Academic Programs
Ph.D. Program
CORE AND REQUIRED COURSES
NOTE: The course name is followed by the prerequisites, in Italic; permission
of instructor is indicated by P.I. Credit hours are indicated in the parentheses.
Nursing 532
The Theoretical Base for Advanced Nursing Practice. Graduate Standing. (3)
Core.
This course focuses on critical analysis of theory and the utilization of various
levels of nursing theory as a base for nursing practice. It further examines
the inter-relationship of theory, research and practice in the development
of the scientific body of nursing knowledge. The process of theory analysis
and evaluation is utilized to design theory-based practice and to develop a
theoretical perspective to formulate potential research questions.
Nursing 535
Strategy for Nursing and Health Care. Graduate Standing. (3). Core
This course is designed to provide students as present and future leaders with
a political, economic, and financial understanding of the health care industry.
In addition, fundamentals of strategic planning are introduced to facilitate
the merging of the financial side of patient care with the clinical dimension.
Fundamental changes in industry structure brought about by the growth of alternate
health care delivery models and other aspects of health care reform will also
be stressed.
Nursing 536
Utilization of Nursing Research in Advanced Practice. An approved statistics
course; undergraduate research or P.I. (3). Core.
The goal of this course is to promote research-based nursing practice. The
course focuses on the critical analysis of scientific knowledge related to
clinical problems. An understanding of the research process, applicable theories,
organizational dynamics, and leadership functions are applied to design and
plan a process of implementing research in health care settings.
Nursing 570
Philosophy of Science.
Systematic study of contemporary philsophy of science. Topics
for discussion incude the aims and methods of philosophy of science; the
nature of scientific theories; theory change and confirmation; explanation,
causation, laws, and probability; physics and metaphysics; and philosophy
of social science. Taught by the Department of Philosophy.
Nursing 801
Directed Study in Development of Nursing Science. Completion of 500 & 600
level courses, Doctoral Student Standing or P.I. (3). Core. Seminar.
The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities for students to begin
to conceptualize a nursing phenomenon in their area of interest. Processes
of intellectual activity will be emphasized to enable students to: critically
evaluate the linkage between clinical practice and research; raise relevant
issues about nursing research; and engage in constructive critique and commentary.
Using experiential observations as well as published theoretical and research
literature, students will begin to conceptualize and develop a model for a
selected nursing phenomenon, apply the model to a real world test, and subsequently,
evaluate the validity of the model. Students will work with an assigned faculty
preceptor, who, along with course faculty, will provide supervision and expertise.
Nursing 821
Advanced Nursing Theory Development. N532, N570, N801. (3). Core.
Students synthesize theory development knowledge with strategies for testing
theoretical statements. The student critically evaluates, compares, and contrasts
the major theory development strategies used in nursing. This knowledge will
be used to construct theoretical statements at a specific theory level, as
well as design nursing research in which the theoretical statements will be
examined. (Required for all students in the doctoral program.)
Nursing 830
Design, Methods & Analysis I. N821, two graduate statistics courses. (3).
Core.
This seminar is the first in a two-course sequence designed to assist students
in gaining advanced understanding of research design, methods, and data analysis.
It builds on prerequisite courses in nursing theory, philosophy of science,
and statistics, and focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and techniques
needed for hypothesis development, measurement, and sampling in the investigation
of various nursing research questions. Ethical issues surrounding study participation
are discussed. Analytic procedures for addressing related measurement issues
are examined. Ongoing and published research serve as a focus for critical
discussion of various methodologies. Students conduct computer-based analyses
using various statistical procedures for assessing reliability and validity,
and for estimating power.
Nursing 831
Design, Methods, & Analysis II. N830. (3). Core.
This seminar is the second of a two-course sequence in research design, methods
, and data analysis. The merits and limitations of non-experimental, quasi-
experimental, experimental, and randomized clinical trial designs to investigate
nursing phenomena are evaluated with particular consideration of threats to
validity. Decisions about design appropriateness are justified by identifying
links with level of inquiry and principles of measurement mastered in earlier
courses. Data analytic techniques for various designs and research questions
are examined. An introduction to casual modeling is included. Readings and
computer assignments include quantitative and qualitative techniques of data
analysis. Relevant ethical issues in the conduct of research are identified
and discussed throughout the course. Critical analysis of ongoing and published
research reports utilizing principles of design, methods, and analysis serves
as a forum for applying knowledge.
Nursing 990
Dissertation-Precandidacy. (1-8).
Elected for dissertation or preliminary examination work by doctoral students
not yet admitted to status as a candidate.
Nursing 995
Dissertation-Candidacy. (8).
Dissertation work by students admitted to doctoral candidate status. Full-time
enrollment is required for the term in which a candidate takes a final examination
on her/his dissertation.
HEALTH PROMOTION/RISK REDUCTION CONCENTRATION
Nursing 845
Physical Activity and Health in Nursing. Doctoral Student, Health
Promotion Theories. (3). Seminar.
This seminar facilitates students in their advanced level to analyze the factors
that influence changes in physical activity behavior and to examine how different
types and doses of physical activity affect various health outcomes. Students
examine interaction between health behavior determinants and physical activities
applying different theoretical models, measurements, and analytical approaches.
Nursing 862
Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Health Behavior. N801 or concurrent. (3).
This course is designed to provide an opportunity for synthesis and integration
of knowledge regarding the phenomenon of health behavior. The focus is on critical
examination of theoretical and empirical work in the area of health behavior
from a nursing perspective. Health behavior is examined as a concept relevant
to the promotion and maintenance of health in clients, including individuals,
groups, families, and populations at domestic and global/international levels.
Students propose health behavior research using either an existing model or
one that they develop. First level course.
Nursing 864
Family Systems and Health: Theoretical and Methodological Issues. N801
and N862, or PI. (3).
This course is designed to provide an opportunity for synthesis and integration
of knowledge related to family systems and health/illness in nursing. The seminar
focuses on in-depth, critical analysis of theoretical perspectives used in
nursing for studying the family, including formulations from other disciplines.
Extant empirically based knowledge related to families and health/illness is
reviewed and evaluated in terms of conceptual, practice and research issues
in nursing. Socio-cultural, technological, political, genetic and environmental
factors that affect health behavior and health outcomes in families are examined.
Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the empirical base for the development
of nursing interventions and implications for health policy at national and
global/international levels. Students will propose research related to families
and health. Second level.
Nursing 865
Behavioral Analysis in Health and Illness: Nursing Perspectives. N801. (3).
This seminar is designed to examine specific issues in-depth that are encompassed
under the broad title of behavioral interventions. This is first and foremost
an integration of empirical knowledge stemming from interdisciplinary research
efforts. A second essential element of this domain of inquiry is recognition
of the reciprocal interaction among human biology, psychology, and sociology.
Students who choose this seminar are interested in gaining an understanding
of behavioral interventions as a forum in which many disciplines jointly explore
health and illness issues of mutual concern. In addition, this seminar emphasizes
those reciprocal relationships between personality, coping styles, social/ethnic
membership and their influence on morbidity and mortality. The influence wellness
or poor health has on how one copes, perceives the world, lives in the community,
functions in the work place and manages ones self also is explored. The seminars
are focused and limited so as to cover in depth those areas in which the students
are interested and in which faculty from both nursing and other disciplines
are experts, as opposed to covering a broad range of topics superficially.
Nursing 866
Health Promotion Intervention Research: Adults. N801 N801 and N862,
or PI. (3).
Students analyze and synthesize research on health promotion interventions
directed to various adult population groups. The focus is on critical examination
of the theoretical bases, designs, methods, data analyses, conclusions, and
significance of multidisciplinary research measuring the outcomes of health
promotion interventions. Special attention is given to the multiple contexts
for intervention, such as families, educational settings, work sites, communities
and primary care settings. Students synthesize the research relating to specific
health promotion goals, hypothesize the applicability of findings to nursing
practice, and propose future research logical to their analyses and significant
to the field and to health policy at national and international levels. Second
level.
Nursing 867
Health Promotion Intervention Research: Children and Adolescents. N801
and N862, or PI. (3).
Students analyze and synthesize research on health promotion interventions
for children and adolescents. The focus is on critical examination of the theoretical
bases, designs, methods, data analyses, conclusions, and significance of multidisciplinary
intervention research directed at achieving positive health promotion outcomes
for youths in differing age groups and of diverse racial/ethnic heritage. Special
attention is given to the multiple contexts for intervention such as families,
schools, communities and primary care settings. Students synthesize the research
related to national and international health promotion goals, hypothesize the
applicability of findings to nursing practice and health policy, and propose
future directions in intervention research significant to advancing knowledge
in the fields of child and adolescent health and health behavior. Second
level.
Nursing 868
Parenting as a Multigenerational Phenomenon: Theory and Research. N801. (3).
The purpose of this course is to enable doctoral students to develop a conceptual
model which encompasses the major parameters and processes of parenting across
the life span and recognizes both the influence on and potential outcomes of
effective parenting on persons of all ages. Parental role changes are explored.
Interrelationships between parenting, environment, health, and family demographics
are explored, along with sociocultural factors and technological advances that
influence parenting. Students are expected to develop conceptualizations regarding
parenting roles which will provide direction for nursing research relevant
to health promotion of persons in parenting or grandparenting roles and/or
in multigenerational families.
Nursing 884
Topics in Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Nursing P.I. (3)
This doctoral level course is intended to enable students to identify and pursue
special areas of theory and research in the HPRR concentration that is of interest
to them. It is taught by HPRR faculty. It may be conducted as independent study
with individual students or in small groups. Thus, the particular themes addressed
will vary somewhat as a function of student interest in phenomena related to
the particular concentration.
BIO-BEHAVIOR CONCENTRATION
Nursing 869
Human Responses and Altered Biological Function. N801. (3).
This course is basic to a series of advanced nursing science courses offered
for Ph.D. students in nursing. The foci of these courses are the biological
phenomena that constitute, maintain and reflect the health and well being of
individuals and the human responses associated with alterations in biological
life processes. The phenomena to be explored in this course are neurobehavioral
processes basic to a) energy balance or homeostatic mechanisms; b) neuroendocrine
processes, and c) rhythmic or cyclical bio-behavioral phenomena. Students will
examine basic physiological processes and understand the biological and behavioral
consequences of alterations in these processes. General content to be examined
in this course includes functional neuroanatomy, neurotransmission, neurohormonal
regulation of behavior, and plasticity. Specific bio-behavioral phenomenon
to be explored will include, but not be limited to, alterations in memory and
cognition, sleep patterns and reproductive rhythms, and appetite.
Nursing 870
Human Responses and Altered Biological Function: Altered Memory. N801. (3).
This course is one of a series of advanced nursing science courses offered
for Ph.D. students in nursing. The foci of these courses are the biological
phenomena that constitute, maintain and reflect the health and well being of
individuals. The specific biological phenomenon to be explored in this course
is the bio-behavioral phenomenon of altered memory. Selected theoretical models
of memory and impaired memory are analyzed and critiqued. Major research paradigms
are evaluated. Patterns of behavioral and cognitive changes which accompany
memory loss are examined, and specific nursing therapeutic models are developed.
Nursing 871
Human Responses and Altered Biological Function: Altered Energy Regulation
and Cardiovascular Risk. N801. (3).
This course is one of a series of advanced nursing science courses offered
for Ph.D. students in nursing. The foci of these courses are the biological
phenomena that constitute, maintain and reflect the health and well being of
individuals and the human responses associated with alterations in biological
life processes. The specific phenomena to be explored in the course are bio-behavioral
phenomena, which constitute the genetic, dietary and exercise factors associated
with increased cardiovascular risk. Students examine and evaluate: a) the survey
evidence that is basic to population policies directed toward reduction of
cardiovascular disease risk, and b) the basic bio-behavioral and nursing research
necessary to the development of intervention models aimed specifically at reducing
an individual's cardiovascular risk. Specifically, the biological basis of
hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and the cardiovascular disease association
are examined.
Nursing 872
Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly: Models Measures, and Methods. N801. (3).
This course focuses on the phenomenon of cognitive impairment in the elderly.
The course is designed to explicate and evaluate nursing knowledge concerning
physiological, psychological, social, and environmental bases associated with
behavioral patterns in the cognitively impaired elderly. Theoretical models
of cognitive impairment, measurement and methodological issues in studying
cognitive impairment, and empirical support for various nursing interventions
are examined. The view of cognitive impairment and any/all interventions as
related to spiritual/cultural values are also considered.
Nursing 883
Topics in Bio-Behavior Nursing P.I. (3)
This doctoral level course is intended to enable students to identify and pursue
special areas of theory and research in the bio-behavior faculty. It may be
conducted as independent study with individual students or in small groups.
Thus, the particular themes addressed will vary somewhat as a function of student
interest in phenomena related to the particular concentration.
NURSING AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS CONCENTRATION
Nursing 847
Nursing Systems: Theoretical & Methodological Issues. 801 or concurrent. (3).
This course is designated to engage the students in the synthesis and integration
of knowledge regarding the nursing systems phenomenon. The focus is on critical
examination of nursing systems conceptual framework and related empirical work
in the areas of nursing management/leadership, entrepreneurship, informatics
and policy. Nursing systems, as a concept, is examined along with the systems
theory as it applies to the structure, process and outcomes of nursing and
the health care system. Students will propose nursing systems research using
an existing model or one they develop.
Nursing 860
Nursing Ethics: Theory and Research. (3). Elective.
The course provides an in-depth examination of nursing research and theory
in the area of ethical decision-making and practice. Philosophical foundations
are presented as background, including selected ethical theories and principles.
The course reviews recent research in nursing on ethical practice and selected
major determinants. Theoretical and methodological issues are highlighted,
future research directions are projected.
Nursing 876
Organizational and Inter-Organizational Phenomena in Nursing Care Systems:
A Macro-Level Focus. N801 or P.I. (3).
This seminar examines major theoretical perspectives at the organizational
or inter-organizational level and their relevance for knowledge development
and testing in the domain of nursing systems. Several traditional organizational
theories are examined as well as newer, developing theories. A special focus
on the contemporary changes in the health care delivery system provides insights
for consideration of research questions and issues pertinent to the delivery
of nursing care at the organizational level and beyond.
Nursing 877
Organizational Phenomena in Nursing Care Delivery Systems: A Micro-Level Focus. N801
or P.I. (3).
The primary focus in this seminar will be on social and interpersonal subsystems
within the context of organizations and their relationship to nurses, nursing
and patient care delivery systems. This seminar is designed to integrate selected
intraorganizational phenomena with concepts essential to nursing practice.
The purpose is to evaluate phenomena from the behavioral, social, and management
sciences in a manner that will contribute to the development of theory and
models, which synthesize organizational and nursing practice concepts.
Nursing 878
Resource Allocation in Nursing Care Delivery Systems. N801 or P.I. (3).
This seminar will provide a critical examination of the conceptual definitions,
theory, and empirical research on resource allocation, utilization, and evaluation
in nursing care delivery systems. Concepts and models of central interest include
efficiency, effectiveness, cost, quality, and productivity. The primary focus
will be on the empirical literature and methodological issues related to research
design and measurement. The purpose of the seminar is to provide participants
the opportunity to evaluate the theory and research available and propose a
research agenda relative to the allocation of resources for delivery of nursing
care to patient populations.
Nursing 879
Nursing and Health Policy Development. N801 or P.I. (3).
This seminar is designed to integrate theory and empirical research about national
and state public sector policy that affects nursing. The goal is to understand
nursing roles both as participants in policy processes and as professionals
affected by policy changes. Emphasis is given to policy strategies that affect
quality in and access to health care services in a cost-constrained environment.
State and national policy issues are addressed.
CONCENTRATION IN WOMEN'S HEALTH
Nursing 852
Transforming Women's Health Care: Feminism and Health. N570, N801 or
P.I. (3).
This course will study the convergence between nursing, public health and feminist
theoretical views of gender and social relationships. In particular, it will
critically examine those nursing perspectives that have failed to account for
the gender bias that negatively effects women's well being. This course will
prepare students to investigate women's lives, especially those factors that
influence health, by systematically focusing on what has been left out of health
theories and developing more scientifically applicable theory.
Nursing 853
Transforming Women's Health Care: Theory and Methods. N801 or P.I. (3).
The course will focus on women as both providers and recipients of health care
in the United States and will analyze the historical and sociopolitical factors,
which affect the health and well being of women. The potential of nursing and
other health care disciplines to better women's lives will be considered as
we analyze such topics as the feminization of poverty, the medicalization of
women's health, and gender bias in health care delivery. Research pertaining
to women's health in the United States and existing models of nursing research,
education and practice will be critiqued. Nursing theory development will be
addressed with particular attention given to the interface with feminist theory,
empiricism and critical theory. Issues of measurement, accurate representation,
design, data collection and analysis will be discussed.
Nursing 854
Globalization, Culture and Women's Health. N801 or P.I. (3).
This graduate seminar will examine global perspectives on women's health, with
an emphasis on the interaction of personal with structural (e.g., social, political,
economic, cultural) factors. Personal factors include both biological and psychosocial
conditions; systemic factors include social, economic ad political structures.
Particular attention will be devoted to understudied issued and the effects
of gender based assumptions and traditions for women at high risk for poor
health. During the semester, we will discuss the role of women as recipients,
active participants in, and providers of care with a goal of critiquing and
developing theories about the state of women's health worldwide. Issues of
measurement, accurate representation, design, data collection and analysis
will be discussed. Students are expected to exchange knowledge across their
own cultures.
Nursing 863
The Menstrual Cycle: Current Issues in Women's Health. N801. (3).
The purpose of this course is to examine the theories and methodologies used
to guide nursing research in women's health with particular emphasis on psychological,
biologic and sociocultural influences of female gender. The course includes
an analysis of the state of the nursing science in this area, its evolutionary
history and future directions. Inherent in this exploration is an evaluation
of the theoretical perspectives used by nurse scientists to study women's health.
Using menstrual cycle research as a model, the course is designed to encourage
critical analysis of design and measurement techniques and data analysis procedures.
Ethical issues of relevance to the conduct of women's health research are also
addressed. In addition, students have the opportunity to examine theory-based
nursing interventions from other subspecialties for their application to the
study of the women's health client.
OTHER COURSES
Nursing 795
Selected Topics in Nursing. (1-3). Elective. Ph.D.
This doctoral-level course consists of selected topics in nursing or nursing
research. The topic will be announced one semester in advance.
Nursing 797
Independent Study. (1-3). Elective. Ph.D.
This course is an independent study in the field of nursing research for students
in the doctoral program.
Nursing 841
Qualitative Research Methods. Doctoral Student. (3). Elective.
This course provides an overview of selected qualitative research methods and
an opportunity to comparatively analyze them. The discussion and analysis of
each method includes theoretical paradigm and perspective, research method
and technique, language use, and methodological issues. Exposure to the selected
interpretive paradigms, methods and techniques heighten students' awareness
of the repertoire of strategies available for developing nursing knowledge.
Simultaneously, the exposure to context specific interpretive practices facilitates
students' understanding of the influence of culture on the creation of knowledge.
Nursing 887
Special Topics in Nursing. (3). Elective.
This doctoral-level seminar is offered from time to time to deal with special
topics not otherwise covered in the required curriculum. It may be offered
by School of Nursing faculty or by visiting faculty. The topic of the course
will be announced one semester in advance. |