PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

The College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science, a research-based program, which aims to prepare nurse researchers to design, conduct and lead research studies as emerging nurse scientists. The objective of the PhD in Nursing is to prepare professional nurses as scholars and researchers who will make a substantive contribution to the body of knowledge for the discipline of nursing and thereby improve health services for those who receive nursing care. Graduates are expected to plan and launch an independent program of research, seek needed support for initial phases of the research program, and begin to involve others (i.e., students, clinicians, and other researchers) in their activities. The program of study builds on advanced preparation in nursing at the master’s level (MSN to PhD). In addition to structured coursework, the program builds upon a research mentorship model which recognizes that research skills are learned most effectively by working with a faculty mentor, who provides opportunities to use the tools to conduct research and design, and execute an original research within a focused program of study. Innovation, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration are strong educational values which are reflected in the Drexel University emerging strategic plan. The PhD in nursing program represents leadership in the fields, with interdisciplinary collaboration as core administrative and curricular values basic to its philosophy and epistemology. Innovation is also central to this doctoral program as evidenced in its curriculum and research philosophy. The College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), Graduate Nursing Division in which the Doctoral Nursing Program is housed, is regarded as a forward thinking, progressive, and interdisciplinary healthcare school within the university as well as in the larger context of advanced healthcare education.