June 7, 2026

DNS Africa Resource Center

..sharing knowledge.

PhD in Nursing Program – UMass Dartmouth

The PhD in Nursing is a research-focused degree. There is substantive content and experiential learning in three areas:
This innovative program prepares the Nurse Scientist Educator (NSE) who will:
The NSE student will learn:
NSE Foundational Educational Concepts:
The program is designed to assist the student to develop the knowledge, skills, and habits of an NSE through mentoring, didactic teaching, and experience.
Attend an information session
A structured mentorship experience begins upon admission. Students are assigned to work with a specific faculty advisor on academic writing, writing for publication, grant writing, and completing qualifying examination requirements.
The Doctoral Seminar is held three times a semester on topics of nursing research based on student needs and interests. The students’ experiential learning includes writing for publication, grant writing, opportunities for research and teaching assistantships, qualifying examination, dissertation proposal hearing, and defense of the completed dissertation.
New:  Online learning and technology innovations improve the teaching-learning experience
The PhD program is a hybrid model with three online classes per semester. In addition, all PhD classes are wired for synchronous participation so students can engage in live classes using distance technology.
All classes are offered on Tuesdays.
Program plans
Experiences from Nursing PhD alumni at UMass Dartmouth
Research on the effects of deinstitutionalization and being the first UMass Dartmouth recipient of a Jonas Center Nursing Scholarship.
Consistent with the focus of the PhD program, students have published their research in leading journals and current textbooks.
Their topics reflect the breadth and depth of their research interests, exploring issues in areas such as nursing education, institutionalization, caregiver experiences, and health literacy.
Learn more: Publications by Nursing PhD Students
Support for this research comes from a variety of sources:
Our faculty of the College of Nursing & Health Sciences are recognized experts and are actively involved in service projects in southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Our faculty serve as consultants for our practice partners and professional groups. Faculty are frequently invited speakers at professional meetings and give peer-reviewed poster and podium presentations throughout the U.S. Many faculty volunteer for local, regional, national, and international health initiatives.
Recently, Dr. Kristen Sethares was the inaugural invited speaker for the University of Massachusetts Center for Clinical and Translational Science Nursing Research Special Interest Group at UMass Medical School. Her presentation, “Promoting Heart Failure Self-Care: Influences, Insights, and Interdisciplinarity” is based on her ongoing research on congestive heart failure and patient self-care.
The College of Nursing & Health Sciences Office for Nursing Research (ONR) supports graduate students and faculty in developing, reviewing, and submitting grant applications. Additionally, ONR serves as the liaison to the UMass Dartmouth Office of Research Administration (ORA), Corporate Engagement & Institutional Partnerships, and other university-related research offices and supports.
Dean’s PhD & DNP Students’ Research Support Stipend
The Dean’s PhD & DNP Students’ Research Stipend is a one-year pilot program (2021-2022) to assist nursing PhD students during the dissertation phase of their program, and DNP students during the residency/scholarly project phase of their program by providing limited research stipends for expenses directly related to conducting their studies or projects. The Financial Aid Office will review approved applications for eligibility.
The PhD program is a 52-credit, post-MS curriculum that is designed to be completed in 48 months of full-time study including summer work.
The BS-PhD is a 73-credit, post-BS curriculum that is designed to be completed in 60 months of full-time study. After completing 39 credits, students may apply for the MS degree. There is a one-year residency requirement. A Certification Examination demonstrates the student’s mastery of nursing science in promoting health, guiding the illness experience, shaping the health system for people with chronic illness, and/or addressing innovations in nursing education. The Qualifying Examination consists of developing one article that is submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally, a qualifying exam is given at the conclusion of first-year courses.
The PhD dissertation is an original body of work in which the candidate demonstrates an in-depth understanding of a substantive area in promoting health, guiding the illness experience, or shaping the health care system for people living with chronic illness or in nursing education. The dissertation demonstrates the candidate’s ability to effectively incorporate theoretical, conceptual, and methodological tools in addressing the influence of nursing practices and the delivery of nursing services to people living with chronic illnesses.
View completed dissertations for the Nursing PhD program.
A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.
Learn more about assistantships at UMass Dartmouth
Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.
Program deadlines
Our nurse-scientist faculty combine strong academic credentials with diverse experience in clinical practice, leadership, and scholarship. They offer a range of expertise in healthcare, nursing, and teaching, including breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, family caregivers, mental health, mother-infant interaction, patient safety, spinal cord injury, and symptom management, among many others.
Our nurse-scientist faculty combine strong academic credentials with diverse experience in clinical practice, leadership, and scholarship. They offer a range of expertise in healthcare, nursing, and teaching, including breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, family caregivers, mental health, mother-infant interaction, patient safety, spinal cord injury, and symptom management, among many others.
Discover why UMass Dartmouth is the right place to earn an advanced degree or certificate.
Fall: Feb. 15
Spring: Fall only
Summer: Not applicable
Mary Mccurry, PhD
Professor
College of Nursing & Health Sciences / Adult
Textiles 017
508-910-6092
myUMassD is our web portal, a central location for email, notifications, services, and COIN: Corsairs Online Information.
Log in
Visit us from anywhere, at any time.
Take a virtual tour of the UMass Dartmouth campus.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
© 2024 Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts

source

About The Author