Program Overview

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PhD in Nursing Program Overview

The PhD in Nursing program at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus prepares future leaders with a world-class foundation in nursing knowledge, empowering the drive to innovate and influence health systems.

Program Description

The program is offered full-time or part-time, featuring interactive sessions with peers and faculty, enabling students to advance their careers from anywhere in the world. With over $3 million in annual research funding, the program offers exceptional learning experiences in cutting-edge research and knowledge translation.

Program Requirements

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students, the minimum requirements for the PhD in Nursing are:

• 12 credits of coursework:
  • NRSG 580: Philosophy of Evidence in Nursing
  • NRSG 581: Leadership in Knowledge Application and Translation
  • NRSG 554: Advanced Research Methods
  • NRSG 601: Doctoral Seminar
• A portfolio of research and leadership competencies
• Successful completion of comprehensive examination requirements
• Successful defense of the doctoral dissertation NRSG 699: Doctoral Dissertation

Comprehensive Examination

Students typically complete a comprehensive examination within the first 24 months in the full-time program and 36 months in the part-time program. After completing required coursework, students prepare an annotated bibliography, which serves as the foundation for the comprehensive exam, comprising two essays in the form of a take-home exam and an oral defense.

Candidacy Exam (Proposal Defense)

Students must complete their candidacy exam within the first 36 months in the full-time doctoral program and 48 months in the part-time program. After completing the comprehensive exam, students establish their supervisory committee and proceed to develop their proposal. The written proposal is approved by the committee and is followed by an oral defense.

Program Learning Outcomes

The primary objectives of the PhD in Nursing program are to:

1. Provide a rigorous, high-quality doctoral-level graduate program in nursing that builds on UBCO’s highly successful MSN program.
2. Enable students to actively participate in the development of nursing knowledge, adding to the evidence base to enhance nursing and health.
3. Prepare outstanding nurse leaders to have expanded spheres of influence to enhance health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities through leadership roles in academic institutions, practice settings, and policy arenas.

Portfolio of Core Competencies

Graduate students will be able to:

1. Critically analyze the epistemological, historical, and theoretical foundations of nursing scholarship.
2. Demonstrate a high-level, comprehensive understanding of a substantive body of knowledge at the forefront of the discipline of nursing.
3. Conceptualize, design, and conduct rigorous and cutting-edge research to generate new knowledge/applications that will make a substantial contribution to the discipline and to the improvement of health and well-being.
4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and apply complex information that is relevant for practice and policy development in nursing, health promotion, and healthcare.
5. Lead developments in knowledge application and translation in collaboration with stakeholders to support evidence-based nursing and health care.
6. Effectively communicate complex and/or ambiguous ideas within and across practice and scholarly disciplines, and in society at large.
7. Influence and lead change aimed at improving nursing, health, and healthcare.

Required Coursework

The required coursework comprises nine credits (NRSG 580, NRSG 581, and NRSG 554), plus two terms enrolled in NRSG 601 (3 credits). Additional courses may be recommended based on the individual candidate profile.

Dissertation

The PhD dissertation is an original piece of work that offers students the opportunity to hone their research skills, become an expert in a specialized area of knowledge, and contribute to their field of scholarship.

Program Timeline

The program timeline is as follows:

• Year 1: Full-time students complete NRSG 580, NRSG 554, NRSG 581, and NRSG 601. Part-time students complete NRSG 580 and NRSG 554.
• Year 2: Full-time students complete their comprehensive examination within 24 months. Part-time students complete NRSG 581 and NRSG 601.
• Year 3: Full-time students complete their proposal and advance to candidacy within 36 months. Part-time students complete their comprehensive examination within 36 months.
• Year 4: Full-time students submit their dissertation and complete their final oral examination within 48 months. Part-time students complete their proposal and advance to candidacy within 48 months.
• Year 5: Part-time students submit their dissertation and complete their final oral examination within 72 months.

Supervisors and Research

PhD in Nursing students can find available graduate supervisors and their research areas on the School of Nursing website.

Research Labs

The School of Nursing is home to five areas of research excellence with labs that offer opportunities to graduate students:

• Palliative and end of Life care
• Parent, Child, Youth, and Family Health
• Rural Health + Nursing Services Innovation
• Supportive Environments for Health Equity
• Technologies for Health and Wellbeing

Careers and Outcomes

Earning a PhD in Nursing opens doors to distinguished, high-impact careers that shape the future of healthcare, education, and policy. PhD in Nursing graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Tenure-Track Faculty
• Program Director or Dean
• Principal Investigator
• Senior Research Scientist
• Health Equity Research Leader
• Implementation Scientist
• Health Policy Advisor
• Public Health Strategist
• Nursing Scholar and Author
• Interdisciplinary Collaborator

Tuition and Funding

For official tuition and fee information, please refer to the Academic Calendar page for Doctoral programs. The School of Nursing offers various funding opportunities, including research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and scholarships.

Admission and Applying

Admission to UBC graduate programs is competitive. Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for doctoral applicants from Canadian, American, or international institutions. A complete application package will contain:

• Record of academic and professional achievement
• Online application and application fee
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
• English language test (if required)
• CV or resumé
• Two reference forms or letters
• A written Statement of Intent, outlining the proposed research project
• An academic writing sample

Global and Close-Knit

At UBC Okanagan, students gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 3% university while studying in a close-knit learning community. The Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of over 150,000 people.