1
University of Akron and Kent State University
Colleges of Nursing
PhD in Nursing Program
Course Descriptions
Year 1 Courses
Course
KSU
Number
70705
UA
Number
895
Credit
Hours
3
History &
Philosophy of
Nursing Science
Theory
Construction in
Nursing
70710
810
3
70715
815
3
Advanced Health
Care Statistics I
70727
827
3
Advanced Health
Care Statistics II
70737
837
3
Quantitative
Research
Methods
Qualitative
Research
Methods
70725
825
3
70730
830
3
Foundations of
Research Design
1-9-06; rev. 4-12-09; rev. 8-12-14
Description
Examines diverse paradigms and research methods as the foundation for
scholarly inquiry in nursing knowledge development. Students begin
building a foundation for focused intellectual inquiry in a substantive
area of nursing. (Pre-requisites: Doctoral standing; co or pre-req:
N70710; Fall Semester)
Examines the nature of metaphysics and epistemology and the influence
of contemporary Eastern and Western philosophies on the developing
epistemology of disciplinary nursing knowledge. (Fall semester only)
Examines strategies for theory development including logical-empiricaldeductive and inductive approaches. Emphasis will be on elements and
strategies used in theory building. (Prereq: 70710/810; Spring semester
only)
In-depth examination of descriptive statistics, correlation, regression,
multiple regression sets, scaling, nonlinear transformation, missing data,
and interactive effects; including initial manipulation of data, integrating
understanding of inference and probability. (Fall semester only)
Synthesis and application of knowledge in advanced multivariate and
statistical techniques commonly used in health care and nursing
research. (Prereq: 70727/827; Spring semester only)
Theoretical and procedural issues related to major quantitative designs,
measurement, and data management within a substantive area of
nursing inquiry. (Prereq: 70705/895 and 70727/827; Spring semester)
Selected qualitative research methods used to study nursing
phenomena. Philosophical bases; design, data collection, and analysis;
evaluation of rigor; and ethical issues for major qualitative methods are
analyzed with regard to nursing phenomena. (Prereq: 70705/895; Spring
semester)
2
Year 2 Courses
Course
KSU
Number
70720
UA
Number
820
Credit
Hours
3
Nursing & Health
Care Policy
70735
835
3
Nursing Science
Seminar I
86091
840
3
Nursing Science
Seminar II
87091
850
3
Advanced
Methods in
Nursing
Research:
Application of
Quantitative
Methods
Advanced
Methods in
Nursing
Research:
Application of
Qualitative
Methods
Advanced
Methods in
Nursing
Research: Grant
Development
and Funding
70745
845
3
70747
847
3
Achieve in-depth understanding of one qualitative research approach
(chosen by student according to his/her research plans), including
associated philosophical foundations, key concepts, typical methods,
and evaluative criteria. (Prereq: 70730/830; Fall semester only)
70749
849
3
Advanced seminar on critical analysis of proposal and grant
development, funding, peer review, and advocacy process with
emphasis on the development of a grant proposal. (Prereq: 70725/825
and 70737/837; Fall semester)
Introduction to
Nursing
Knowledge
1-9-06; rev. 4-12-09; rev. 8-12-14
Description
Introductory seminar analyzing selected theoretical and methodological
approaches to knowledge development in nursing. Emphasis on critical
analysis of knowledge in areas of special interest. (Prereq: 70710/810 –
Prereq/Coreq: 70715/815; Fall semester only)
Critical examination of theories and processes of formulating
state/national health care policy. Focus on health issues, the political
and legislative process, and contemporary policy dilemmas. (Spring
semester)
Seminar on in-depth analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of one
substantive area within nursing and related disciplines focusing on the
generation and dissemination of nursing knowledge. (Prereq:
70720/820; Fall semester)
Seminar to advance students’ scholarship within one of the following
areas: discovery, teaching, integration, or application through design
and implementation of a faculty-facilitated project. (Prereq: 86091/840;
Spring semester)
Integration and application of components of quantitative research
design in nursing though application of multivariate design principles to
existing data sets. Advanced topics in methods, statistics and
measurement are addressed. (Prereq: 70725/825 and 70737/837; Fall
semester)
3
Other Courses
Course
Special Topics in
Nursing
Individual
Investigation in
Nursing
KSU
Number
70795
UA
Number
895
Credit
Hours
1-6
70796
895
1-3
KSU
Number
80199
(15
credits)
80299
(1 credit
only)
UA
Number
899
(1-15
credits)
800
(1 or 15
credits)
Credit
Hours
See
Director
See
Director
Description
Study of important topics in nursing practice, research, or the
profession. Offering in response to existing interests and opportunities.
Topics announced when scheduled.
Individual enrollment for independent study in nursing carried out by
student under supervision of a doctoral faculty council member.
Dissertation
Course
Doctoral
Dissertation I
Doctoral
Dissertation II
Description
Independent dissertation research under the guidance of a faculty
chairperson and a dissertation committee. (30 hours required)
Continuing enrollment to complete the doctoral dissertation research
(after 30 hours of 80199/899 have been reached).
Decision regarding change in COGNATES – Fall, 2009
Cognate Course and Credit Hour Requirements:
Students must take 6 credit hours of cognate courses.
All 6 hours may be in a discipline outside of nursing, but RELEVANT to the student’s research.
OR, 3 of the credit hours MUST be in a discipline outside of nursing, and 3 credit hours may be in nursing (a doctoral level
nursing course).
It is preferable that al cognate courses are at the doctoral level of study; however, the student may discuss master’s level
courses with the advisor and PhD Director.
1-9-06; rev. 4-12-09; rev. 8-12-14