PhD in Nursing at Johns Hopkins University

The goal of the PhD program at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is to prepare the leaders in nursing science development. Graduates will be prepared for careers as nurse scholars to conduct research that advances the discipline of nursing, health, and health care quality. The school offers an individualized program in selected areas of research congruent with student's area of interest and the expertise of the research faculty. A key feature of the program is an intensive mentored research experience with an active investigator who has an established program of funded research. In addition to the diverse research interests of the School of Nursing faculty, students have access to the entire Johns Hopkins University, which fosters interdisciplinary and international research projects.

Quality is the defining characteristic of academic life at Johns Hopkins and the School of Nursing. Each student completes a core curriculum and works closely with a faculty adviser to complete an individualized course of study that fulfills the student's goals and develops the basis for a program of research. The length of the program is expected to be the equivalent of four to five years of full-time study. Students must complete the program within 7 years. The Doctor of Philosophy of Nursing (DNP) to Doctor of Philosophy Nursing (PhD) pathway* can be done in less than 7 years. 

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) Pathway

This program is a full time PhD program for those who have already completed a DNP Program. Now advance your DNP project's research from clinical implementation to scientific discovery with a PhD in Nursing from Johns Hopkins and get credit for the work you've already done. You may carry over 9 elective credit hours from your DNP program to the PhD program. This reduces the elective credit load to 10 instead of 19 elective credits for the PhD program. With this decreased course load the degree program can potentially be completed in 3 years based on growth from prior DNP work, but that is not a requirement of the program. Please follow the overview, requirements, sample program and learning outcomes as written for the PhD program for all aspects of the DNP to PhD pathway.

Funding for PhD Program

Qualified students interested in the PhD program may be eligible to receive tuition and stipend support through the School of Nursing. Complete information is available by contacting the PhD Program Administrator at [email protected] 

Please Note: In the following Curriculum and Plans of Study, School of Public Health courses (PH.XXX.XXX) are offered on the quarter system and are depicted here as [credits & units]and count accordingly in each school.  The course directory for the Public Health courses (PH) is available at SPH Course Directory 

Summer Registration

PhD students register for all fall and spring semesters from matriculation to degree completion. The only exceptions are students on an approved leave of absence.

Students will register for the summer semester if they:

1. take a course;
2. complete the preliminary oral exam;
3. defend their dissertation; or
4. graduate (F1 Visa Students).

Students who successfully defended their dissertation within the spring semester, but who will graduate in the summer semester, are not required to register (with the exception of F1 Visa Students).

If a student is not registered for other summer coursework, registering for 1 credit of Dissertation Research is typically sufficient for the summer semester for those students planning their dissertation defense in the summer semester.

Students should work with their faculty mentor, PhD Program Director, and the Registrar's Office to determine their appropriate student status given their activities during the semester. All students should register prior to the first day of classes in all terms.

PhD Program Research Residency Guidelines

The research residency is an important pedagogical aspect of the PhD program regardless of funding source or student status, full or part time. Students should commit to a research residencies each semester - including summer - across the entire period of funding from the JHSON. The purpose of the research residency requirement for the PhD program is to provide full time students with research training. The goal of the research residency is for the student to have experiences in aspects of research that will facilitate embarking on a career of research and scholarship. Given that publication is a vital outcome of any PhD program, the research residency mechanism is an ideal one from which to publish. It is important to point out that not all research training experiences will be the same.

1. Decisions regarding research training experiences ultimately rest with the primary research mentor and the student; however, there are several relevant guidelines, outline on the following page:
   • An average of 15 hours per week (-) should be devoted to the research residency. Ideally, the student will be a part of a research team. Timesheets are available from the PhD Program Administrator to assist in tracking these hours.
   • The range of experiences may include but are not limited to: conceptualization of a study, grant writing, review of literature, data collection, data management, data analysis, preparation of manuscripts, presentations, and laboratory experiences.
   • It is highly desirable that the student participates in a variety of research endeavors throughout the residency. There is benefit to be gained from spending "time at task".
2. Setting goals and objectives for the research residency:
   • It is important to have realistic and objective goals and outcomes to both ensure that there are meaningful research training experiences and that research training experiences are documented in the student portfolio.
   • The student and mentor shall devise research training goals for full time year around research training experience as well as each semester the student is a research trainee. It is also recommended that the overall goals are reviewed each semester.
   • Measurable outcomes addressing each goal should be articulated and monitored for achievement. Outcomes that are salient may include: the development of protocols, publications, presentations, and objective evidence of the above-mentioned range of experiences or other experiences that are deemed appropriate.
3. It is required that each student include one semester of research training away from the primary mentor during the full-time year around residency during the three-year SON supported course of study and stipend. The decision as to who the student will work with is to rest among the student, primary research mentor and the prospective researcher (Matching students with faculty will be determined collaboratively by the student, primary research mentor, the prospective researcher, and the PhD Program Director.):
   • The development of goals and objectives is similarly important for this research training experience.
   • Evidence of a successful time away from the primary research mentor would include similar measurable outcomes as described above.
   • Exceptions for this requirement can be considered on a case by case basis. Please consult with the PhD Program Director.
4. Given the pedagogical importance, a research residency is also required for part time students with the following considerations:
   • Research residency hours should be proportional to the number of credit hours, e.g., 5 - 10 hour per week
   • Flexibility in the requirements for part time students is important. Examples of times during which research experiences can be suggested include semester breaks, weekends, evenings, and during the summer.
   • The JH requirement for two successive semesters of full time study will facilitate a similar 15 hour per week research experience during this time for part time students.

PhD Program Teaching Residency Guidelines

Every PhD Student will serve as Teaching Assistant (TA) for at least one course without compensation prior to graduation. The required TA experience will be up to 10 hours per week. After completing their required TA residency, students may choose to serve as TA for additional courses for compensation.

The purpose of the TA experience is to advance the student's socialization into the teaching role of the faculty member. Program Directors will determine the availability of TA positions. Specific learning objectives for the required TA experience will be developed by the student with input from the student's PhD adviser and the mentoring course coordinator. Learning activities may include but are not limited to:

• Course planning and syllabus development
• Lecturing
• Leading interactive learning exercises,
• Using of information technologies to facilitate learning
• Measuring student mastery of knowledge and skills
• Test construction and item analysis
• Assigning and grading papers
• Development of teaching strategies for a class with students of varying abilities
• Determining student grades
• Evaluating student satisfaction
• Participating in curriculum planning and evaluation meetings
• Working with others to plan and conduct an educational research project.
• Working with others to publish a paper on a course or teaching method.
• Attending a national or international nursing education conference

Students should be able to articulate how their teaching and learning philosophy is grounded in their philosophy of the human person. Other areas of critical inquiry and reflection may include theories of learning; duties of teachers and students; virtues of teachers and students; and the objective of the education of nurses at all three levels.

Students considering The Nurse Educator Certificate Option (NECO) should discuss with their advisor whether to apply one of their teaching residencies to the teaching practicum (NR.110.543 Teaching Practicum) which is optional within the NECO.

Evaluation: Upon completion of each assigned course, graduate TA and the faculty of the graduate TA are expected to submit their evaluations to the Academic Program Administrator. Completed evaluations will be discussed at the PhD Curriculum Committee to monitor the quality of TA experience and also will be shared with relevant Program Directors to be considered for future TA assignments. TAs and the respective faculty member should be encouraged to include metrics in their course evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the TA.

PhD Student Scholarly Progression

PhD students are required to achieve various milestones (see below) in progressing through the program that culminate in the dissertation. These processes serve to assure quality of the scholarship and rigor of the scientific process.

• Annual Review with Advisor
• Annual Review with Dissertation Committee 
• Comprehensive Examination
• Preliminary Oral Examination
• Final Defense

Johns Hopkins University Mentoring Expectations 

Please see the new Johns Hopkins University Mentoring Expectations and the new Johns Hopkins University Policy on Mentoring Commitments for PhD Students and Faculty from the Provost's Office.

Annual Review with PhD Advisor

1. Conducted in the Spring semester annually as the student prepares to complete an academic year (generally late March - early May)
2. Documents to review:
   1. Individual development plan
   2. NIH Biosketch/CV
   3. Clinical research skills checklist
3. Complete online submission of progress (student and advisor) to release registration hold 

Annual Review with Dissertation Committee

1. Once the student has entered into candidacy, an annual meeting with the full dissertation committee is highly recommended
2. A review of student progress - academically and scientifically - along with additional development opportunities should be discussed

Challenges in study implementation should be reviewed and the committee should offer support to help the student overcome the challenge or refine the study as appropriate

PhD Comprehensive Examination

PhD Comprehensive Exam Application

1. Student Status: This examination may be taken as early as the first summer following fall admission.
   1. Students must have completed year one required nursing classes and statistics course work, totaling 24 credit hours, to sit for the Comprehensive Examination (with the exception of NR.110.827 Grant Writing and NR.110.891 Responsibilities & Activities of the Nurse Scientist, which need not be taken prior to this examination).
   2. Students must be registered the semester prior to the examination and have all incompletes cleared from their record in order to take the Comprehensive Examination.
2. Purpose: The purpose of the written comprehensive examination is to validate the student's ability and skills to generate, synthesize, and critically analyze knowledge relevant to the discipline of nursing. Questions related to required nursing and statistics courses are administered in the School of Nursing computer lab in two 3-hour segments separated by a 1-hour lunch break.
3. Procedure:
   1. The examination is offered in January and June. Examination dates will be set in November and March. All students are tested on the same day.
   2. Students desiring to take the examination meet with their advisers to review eligibility and assure that all requirements have been met.
   3. With the approval of the adviser, 30 days or more before the scheduled examination, the student completes the "Comprehensive Examination Application Form" and submits it to the PhD Program Director for approval. A copy of the approval form is kept on file in the students' personal folder in the PhD Program Director's office.
   4. The PhD Program Director informs the PhD Curriculum Committee members of those students approved to take the Comprehensive Examination three weeks before the examination.
   5. The PhD program office shall inform those taking the examination of its time and place and shall proctor the examination.
   6. Students not taking the examination when scheduled due to personal reasons are not penalized and need only to reschedule.
4. Structure: The examination consists of a proctored session in two parts of 3 hours each to test knowledge of required nursing program content.
   1. Part A is given in the morning and is to be completed in 3 hours before a lunch break. Part B is given in the afternoon and is to be completed in 3 hours.
   2. Students are required to type answers, print hardcopy, and submit exam answers via email to the Program Administrator from a JHSON computer in the assigned laboratory.
   3. Students may bring what they can carry for reference. The use of reference or bibliography databases (such as endnote or reference manager) is not permitted.
   4. Students should critically analyze and synthesize information in a logical manner, citing major authors.
   5. Students should structure their time to incorporate any needed breaks.
5. Development, Administration, and Grading:
   1. The PhD Curriculum Committee appoints the examination committee at its November and April meetings. The committee includes at least three members, one member having taught in the core theory sequence and one member having taught in the core research design and methods sequence.
   2. The committee convenes and selects the chair.
   3. The committee develops integrating questions for the examination focusing on required nursing and statistics courses. The questions should test students' ability to synthesize nursing theory and research and statistics application.
   4. The grade for each question is fail, pass, or pass with distinction. To pass the examination, the student must receive a pass or higher score from a majority of the examination committee on all questions. The criteria for adequate completion of the examination are intended to facilitate the judgment of the Comprehensive Examination Committee as to whether the candidate has responded adequately to the questions.
   5. The candidate's response should thoroughly address each aspect of each question as well as:
      1. Reflect accurate, consistent, and appropriate application of concepts to the situation presented in the question.
      2. Show evidence of in-depth application and synthesis of the content of the courses.
      3. Reflect the appropriate use of references, e.g., statistical texts for statistical issues, and peer-reviewed journal papers.
6. Results:
   1. Students are informed of their results in writing within 30 days after completion of the examination. The letter is copied to the student's adviser, the chair of the PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee, and the Registrar's Office. If the student fails to pass any component of the Comprehensive Exam, the letter is also copied to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
   2. Further feedback on students' performance may be obtained from their advisers.
   3. A student who fails the examination may repeat it once. The student should contact their academic adviser to discuss their academic difficulties and may be asked to write a letter to the chair of the PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee communicating any information including their plan for improvement.
   4. The repeat examination must be completed within two years of the original examination.
   5. The appeal process for grades applies to this examination.

PhD Preliminary Oral Examination

PhD Preliminary Oral Exam Form

1. Student status: PhD students having successfully completed the written Comprehensive Examination must be registered for at least three credits consisting of two credits dissertation advisement plus one credit dissertation seminar in the fall and spring semesters they are progressing toward the degree (see above for summer semester registration requirements). Part-time students who have completed the Comprehensive Examination must register for two credits dissertation advisement plus one credit dissertation seminar each semester they are progressing toward the degree after completing half (11) of the required elective credits. Before undergoing the Preliminary Examination, students must:
   1. complete all required and elective coursework;
   2. have all incompletes cleared from their record;
   3. have completed the Johns Hopkins University Residency requirement of 2 consecutive semesters, fall and spring, full-time study; and
   4. be registered the semester of the examination, this includes summer semester.
2. Preliminary Oral Examination Committee Composition: 
   1. At least three of the five faculty members must be tenure track at the rank of assistant professor, associate professor, or full professor.  This may include full time or part time faculty, visiting faculty, or emeritus faculty if they also hold the titles of assistant, associate, or full professor.
   2. Three of the five members must be from the candidate's home department (SON).  One of these must be at the Associate Professor level or higher.
   3. Two members must be from outside of the candidate's home department (SON)
      • One (1) of the two outside faculty members must be within Johns Hopkins University, full-time tenure track holding rank of Professor, Associate Professor or Emeritus Professor who serves as Chair of the examination committee.
      • One (1) committee member from any department at the University (outside of the SON) or outside of the University pending committee approval
   4. For DNP/PhD students, because the oral exam stands in place of the DNP exam, it is expected that the student's DNP advisor will be a voting member of the committee.

   5. Note: With approval, there is an option for a 6^th, non-voting member.  This option is likely to be most relevant for DNP/PhD students. 

3. Purpose of Preliminary Oral Examination: The purpose of a preliminary examination is to test the depth and breadth of the student's knowledge and reasoning abilities. The scope of such an examination cannot, nor should it be, sharply defined. The examination committee can gain a feeling for the limits of the examination by a review of the candidate's formal course record and by knowledge of the school, group, department, or committee requirements (e.g., whether specific minor as well as major subjects are to be included).
   
   Preliminary Oral Examinations are closed to all but the candidate and examination committee members. (Students are encouraged to arrange for a "Dry Run" presentation for colleagues and faculty input prior to exam.)
4. Criteria for Selection of Examination Committee Chair and Members (Oral exam forms must be submitted to the Academic Program Administrator at least 60 days before the exam date) The initial review will be conducted by Program Director and APG (Admissions, Progressions and Graduate) Committee Chair. Then the form will go to the APG Committee for final approval. Approval must be received by the student before they can conduct their exam. 
   1. 
      
      
      
      
      
      
      Chair Selection: The Examination Committee Chair will be the most senior ranking member from outside of the candidate's home department (SON) at JHU.  If two outside members have the same rank at JHU, the Chair is the one who has been in that rank the longest.
   2. Faculty that do not have an earned Research Doctorate (e.g., DNP, MD), are not tenure-eligible (e.g., Practice-Education Track), or are from outside the University, must have Curriculum Vitae (CV) submitted to School of Nursing PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee for approval.  This approval is only required the first time they serve on a SON committee.
   3. Each committee may include only 1 member who is not on faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Faculty members at other institutions and adjunct faculty must be reviewed and approved by the School of Nursing PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee prior to participation in the Oral Examination.
   4. SON faculty members are defined as those having primary appointment in the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing or who are assigned as the Faculty Advisor.

Duties of the Chair

1. Preside at the examination.
2. Determine the scope, character, and conduct of the examination before the questioning begins.
3. Determine time allotments to inside and outside members of the committee.
4. Report the results of the examination to the candidate.
5. Report the results of the examination to the PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee immediately after the examination on the form provided for this purpose.
   1. Duties of the Members: 
      1. Notify the Chair, Faculty advisor and Academic Program Administrator of inability to appear at designated time.
      2. Participate in the examination process.
   2. Duties of the Alternate:
      1. Notify the Committee chair, faculty advisor and Academic Program Administrator of inability to appear at designated time.
      2. Participate in the examination process as a committee member if one of the serving members of the committee fails to appear on the date of the examination.
      3. Alternate members not called to serve as committee members may attend the examination if they wish to do so, but may not ask questions or vote.
   3. Dissertation Committee Optional Role: External Reader: An external reader is an individual with an earned research or clinical doctorate who offers additional content and/or methodological expertise but is not a regular member of the dissertation committee. Attendance at the dissertation oral examination is not required for the external reader. If in attendance, they may participate in the private portion of the exam at the discretion of the chair, but cannot vote on the outcome of the exam. In addition, the external reader may not be present during the voting.
   4. Length of Examination: Examination process will start with a 20-minute presentation on the topic of the student's proposed dissertation research. The chair will ask for questions from the committee. The student will respond until all members of the committee have completed their questions. The committee will vote by private ballot on its evaluation of the examination with majority ruling. (Total examination period is expected to be about 2 hours.)
6. Results of the Examination: Students who successfully pass the examination will become PhD Candidates. The examination may result in one of the following outcomes:
   1. If the candidate receives an unconditional pass (a majority of favorable votes), the committee is to be considered discharged.
   2. If the candidate receives a conditional pass, the removal of the condition is to be reported to the School of Nursing PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee by the chair in writing, after which the committee is considered discharged.
   3. If the candidate fails, the examination committee, through the chair, is requested to recommend a course for future action:
      1. No re-examination.
      2. Re-examination by the same committee.
      3. Re-examination in written form and conducted by the same committee.
      4. Re-examination by a new committee. If the recommendation is for a new committee, at least one outside member of the original committee shall be appointed to the new committee.
         
         The committee may recommend whatever action in its judgment seems desirable, taking into consideration the background of the student, their prior performance and future potential, and reactions to oral questioning. The School of Nursing PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee will be guided by these recommendations and will assume responsibility for whatever actions are taken.
          Stipulations and/or Re-examination: If there is a recommendation for re-examination, the examination can be repeated once, but only once, and must be repeated within one calendar year. The committee may also make recommendations for the conduct of the proposed research that do not affect the outcome of the examination; the student's adviser will help them incorporate such recommendations into the proposal.

¹

Faculty who do not have an earned Research Doctorate (e.g., DNP, MD), are not tenure-eligible (e.g., Practice-Education Track), or are from outside the University, must have Curriculum Vitae (CV) submitted to School of Nursing PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee for approval

²

Each committee may include only 1 member who is not on faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Faculty members at other institutions and adjunct faculty must be reviewed and approved by the School of Nursing PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee prior to participation in the Oral Examination. Occasionally, one adjunct or one scientist faculty member, but not both, may serve on the Committee. Neither may serve as the Chair.

³

SON faculty members are defined as those having primary appointment in the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

⁴

Each committee may include only 1 member who is not on faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Faculty members at other institutions and adjunct faculty must be reviewed and approved by the School of Nursing PhD Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee prior to participation in the Oral Examination. Occasionally, one adjunct or one scientist faculty member, but not both, may serve on the Committee. Neither may serve as the Chair. 

PhD Program Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

PhD Program Dissertation and Final Oral Examination Form

1. Student status: PhD candidates in the School of Nursing must be registered for at least 3 credits per semester (not including summer, unless defending during the summer semester) after passing the preliminary oral examination until taking the final oral examination. Specifically, students are to take no less than NR.110.890 Dissertation Seminar Dissertation Seminar, 1 credit, and NR.110.899 Dissertation Dissertation Research, 2 credits, both fall and spring semester unless they are on an approved leave of absence. The student must be registered the semester prior to the examination. All students must complete all requirements for the PhD Degree within seven (7) years of matriculation (excluding any Leaves of Absence). 
   
   Nota Bene: If students are the holders of a research training grant (such as NRSA), they must also comply wit

Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation from the PhD program, students will:

• Possess knowledge and skills in theoretical, methodological, and analytic approaches that will enable them to conduct research to discover and apply knowledge in nursing science, health, and health care.
• Assume a leadership role in nursing and in the broader arena of health care both nationally and internationally.