 903 |
Measurement Issues** |
3 credits |
| GPNG 944 |
Methods of Scientific Inquiry in Nursing II |
|
| |
Study Abroad** - Required Residency 3 of 4 |
|
Year Two: Fall - Immersion and Articulation
| GPNG 931 |
Applied Qualitative Practicum |
3 credits |
Year Two: Spring - Developing Independence
| GPNG 930 |
Applied Quantitative Practicum |
3 credits |
Year Three: Summer - Dissertation and Dissemination
Year Three: Fall - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation |
3 credits |
| |
Dissertation Defense* |
|
Year Three: Spring - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation Defense* - Required Residency 4 of 4 |
3 credits |
Year Four: Summer - Dissertation and Dissemination
| GPNG 915 |
Dissertation Defense* - Required Residency 4 of 4 |
3 credits
|
Defense
As part of the PhD curriculum, you will be required to make a proposal defense and
a final defense.
Proposal Defense
The Proposal Defense is an oral defense of a written dissertation research proposal.
Final Defense
The Final Defense is an oral defense of the completed dissertation. Students make
one public oral defense. The University sets a deadline date for the final defense.
Prior to this deadline, students must have already:
- Successfully defended their dissertation.
- Made any corrections requested by their dissertation committee.
- Submitted an approved electronic (ETD) version of their dissertation.
Students need to work with their committee chairs to schedule their final defense
dates at least four to six weeks prior to the University deadline. You may reference
the University Academic Calendar for the latest date to submit an approved thesis.
Areas of Interest
Duquesne was founded in 1878 to educate new immigrants to Pittsburgh, development
of the mind, heart and spirit is foundational to a Duquesne education. These values
embody and give life to the curriculum, classroom, and online and residency experiences,
and they are especially visible in our relationships with each other. In the School
of Nursing, faculty and staff work collaboratively with PhD students to develop and
deepen nursing science. Much of our special focus and expertise in scholarship and
research involve working with vulnerable populations, persons who experience health
disparities, immigrants and refugees, and persons in the penal justice system. Our
sustained commitment to transcultural understanding and social justice make Duquesne
students, faculty and graduates citizens of the world.
PhD Concentrations
Each concentration is designed to complement your current professional practice and
to personalize your approach to teaching and patient care.
Nursing Education and Faculty Role Concentration
Develop teaching competencies through active engagement in courses that focus on:
- Designing innovative curricula and evaluating outcomes.
- Applying learning theories in practice.
- Assessing classroom and clinical learning.
- Developing, implementing and evaluating classroom and simulation teaching plans.
The Nursing Education Concentration also meets the eligibility criteria for the NLN
sponsored Certified Nurse Educator designation.
Coursework
Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
| Course # |
Course Title or Program Requirement |
Credits |
| GNED 507 |
Foundations in Education Theory for Professional Practice Disciplines |
3 credits |
| GNED 522 |
Innovative Curriculum Design and Evaluation |
3 credits |
| GNED 532 |
Emerging Trends and Innovations in the Teaching of Nursing |
3 credits |
Transcultural Nursing
Bridge the gap between culture and health care. Transcultural care emphasizes and
embraces the emotional and spiritual connections that influence health care decisions.
You will learn how to view patient preferences through a new lens that significantly
impacts patient care outcomes. This advanced perspective can help you make a difference
with vulnerable populations where you live and work, as well as around the world.
Please note that any tuition discounts that graduate students receive are not applicable
to study abroad courses.
Students receiving any outside aide are responsible for ensuring that the aid will
cover expenses related to study abroad courses.
Coursework
Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
| Course # |
Course Title or Program Requirement |
Credits |
| GPNG 908 |
Advanced Population Health |
3 credits |
| GPNG 917 |
Transcultural Care and Global Health Perspectives |
3 credits |
| GPNG 921 |
Foundations of Social and Distributive Justice in Health Policy |
3 credits |
Forensic Nursing
It's one thing to collect evidence, it's another to know how to communicate what the
evidence means. Learn how to do exactly that with the potential to become a trusted
expert when evaluating crimes like sexual abuse, physical assault, and accidental
or intentional death. From detail-oriented analysis to court depositions that lead
to prosecutions, this concentration will prepare you for a role in the criminal justice
system and to be eligible to sit for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification
exam.
Coursework
Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
| Course # |
Course Title or Program Requirement |
Credits |
| GNFO 518 |
Criminal Law and the Courts |
3 credits |
| GNFO 519 |
Advanced Forensic Nursing I: Theory and Practice |
3 credits |
| GNFO 520 |
Advanced Forensic Nursing II: Program Development, Leadership & Policy |
3 credits |
PhD Required Residencies
Residency 1: Doctoral Week
Every student admitted to the PhD program is required to come to the Pittsburgh, PA,
campus for the first residency, usually held during the second or third week of May.
This week includes an orientation to the PhD program and provides an opportunity for
students to meet faculty and participate in live classes for the courses in which
they are enrolled that summer.
Residency 2: Study Abroad
Students enrolled in GPNG 924 Methods of Scientific Inquiry II will take part of the
course as a study abroad experience (approximately 10-14 days) in locations such as
Dublin, Ireland.
Residency 3: Topic and Committee Approval
This residency provides an opportunity for the student to meet with their faculty
mentor either at Duquesne University or another location, such as a conference setting,
for intensive discussion and writing around dissertation topic development in preparation
for approval.
Residency 4: Final Dissertation Defense
Students are required to come to campus for the final public defense of their dissertation.
