College of Nursing

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Faculty

Juliann G. Sebastian, Dean and Professor
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Shirley A. Martin, Dean Emerita
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Margaret Barton-Burke, Mary Ann Lee Endowed Professor of Oncology Nursing, Ph.D.,
University of Rhode Island
Roberta K. Lee, Hubert C. Moog Endowed Professor of Nursing, Director of Graduate Study
Dr. P.H., University of Texas-Houston
Jean Bachman, Associate Professor,
D.S.N., University of Alabama-Birmingham
Anne Fish, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ruth L. Jenkins, Associate Professor Emerita
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Kathleen Borcherding, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Wilma Calvert, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Dawn Garzon, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., PNP., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Shelly Hanko, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., FNP,
St. Louis University
Kuei-Hsiang Hsueh, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Arizona
Richard Yakimo, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., PMH-CNS,
St. Louis University
Dottye Akerson, Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Nancy Magnuson, Clinical Professor, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, University Health, Wellness, & Counseling, DNS, FNP,
University of Alabama-Birmingham
Judith Maserang, Teaching Professor,
Ph.D, Saint Louis University
Jean Nelson, Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Kimberly R. Allen, Associate Teaching Professor, Assistant Dean for Student & Faculty Affairs
Ph.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Susann Farberman, Associate Teaching Professor
M.Ed., B.S.N., PNP, Washington University
Susan Kendig, Associate Teaching Professor
MSN, PNP, University of Missouri-Columbia
Deborah Kiel, Associate Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Sandy Lindquist, Teaching Professor, Director of the Undergraduate Program
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Diane Saleska, Associate Teaching Professor
MSN, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Darlene Sredl, Associate Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Vicky Becherer, Assistant Teaching Professor,
MSN, Jewish Hospital College of Nursing
Julie Campbell, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Sherry Doney, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, AP/MH-CNS, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
Kathy Lee, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, Jewish Colleges of Nursing and Allied Health
Elizabeth Mantych, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, Saint Louis University
Linda Sherman, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, Southern Illinois University‑Edwardsville
Lanette Tanaka, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, St. Louis University
Jennifer Taylor, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Claudia Valentine, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, FNP, University of Texas at Arlington
Yakima Young-Shields, Assistant Teaching Professor
MSN, ANP, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Beth Dudley, Lecturer
MSN, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Amanda Finley, Lecturer
MSN, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Gary Frandsen, Lecturer
MSN, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Chris Recktenwald, Lecturer
MSN, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Chris Spencer, Lecturer and Nursing Lab Assistant
MSN, University of Missouri - St. Louis

General Information

The College of Nursing offers academic nursing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Knowledge and skills needed to complete the professional licensure examination to become a registered nurse are available through a basic baccalaureate option. Nurses who have obtained their basic nursing education through associate degree or diploma nursing programs may fulfill the requirements for the B.S.N. completion option without repetition of previous nursing education. The Master of Science in nursing program, offers studies in the roles of nurse educator and advanced practice nursing. The Ph.D. program in Nursing is offered in cooperation with the Schools of Nursing at University of Missouri‑ Columbia and Kansas City. Admission to the Ph.D. program is available at the post B.S.N. and M.S.N. levels. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is offered in cooperation with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and prepares students for the highest level of advanced clinical nursing practice.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
All students with International or Permanent Resident status are required to complete an English as a second language (ESL) assessment with the UMSL ESL office. Based upon this assessment students may be required to complete recommended ESL courses before enrolling in nursing courses.

CONTINUING EDUCATION-EXTENSION
Continuing Education offerings in nursing are presented to provide nurses with new information, techniques, and trends within the nursing profession.

Undergraduate Studies

The College of Nursing provides course work leading to the Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN). The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The undergraduate program offers two means for achieving the bachelor’s degree in nursing: studies that are preparatory for completion of the professional nurse licensure examination (pre-licensure track) and advanced placement for the professional registered nurse without repetition of fundamental nursing and clinical courses (RN/BSN track). An accelerated pre-licensure option is available for qualified persons who hold earned degrees in non-nursing fields, or outstanding students who have completed all prescribed general education and science course work. Baccalaureate students meeting admission criteria may participate in the Pierre Laclede Honors College. Students who have been dismissed from another nursing program are not eligible for admission to the pre-licensure BSN program.

Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) - Traditional 4 Year Track Admission (Pre-licensure)

BSN Traditional Admission Criteria

NURSING MAJOR (Pre-clinical)
Students admitted to the nursing major begin by completing all nursing prerequisites and general education coursework. Admission to the nursing major does not guarantee enrollment in clinical nursing courses unless a student is admitted into the Freshmen Guaranteed Clinical Major. In order to be considered for the nursing major students must meet the following criteria:

Freshmen Guaranteed Clinical Major

First-time freshmen and applicants each with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours:

• Minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 on 4.0 scale
• Minimum ACT of 22.
• Must maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA at UMSL (all attempts at all courses calculated)
• Must maintain 2.75 science GPA in Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology (first attempts calculated only)
• Must maintain minimum full-time enrollment at UMSL

Note: Students admitted as Freshmen who are guaranteed a space in the clinical major courses must maintain full-time enrollment at UMSL.

General Freshmen Admission Nursing Major (Pre-clinical) Admission Criteria
First-time freshmen and applicants with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours:

• Minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 on 4.0 scale
• Minimum 21 ACT or higher
• Must maintain 2.5 cumulative GPA at UMSL (all attempts at all courses calculated)
• Must maintain 2.5 science GPA at UMSL in Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Microbiology (first attempts calculated only)

Transfer Admission to Nursing Major (Pre-clinical) Criteria
Applicants with 24 or more transferable college credit hours:

• Minimum 2.5 G.P.A. on 4.0 scale on 24 or more transferable credit hours from an accredited college or university.

Clinical Major Admission Criteria for 4 Year Traditional Track

Spaces for the clinical nursing major are assigned on a competitive and space available basis for each admission period. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. on 4.0 scale (all attempts of all transferable courses calculated)
• Completion of all prerequisite courses (minimum grade of C-)
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. in Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I & II, and Microbiology (first attempt calculated only)
• Required science courses completed within 10 years prior to enrollment

BSN Traditional Application Procedure

To Apply For Nursing Major (Pre-clinical)

First-time freshmen and applicants with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours, send the following:

• Completed University application
• Official high school transcripts or GED score
• Official ACT or SAT score
• Official college transcripts, if applicable

Applicants with 24 or more transferable college credit hours, send the following:

Completed University application
Official college transcripts

To Apply For Clinical Major in the 4 Year Traditional BSN Track

To be considered for the clinical major, students must file a separate clinical major application available through the College’s website or Office of Student Services and send it directly to the College of Nursing. Students must complete an application for the Clinical Major during their last semester of enrollment in prerequisite coursework and send the following:

• Completed University application
• Completed College of Nursing Clinical Major application
• Official college transcripts

Application deadlines for the clinical major

To be admitted to the clinical nursing major all material must be submitted to the College of Nursing, Office of Student services by the following dates:

• Fall admission – February 1st
• Spring admission – October 1st

BSN Accelerated Track (Pre-licensure)

Accelerated Track Admission Criteria

Degree or transfer pathway to accelerated option

• Baccalaureate or degree from a regionally accredited college or university or a minimum of 62 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale for students with baccalaureate or higher degree or 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for students not holding a baccalaureate degree.
• Completion of all prerequisite general education and science courses for the major in nursing with grade of C or higher.
• Required science courses completed within 10 years prior to enrollment.
• Application deadlines for the Accelerated track.
• To be admitted to the accelerated track that begins in May of each year only, all materials must be submitted to the College of Nursing, Office of Student Services by the following dates:

Early acceptance deadline - September 15th

Regular acceptance - deadline - February 1st

For specific information regarding the B.S.N. degree program, contact Office of Student Services at (314) 516-6066 or 1-888-NURSEUM or visit the College of Nursing website.

Credit by Transfer and Examination
Credit may be granted for selected general studies. See Admission and Application Procedure section in this Bulletin for credit information.

Degree Requirements for B.S.N.

The bachelor of science in nursing degree requires comprehensive course work in general education and nursing. Basic undergraduate nursing course work includes theory, on-campus laboratory and clinical activities. Clinical experiences require weekday, evening, and/or weekend commitments. Full-time study in the pre-licensure baccalaureate track can be completed in four academic years. The pre-licensure accelerated track requires full-time study and can be completed in 15 months. The RN/BSN track is offered at selected metropolitan sites, on-campus, and by Internet. Clinical activities in the RN/BSN Program are community-based and may be completed in the student's home community.

Upon completion of the BSN program, students are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes:

1. Integrate into practice theories and concepts from nursing, the arts, sciences and humanities to provide comprehensive nursing care in a variety of settings.
2. Integrate critical thinking and problem solving in professional practice.
3. Administer culturally competent, compassionate, holistic care to promote healthy outcomes for diverse clients (individuals, families, communities and populations) during all life phases.
4. Apply best evidence from nursing research and related professions to enhance care and guide professional practice.
5. Utilize interpersonal communication to enhance the nurse/client relationship and the nursing role in an interprofessional health care team.
6. Integrate principles of client education, management and leadership when organizing, coordinating, and directing outcome-based professional practice.
7. Assume responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions based on intrapersonal values, ethical and legal obligations, standards of practice, and economics.
8. Participate in professional and community organizations to effect societal change.
9. Exhibit motivation and self-direction in activities that contribute to lifelong personal, professional, and intellectual development.
10. Utilize technology to meet the health needs in a community competent manner within a global society

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (Pass/Fail) Grading
Undergraduate nursing majors may not take required prerequisite general education or nursing courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements

Nursing majors must complete all general education requirements of the university as outlined in this Bulletin.

In addition to meeting the university's general education requirements, the following prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the clinical major. See a curriculum planning guide for specific courses and proper sequencing.

1) Natural science course work
BIOL 1131, Human Physiology and Anatomy I
BIOL 1141, Human Physiology and Anatomy II
BIOL 1162, General Microbiology
CHEM 1052, Chemistry for Health Professions (or equivalent)

2) Behavioral and social science course work
PSYCH 1003, General Psychology
PSYCH 1268, Human Growth and Behavior
ECON 1000, Introduction to American Economy (or equivalent)
Social science elective

3) Humanities
Any Philosophy course (as part of the University’s 3 humanities requirement)

4) Nursing
NURSE 1010, Orientation to Nursing
NURSE 2103, Nutrition and Health (or equivalent)
NURSE 2105, Communication in the Nursing Profession (or equivalent)
NURSE 3799, Quantitative Analysis in the Health Sciences (or equivalent)

Nursing Course Work Requirements

PRE-LICENSURE - 4 year traditional and accelerated tracks
NURSE 2101, Introduction to Nursing  (first offering in Fall 2010; required for traditional track only)
NURSE 3101, Nursing and Health *
NURSE 3106, Assessment of Clients in Health and Illness*
NURSE 3110, Pathophysiological Bases of Nursing Practice
NURSE 3111, Pharmacotherapeutics in Nursing Practice
NURSE 3205, Adult Health Nursing I*
NURSE 3206, Adult Health Nursing II*
NURSE 3214, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing*
NURSE 3215, Nursing of Women and Childbearing Families*
NURSE 3216, Child and Family Health Nursing*
NURSE 3804, Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Nursing Practice
NURSE 3807, Nursing Research
NURSE 3808, Management and Leadership in Nursing
NURSE 3817, Introduction to Nursing and Health Informatics
NURSE 4300, Community Health Nursing*
NURSE 4310, Senior Synthesis*
Nursing elective (required for 4 year traditional track students)
* Includes a laboratory and/or clinical component

Students are required to furnish their own transportation to and from campus and clinical agencies. Students must have automobile access for all community experiences through the program. Students are required to complete standardized assessment exams throughout the program and at completion as part of the program evaluation.

POST LICENSURE RN to BSN

The RN to BSN curriculum is designed to be completed in six consecutive semesters and takes two years to complete. The innovative FLEX Program offers flexibility and accessibility in a part-time program. The FLEX Program allows students to choose to complete their BSN online, on campus, or at various outreach sites in the St. Louis area.

Admission Requirements RN to BSN include:

• Admission to the University.
• Graduate of either an accredited diploma or associate degree program in nursing.
• Evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse with eligibility for licensure in Missouri.
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) on a minimum of 30 transferable credit hours (excluding nursing course work)
RN to BSN FLEX required nursing courses

NURSE 3807, Nursing Research (or equivalent)
NURSE 3808, Management and Leadership in Nursing
NURSE 3817, Introduction to Nursing and Health Informatics
NURSE 3900, Dimensions of Professional Nursing
NURSE 3920, Health Assessment*
NURSE 4901, Family and Community Nursing*
NURSE 4905, Values in Professional Nursing
NURSE 4911, Synthesis in Nursing Practice*
* Includes a laboratory and/or clinical component

RN to BSN students are required to complete a standardized assessment exam during the final nursing course as part of the program evaluation.

Graduate Studies

Master of Science in Nursing
The College of Nursing offers master’s degree nursing studies in two functional roles: nurse educator, and advanced practice nurse. Students with master’s degrees in nursing who wish to pursue one of the nurse practitioner specializations may complete a Post-MSN graduate certificate option. Our MSN programs are offered cooperatively with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Missouri-Columbia. All MSN students complete the MSN core curriculum and functional role required courses.

This graduate program offers students two functional roles: 1) nurse educators complete a minimum of 38 credit hours with emphasis in the role of the nurse educator; and advanced practice nurses (APN) complete a minimum of 43 credit hours with emphasis in the role of advanced practice nurse (clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner). Graduates with advanced practice nurse functional roles will be eligible to apply for national board certification  examinations in their specialty areas. Current APN roles include Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Health Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Graduates completing the practitioner functional options are eligible for recognition as advanced practice nurses in Missouri. Graduates with the nurse educator functional role will be eligible to apply for certification by the National League for Nursing after obtaining the experience requirements.  Upon completion of the MSN degree requirements, this degree is awarded by the UMSL Graduate School. Building on baccalaureate nursing education, and upon completion of the MSN program or post MSN graduate certificate options, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate integration of advanced knowledge and skills within the context of an advanced professional role.
• Provide leadership with interprofessional colleagues engaging strategic partners to improve health care outcomes and patient safety.
• Integrate informatics in the design, implementation and evaluation of population-specific interventions.
• Evaluate research findings to implement and disseminate evidence based professional nursing practice.
• Provide ethically grounded, culturally competent health promotion* with diverse populations.

MSN and Post-MSN Program Requirements

• B.S.N. or M.S.N. from a nationally accredited nursing program
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
• Current professional licensure with eligibility for Missouri license
• Successful completion of an undergraduate general statistics course
• Successful completion of an undergraduate health assessment course or equivalent
• Two letters of reference regarding the applicant’s academic potential (NP or CNS option)
• Narrative outlining goals (NP or CNS functional role)
• Two years of clinical experience with chosen population are preferred prior to starting clinicals. (NP or CNS functional role)
• Computer literacy

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) students must also submit:

• Evidence of 2 years of neonatal nursing experience within the last 5 years and a minimum of one year experience in a Level 3 NICU
• Evidence of Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification
• Must reside in the United States

Availability of clinical resources may limit the number of applicants accepted to the practitioner options. Students are required to suggest their own preceptors for the Nurse Practitioner Clinical Courses NURSE 6954 and NURSE 6955. Deadline for fall admission is April 1 or July 1. Deadline for spring Admission is October 1.

Degree Requirements

MSN Core Courses (required of all MSN students)

NURSE 6106, Policy, Organization, and Financing of Health Care
NURSE 6111, Theoretical Foundations in Nursing
NURSE 6120, Population-based Foundations of Health
NURSE 6130, Research for Evidence-Based Practice

Advanced Nursing Practice with Educator Functional Role
NURSE 6309, Role of the Nurse Educator
NURSE 6322, Evaluation Strategies in Nursing
NURSE 6320, Learning and Curriculum Development in Nursing
NURSE 6321, Instructional Strategies in Nursing Education
NURSE 6518, Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice
NURSE 6739, Adult Primary Care 1
NURSE 6743, Child Health 1 OR
NURSE 6746, Woman’s Health 1
NURSE 6950, Advanced Nursing Practice
NURSE 6952, Synthesis Practicum
EDUC 6410, The Adult Learner

Advance Practice Nurse with Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Specialist Functional Role
(The APN Clinical Nurse Specialist Functional Role is currently suspended and not available at this time.)
(Emphasis areas for adult nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner)
NURSE 6509, Role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Practitioner
NURSE 6518, Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice*
NURSE 6524, Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice*
NURSE 6520, Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice*
NURSE 6530, Clinical Diagnostics
NURSE 6739, Adult Primary Care I: Diagnosis & Management in ANP AND
NURSE 6740, Adult Primary Care II: Diagnosis & Management in ANP OR
NURSE 6741, Family Health I: Diagnosis & Management in ANP AND
NURSE 6742, Family Health II OR
NURSE 6743, Child Health I: Diagnosis & Management in ANP AND
NURSE 6744, Child Health II OR
NURSE 6746, Women’s Health I: Diagnosis & Management in ANP AND
NURSE 6747, Women’s Health II: Diagnosis & Management in ANP AND
NURSE 6954, Advanced Practice Nursing: Internship I
NURSE 6955, Advanced Practice Nursing: Internship II

*Pediatric Nurse Practitioner students complete the following:
NURSE 6519, Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology
NURSE 6526, Advanced Health Assessment for Pediatric Nursing Practice
NURSE 6529, Advanced Pharmacology for Pediatric Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurses with Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Functional Role
(Emphasis area: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner). Students in this emphasis area complete the MSN Core Courses on the UMSL campus and the following neonatal specialty courses through UM-KC:
N5547N Neonatal Assessment AND
N5548N Neonatal Physiology/Pathophysiology AND
N5549N Neonatal Pharmacology AND
N5564N Neonatal Nursing I AND
N5566N Neonatal Nursing II AND
N5572NI Preceptorship I AND
N5574II Preceptorship II AND

Post-MSN requirements are tailored to the individual student, depending on past academic work, experience and the student’s goals. Upon completion of the post-MSN requirements, a graduate certificate is awarded by the College of Nursing and Graduate School.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The focus of the DNP program is preparation, at the highest level, of leaders in clinical nursing who can improve quality of care for individuals and populations through advanced practice and through improving systems of care. The curriculum is based on national standards for DNP education. The DNP is offered cooperatively with UM-KC and UM-C and is based on the needs of each campus and their communities of interest.

The DNP program is designed for graduates to attain the following program outcomes:

• Generate integrated clinical and translational strategies to improve health care delivery and health outcomes in the region and in complex clinical environments
• Use clinical scholarship and analytical methods in collaboration with multiple disciplines to shape healthcare delivery and policy
• Lead the health care community by providing excellence in advanced clinical nursing practice.

Courses are designed to support nursing science, clinical research, leadership and a specialty area. Concepts woven throughout the courses will include methodologies for translating research into practice, using culturally competent leadership techniques with diverse and underserved populations, advanced nursing science and clinical scholarship, clinical prevention, advanced nursing practice and clinical decision making, understanding organizational systems and change, and policy development. The DNP program is available for currently certified APNs who have completed an accredited MSN degree. This program is administered by the UMSL Graduate School.

Program requirements are listed below.

Admission Requirements
The deadline for DNP applications for admission is April 1. Admission may be considered at a later date depending on space.

• Graduation from a MSN program with national nursing accreditation
• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• 2 Reference letters
• An identified preceptor who will mentor the student during clinical practica*
• A proposed DNP project that matches faculty expertise
• Acceptable GRE scores, including writing test
• Graduate level general statistics course
• Interview by invitation
• Evidence of current advanced practice certification and
• Currently practicing in an advanced practice role
• Current APN status in Missouri or eligible to apply for Missouri APN status

* Preceptors must be approved by faculty based on criteria available from the College of Nursing.
The DNP curriculum is divided into 4 general categories:

• Leadership development and change
• Policy
• Practice-focused evaluation/translational research
• Clinical excellence

Degree Requirements

Completion of the DNP program requires the following courses:

• NURSE 7401 Research Institute I (2)
• NURSE 7200 Nursing Science (3)
• NURSE 7211 Biostatistics I (3)
• NURSE 7220 Leadership in Practice (3)
• NURSE 7230 Epidemiology (3)
• NURSE 7240 Health Informatics (3)
• NURSE 7250 Frameworks for Health Care Delivery (3)
• NURSE 7260 Program and Practice Evaluation (3)
• NURSE 7270 Policy Application for Improved Health Outcomes (3)
• NURSE 7291 Clinical Scholarship 1 (3)
• NURSE 7292 Clinical Scholarship 2 (3)
• NURSE 7293 Clinical Scholarship 3 (3)
• NURSE 7299 DNP Seminar (1-3)

Near the end of the DNP program, students will complete a clinically focused project that satisfies the Graduate School dissertation requirements. This project is completed while the student is enrolled in NURSE 7291, NURSE 7292, NURSE 7293, and NURSE 7299.

Total minimum graduate credit hours 41

Doctor or Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. in nursing program at the University of Missouri - St. Louis affords students with academic, clinical, and research resources of the University of Missouri system through a cooperative arrangement with the Schools of Nursing in Kansas City and Columbia. Upon completion of all degree requirements, the Ph.D. degree is awarded by the UMSL Graduate School.

The Ph.D. in nursing curriculum is divided into these general categories: nursing science and theory, nursing research methods and statistics, cognates and dissertation.  The Ph.D. program is designed for graduates to attain the following outcomes:

• Develop skills and knowledge to establish a program of research and scholarship.
• Design, conduct and disseminate a dissertation that contributes to nursing knowledge.
• Translate nursing research into practice and policy.
• Assume leadership roles in health care by collaborations and partnerships with institutions in the greater St. Louis region.
• Improve the health care quality of life of individuals/families/ communities regionally, nationally and internationally.

Admission Requirements
The deadline for Ph.D. applications for admission is April 1. Admission may be considered at a later date depending on space. Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Graduation from a nationally accredited baccalaureate program with 3.2 minimum GPA (4.0) scale. (post-BSN track) OR from a nationally accredited master’s program with a 3.5 minimum GPA (4.0) scale. (post-MSN track)
• Satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
• Graduate level general statistics course
• Two letters of reference
• Original essay on professional goals and research interests
• Interview by invitation

International applicants must meet minimum requirements on tests of written and spoken English (TOEFL, Minimum 550 or better is desired). International students must also apply through the International Student Services Office.

Degree Requirements
While each program of study is individualized, Post-BSN students complete a minimum of 72 hours of graduate-level course work. Post-MSN students complete 45 credit hours. A maximum of 30 M.S.N. hours, which support the program of study, are individually evaluated to determine eligibility for the application of candidacy. The overall Ph.D. in nursing program design includes nursing science and theory, research methods and statistics, cognates or support courses and dissertation.

Nursing Science and Theory: 9 or more nursing credits including:

• Nursing science
• Advanced nursing theory development and validation

Nursing Research Methods: 18 or more nursing credits including:

• Quantitative Methods in nursing
• Qualitative Methods in nursing
• Psychometric Methods
• Biostatistics

Cognates: 9-12 credits outside of the discipline of nursing which support the selected dissertation topic.
Dissertation: Minimum is 12 credits.
Post BSN students must also complete the core courses in the MSN program as these are pre-requisites for the nursing Ph.D. courses. Students who anticipate becoming faculty members are also encouraged to complete the nurse educator functional role (see the MSN Program).

Professional Organizations

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing
Nu Chi is the College of Nursing's official chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. Membership is offered by invitation to nursing students in the upper third of their class and to nurses recognized as outstanding community nursing leaders.

Student Nurses' Association
The College of Nursing is a constituent of the National Student Nurses' Association. The purpose of the organization is to provide baccalaureate students an opportunity to connect with the nursing profession through service and professional development activities. The organization is open to all nursing majors and clinical nursing majors.

Black Student Nurses' Association
The College of Nursing is a constituent of the Black Student Nurses' Association. The purpose of this organization is to provide black nursing students in the prelicensure baccalaureate program the opportunity to serve as a support group for African-American students, collaborate with other African-American groups to compile archives relevant to African-American nurses, and to promote participation in interdisciplinary activities.