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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I obtain my Ph.D. in Nursing?
A: The Ph.D. is a research degree. The course work and dissertation prepare graduates to conduct research, publish, provide leadership to the profession, and contribute overall to the nursing discipline's knowledge base.
Q: What roles can I assume with a Ph.D.?
A: In this program, there is a concentration in nursing education. The program prepares graduates to assume positions as nursing faculty. Research and scholarship are part of the role of a nursing faculty member.
Q: What is a concentration?
A: A concentration is a group of courses in a program. In this program, three to four courses in nursing education (9–12 credits) are required as part of the 48 credits.
Q: What courses are offered?
A: View the Course Description page.
Q: What if I don't want to teach?
A: Many individuals prefer to contribute their research and scholarship in the area of administration, as an example. In the future, the School of Nursing intends to offer other concentrations in addition to education to meet the needs of the profession and our healthcare community.
Q: How long is the program?
A: The course work is a total of 48 credits followed by at least a year-long dissertation phase. The program may be taken full time (9–12 credits) or part time (6 credits). There is no option of taking only one course at a time.
Q: Are courses given at convenient times?
A: Yes. Courses are planned for Fridays for both the full-time and part-time study options. There is also a planned Thursday evening course.
Q: What are the admission requirements? When can I be admitted?
A: See the Admission Requirements section for the Ph.D. program. All materials, including GRE scores and evidence of a recent graduate level statistics course (in progress or completed), are due by February 15 in the Admissions Office for fall admission. There is no spring admission. Students enter in fall and proceed in "cohorts" throughout their course work.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Apply online or contact the Office of Admissions at 516.877.3050. Go to Graduate Record Examination for more information on the test. There are three parts to the exam—verbal, quantitative and analytic—with three scores obtained.
Q: Is financial aid available?
A: Yes. There is some financial aid in the form of the Federal Faculty Loan Program for full-time students, and also graduate student assistantships. For more information about the faculty loan program, go to www.hrsa.gov, and click on Faculty Loan Repayment Program. Graduate Assistantships require students to assist faculty with their research, which entails such activities as entering data and conducting interviews.
Q: How many students are admitted each fall?
A: We expect to admit eight-to-ten full-time students and six part-time students each fall. Doctoral courses are offered in a seminar format and therefore the admission numbers must remain small.
Q: Will I be admitted if I am one of the first to complete the requirements and submit the materials?
A: No. All applicants are reviewed at the same time by an admissions panel after the February 15 deadline. Interviews with faculty members are then requested of qualified applicants. Following the interviews, selections are made for admission. The applicant's goals must fit with the goals of the current program's focus, which is to prepare nurse educators.
Q: I am an alumna/alumnus of the Adelphi School of Nursing. Does this make me more eligible for admission to the Ph.D. program?
A: No. All applicants are reviewed based on the published admissions criteria and following the faculty interview of each qualified applicant.
Q: What if I don't have an M.S. in Nursing, but meet all of the other requirements?
A: The M.S. is required because the course work builds on the M.S. in Nursing. However, some qualified applicants may be asked to take a number of courses in our M.S. program before beginning doctoral courses. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What if I have been teaching in nursing for a while and am knowledgeable in nursing education areas such as curriculum, tests, and measurements?
A: There are four to five other courses offered such as ones on diverse learners, technology in education, and research in nursing education for applicants who have completed basic nursing education courses or whose experience has prepared them on these topics.
Q: Is the program accredited?
A: Doctoral programs in nursing are not accredited in the same way as B.S. and M.S. programs, or by the same accrediting bodies. This program was approved by the University, the State of New York, and was developed using the Essentials for Doctoral Education Guidelines from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Q: How is the Ph.D. in nursing different from the DNP or DNSc degree programs?
A: The Ph.D. and DNSc (Doctor of Nursing Science) are both research degrees. Currently, the trend is toward Ph.D. programs. Nationally, there are approximately 103 Ph.D. programs in nursing and about seven DNSc programs. (This number changes frequently). The DNP is not a research degree, it is a "clinical doctorate." Your career goals determine which program to choose. In most universities, faculty positions usually require the research degree, especially for tenure track positions. For more information, go to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Q: How can I obtain more information about the program at Adelphi?
A: Informational "Open House" events are scheduled on a monthly basis, in the evening, at Adelphi. Please refer to this site for information or for the schedule of open houses call 516.877.4540.
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