Through dialogue and study with these professionals, nurse scholars expand their understanding of health and illness and the biological, environmental, sociocultural, ethical, legal, philosophic and historic factors influencing nursing care. Scholars must be inquisitive, informed and committed. This requires expertise in the principles and methods of inquiry and an informed imagination for exploring substantive areas in nursing. The ultimate goal of this inquiry is to enhance nursing's contribution to the health of all persons. The School of Nursing collaborates with the School of Medicine, the School of Law, and the Department of Religious Studies to offer a joint Ph.D. in Nursing and M.A. in Bioethics.
Students follow the doctoral program curriculum.
Cognates and elective requirements for the doctorate are taken in bioethics, meeting the M.A. degree requirement. Graduates are prepared to engage in continuing scholarship and research which both contributes to the knowledge base of the discipline of nursing, and addresses bioethical issues in nursing and health care. The major purpose of the doctoral program in nursing is to prepare scholars with expertise in selected substantive areas who will contribute to nursing theory and practice through systematic inquiry. Minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. Academic record that demonstrates a minimum of a B average.