Background

Traditionally an earned Master's degree has been required for nurses to be considered for admission to the PhD program in nursing. The BS-PhD track is an alternative admission pathway into the PhD program. In 2003 the College of Nursing began to accept applications to the PhD program from nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN, BS, BA). Students in the BS-PhD track take the same program of study to earn the PhD as students who enter with a Master's degree, with the addition of 9 credits of graduate (Master's) cognate courses to the BS-PhD program of study. The primary purpose of the PhD program is to prepare scientists and scholars to conduct research in academic settings. Doctorally prepared nurses also assume leadership and research positions in clinical, governmental, and corporate environments.

The BS-PhD track was initiated in response to national and local trends, including the impending shortage of nursing faculty and the imperative to initiate careers of nurse scientists earlier to extend the duration of scientific productivity. A survey conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2000 of a national sample of 220 schools indicated that 7.4% of full-time faculty positions were vacant and vacancy rates have increased since the survey. The current deficit of nursing faculty is contributing to the current nursing shortage by limiting the number of students admitted to nursing programs. Since a large percentage of current faculty will be eligible for retirement in the next ten years, this deficit is expected to grow. The median age of PhD graduates in nursing in 1999 was 46.2 years. Almost half of all graduates (48.8%) were between the ages of 45 and 54 years; 12 percent were older than 55 years, and only 25 (6.8%) were under 35. In comparison, the median age of all research doctoral awardees in the US in 1999 was 33.7 years (National Opinion Research Center, 2001). Late entry of nurse scientists and academicians limits their career contributions. Therefore, it is imperative to speed the entry of doctorally-prepared graduates into nursing education and research. The goal of the BS-PhD program is to address this national and regional imperative.

Qualifications

In addition to general admission criteria, applicants to the BS-PhD track of the PhD program in nursing must graduate prior to enrollment in the PhD program from a program accredited by a nationally-recognized accrediting agency in nursing with an upper division major in nursing. In addition, the undergraduate program must have included field practice in community/public health and psychiatric-mental health nursing.

BS-PhD Specific Requirements

In addition to the program requirements for all PhD students, students admitted to the BS-PhD program must complete Graduate (MS) Cognate courses which includes 9 semester hours of course work at the Master's Level. The goal of the cognate courses are enhance students substantive knowledge in specified clinical areas (e.g. Informatics, Family Practice, Acute and Critical Care, Women's Health, Pediatrics, etc.) Students must have the course work approved by their advisor prior to registering for courses. Follow this link for a sample Program of Study plan for the BS-PhD Program.

While the Graduate Cognate Courses provide advanced nursing knowledge as a basis for research, the coursework may not be sufficient to qualify the graduate to meet the accreditation and certification requirements for teaching. For example, completion of a Master's degree and certification is required to teach in most advanced practice nursing programs at the Master's level. Students should work with their advisors and supervisory committees to assure that their individualized plan of study is appropriate for teaching and research goals.

Interested in this program?

For general information about admission and qualifications, contact:

Office of Academic Affairs and Student Services
University of Utah College of Nursing
10 South 2000 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5880
Phone: 801-581-8798
Fax: 801-581-4642

For faculty consultation on the program of study or your research career contact:

phdprogram@nurs.utah.edu:
PhD Program Administrator
Phone: 801-585-1671
or
Lauren Clark, RN, PhD, FAAN
Professor and PhD Program Director
Phone: 801-581-8576