Doctorate in Philosophy Nursing

Summary

• Degree offered: Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD)
• Registration status option: Full-time
• Language of instruction:
  • French
  • English
• Program option (expected duration of the program):
  • with thesis (12 full-time terms; 48 consecutive months)
• Academic units: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing.

Program Description

The goal of the doctoral program in nursing is to prepare scientists capable of conducting innovative research that results in new and significant contributions to nursing knowledge. The students engage in creative thinking, critical appraisal and synthesis of scholarly work in their field of interest using a wide range of philosophical, theoretical and methodological perspectives.

To be considered as having full-time status, students must be geographically available and visit the campus regularly.

The PhD program consists of three fields:

• Evidence informed decision making in nursing and health care;
• Sociopolitical, educational and historic contexts of nursing;
• Nursing practice and delivery systems.

Other Programs Offered Within the Same Discipline or in a Related Area

• Graduate Diploma in Primary Health Care for Nurse Practitioners
• Master of Science Nursing (MScN)
• Master of Science Nursing (MScN) - Distance Option
• Master of Science Nursing Specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies (MScN)

Fees and Funding

• Program fees:

The estimated amount for university fees associated with this program are available under the section Finance your studies.

International students enrolled in a French-language program of study may be eligible for a differential tuition fee exemption.

• To learn about possibilities for financing your graduate studies, consult the Awards and financial support section.

Notes

• Programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.
• In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have the right to complete their assignments, examinations, research papers, and theses in French or in English.

Program Contact Information

Academic Office, Faculty of Health Sciences
125 University Private, Room 242
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 6N5

Tel.: 613-562-5853
Toll free: 1-877-868-8292, ext. 5853
Email: healthsc@uOttawa.ca

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For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have an honours bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing or a related discipline (e.g., education, health administration, psychology) with a minimum overall average of 75% (B+) and be a Registered Nurse (RN) in Canada or equivalent qualification in another country.

Notes: International candidates must check the admission equivalencies for the diploma they received in their country of origin.

• Applicants who do not have a master’s degree in nursing and/or whose knowledge of research methods or statistics is deficient may be asked to take qualifying courses such as NSG 5130, NSG 5192, or NSG 5140. Those who require more than two courses must complete them prior to admission. Those requiring two or less may be allowed to take them after admission to the program. However, these courses would be additional to the 15 units required of all students in the program.
• Have knowledge in the following key areas: research methods, statistics, and nursing theory.
• Identify at least one professor who is willing to supervise your research and thesis. We recommend that you contact potential thesis supervisors as soon as possible.

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction. 

Notes:

• Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.
• Information on language requirements and tests can be found in Section A-3.e) of the General Regulations.

Notes

• The admission requirements listed above are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the program.
• Admissions are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.
• Students intending to include a clinical practice component in their research must be enrolled as nurses in the jurisdiction where the clinical component of the research will take place.

Fast-Track from Master’s to PhD

Students enrolled in the master’s program in nursing at the University of Ottawa may be eligible to fast-track directly into the doctoral program without writing a master’s thesis, provided the following conditions are met:

• Completion of the four core master’s courses with a CGPA of at least 8.0; and
• Submission of the following documents to the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Nursing:
  • Two letters of recommendation. One may be from a clinical supervisor, and at least one must be academic reference that address the candidate’s potential for doctoral studies as indicated by their research and leadership;
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae; 
  • A narrative statement (maximum 3 pages or 900 words) describing:
    • How the PhD in Nursing will enable you to achieve your career goals; and
    • Your proposed research project including statement of the research problem, justification of research project, relevance for the nursing profession and an overview of the study design.
  • A signed letter from a potential thesis supervisor supporting the student’s application and indicating willingness to supervise the potential candidate’s research.

The transfer must take place by the end of the fourth term of study at the latest. The application deadline for such a transfer is the first Monday of May.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.