PhD in Nursing Program
The College of Nursing at UMass Dartmouth will admit its first class of
PhD students in September of 2008. The application deadline is March 15, 2008
for Fall 2008 admission. This innovative program addresses the nursing shortage
by preparing qualified academic nurse educators to:
- Teach in baccalaureate and higher degree programs;
- Advance nursing knowledge and improve nursing practice in the care of people living with chronic illness;
- Advance nursing knowledge in innovative nursing education strategies; and
- Be leaders in nursing scholarship, education, and practice.
There are some unique features to this program:
- Students are admitted to full time study and progress as a cohort through the program;
- Classes are held on one day (Tuesday) and some courses are provided using asynchronous on-line format alternating with in-class sessions; and
- Strong advising from admission to the program and an innovative approach to PhD certification will advance the student’s dissertation research.
Prospective graduate students in nursing meet the following criteria for admission to the PhD in nursing program:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Master’s degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.3.
- Master’s level course work equivalents must include: nursing theory and nursing research.
- One year of professional nursing experience.
- A course in multivariate statistics within the past five years.
- Computer competency in word processing, spread sheets, PowerPoint, statistical software (SPSS), electronic searches, and internet resources.
- Completed application for graduate study at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
- Official transcripts.
- Three letters of recommendation from people who have worked closely with the applicant in an academic, professional, or community service setting. These letters should include specific information about the applicant's abilities and performance. Letters of recommendation should not be written by friends or family members of the applicant. If possible, at least one letter should be from a former teacher who is familiar with the applicant's academic work. It is strongly suggested that the three letters of recommendation comment on differing aspects of the applicant's abilities and performance, and that they be current, directly addressing the applicant’s present ability to do graduate work.
- Personal statement of interest and intent. Please submit, with your application, a typed two-part essay. In the first part (up to 250 words), give your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate study. In the second part (up to 1,000 words), indicate your research interests and goals for doctoral study. Use plain paper and put your name on each page.
- Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse license or eligibility for licensure in Massachusetts.
- Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination.
Information about the test and about the locations of test centers is available from Educational Testing Service: 609.771.7670 (voice/TDD/text: 609.734.9362) or www.gre.org - Example of scholarly writing (for example, a publication or scholarly paper).
All applicants are encouraged to submit supporting credentials (curriculum vitae and published articles) with their applications.
Please direct questions to Gail Russell, Graduate Program Director, at 508-999-8251 or grussell@umassd.edu
