Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Preparing nurse scholars to improve health through research, education, and leadership
Advance the scientific foundation of nursing practice and health care delivery with a PhD in Nursing from the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. Under the guidance of our faculty, students are prepared to launch a program of research addressing the social, cultural, political and ethical issues related to an area of nursing scholarship. At Loyola Nursing, our PhD students enjoy a small program that offers a personalized learning experience with the opportunity to build close mentor relationships. The PhD in Nursing program is open to bachelor's and master's-prepared nurses.
Looking for a nursing degree focused on advanced clinical practice? Learn more about our DNP program.
Our Commitment to You
Graduates of Loyola's PhD in Nursing program will have the knowledge, competencies, and values to conduct in-depth research and teach nursing at the collegiate level.
Knowledge
You will have a comprehensive understanding of:
- Philosophical and scientific methods to launch research examining aspects of the nursing profession
- Theoretical foundations of nursing science
- Teaching methods
- Current nursing trends and health policy
- Quantitative and qualitative methods and design for nursing research
- Statistical analysis
Competencies
You will be able to:
- Analyze and critique theory
- Synthesize theoretical and research literature
- Critique research studies
- Formulate research questions to address gaps in knowledge
- Design and conduct research studies
- Interpret research study results
Professional Values
- Commit to the responsible conduct of research and scholarship
- Address the social, cultural, political, and ethical issues related to an area of nursing scholarship
Curriculum
PhD courses meet online two late afternoon-evenings per week in the fall and spring semesters. Two additional days of intensive in-person training sessions per semester (fall and spring) are required. In-person intensives meet on a rotating basis between the Lake Shore and Health Sciences campuses.
PROGRAM GOAL
The goal of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program is to prepare scholars who improve human health through the development and expansion of knowledge.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
At the completion of the program the graduate has the knowledge and skills to:
- Initiate a beginning program of research that expands nursing and healthcare knowledge.
- Incorporate social, cultural, political, economic, and ethical considerations into nursing scholarship and practice.
- Participate in the international community of scholars to further the Jesuit mission of generation and dissemination of knowledge in the service of humanity.
- Assume leadership roles in nursing research, education, practice, policy development, and/or administration in order to improve the health of society.
- Differentiate between managing a career as a nurse scientist and stewarding the nursing discipline.
Credit Hours
Students enrolling with a BSN will complete 70 credit hours and a dissertation in eight years or less. Students enrolling with an MSN will complete 46 credit hours and a dissertation in six years or less.
Courses
Throughout your PhD coursework, you will explore areas of nursing science development, research, philosophy, ethics, teaching, and related topics.
- Year 1: Fall
- Philosophical Bases of Nursing
- Conceptual Inquiry
- Pre-requisite Statistics
- Year 1: Spring
- Quantitative Methods and Design for Nursing Research
- Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science
- Introduction to Linear Models
- Year 1: Summer
- Qualitative Methods of Nursing Research
- Nursing as a Moral Practice
- Year 2: Fall
- Measurement for Nursing Research
- Categorical Analysis
- Year 2: Spring
- Nursing and Health Policy
- Grantsmanship
- Research Internship
- Year 2: Summer
- Teaching Methods
- Elective
- Year 3: Fall
- Qualifying Examination
- Teaching Practicum
- Year 3: Spring
- Dissertation Supervision
- Elective
- Year 3: Summer
- Dissertation Supervision
- Elective
- Year 4 and beyond:
- Dissertation Supervision (as needed)
Dissertation
A directed dissertation is required to complete a PhD in Nursing. For their dissertations, our PhD students examine research questions on a wide variety of topics, including:
- Social context, stress, and epigenetic determinants of health
- Prevention and self-management of chronic disease
- Health disparities and vulnerable populations
- Optimizing outcomes in education and practice
Faculty
Lisa Burkhart, PhD, RN: Health services research, spirituality, preventative care in spinal cord injury
Mary Byrn, PhD, RN: Symptom science, breast cancer, cancer genomics
Jorgia Connor, PhD, RN: Symptom science, breast cancer, cancer genomics
Lorna Finnegan, PhD, RN: Primary care, health equity, community and public health
Patricia Friend, PhD, RN: Oncology, precision health, genomics, genomic education
Lindsey Garfield, PhD, RN: Symptom science, breast cancer, cancer genomics
Thao Griffith, PhD, RN: Neonatal research, biobehavioral methodology, family-centered care, developmental care
Ghada Abu Irsheed, PhD, RN: Sleep health, behavioral interventions, cardiometabolic health, stroke recovery
Carol Kostovich, PhD, RN: Nursing presence, teaching-learning strategies, simulation
Alexandra Nowak, PhD, RN: Perinatal health disparities, preterm birth, genomics
Monique Ridosh, PhD, RN: Self management, family functioning, family quality of life
Todd Ruppar, PhD, RN: Health behavior change, medication adherence, cardiovascular health, meta-analysis
Karen Saban, PhD, RN: Social stressors, cardiometabolic health, stress reduction, epigenetics
Lee Schmidt, PhD, RN: Nursing surveillance and vigilance, grounded theory, instrument development and testing
Ginger Schroers, PhD, RN: Patient safety, medical errors, interruptions
P. Ann Solari-Twadell, PhD, RN: Faith community nursing, parish nursing, spiritual care, addiction, community health, primary care
Sandi Tenfelde, PhD, RN: Quality of perinatal and postpartum care, integrated health, big data
Dina Tell, PhD: Psychosocial stressors including childhood adversity; social determinants of health; stress reduction intervention including mindfulness stress reduction; statistical model for longitudinal data analysis
Admission
The PhD in Nursing program welcomes applicants with a BSN or MSN. Admission is competitive and based on the strength of application materials and interview.
Begin your journey to earning your PhD in Nursing! Learn more about the specific application requirements and apply today.
Questions? Contact Assistant Dean for the PhD Program Alexandra Nowak, PhD, JD, RN at anowak8@luc.edu
Application Deadline
- Fall term: April 1
Admission decisions are made throughout the year, and early application is encouraged. All applications undergo a two-stage review process: the PhD in Nursing Committee reviews applications, then applicants interview with a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.