The PhD program in nursing includes three core areas of study:
- knowledge development in nursing
- research methods
- substantive nursing content
Students apply core content to a selected research concentration. The curriculum includes courses in philosophy of science, epistemology of nursing, and strategies for developing nursing knowledge.
The Research Process
Research expertise is developed through courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistics, clinical research topics, a series of research practica, and dissertation advisement. Relevant cognate or elective courses are planned with the advisor for the chosen area of research concentration. Students are challenged to look at nursing phenomena from a variety of perspectives, to appraise critically the state of knowledge, and to propose new questions to extant and emerging problems in nursing and health care.
Our PhD program offers the opportunity for each student to develop the knowledge and skills that provide the basis for scholarly inquiry - whether in clinical practice, research, teaching, or leadership positions. Our graduates can be found in a variety of positions, combining their clinical and research expertise to advance health care and the science of nursing. Their accomplishments are impressive.
Faculty & The Mentorship Process
Choosing a school for doctoral study is a complex task. Candidates should begin their decision making process by exploring one other most important elements of any doctoral program: the faculty. Faculty in a superior program are conducting well-funded programs of research and publishing in top-ranked journals. Since the goal of pursuing doctoral study is to make a unique contribution to knowledge in the field, students must be mentored by established and leading scientists in the discipline.
At Boston College, our faculty members have methodological expertise in qualititative, quantitative, and historical approaches to research. They continue to push the frontiers of knowledge in our discipline while helping our students develop their ability to conduct research that will improve the practice of nursing. Ethical decision-making and clinical judgment have always been at the heart of our curriculum. We have long-standing expertise in studying violence and abuse and have recently added expertise about the psychological effects of teasing and bullying among school-aged children. Spirituality and health, gerontology, women's health, and palliative care are just some of the areas in which we focus our research.
Through an ongoing relationship with faculty advisors, students are mentored in the development of research skills and the preparation of their dissertation research. A faculty cadre with both clinical and research expertise serve as invaluable resources to doctoral students in fostering their academic and professional development.