Program Description
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing is home to one of the first PhD nursing programs in the nation. The faculty is composed of some of the most lauded, published, and funded researchers in the profession. The College’s affiliations with hundreds of hospitals, private practices, clinics, professional journals, and other institutions provide a wealth of resources for PhD students.
The College’s PhD program in nursing research and theory development is designed to support students and guide them in achieving their academic and professional goals. The curriculum provides an excellent foundation in the philosophy of scientific inquiry, theory development in nursing science, quantitative and qualitative research designs, and methodological approaches to data management and analyses. Faculty members are dedicated to challenging and encouraging students to conduct groundbreaking original research and examine their own interests and passions for public service. There is a strong commitment by the faculty to conduct research that improves health and healthcare equity across the lifespan and mentor students committed to achieving the same goals.
Our PhD students come from all backgrounds and from all stages of personal and career development. However, they share one common thread: the excellence of their thought and dedication to the nursing field.
Admissions
Access the application for our PhD program. All applicants to our PhD program are required to submit the following documents at the time of application:
- One (1) transcript from each post-secondary school attended. We can review applications with unofficial transcripts. Admitted students will be asked to submit official transcripts prior to beginning coursework at NYU Meyers.
- Resume.
- A two- to three-page personal statement.
- At least three (3) letters of recommendation.
- RN (and NP, when applicable) license and registration certificate.
Supplemental Materials
Please attach the following original documentation to demonstrate professional performance/contribution to the nursing field:
- A list of research, writing/publications. Please submit no more than two papers that are most illustrative of your ability. If you are not published, you may submit papers from previous academic work and/or forward additional letters of recommendation.
- A list of professional organizations or student groups in which you are involved. Acceptable documentation includes program listings or letters from colleagues.
- A list of honors from professional societies; a duplicate copy of the honor is acceptable.
The above information should be uploaded to the online application. If you do not have any of the above documents, you can select "no" to the application question which asks if you have any of these supplemental materials.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 46 credits, 60 hours of Teaching Residency (no credit), and 1200 hours of Research Residency (no credit).
Additional Program Requirements
Candidacy Examination
Students must successfully pass the PhD candidacy exam. The purpose of the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing Candidacy Examination is to provide the student with an opportunity, early on in the program, to demonstrate oral and written ability to critically analyze and synthesize the literature from nursing and other disciplines in a specific area of research. It consists of both written and oral components.
PhD Dissertation Committee
Once a student has been officially admitted to degree candidacy, they can officially request the appointment of a dissertation committee. The student though must have a dissertation committee set before entering NURSE-GN 3313 Dissertation Proposal Seminar Nsg. The committee is composed of three members. The chairperson of the committee must have an earned doctorate and as a rule should be a full-time faculty member of the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing holding the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor, clinical professor, or clinical associate professor, except in exceptional circumstances as determined by Executive Vice Dean. The remaining two members must hold an earned doctorate and be approved by the chairperson.
The faculty strongly suggests that at least one of these committee members be a full-time faculty member of the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. To view faculty members of NYU Meyers please see NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing’s website. Part-time adjunct faculty, clinical assistant professors, and persons with an affiliation other than New York University may serve as committee members. Students requesting the appointment of such a member must submit a copy of the proposed member’s curriculum vitae and a brief explanation of the reason for the choice along with the required dissertation committee appointment form to the Executive Vice Dean who approves all dissertation committees.
Dissertation Proposal Review
The purpose of the proposal review is to allow the student the opportunity to elaborate on the research problem and the methods that they intend to use in addressing their questions/aims /hypotheses. The proposal is developed in collaboration with the Dissertation Committee.
Final Dissertation Defense
The purpose of the Final Dissertation Defense for the PhD degree in Nursing is to give the candidate an opportunity to present to a committee their research and findings. The committee known as the Dissertation Defense Committee (DDC) is composed of the five members who in most instances were selected at the time of the Dissertation Proposal Defense. If one or both of the designated readers initially identified needs to be replaced, the same policy will be followed as for the Dissertation Proposal Review.
The Dissertation Defense is a two-hour examination with required attendance by the candidate and all five members of the DDC; however, if necessary a member may attend by conference call or video conferencing. If fewer than four members are able to attend, the Dissertation Defense must be rescheduled.
Sample Plan of Study
Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a PhD Advisement (NURSE-GN 3400) course. All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the skills and abilities to:
- Appraise and synthesize scientific research across multiple disciplines.
- Design original, innovative research that incorporates the philosophical foundations of nursing knowledge.
- Conduct and disseminate rigorous, ethical, theory-driven research that advances science, policy, and practice locally and globally.
- Advance health equity through scholarship that is respectful and inclusive of diverse communities and promotes just systems of care.
- Accelerate team science through the lens of nursing by actively collaborating with individuals across settings and disciplines.
- Strengthen leadership skills that can be leveraged to generate measurable and impactful change in healthcare locally and globally.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Nursing Policies
Additional academic policies can be found on the College of Nursing academic policies page.
Policies and Procedures
Please review the Academic Bulletin.