University of Tennessee Health Science Center

PhD and Dual DNP/PhD Programs

Carolyn Graff, PhD, RN

PhD in Nursing Science

Program Director

jgraff@uthsc.edu

901-448-6544

Topics:• Which Program? PhD, DNP or dual

DNP/PhD

• Admissions process

• Faculty mentors and how to “match”

• Recent graduates and their research

• Curriculum schedule

• Expectations for graduation

• RA and TA opportunities

• The PhD degree (with a focus in nursing) prepares nurse scientists who contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.

• The DNP program prepares nurses for the practice degree in nursing. – Options include: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family

Nursing, Forensic Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia, Pediatric Nursing, Neonatal Nursing.

– Dual options include: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nursing; Psychiatric Mental Health/Family Nursing.

Which Program Is Right for Me?

Which Program is Right for Me?

• The dual DNP/PhD program provides highly motivated and qualified students with an integrated advanced clinical and research program of study. Students focus on a clinical research area in the PhD program and a clinical specialty area in the DNP program.

• The combined program

– reduces the time normally required to complete both degrees

– yields expert practice leaders who can contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.  

PhD Admissions: Pre-Application + Packet Component

• Pre-Application materials will be compiled and submitted in one packet (see website for additional details) by February 1st

• Be prepared to have identified three individuals who will provide written references on letterhead addressing your research capabilities

• Write an essay on your research and clinical interests and why you are seeking to attain a PhD (completed after pre-application).

• In the essay, address potential issues: poor grades one term/course, switching schools, gaps in employment

Admissions Packet• Additional packet components:

– the Application Packet CHECKLIST– official transcripts– official test scores (GRE) – a proposed plan of study (if you have not yet completed all pre-

professional courses)– copy of unencumbered RN license– current CPR card

• Packet due by application deadline (submit in one envelope to:The University of Tennessee Health Science CenterCollege of Nursing, Office of Student Affairs Attn: Roylynn Germain920 Madison Avenue, 10th floorMemphis, TN 38163

DNP/PhD Application

• NursingCAS

– Prospective students apply to the DNP Program through NursingCAS. Specific instructions are provided at the NursingCAS portal at http://nursingcas.org/

– Applicants obtain transcripts from every institution to enter courses AND request transcripts for NursingCAS to verify coursework

Dual DNP/PhD Program• If applying to the dual DNP/PhD program, must

be accepted first into the DNP program option (e.g., family nursing, pediatric nursing, psych-mental health nursing).

• You may be accepted into DNP but not PhD.

• If not accepted into DNP program, can request application be considered for PhD program.

• Consider personally contacting DNP option coordinator and PhD program director before applying to the dual program.

TimelinesDeadlines for application:

• Jan. 15 - DNP/PhD program -- NursingCAS

• Feb. 1-PhD program –Pre-Application Due

• March-DNP/PhD applicants interviewed

• March - PhD applicants interviewed

• Apr -Applicants notified of admission decision

• May -DNP/PhD Students' Letter of Intent and

$200 Guaranteed Enrollment Deposit due

• August-Classes begin

Admissions Questions?

• College of Nursing Office of Student Affairs:Jamie Overton, Director of Student Affairs

Email: joverton@uthsc.edu

Phone: 901-448-6139

Shawn Boyd, Coordinator of Student Affairs

Email: sboyd15@uthsc.edu

901-448-6141

Roylynn Germain, Administrative Coordinator

Email: rgermain@uthsc.edu

Phone: 901-448-6125

Faculty Match for Research

• Two main areas of research:– Bio-behavioral– Health outcomes

• Match on population, concepts, methods

• Faculty who advise/chair dissertations

Dr. Michael Carter geriatrics, nursing home, pain

Dr. Carolyn Graff intellectual and developmental

disability, parent-child interaction, parent-child relationship

Bio-behavioral Researchers

Dr. Kristen H. Archboldpediatric sleep, cognition, behavior,

transplant, and sleep

Bio-Behavioral Researchers

Dr. Patty Cowanlifestyle effects on obesity,

cardiometabolic outcomes in teens/ adults with chronic illness

Dr. Donna Hathawayquality of life, transplant populations

Bio-Behavioral and Health Outcomes Researchers

Dr. Mona Wickscaregiver health, burden, depressive

symptoms, minority health/disparities

Bio-Behavioral Researcher

Dr. Wendy Likes

women’s health-gynecological oncology, HPV/VIN, cytology, sexual

function, quality of life

Number of Students Accepted

• Accept 4-8 students yearly, based on match and availability of faculty advisor

• Each advisor maximum of 3-5 students mentored throughout program.

• Fall 2012, 2013, 2014: 17, 15, and 15 students in PhD in Nursing Science Program, respectively

Recent Graduates

Dissertation Topics1. Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, Heart Rate Variability and Fitness in Obese African American Youth

2. Effect of Obesity on the Traditional and Emerging Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in African American Women

3. Symbiotic Caregivers: A Qualitative Case Study of African American Custodial Grandparents and Their Grandchildren

4. Evaluating the Impact of the Guatemalan Nursing Program on Staff, Organizational, and Clinical Outcomes5. Pain Management in Nursing Home Residents with Cancer and Dementia, with and without Hospice Services6. Characterizing Dietary intake and Physical Activity Affecting Weight Gain in Kidney Transplant Recipients

7. Emergency Physicians’ Perspectives on the Usability of Health Information Exchange

8. Inflammatory Proteins, Genetic Variation, and Environmental Influences on Health Care-Associated Infection Development in Sepsis

9. The Relationship of Body Mass Index to Left Lower Extremity Bone Mineral Concentration in Adolescents from NHANES 2002-2006

10. Spatial Distribution of Obesity Among West Virginia 5th Grader Children: Analysis of the Socioeconomic, Physical, and Personal Environment

11. Nurses’ Information Appraisal within the Clinical Setting

12. Military Sexual Trauma Exposure and Heart Rate Variability Outcomes in Female Veterans

Time to Graduation• PhD student: can be full or part-time

– Majority graduate in < 4 years

– MSN prepared: 3 year curriculum

– BSN prepared: 3.5-4 year curriculum

• DNP/PhD students: full or part-time

– Reduces time to complete both programs separately by ½ to 1 year (1-2 terms)

– Students entering with post-BSN and post-MSN have varying sequence of courses

PhD Curriculum: Post-BSNYear 1 Fall Year 1 Spring

BIOE811 Biostatistics 4(3-1) BIOE821 Biostatistics 4(3-1)

NSG912 Theory Construction and Analysis 3(3-0) HOPR810 or HOPR851 Health Policy 3(3-0)

NSG913 Qualitative Research Methods 3(3-0) NSG934 Theoretical and Methodological Issues 2(2-0)

NSG919 Nursing Science Seminar 1(1-0) I IDPT801 Integrity in the Conduct of Scientific Research 1(1-0)

Total 11 (10-1) Total 10 (9-1)

Year 2 Fall Year 2 Spring

BIOE:XXX Advance Statistical 3(3-0) NSG 924 Scientific Dissemination 3(3-0)

NSG911 Philosophy of Science 3(3-0) NSG960 Directed Study or Elective 3(3-0)

NSG923 Quantitative Research Methods 3(3-0) NSG900 Dissertation 3(3-0)

NSG919 Nursing Science Seminar 1(1-0) XXX Elective 3(3-0)

NSG960 Directed Study or Elective 3(3-0)

Total 13 (13-0) Total 12 (12-0)

Year 3 Fall Year 3 Spring

NSG 900 Dissertation 9(9-0) NSG 900 Dissertation 9(9-0)

NSG 960 Directed Study 3(3-0) Total 9(9-0)

Total 12(12-0)

Year 4

Fall Year 4

NSG Dissertation 9(9-0)

Total program credit hours 76

NOTE: Courses selected for advanced statistics, electives, and directed study are based on development needs of the student and decided in conjunction with the faculty advisor and dissertation committee.

PhD Curriculum: Post-MSNYear 1 Fall Year 1 SpringBIOE811 Biostatistics 4(3-1) BIOE821 Biostatistics 4(3-1)

NSG912 Theory Construction and Analysis 3(3-0) HOPR810 or HOPR851 Health Policy 3(3-0)

NSG913 Qualitative Research Methods 3(3-0) NSG934 Theoretical and Methodological Issues 2(2-0)

NSG919 Nursing Science Seminar 1(1-0) I IDPT801 Integrity in the Conduct of Scientific Research 1(1-0)

Total 11 (10-1) Total 10 (9-1)

Year 2 Fall Year 2 SpringBIOE:XXX Advance Statistical 3(3-0) NSG 924 Scientific Dissemination 3(3-0)

NSG911 Philosophy of Science 3(3-0) NSG960 Directed Study or Elective 3(3-0)

NSG923 Quantitative Research Methods 3(3-0) NSG900 Dissertation 6(6-0)

NSG919 Nursing Science Seminar 1(1-0) Total 12 (12-0)

NSG960 Directed Study or Elective 3(3-0)

Total 13 (13-0)

Year 3 Fall Year 3 SpringNSG 900 Dissertation 9(9-0) NSG 900 Dissertation 9(9-0)

Total 9(9-0) Total 9 (9-0)

Total program credit hours 64

NOTE: Courses selected for advanced statistics, electives, and directed study are based on development needs of the student and decided in conjunction with the faculty advisor and dissertation committee.

DNP/PhD Curriculum: Full-TimeYear 1 Fall Year 1 SpringBIOE811 Biostatistics 4(3-1) BIOE821 Biostatistics 4(3-1) NSG912 Theory Construction 3(3-0) HOPR 851 Health Policy 3(3-0)NSG913 Qualitative Research 3(3-0) NSG934 Theoretical and Methodological Issues 2(2-0)NSG919 Nursing Science Seminar 1(1-0) I IDPT801 Integrity in the Conduct of Scientific Research 1(1-0) Total 11 (10-1) Total 10 (9-1)

Year 2 Fall Year 2 SpringBIOE712 Epidemiology3(3-0) BIOEXXX Advanced Statistics 3(3-0)HOPR 877 Health Care Economics 3(3-0) NSG924 Scientific Dissemination 3(3-0)NSG911 Philosophy of Science 3(3-0) NAPS Advanced Practice 4(2-2)NSG919 Nursing Science Seminar 1(1-0) Total 10 (8-2)NSG:923 Quantitative Research 3(3-0) Total 13 (13-0)

Year 3 Fall Year 3 SpringNSG819 Evaluation of Practice 3 (3-0) NSG926 Synthesis Practicum 6(0-6)NAPS Advanced Practice Specialty 4 (2-2) NSG900 Dissertation 3(3-0)NSG900 Dissertation 3(3-0) Total 9 (3-6) DNP awarded Total 10 (8-2)

Year 4 Fall Year 4 SpringDissertation 9(9-0) Dissertation 9(9-0)Total 9 (9-0) Total 9 (9-0) PhD awarded

Total Hours 81(71-10) 600 Clinical Hours

Time on Campus• Throughout program: on-campus week beginning

and end of term (DNP, PhD, DNP/PhD programs)

• PhD courses: courses in first two terms meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays face to face of each week; distance technology available for Thursday class

• Research can be conducted in Memphis or other location

• DNP advanced practice clinical/selective experiences in proximity where student resides.

Expectations for Graduation• Candidacy exam after core PhD courses

completed (3rd or 4th term)

• Presentations and publications on literature reviews, pilot studies

• Dissertation proposal

• Dissertation research (24 credits)

• Dissertation defense (final exam)

• Advanced practice credentialing exam (DNP/PhD graduates)

RA/TA Opportunities

• Tuition waived for 6-8 hours of service weekly

• RA/TA duties on a non-class day

• Examples of RA activities: – recruit/participate research of faculty – data entry – literature reviews – developing posters, abstracts, presentations – assist with on-line or face-to-face course

We take great pride in our students’

accomplishments and look forward to their

continued contributions to the improvement of health care following

graduation.

Thanks for joining us!

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