The MSN–PhD pathway is designed for nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing who want to expand their clinical expertise into research, preparing them to lead scientific inquiry that improves patient outcomes and health care systems.
Curriculum
MSN-PhD Program of Study Full-Time | Effective Fall 2026
Year One
Fall Semester
- N599: Statistical Methods for Health Care Research (3)
- N601: Philosophy and Knowledge Development for Nursing Science (3)
- N603: Foundations of Nursing Science (3)
Total of 9 hours
Spring Semester
- N602: Advanced Statistical Methods for Health Care Research (3)
- N605: Middle-Range Theory Development and Evaluation (3)
- N610: State of the Science (3)
Total of 9 hours
Summer Semester
Full Summer
- Cognate Course I (3)
- Cognate Course II (3)
- Milestone: Preliminary Exam
Total of 6 hours in the summer
Year Two
Fall Semester
- N608: Quantitative Nursing Research (3)
- N612: Health and Health Care Policy (3)
- N613: Nursing Leadership in Complex Systems (3)
Total of 9 hours
Spring Semester
- N607: Qualitative Nursing Research (3)
- N609: Research Practicum (3)*
- N611: Advanced Quantitative Nursing Research (3)
- N615: Research Ethics in the Health Sciences (2)
*Can also be taken in summer session
Total of 8-11 hours
Summer Semester
- N606: Grant Writing in Nursing Science (3)
- N614: Nursing Preceptorship (3)**
**Optional preceptorship
Total of 3-6 hours in the summer
Year Three
Fall Semester
- N600: Doctoral Research and Dissertation (12)
Total of 12 hours
Spring Semester
- N600: Doctoral Research and Dissertation (12)
Total of 12 hours
Total of 68-74 hours
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