The individual student's supervisory committee has the final responsibility for approving the course of study for a particular student, which may exceed the 99 required course credits. Of the minimum requirements, there are a minimum of 43 credits defined as Theory and Domain of Knowledge, and a minimum of 56 credits defined as Scholarly Inquiry. It is intended that course work in theory and domain of knowledge will provide grounding in science and nursing science that are foundational to more specific issues in the relationship of human health and nursing. The perspective involves individuals, groups and communities, as they define, and also interactively influence, health. Health is a socially constructed concept that shows variation based on biological, gender, age, social class and cultural factors.
Health can refer to wellness and illness as well as disease.
Nursing as a scientific discipline studies the interaction of persons and environments and the patterning of human behavior to achieve or maintain health. Courses included in the Scholarly Inquiry requirement deal with the means of developing knowledge. There is exposure to a variety of approaches with encouragement to develop advanced skills in at least one methodology. Courses are taught when 10 or more students are enrolled. Scientific Content and Dissertation - 6 credits The Colloquium requirement is intended for peer exchange after the first year demonstrating the individual scholar's domain of knowledge and scholarship.