Post-BS to PhD Program
PhD students study a carefully developed curriculum with guidance from research-focused faculty. (Pictured: PhD student Samantha Auerbach presenting "A Review of Unintended Pregnancy in Opioid-Using Women: Implications for Nursing.")
The Post-BS to PhD program at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing equips baccalaureate-prepared nurses to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing. The program prepares students to become global and national leaders, scientists and scholars who make significant contributions in theory generation and knowledge development.
The Post BS to PhD Program offers students a flexible learning opportunities with all required courses available online in a synchronous distance learning format. The program must be completed within seven years.
Program Quick Facts
Tuition*
$470.00 per credit hour
Time to Completion
Full or part-time
4-7 years
Credit Hours
79
Start Term
Fall
Format
Synchronous online
Required GPA
Minimum 3.25 (undergraduate)
Application Open Date
Fall start: November 15-April 15
*Estimated tuition is based on the resident rate and does not include fees.
Program Requirements
Curriculum
YEAR ONE (25 credits)
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NGC 501 | Conceptual Foundations of Nursing | 3 |
| NGC 509 | Ethics for the Health Professions | 3 |
| NGC 518 | Health Promotion and Epidemiologic Methods | 3 |
| NGC 520 | Scientific Communication | 2 |
| NGC 533 | Teaching in Nursing | 3-4 |
| Research Area Elective | 3 | |
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NGC 526 | Evaluating Research Evidence for Health Care I | 4 |
| NGC 527 | Evaluating Research Evidence for Health Care II | 4 |
Year Two and Beyond (31 credits)
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NGC 632 | Interpreting Health Care Policy | 3 |
| NUS 691 | Advanced Information Technology in Practice, Education and Research | 1 |
| NGC 692 | Seminar in Grantsmanship | 1 |
| NUS 700 | Advanced Theory Construction and Development | 3 |
| NGC 701 | State of Nursing Science | 3 |
| NUS 739 | Philosophy of Inquiry | 3 |
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NUS 694 | Quantitative Methods in Health Care Research | 3 |
| NUS 695 | Advanced Statistical Techniques | 3 |
| *NUS 697 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| NUS 705 | Designing and Testing Interventions and Innovations | 3 |
| NUS 706 | Psycho-Social Measurement and Questionnaire Construction | 3 |
| NUS 708 | Research Practicum | 2 |
| *NUS 710 | Interpretive Phenomenology | 3 |
*Students may choose to take NUS 697 OR NUS 710
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Electives | 9 |
Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| NUS 699 | Dissertation Guidance | 12 |
| NUS 702 | Dissertation Seminar (required each dissertation semester) | 2 |
Total Credit Hours: 79
Successful completion of a written qualifying examination developed by the student’s dissertation committee and an oral defense of the proposed research for the dissertation are required of every PhD student before beginning their dissertation research.
The qualifying examination is generally attempted following the completion of all (or the majority) of coursework. Defense of the dissertation proposal provides an opportunity for the faculty, in addition to the student’s committee, to contribute to the scholarly development of the student’s work and promotion of science. The dissertation must represent the outcome of independent, original research mentored by the Chair and committee and is defended orally at the direction of the student’s dissertation Chair.
