A: The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to prepare nurse-scientists as teacher-scholars to assume leadership in reducing health disparities for vulnerable populations. The dual focus is on preparing teachers of nursing and on advancing knowledge related to vulnerable populations. The curriculum includes nine credits of course work in education, including a residency (practicum) in nursing education. Experienced and novice novice teachers can benefit from the program because students develop individual objectives that challenge the individual to grow as a teacher during their residency experiences.

     A: The program is designed to prepare graduates to:

• Design and conduct independent research that will impact the health of vulnerable
  populations.
  
• Teach nursing students and advanced practitioners to improve the health status of
  vulnerable populations.
  
• Develop, test and refine theories as a basis for nursing science.
  
• Analyze patterns of health and illness among vulnerable populations.
  
• Synthesize research findings to provide leadership in health care.

     A: Yes. Students may take one or two courses per semester. 
          (Part time is considered one-six credits. Full time is seven or more credits.)

     A: The usual post-M.S.N. Ph.D. curriculum consists of 51 credits beyond the master’s degree in nursing. Course categories and the required number of credits include:

Nursing science — 12 credits
Research and statistics — 12 credits
Teaching — 9 credits
Cognates — 6 credits
Dissertation — 12 credits

The post-bachelor’s Ph.D. curriculum consists of 18 post-bachelor’s credits plus the usual Ph.D. courses listed above for a total of 69 credits. These may also be taken full or part time.

Sample program plans for full­ and part-time study are below.

     A: Full-time students can complete the post-M.S.N. course work in two years and then focus on completing their dissertation. Part-time students typically complete the post-M.S.N. course work in three years and then focus on their dissertation.

     A: The requirements are as follows:

For those with an M.S.N.:

• R.N. licensure
• Master's degree in nursing
• GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 point scale
• Statistics course, including inferential analysis, within past 5 years
• Acceptable scores on the GRE (e.g., a combined score of at least 1,000 on the verbal and quantitative portions and a writing score of approximately 4.0)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Completed online application form and fee
• Official transcripts from all current and previous colleges
• Curriculum vita or résumé
• Goal statement
• Sample of scholarly writing
• Personal interview

For those with a B.S.N.:

• R.N. licensure
• Baccalaureate degree
• GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 point scale
• Statistics course, including inferential analysis, within past 5 years
• Acceptable scores on the GRE (e.g., a combined score of at least 1,000 on the verbal and quantitative portions and a writing score of approximately 4.0)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Completed online application form and fee
• Official transcripts from all current and previous colleges
• Curriculum vita or résumé
• Goal statement
• Sample of scholarly writing
• Personal interview

For international applicants:

• Requirements as specified above
• A TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based version), 213 (computer-based version), 79­80 (new Internet-based version, including speaking) or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.

Qualified applicants maybe denied admission to the Ph.D. program because of space constraints. 

     A: Post-M.S.N. applicants accepted into the Ph.D. program must have completed a statistics course (course including descriptive and inferential statistics) within five years of the date of enrollment in the doctoral program.

     A: It is recommended that students apply at least five months prior to their intended start date. For instance, one would apply by April for a fall semester start and by August for a spring semester start.

** To be eligible for Marquette financial aid, your application must be submitted by February 1 for a fall semester start. **

    A: Yes. You must apply online via the Graduate School.

     A: Courses are increasingly being offered online or in hybrid formats. But we believe that personal interaction between other students and faculty enhances the educational experience and facilitates immersion in the community of scholars. Courses are offered primarily on Tuesdays and are sequenced to facilitate students enrolling full time and taking up to three courses (nine credits) in one day.

     A: The goal of post-M.S.N. Ph.D. residency is to provide opportunities for students to become immersed in the campus community of scholars. Students can fulfill residency while taking their usual/post-M.S.N. Ph.D. requirements by completing nine credits of course work, or their equivalent, per term for two terms or summer sessions within an 18-month period or by completing six credits of course work in each of three consecutive sessions (e.g., fall, spring and summer OR fall, spring fall).

For additional options for fulfilling residency requirements, refer to the Graduate School Bulletin.

     A. Tuition is $905 per credit.

     A. Financial opportunities for Ph.D. students include:

• Division of Nursing Federal Nurse Traineeship
• Agnes Reinders Scholarship
• Graduate assistantships (research and teaching)
• Marquette University tuition scholarships
• Specific foundation awards
• Nurse Faculty Loan Program

Some types of financial aid require full-time enrollment and are based on academic performance. Other types of aid may stipulate specific criteria or obligations after graduation.    

Please note the university-funded financial aid application deadlines:

• February 15 (for the academic year or fall semester)
• November 15 (for spring semester)
• April 15 (for the summer session)

For more information about financial aid, please contact Larry Vanden Busch, business manager, at (414) 288-3918 or lawrence.vandenbusch@marquette.edu.