PhD

The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to educate nurse scholar-scientists for research-intensive roles. The program prepares graduates who are well prepared to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge; educate the next generation; and assume collaborative leadership roles. These objectives are achieved through upholding the following expectations of WVU School of Nursing scholars:

1. Rigorously test, generate, and extend knowledge to inform nursing science, practice, and policy.
2. Contribute to the development of knowledge and interventions to address health disparity and promote or improve health.
3. Assume collaborative leadership roles in academia, healthcare organizations, research teams, and scholarly networks.
4. Demonstrate expertise within an area of study that incorporates nursing and transdisciplinary perspectives.

Ph.D. Program of Study and Progression Plan*

The Ph.D. program requires students to take at a minimum: nursing core courses, cognate courses, and research courses comprising the 55 credits of post-master’s coursework. The Ph.D. coursework provides content in scholarly processes, nursing science and an area of concentration that supports the student’s chosen area of scholarship. Students and their faculty advisors determine what other coursework and experiences are needed to support their dissertation research.

To meet WVU residency requirements, students are required to attend an academic offering for one day in the fall and one day in the spring. In addition, when students initially start the program, they will attend two in-person sessions on campus in May and June.

Students must submit one first-authored manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal for publication prior to taking the Qualifying Examination and have one first-authored, peer-reviewed manuscript accepted for publication prior to the dissertation defense.

For more information about degree requirements and course descriptions, refer to the WVU Graduate Catalog.

Additional student information, including a schedule of courses and progression plans, can also be found in our Student Handbook. 

Program Contact

Current Ph.D. students, please contact:

Brandy Toothman

West Virginia University

Position

Program Specialist, Office of Student Services

Phone

304-293-4298

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For program/curriculum information, please contact:

Roger Dean Carpenter, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CNE

West Virginia University

Positions

Associate Professor, Adult Health Department

Director PHD Program, Office of Academics

Phone

304-293-1401

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My WVU education has prepared me to be a competent skilled leader and nursing scientist. I learned so much that has helped me advance in my career.