PhD Nursing

The PhD (Nursing) degree was first instituted on September 27, 1979. Curricular revisions are conducted regularly in order to conform to the constantly changing times, the latest of which were approved by the University Board of Regents on February 1, 1995.

The main purpose of the program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) is to strengthen and deepen the intellectual and scholastic capability of students in order to enhance the theory and science based practice of the profession.

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 16 weeks each, excluding registration and final examination periods. The 1st semester starts in August and ends in December, while the 2nd semester covers the period from January to May. The short session of 6 weeks following the 2nd semester is usually in June and July. English is generally used as the medium of instruction. A fulltime student’s normal load is 12-15 units per semester and 6 units during summer; a part time student enrolls in half of these.

Completion of forty eight (48) units is required by the program. Thirty six (36) units are credited to academic courses and twelve (12) units for the dissertation. A full time doctoral student enrolls in 12 units of academic work per semester.

Core Courses (24 units)

Eight courses designed to establish knowledge base and enhance critical thinking necessary in the development of the Nurse Scientist.

Theory building in Nursing

Credit: 3 units

Grounding and validation of theory formulated, including field methods.

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N301

Various philosophical schools of thought focusing on the principles, concepts, issues and problems of bioethics.

Credit: 3 units

tive and quantitative research methods.

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N 298 (Statistics in the M.A.) and N 299 (Research in the M.A.), or their equivalent

Program planning, implementation, evaluation, including health human resource development.

Credit: 3 units

Evolution of the practice of Nursing and its relationship tosocial and national development.

Credit: 3 units

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N 298 (Statistics in the M.A. program)

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N 299 (Research in the M.A. Program)

Content Courses (6 units)

Two to three courses of any of the following subjects meant to give depth in theoretical and experimental knowledge of the profession.

Macro level problems in health where the nurse can initiate projects that enhance the quality of life of the Filipino.

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N 220 (Behavioral Perspectives in Health in the M.A. program), or its equivalent.

Current trends and issues undertaken through researches.

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N 230 (Growth and Development in the M.A. Program) or its equivalent

Conceptual approach to the study of pathophysiologic processes and trends and issues in the management of common pediatric disease conditions.

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N 204 (PathoPhysiology in the M.A. Program) or its equivalent

Investigation of current trends and issues in maternal and child health care.

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisite: N 330 and N 331

Antecedent factors of current family crises and issues and trends in management.

Credit: 3 units
Prerequisites: N 230 (Growth and Development in the M.A. Program) or its equivalent and N 330

The concept of body image and its influence on behavior in health and illness.

Credit: 2 units
Prerequisites: N 220 (Behavioral Perspectives in Health in the M.A. Program) or its equivalent

Theoretical bases of psychopathology.

Credit: 2 units

Planning, organization, administration and evaluation of community mental health services.

Credit: 3 units

Current issues in psychodynamics and trends in psychotherapy of individuals, groups and families with mental health-psychiatric problems.

Credit: 3 units

Methodologies and findings of current research approaches in psychotherapy, including problems in execution and utilization of results.

Credit: 3 units

Analyses of major health laws and policies which have influence on the healthcare system and present legislative activity in health.

Credit: 3 units

The theoretical bases, methodologies and applications of program evaluation.

Credit: 3 units

Nursing practice across cultures.

Credit: 3 units

Current issues and trends in various nursing specialties.

Credit: 3 units

In-depth investigation of a theory, issue or management trend in nursing which is of personal interest to the student.

Credit: 3 units

Cognates (6 units)

Two to three courses from any of the following disciplines to broaden learning in non-nursing but related fields.

  • Administration
  • Anthropology
  • Biostatistics
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Epidemiology
  • Philosophy
  • Physiology
  • Public Health
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Sociology

Dissertation (12 units)

  • N 400.1 Dissertation I
  • N 400.2 Dissertation II
  • N 400.3 Dissertation III

The final phase of the program is the dissertation. It has three sub-phases: proposal defense (Dissertation I), final dissertation defense (Dissertation II), and acceptance of publication in a peer-reviewed journal based on dissertation (Dissertation III). Completion of all academic courses and successfully passing the comprehensive examination are mandatory prior to the dissertation work.

  1. GWA of 1.75 or better in all courses taken and in major courses provided there is no grade of 5.00 in any of them
  2. Completion of 36 units (24 units of core courses, 6 units of content courses and 6 units of cognates) of prescribed academic courses
  3. Passing of the comprehensive examination
  4. Satisfactory completion and submission of 6 bound copies of the dissertation
  5. Article accepted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. The article must be based on the dissertation.
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