Why should I return to school for doctoral studies?
Due to the nursing and nursing faculty shortage, the field of nursing is in need of strong nursing leadership. A PhD in nursing prepares you to become a nurse scientist in either an academic, clinical, scientific, or entrepreneurial setting. A doctorate in nursing practice or a DNP is another doctoral nursing degree that prepares the graduate to assume leadership in clinical practice arenas, which may include academic settings. The DNP is not a research-focused degree, but a clinical practice-focused degree. Many disciplines today such as psychology, physics, and pharmacy, offer both practice and research doctoral degrees and this is what nursing is doing with the PhD and the DNP.
How do I obtain general information about doctoral programs at
What is an online and blended format?
An online and blended format is the integration of online learning (asynchronous) and face-to-face learning experiences (synchronous online and/or in-person meetings) that result in increased knowledge and social interactions.
Do I need a computer?
Yes, you will need a computer with high speed internet access to successfully complete the requirements for the PhD degree. Full technical requirements can be found at http://ecollege.rutgers.edu/technicalreq.jsp.
What computer skills do I need?
You will need to be proficient in word processing (preferably Microsoft Word), presentation software (preferably Microsoft Powerpoint), spreadsheets (preferably Microsoft Excel), internet use (e.g., search/browse, access specific web sites), email (including the ability to attach and send documents via e-mail and to retrieve documents from incoming emails), uploading and downloading documents and files to online courses and official University web sites, and the installation and maintenance of anti-virus and firewall software. If you are lacking in any of these skills, it is important that you obtain these skills through, for example, courses offered at your area community college and/or high school or via self-study through any of the free on-line tutorials that are available on the web.
How do I obtain an application for the doctoral program at
You must apply online for the PhD nursing program. The application is found at: http://rutgers-newark.rutgers.edu/gradnwk/.
What are the admission requirements for the PhD program?
The requirements for admission to the PhD program are:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program,
- A master’s degree with a major in nursing from a nationally accredited program,
- A cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.2 (where A=4.0),
- Satisfactory GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical and/or writing abilities),
- A personal interview (a telephone interview, when appropriate, may be arranged),
- Submission of the following materials:
- Current registered nurse licensure,
- An essay describing the applicant’s goals for doctoral study and career goals relative to nursing research,
- Curriculum vitae,
- Two scholarly papers of which the applicant is sole author (this can be a published article or chapter, a paper done in the master’s program, and/or a paper completed for work),
- Three letters of reference from professional sources that support the applicant’s ability to succeed in the doctoral program. Two of these letters must come from nurse academicians,
- Two official transcripts of all previous college work, and
- Completed application form.
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As noted in the admission requirements, a master’s degree in nursing is required. For potential applicants who do not have a master’s degree in nursing, the MS-PhD program is recommended. In this program, a student can obtain their master’s full-time in one year period prior to beginning the PhD program.
What are the steps in applying to the program?
It is important to get all of your materials submitted as soon as you can after you have made the decision to apply to our PhD program. You should start by applying for the program on-line at the following website: http://rutgers-newark.rutgers.edu/gradnwk.
Then send all of your required supplemental materials to the address for Rutgers-Newark Admissions Office listed in the on-line instructions. As the Admissions Office receives your information, they will document that it has arrived and will forward your information to the
Does the program provide advisement to prospective students?
Yes. Feel free at any time to contact Wendy Nehring, Associate Dean for Graduate Education, by phone at 973/353-5060 or by email at nehring@rutgers.edu. If you know what research area you are interested in, Dr. Nehring will put you in contact with one of our faculty who has a similar interest area. You may also check online at http://nursing.rutgers.edu for a list of faculty research interest areas and feel free to contact them individually yourself.
What is the application deadline?
Admission to the PhD program only occurs in the fall; the deadline for submitting a completed application is March 15 for US citizens. Additional deadlines can be found at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu If the class cohort is not filled by this date, applications will be considered until a class is filled.
Do I need letters of recommendation to apply to the program?
Yes, you need three letters of recommendation. If possible, two of these letters should be from academicians. Letters should not be from friends, relatives, neighbors, or religious leaders. It is important to make sure that the letters requested are completed and submitted by the person asked to be a reference. The review of your admission packet will not take place until your file is complete.
Is an interview required?
Yes, an interview is required. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and to find out why you are interested in the PhD degree and what research interest(s) you have. In some cases, a phone interview can be arranged.
Do I have to take the GRE?
Yes, the GRE is required. There is no time limit in terms of when the test was taken. It is recommended that you obtain a score of 500 or higher on the verbal and quantitative portions of the exam. Also, a 500 or higher on the analytical section (if you took that form of the test in past years) or a 3.5 or higher on the writing portion is recommended.
What happens if I do not do well on the GRE?
If your scores fall significantly below the recommended scores, as noted in the question above, you should consider retaking the exam. The PhD Admissions Committee will consider your total packet, however, in making a decision about whether to interview you. It is advisable to contact the Director of the Graduate Program if you have any questions about your scores.
What are the costs of the program?
The costs of the program vary each year. For the current schedule of tuition and fees, please go to http://www.studentabc.rutgers.edu/billing. Additional costs will include travel and housing costs for residency periods.
Does the program have graduate assistantships, financial aid, and scholarships available?
Yes, the
The
Students are encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities at area hospitals and community and professional organizations. Work settings may also offer tuition reimbursement. Occasionally we will also have scholarship opportunities at the College and
What are the residency requirements?
Students are expected to attend a one-week residency period for the first three years of the program. In the first residency period, students will receive: (a) an orientation to the PhD program, (b) directions on how to successfully participate in an online and blended learning format, (c) course instruction, and (d) meet the other students and faculty in the PhD program. The dates will be announced. Students are also expected to be on campus for their dissertation defense and many will plan to meet on a regular basis with their dissertation chair.
Are there any pre-requisite requirements?
Yes. Students entering the PhD program are expected to have successfully passed a master’s level course in nursing theory, nursing research, and a basic statistics course before they enroll in the nursing sequence. As an initial course or before admission, the student must also successfully complete 26:705:570 Management of Health Data. The credits for this course do not count toward the PhD credit requirements. Students can obtain a waiver for this course requirement by passing an equivalency test offered by the
How do I develop my coursework?
Upon admission, students are assigned to a faculty advisor. Every attempt is made to identify someone with similar interests. This faculty member will work with the student to determine their progression through the program of study. The faculty advisor may or may not become the chair or a committee member of the student’s dissertation committee.
Are all of the nursing courses online?
All nursing courses offered in the fall and spring semesters will be offered in an online and blended format using Blackboard.
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Most of the required courses in statistics, research methodology, and cognates are not currently available at
Where can I find online courses if
Your faculty advisor will assist you to identify online courses at other university campuses.
Do I have to take the qualifying examination?
Yes, the qualifying examination is a requirement of the University. You will find additional information about the qualifying examination in the PhD Student Handbook.
What if I do not pass the qualifying examination?
If you do not pass one or more sections of the qualifying examination the first time, you will have a second opportunity in the following semester to pass those sections of the examination that you did not pass. If you fail a second time, you will not be able to continue in the program.
How do I identify my chair and committee members?
There are four members on a dissertation committee: a chair, two
Is a dissertation required?
Yes, a dissertation is required and you begin this process after you have completed the majority of your coursework and have successfully completed your qualifying examination; usually in the third year of study.
How long is the program?
On average, students complete the PhD program in four to five years. Depending on your life experiences and the timeframe within which you complete the dissertation, the program may take as short as three years to as long as eight years, the maximum allowable time according to University policy.
Do I have to take a certain number of credits each semester?
Most students take their coursework on a part-time basis; two courses per semester. If you are receiving financial aid that requires full-time study, you need to take nine credits (usually 3 courses) for the spring and fall semesters and six credits (usually 2 courses) in the summer semester.
Can I take a semester off?
Yes, you can. When you wish to do this for personal reasons, you must register for Matriculation Continued after obtaining approval from the Director of the Graduate Program. This allows you to retain your active student status for the nominal student fee of $79.00. There is no tuition for this registration.
If you have further questions that were not answered, please contact:
Wendy M. Nehring, RN, PhD, FAAN
Associate Dean for Graduate Education, and
Associate Professor
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, College of Nursing
180 University Ave., Ackerson Hall, Rm. 102A
Newark, NJ 07102
973/353-5060 (ph)
nehring@rutgers.edu (email)
