DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING (PhD)

Prerequisite: NURS 511 or equivalent

This course introduces the philosophy of science and evidence as it is understood in the context of nursing scholarship. The learning activities provide an opportunity for critical appraisal of: the ways in which scientific activity within the applied health sciences, and particularly nursing as a practice discipline, is distinguished from other forms of scientific activity (which may not be practice or action oriented); the nature of discovery and exploration in the development of nursing knowledge; and the value of scientific inquiry in the context of the larger projects of an applied health discipline. It creates the philosophical foundation upon which students can create informed claims about knowledge, theory and evidence regarding phenomena of concern to the discipline.

Prerequisite: NURS 580

Through an examination of philosophies, theories and praxis in the application of nursing knowledge, this graduate level course will prepare students to lead innovative research, education and practice in knowledge application and translation. Learning activities will focus on theoretical and practical issues around developing and applying knowledge to improve health or health care systems. The course will provide an introduction to basic principles, conceptual frameworks, research design, and interventions used in knowledge translation, and students will develop capacity to engage with an array of knowledge users and stakeholders.

Prerequisites: NURS 580, and NURS 548 and NURS 549 or equivalent

This course involves intensive inquiry into research design issues relevant to nursing and health research, including the conduct of interdisciplinary research. It addresses issues in quantitative and qualitative research, and extends the discussion to consider the design and conceptual complexities of mixed methods. The course offers an integrated approach to considering the relationships between research questions, design, methods, and reporting of data from multiple sources. The course is designed to be an interactive seminar.

Prerequisites: None

This course is designed as a set of student-centered seminars to provide an ongoing opportunity for students to discuss phenomena relevant to nursing science, academia, and the process of undertaking doctoral thesis research.

By the completion of the first year of coursework, you should confirm a dissertation supervisor.

View faculty eligible to supervise

In consultation with your supervisor, you will establish a dissertation supervisory committee comprised of at least three members, two of whom must be tenure-track faculty members within the School of Nursing, holding the rank, assistant professor or higher. The composition of each committee must conform to the requirements set out by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Within the first 24 months after admission to the doctoral program you will complete a comprehensive examination.

• School of Nursing Comprehensive Examination Guidelines
• ​Faculty of Graduate Studies Comprehensive Examination Guidelines

After successfully completing your comprehensive exam, you will work with your supervisor and committee to develop a research proposal, which must be publicly defended through an oral candidacy examination. Successful completion of the oral candidacy exam leads to advancement to candidacy, normally occurs within 36 months from admission. 

• School of Nursing Candidacy Examination Guidelines
• ​Faculty of Graduate Studies Advancement to Candidacy Guidelines
• ​Faculty of Graduate Studies Recommendation for Advancement to Candidacy form

Once you have been recommended to candidacy (i.e., your proposal has been approved), you will seek ethical approval for your research from the appropriate research ethics boards and agencies. If applicable, you may then commence with the conduct of your research.

• How to Obtain Ethics Approval (UBC Office of Research Ethics)

In the event that a virtual exam needs to take place, please see the Virtual Doctoral Exam Policy. 

The defense is planned before the report from the external examiner is received.

Once your dissertation has been reviewed and approved by your supervisor and committee, you begin planning for your final oral examination ('the defense'). The process involves review of the dissertation by an external examiner and university internal examiners. This requires foresight and knowledge of relevant policies and deadlines. Students are advised to discuss their plans for program completion well in advance with their dissertation supervisors. The Graduate Advisor is available to assist in planning and interpreting the relevant policies.

The completed dissertation must be approved by your supervisor and committee before it is submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

• Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Guidelines for Submitting Your Dissertation for External Examination
• Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Guide for the Final Doctoral Examinations
• Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Doctoral Deadlines

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies sets the policies and procedures for dissertation completion and submission:

• Faculty of Graduate Studies Guidelines for Doctoral Dissertation Preparation and Submission