PROGRAM OVERVIEW

• Degree Requirements
• Computer Requirements
• Required On-Campus Visits

 

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Program Overview

Program Goals/Objectives

The doctor of philosophy degree prepares nurse researchers with expertise in vulnerable populations. The curriculum is structured to provide the student with extensive research experience, including a research practicum and completion of a dissertation. Core course content enables the student to achieve the American Association of Colleges of Nursing quality indicators for research focused doctoral programs.

The nursing doctoral program is designed to prepare nurses with a high level of expertise to:

• conduct research in care and care outcomes for vulnerable populations with a beginning focal area in aging
• teach in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs
• demonstrate leadership in health policy development
• develop and evaluate models of care for vulnerable populations.

Focal Area in Aging at Mennonite College of Nursing

Students in the doctor of philosophy program at MCN focus a program of study and research on aging.

Degree Requirements

The doctor of philosophy is a 66 semester hour program beyond the Masters Degree distributed among core, focus, statistics, and elective courses. All students must successfully complete a dissertation comprised of independent research. Students entering the program post-masters degree may expect to complete the degree within three to four years of full-time study, with required coursework completed in two years, followed by 1-2 years of dissertation work.

Computer Requirements

Upon entry to the doctoral program, it is expected that students will have prerequisite computer skills in word processing, email, attachments, PowerPoint, Excel, uploading and downloading documents, and internet use. Many doctoral courses are web-based or web-enhanced and students will be required to purchase or have access to specialized software for coursework.

Required On-Campus Visits

Faculty use video conferencing and web-enhanced course delivery to decrease student travel time and on-campus visits for students. However, each course requires that all students attend class on campus a required minimum number of days during the semester. Class attendance is determined by faculty members. New students will also be required to attend a one day orientation on campus in the fall at the beginning of the program. Details about the orientation will be included in acceptance letters.