PhD Program
The PhD program in nursing is designed to prepare graduates for research and active scholarship in nursing that will extend the knowledge base of nursing and improve the delivery of rural health care. Graduates will be prepared to conduct research and develop theory related to nursing and health of rural people. Based on analysis of nursing, client or health systems in rural areas, graduates are able to design future practice models, direct the development of policy initiatives and effect meaningful change within healthcare delivery systems.
The program includes:
- Research and Conceptualization: Addressing advanced research methods, theory development and analysis, advanced statistics for health research, conceptual analysis, instrumentation and measurement, as well as involvement in active research programs
- Rural Nursing and Health Policy: Addressing the healthcare needs of rural populations through the study of rural nursing and health, as well as issues, strategies and policy development interventions for healthcare delivery for rural populations
- Cognate Courses: Supporting the student's area of interest including coursework in rural sociology
- Dissertation: Representing an independent original research project
