Ph.D. Program
The Connell School Ph.D. program integrates science, theory, and research to educate the next generation of nurse scientists and leaders. Our students strive to advance nursing knowledge and translate research into practice that promotes the health and care of patients.
Students benefit from small class sizes and mentorship from faculty as they prepare for careers in academia, health care settings, and policy.
Our curriculum includes three core areas of study:
Knowledge development in nursing
Students build on their foundation in nursing science. Includes courses in philosophy of science, epistemology of nursing, and strategies for developing nursing knowledge.
Substantive nursing content
Challenges students to take what is currently known in nursing science and expand on it to answer contemporary issues in health care. Includes courses in ethics, policy, and cognate courses in the student's area of focus.
Research methods
Prepares students to begin their program of research. Includes courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistics, and research practica as well as dissertation advisement.
Students develop their research expertise through:
- Independent study
- Interdisciplinary colloquia
- Collaboration with a dissertation advisor
- Electives in research concentrations
- Clinical research in top-tier health centers in the Boston area
- Access to other graduate courses within Boston College
- Access to courses through a consortium with area research universities, including Tufts, Boston University, and Brandeis
A graduate of our program will be prepared to:
- Constructively critique and synthesize nursing and interdisciplinary knowledge within their area of inquiry relative to nursing science.
- Design, conduct, and disseminate innovative, rigorous, and ethically sound research that advances nursing science.
- Assume leadership roles and collaborate with other disciplines to address contemporary health care concerns.
- Use scholarly inquiry to generate and disseminate knowledge that facilitates humanization, advances the discipline, informs practice, and reshapes policy.
- Articulate the perspective of nursing in interdisciplinary dialogue for the common good of a diverse and global society.
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Ready for a rewarding challenge that will change your life—and the lives of others?
CSON Doctoral Student Research
Our Ph.D. students regularly disseminate research findings in respected forums and receive prestigious awards, including being inducted into the American Academy of Nursing and named Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence Scholars.
Our Curriculum
Fall Semester |
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| Course | Course Title | Credits | Day |
| NURS9810 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 0-1 | TU 12-1 |
| NURS9808 | Research Design & Methods I | 3 | MON 1-4 |
| NURS9701 | Epistemology: Historical and Contemporary Influences on Knowledge Development in Nursing | 3 | TU 9-12 |
| PHIL5593 | Philosophy of Science | 3 | TU 4:30 -7:30 |
| 20-hour research or teaching fellowship, supported by a stipend | weekly | ||
| Total Semester Credits: | 9-10 | ||
Spring Semester |
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| Course | Course Title | Credits | Day |
| NURS9809 | Research Design & Methods II | 3 | MON 1-4 |
| NURS9712 | Integrative Review for Nursing Science | 3 | TU 9-12 |
| xxxxx | Intermediate-Advanced Statistics | 3 | T or W pm |
| 20-hour research or teaching fellowship, supported by a stipend | weekly | ||
| Total Semester Credits: | 9 | ||
Fall Semester* |
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| Course | Course Title | Credits | Day |
| NURS9812 | Research Seminar: Developing the Purpose, Aims & Questions | 2 | MON 9-11 |
| NURS9751 | Advanced Qualitative Methods or similar (as of Fall 2016) | 3 | MON 1-4 |
| xxxxx | Cognate / elective or Advanced Stats | 3 | TBD |
| xxxxx | Cognate / elective or Advanced Research Methods | 3 | TBD |
| 20-hour research or teaching fellowship, supported by a stipend | weekly | ||
| Total Semester Credits: | 11 | ||
Spring Semester* |
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| Course | Course Title | Credits | Day |
| NURS9812 | Research Seminar: Developing the Purpose, Aims & Questions | 2 | MON 9-11 |
| NURS9751 | Advanced Qualitative Methods or similar (as of Fall 2016) | 3 | MON 1-4 |
| xxxxx | Cognate / elective or Advanced Stats | 3 | TBD |
| xxxxx | Cognate / elective or Advanced Research Methods | 3 | TBD |
| 20-hour research or teaching fellowship, supported by a stipend | weekly | ||
| NURS9901 | # PhD Comprehensive Examination | 0 | TBD |
| Total Semester Credits: | 11 | ||
*PhD Fellows and students are also expected to attend PhD Student Forums / Research Brown Bags
Fall Semester |
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| Course | Course Title | Credits | Day |
| NURS9902 | Dissertation Advisement | 3 | TBD |
| 20-hour research or teaching fellowship, supported by a stipend | weekly | ||
| OPTIONAL: Additional Cognate, Elective or Teaching Course | |||
Spring Semester |
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| Course | Course Title | Credits | Day |
| NURS9903 | Dissertation Advisement | 3 | TBD |
| 20-hour research or teaching fellowship, supported by a stipend | weekly | ||
| OPTIONAL: Additional Cognate, Elective or Teaching Course | |||
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| Course | Course Title | Credits | Day |
| NURS9911 | Doctoral Continuation | 1 | |
PhD Program Total Credits (post-Master’s): > 46
Pre-Enrollment |
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| Course Title | Credits | ||
| Introduction to Statistics (graduate level) | 0-3 | ||
“CSON provides an atmosphere of academic rigor. The faculty are incredibly supportive and have been wonderful mentors to me. It is inspiring to be surrounded by so many respected nurse scientists and educators.”