PhD Curriculum

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The curriculum is divided into three general categories of knowledge:
• Nursing Science
• Modes of Inquiry, which includes quantitative and qualitative research methods
• A collateral field outside of the discipline of nursing

NURSING SCIENCE
The nursing science component of the curriculum is divided into three substantive areas:
• Health-care systems
• Health promotion and protection
• Health restoration and support
Content related to these areas, which form the basis of doctoral seminar courses, is integrated with theory and research courses. Students select one substantive area as a focus.

Health Care Systems
Students in the health care systems component study:
• Nursing and health-care delivery models
• Political and historical development of models such as primary care, primary nursing, case management and managed care
• Informatics and intelligence systems

Health Promotion and Protection
The health promotion and protection area addresses modes of nursing that are supportive and educative. It encompasses concepts related to individual care and family care systems to promote and maintain health, and to reduce risks for illness or injury. Topics of doctoral seminars include:
• Health-promoting behaviors of pregnant and parenting adolescents
• Dependent adult and elderly care
• Prevention of domestic violence and abuse of children and elderly
• Promotion and support of breastfeeding among minority and low-income families
• Women’s health issues
• Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases
• Prevention of children’s
exposure to toxins

Health Restoration and Support
The health restoration and support area addresses human responses to acute, critical and chronic health conditions.
Included among the populations of interest are individuals and families at risk for health crises, such as:
• Individuals with cancer
• Physiological and psychosocial characteristics of frail elderly and family caregivers
• Individuals with problems of mobility
• Families of children with handicaps
• Persons of all ages who are experiencing pain

MODES OF INQUIRY
Courses in measurement, quantitative research methods and statistics, and qualitative research methods are offered within the School of Nursing and in other departments.
Students are required to participate in supervised research practica with faculty and to write dissertations.

COLLATERAL AREA
The collateral area is an integrated set of courses selected to support a student’s interests and professional goals. In consultation with the doctoral program committee, students may choose collateral areas from any program on campus in such diverse areas as women’s studies, family studies, gerontology, higher education administration, and exercise