Marcia J. Hern, Ed.D., CNS, RN, Dean

The School of Nursing offers the following degree programs through the Graduate School:

Nursing - Ph.D.
Nursing - M.S.N.

Vision
The University of Louisville School of Nursing affirms and builds upon our strengths and accomplishments as we move forward to meet the Challenge for Excellence. We will be recognized as a nursing program of national stature for the integration of teaching, research, practice and service. Our purpose is to enrich people's lives through the improvement of health care. We will be guided by the mission of our metropolitan urban university in serving the diverse needs of students, clients and community.

Mission
The University of Louisville School of Nursing is an essential partner of a research intensive academic health science center in a nationally recognized University serving a metropolitan community.

The School of Nursing is a community in which faculty, staff and students collaborate to promote excellence in the profession of nursing. This is accomplished through research and scholarship that inform undergraduate and graduate education, support evidence-based practice and foster advances in nursing science. Students are prepared to demonstrate excellence in nursing science, practice and leadership in a variety of settings for the benefit of clients across the lifespan, and to meet the evolving health care needs of society. As a citizen of the larger community, the emphasis of the School of Nursing is to address the complex health needs of diverse and dynamic populations through nursing education, research, scholarship and service.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is designed to prepare nurse scientists who will assume a variety of roles in education, research, leadership and health policy. The goal of the program is to prepare nurse scientists to: a) generate knowledge, test interventions and evaluate outcomes to reduce risks of illness/disability and promote quality of life, b) collaborate with other disciplines to improve the delivery of health care, c) assume research, leadership, executive, public policy and/or teaching roles, and d) affect health policy through the application of scientific knowledge.

Two progression tracks will be offered in the programs: (1) BSN to PhD and (2) MSN to PhD. The BSN to PhD track is an innovative approach to recruit students into graduate study at an early point in their nursing career. These students will complete the first year of coursework at the master's level and then continue on to the doctoral level work without earning a master's degree. The MSN to PhD students will enter directly into the doctoral coursework.

The PhD in Nursing consists of at least 63 credit hours of coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree or 45 credit hours beyond a master's degree plus two credit hours for the qualifying examination and 10 dissertation credit hours. Full or part-time programs of study are available; however, full-time study is highly recommended to allow students to devote themselves entirely to the program and immerse themselves in the life of a scholar.

Admissions Criteria

Submit the following items to:
Office of Graduate Admissions, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292

1. U of L Graduate Application and application fee (Online submission is preferred.  Complete online at http://graduate.louisville.edu/apply)
   the online version of the Graduate Application lists codes for the Nursing PhD program. If you are submitting a hard copy application form, please use the following codes:
   NURSPHDMSN- for students who have completed Master's of Nursing degrees
   NURSPHDBSN- for students who have completed only Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degrees.
2. Transcripts
   
   • If BSN applicant: Official transcripts representing all college course work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Must verify completion of an accredited baccalaureate program in nursing.
   • If MSN applicant: Official transcripts representing all college course work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Must verify completion of an accredited master's program in nursing.
   • If a BSN applicant, BSN program must have been accredited by CCNE or NLN.
   • If a MSN applicant, MSN program must have been accredited by CCNE or NLN.
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
   Successful candidates generally have a combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 1100 or higher; and an Analytical score of 4.0 or higher.  GRE scores earned within the last ten years will be accepted. (Revisions of the GRE test format and scoring are under consideration.  Recommended score may change based on revisions.)
4. TOEFL Examination
   Foreign student applicants must review the Graduate Catalog TOEFL requirement guidelines.  TOEFL scores required in the School of Nursing are:
   
   • Computer-based test minimum score of 220; Written Essay score of 4.0
   • Paper-based test minimum score of 560; Written Essay score of 4.0
5. Letters of Recommendation
   • Submit at least three recommendations from individuals who can speak of academic and/or professional capabilities and potential.  Recommendations should be chosen from among: former faculty members, current or immediate past employers, or other nursing/health professionals.  Each person providing a reference for you must complete the U of L  Graduate School recommendation form (available online at: http://graduate.louisville.edu/students/apply.html/)
   • Recommendation forms must have been completed within the last year.
   • At least two recommendations should be from nurses.
     

6. Registered Nurse License
   Applicants must be licensed as a registered nurse and submit a copy of a valid Kentucky registered nurse license (without restrictions).   If applicant is not currently licensed as a registered nurse in Kentucky, the applicant must be eligible to apply for licensure and submit a valid license within one year of admission.
   

1. School of Nursing PhD Applicant Data Sheet  (Online submission preferred.  Applicant Data Sheet is available at http://www.louisville.edu/nursing).
2.  A current curriculum vitae or resume.
3. A sample of scholarly or professional writing completed within the past 5 years.
4. A written statement of career goals, area(s) of expertise, research interests, and reasons for pursuing doctoral studies (no more than three pages).
5. Personal interviews with School of Nursing faculty will be required.
6. Application deadline for fall admission is February 15th.  Completed applications received after February 15^th may be considered if space is available. 

Please note:

Applicants accepted into the MSN-PhD program are strongly advised to have completed a three-credit masters-level statistics course (applied descriptive and inferential statistics) with a grade of B (3.0) or higher within five years before the date of enrollment.  Applicants who do not meet this requirement will be advised of available statistics courses to take in the summer prior to beginning fall PhD coursework in statistics.

In order to do a self-assessment of knowledge in statistics, the following represents anticipated basic competencies from previous statistics coursework:

Design of Research

• Frequency distributions

• Central tendency and variability

• Probability theory

• Normal distributions

• Correlation

• Simple linear regression

• Statistical inference

• Decision, error, and power

• T-tests

• One and two-way ANOVAs

• Nonparametric tests

Assistantships

A PhD Graduate Student Assistantship is a financial award to a full-time PhD student for the period of one year.  To be eligible for the award the student must be admitted to the PhD degree program and/or be a continuing PhD student. For the full year, the award includes tuition, health insurance, and a stipend of $20,000. The student is required to maintain full-time study during the award period and participate for 20 hours/week in Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant activities in the School of Nursing. These activities serve to augment and enrich the student's academic program.  The student will be assigned to either the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Associate Dean for Research to coordinate and schedule their experiences.  Descriptions of activities are available for each type of assistantship. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis.  Applications are due by February 15th

Academic Policies

Academic Progress in the Graduate Program

Satisfactory academic progress in a program also involves maintaining the academic and professional standards expected in a particular discipline or program and may include demonstration of the ability to function as a professional. Failure to maintain these standards or demonstrate such abilities may result in the termination of the student's admission to the program.

Removal from a Clinical Research Area

A student who is deemed at risk for patient safety may be asked to withdraw from the program.

Transfer of Credit

Earned graduate credit may be transferred from accredited institutions that offer advanced degrees. The maximum number of semester hours transferable, upon request, is six. Credits which have been applied toward an earned degree may not be applied toward the doctoral nursing degree. Course work being considered for transfer must have been taken while the student was enrolled in an accredited graduate or professional school and must be evaluated for equivalency by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  Credit earned more than six years prior to the student's application to the Graduate School will not normally be considered for transfer.  At least two years of full-time study must be spent at the University of Louisville.

Drop/Add Procedures

Students wishing to alter their schedule of courses in any way must make the changes with the University's Office of Registration. Failure to officially withdraw from a course may result in a grade of F and tuition charges for that course.

Students may drop/add at any time during the Early Registration period after their first scheduled time for registration. The touch-tone or online ULink systems may be used for drop/add. See the online Schedule of Courses for current instructions for Drop/Add after classes begin.

Late Complete Withdrawal after the Deadline

Upon proper documentation of extreme circumstances, decision for approval of late complete withdrawals may be made by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Late complete withdrawals are those requested after the deadline has passed and before the instructor has assigned a grade.

Students may not withdraw from any course after the published deadline in the online Schedule of Courses without the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. This is granted only because of sickness or conditions beyond the student's control. The grade report would reflect a grade of 'W'.

Student Health Services Requirements

Each student must comply with the current student health policy of the Health Sciences Center. All costs associated with compliance are the responsibility of the student. Because of contractual agreements with agencies and the changing needs of society, this policy is updated periodically. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain his/her health in order to insure safety for other students and clients. If faculty or the agency deems that any student creates a health risk, the student may be excluded from the research or clinical area and/or the program.

Individual health care facilities, used as research or clinical sites by the School of Nursing, may have additional requirements. In this event, the student is required to comply with any additional requirements of that facility.

Note: Health policies are constantly under review by faculty based on CDC changing requirements and community expectations. Students will be notified of any policy changes, and compliance will be required.

Immunization Requirements

Immunization requirements have been established by the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Allied Health in recognition of a responsibility to provide for your safety, both in the classroom and in clinical settings, and for the safety of patients you will encounter in your training. These requirements also reflect the standards required by the various institutions in which you will be working during your education.  Compliance is administered through the U of L Student Health Services.  More detail is available in the student handbooks or on the Student Health Services website: http://www.med.louisville.edu/clinical/studenthealth/HSOHome.htm

Health Insurance

Students are responsible for submitting proof of health insurance. On April 26, 1999, the University of Louisville Board of Trustees approved a requirement for proof of insurance for all Health Sciences Center (HSC) students. Every HSC student will be assessed the University sponsored health insurance plan, the comprehensive plan. Students who already have health insurance that includes hospitalization coverage can waive the fee.

Health Services Fee

On April 26, 1999, the University of Louisville Board of Trustees approved a Health Services Fee. Every HSC student will be assessed the $87.50 Health Services Fee each semester. Thirty-five dollars of this fee will be bundled in tuition beginning Fall 2007.

For more information about what the fee covers, please see the Student Health Services website: http://www.med.louisville.edu/clinical/studenthealth/faq.htm#14

Repeating Nursing Courses

Students who receive a grade of C+ or below in a course must repeat the course. Students in the Graduate Nursing Program are allowed to repeat a required nursing curriculum course only one time. A student who receives a grade of C+ or below in a second course required in the nursing curriculum will be dismissed from the program. A Permit to Repeat Course form should be submitted to the Office of Student Services, School of Nursing, to ensure that only the last grade attempted will be included in the student's grade point average. Repeating a course is not an automatic privilege, and in most cases the student must petition to the Associate Dean and/or the Academic Affairs Committee for permission to repeat a nursing course. Once permission is granted, the student will be allowed to repeat the course on a space available basis.

Satisfactory Standing

Satisfactory standing in the nursing program is a cumulative program grade point average of at least 3.0.

Probation and Dismissal

If the cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation for the next regular semester. If the cumulative grade point average is not raised to a minimum of 3.0 by the end of the probation semester, the student will be dismissed from the program. The dismissal will be reflected on the student's transcript. If a student wishes to continue at the University, he/she must apply and be accepted to another unit in order to continue to enroll in classes.

PhD in Nursing: Required Courses

BSN Students will complete 18 hours of required master\u2019s level courses.

• NURS 605: Foundations for Advanced Practice (3 credit hours)

• NURS 606: Health Care Systems (3 credit hours)

• NURS 651: Evidence Based Nursing for Advanced Practice (3 credit hours)

• NURS 652: Statistics (3 credit hours) OR ELFH 601: Applied Statistics (3 credit hours)

• NURS 657: Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Across the Lifespan (3 credit hours)

• PHKC 610: Introduction to Health Informatics (3 credit hours)

BSN and MSN Students will complete the following required doctoral level courses, qualifying exam and dissertation: 

• Advanced Statistics (9 credit hours)

• Philosophy of Science (3 credit hours)

• Theoretical Basis of Nursing (3 credit hours)

• Research Methodology I: Qualitative Research Methods (3 credit hours)

• Research Methodology II: Quantitative Design (3 credit hours)

• Research Methodology III: Nursing Measurement (3 credit hours)

• Health Policy: An Evidence-Based Approach (3 credit hours)

• Seminar in Advanced Nursing Leadership (3 credit hours)

• Electives (9 credit hours)

• Research Methods Practicum (2 credit hours)

• Leadership Practicum (1 credit hour)

• Health Policy Practicum (1 credit hour)

• Doctoral Seminars (2 credit hours)

• Qualifying Examination (2 credit hours)

• Dissertation (10 Credit hours)

Paulette Adams, EdD, RN
Professor, Emerita

Ruth B. Craddock, DNS, RN
Professor, Emerita

Linda Freeman, DNS, RN
Professor

Marianne Hutti, DNS, ARNP
Professor

M. Cynthia Logsdon, DNS, ARNP
Professor

Kay Roberts, EdD, FAAN, FNP
Professor

Karen Robinson, DNS, APRN, BC, FAAN
Professor

Robert Topp, PhD, RN
Professor

Deborah Armstrong, PhD, RN
Associate Professor

Cathy Bays , PhD, RN
Associate Professor

Carla Hermann, PhD, RN
Associate Professor

Vicki Hines-Martin, PhD, RN, CS
Associate Professor

Ermalyn Kiehl, PhD, ARNP
Associate Professor

Rosalie O. Mainous, PhD, ARNP
Associate Professor
Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs 

Cynthia McCurren, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Interim Dean

Barbara Speck, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Acting Associate Dean for Research

Cheryl Zambroski, PhD, RN
Associate Professor

C. Elizabeth Bonham, PhD, ARNP, BC
Assistant Professor

Mary Beth Coty, PhD, APRN, BC
Assistant Professor 

Vicki Burns, PhD, RN, ARNP-BC
Assistant Professor

S. Lee Ridner, PhD, ARNP
Assistant Professor

Celeste Shawler, PhD, RN, CS
Assistant Professor

Mary Patricia Wall, PhD, RN, BC
Assistant Professor