Office of the Provost and
Vice-President Academic
MEMORANDUM
TO:
John Rigby
Chair, Planning Committee of Council
FROM:
Michael Atkinson
Provost and Vice-President Academic
SUBJECT:
PhD Program in Nursing
DATE:
May 30, 2007
The Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP) met on May 24, 2007, and considered
the facilities and funding requirements as outlined in the “Proposal for a PhD Program in
Nursing”.
PCIP endorsed the program in principle and agreed to work with the College of Nursing,
following approval of the PhD program by University Council, to ensure that the incremental
resources needed for implementation of the program are in place.
Michael Atkinson
MMA:ijg
c:
Joan Sawatzky, Acting Dean, College of Nursing
Norma Stewart, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, College of Nursing
Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning
Proposal
for a PhD Program in Nursing
at the University of Saskatchewan
Approved by the College of Nursing Faculty June 26, 2006
For submission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research October 2, 2006
[Approved by the College of Graduate Studies and Research Feb. 7, 2007]
Table of Contents
Executive Summary…………………………………………………………
….. 2
1.0
Proposal Identification ........................................................................................................ 3
2.0
Type of Change .................................................................................................................. 3
3.0
Rationale ............................................................................................................................ 4
3.1
Background and Historical Information ............................................................... 2
3.2
The Need for Doctoral Studies in Nursing ............................................................ 5
3.3
Demand (students) ................................................................................................ 7
3.4
Uniqueness of the Program ................................................................................... 7
3.5
Expertise of the Department/Unit ......................................................................... 8
4.0
Description.......................................................................................................................... 9
4.1
Goal......................................................................................................................... 9
4.2
Objectives ............................................................................................................. 10
4.3
Environment for Learning..................................................................................... 10
5.0
Courses and requirements for Proposed PhD Program .................................................... 11
5.1
Courses.................................................................................................................. 11
5.1.1 Table - Summary of Requirements for PhD in Nursing ............................ 12
5.2
Comprehensive Examination ................................................................................ 12
5.3
Dissertation ........................................................................................................... 12
5.4
Admission Requirements ...................................................................................... 13
5.5
Process for Application......................................................................................... 13
5.6
Residency Requirements....................................................................................... 14
6.0
Resources ......................................................................................................................... 14
6.1
Faculty Resources ................................................................................................ 14
6.2
Administrative and Support Staff ........................................................................ 15
6.3
Space.................................................................................................................... 16
7.0
Relationships and Impact of Implementation ................................................................... 15
8.0
Budget............................................................................................................................... 15
References...................................................................................................................................... 16
List of new courses
Appendix G - Letters of Support
G.1 Acting Dean Sawatzky, College of Nursing
G.2 Dr. Nazeem Muhajarine, Department of Community Health & Epidemiology
Appendix I – Budget
I.1 Budget Requirements
I.2 Proposed Budget
College Statement from College of Graduate Studies and Research
Joint Subcommittee report: Academic Programs Committee and Budget Committee
0
Additional Appendices available from the Office of the University Secretary
Appendix A – College of Nursing Publications (2000-2006)
Appendix B – College of Nursing Faculty with Doctoral Education
Appendix C – Research Grants (2000-2006)
Appendix D – Existing Partnerships
Appendix E - Potential Cognate Courses for PhD
Appendix F – GSR 400.1 New Course Forms and Course Outlines
F.1 NURS 981.3 895.3 – Philosophy of Nursing Science
F.2 NURS 982.3 896.3– Nursing Research: Advanced Qualitative Methods
F.3 NURS 983.3 897.3 – Nursing Research: Advanced Research Methods in Quantitative
Design
F.4 NURS 986.3 816.3 – Community Within the Context of Diversity and
Vulnerability
Appendix H – Proposal Form for Curricular Change and any Required Consultation Forms
H.1 Information Technology
H.2 Library
H.3 Registrar
H.4 Physical Resource Requirements
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposal for a PhD program in the College of Nursing, with a start date of September
2007, is coming forward near the end of the integrated planning cycle as predicted in the College
of Nursing Integrated Plan (2003-2008). The proposed PhD Program is consistent with the goal
of increasing PhD enrollment at the University of Saskatchewan (Multiyear Plan, College of
Graduate Studies & Research) and the corresponding goal of increasing research-intensiveness
(Integrated Plan, Office of the Vice-President Research) over the same time frame.
The PhD program will prepare nurse scholars for leadership roles with the knowledge
and skills to advance nursing as an academic, research, and practice discipline. During this
educative process, doctoral students will participate in critical appraisal, knowledge generation,
research synthesis, and knowledge transfer. As graduates, these nurse scientists will contribute to
the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities with recognition of their
diversities, vulnerabilities, and their environments for health and care.
The proposed program has 18-credit units of courses (minimum of 9 credit units in
nursing), two non-credit research seminars (one generic and the other specific to doctoral
students), a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation. Three new 3-unit nursing courses
will be required for all students: (1) Philosophy of Nursing Science; (2) Nursing Research:
Advanced Qualitative Methodologies; and (3) Nursing Research: Advanced Research Methods
in Quantitative Design. Other requirements are: Advanced Statistics (using one of the current
courses outside the College of Nursing); a minimum of two 3-unit courses in the cognate area;
the Nursing 990 Research Seminar currently offered; and a new non-credit Doctoral Research
Seminar that will focus on the development of doctoral nurse scholars. An additional new course
offering by the College of Nursing will be a 3-unit elective (Community within the Context of
Diversity and Vulnerability) that could serve as a cognate course in the PhD program in Nursing
or other health and social science graduate programs at the University of Saskatchewan.
The first intake of 6 students is proposed for the Fall Term of 2007. In 2006, we admitted
27 Master of Nursing (MN) students and 2 Special Case PhD students. In future, we plan to keep
a "steady state" of about 30 new graduate students annually, but when the PhD program is
established there will be a shift to 24 MN and 6 PhD admissions. Following consultation for this
program, we have decided to include a start-up budget of $117,532 and an annual budget of
$107,532 thereafter. The main two items in this budget are related to securing the existing
nursing holdings in the Health Sciences library and a doctoral student stipend for supervised
teaching of one 3-unit undergraduate course (or equivalent) during the PhD program.
The College of Nursing now has 19 faculty with completed doctoral degrees. We
anticipate that the course delivery and dissertation supervision will be handled well within the
existing faculty and our collaborative partners. There is considerable enthusiasm in the College
of Nursing about the onset of the PhD program.
2
PROPOSAL DOCUMENT
1.0 Proposal Identification
Title of Proposal:
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Field(s) of Specialization: Nursing
Level(s) of Concentration:
Option(s):
Degree College: College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGSR)
Home College: College of Nursing
Contact Persons:
Dr. Norma Stewart
Associate Dean (Graduate Studies & Research)
College of Nursing
Tel: 966-6254, Fax: 966-6703
e-mail: norma.stewart@usask.ca
Dr. Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler
Graduate Coordinator
College of Nursing
Tel: 966-1477, Fax: 966-6703
e-mail: lynnette.stamler@usask.ca
Date: October 2, 2006
Approved by the home college: June 26, 2006
Submission of Notice of Intent to Planning Committee: August 9, 2006
Submission to PhD Committee, College of Graduate Studies & Research:
October 2, 2006
Proposed Date of Implementation: September, 2007
2.0
Type of Change
Requiring approval by Council
X A new Degree-Level program or template for program
3
3.0 Rationale
3.1 Background and Historical Information
With its recent emphasis on research intensiveness and the increasing number of nursing
faculty with doctoral preparation, the College of Nursing is well positioned to offer a PhD
program in Nursing. The College has had proven success with its graduate program in nursing
and is ready and able to offer a doctoral program. The Master of Nursing (MN) program, offered
since 1986, was developed in response to the need for advanced practice nurses in educational,
administrative and leadership roles in health care and nursing education. In 2001, through the
University of Saskatchewan Systematic Program Review (SPR) process, the graduate program
was evaluated and rated positively with a B rating. The SPR commended faculty members for
their involvement in numerous professional activities bringing credit to the College, and
demonstrating the type of leadership roles MN graduates are expected to take in the community
and in the province.
Since the SPR, the MN program was revised in 2003 changing to a course-based option
while maintaining the thesis option. In addition to this revision, a newly approved expansion of
the clinical option, Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP), has begun in September 2006. This
clinical option includes both Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing roles. The first ANP cohort of seven students are all in the Primary Health Care
Nurse Practitioner focus. The revisions to the MN program were made in response to the SPR
recommendations, and changing needs within the health care system and nursing education
environment.
The impetus for the proposed PhD program in Nursing is also in response to the SPR
recommendations and changing needs within the health care system and nursing education
environment. The SPR reviewers recommended the development of a PhD program in Nursing
as it was seen to be critical to the development of faculty for the undergraduate and graduate
programs, and for leadership in nursing in Saskatchewan. According to the SPR reviewers, the
development of the PhD program in nursing represents a significant growth sector for the
University of Saskatchewan as demand for program graduates is high. There is an increasing
need for nurse educators to meet the needs of undergraduate programs provincially and
nationally for faculty renewal (as a significant number of faculty will retire in the next 5-10
years), and for nursing leadership in areas such as primary health care. Saskatchewan Health has
responded to the need for nurse educators by expanding their bursary program to include
“specialized professional bursaries for graduate nurses who want to teach in Saskatchewan postsecondary institutions” (Saskatchewan Health, 2003).
The planning for the PhD program began with its identification in the College of Nursing
Integrated Plan (2003). The PhD in Nursing was seen as an important part of the College’s plan
to increase research intensiveness and was tied also to the current shortage of doctorally prepared
faculty in Canada (Woods, Giovannetti & Ross-Kerr, 2004). The importance and timeliness of
the development of a PhD Program in Nursing received further support from faculty, students
and community leaders at the College of Nursing Research Day in March 2004. Based on this
support, the College of Nursing hosted a PhD in Nursing planning retreat for faculty on March
22, 2005. Dr. Dorothy Pringle, Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Nursing, University of
Toronto, attended as a consultant. At this workshop, faculty made a decision to use the
recommendations of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) 2004 position
4
statement on Canadian nursing doctoral education in developing the program. CASN stipulated
that the PhD in Nursing should be a research degree with the substantive knowledge to be in
nursing. Also at the workshop, faculty determined that the uniqueness and focus of the program
would be environments of health and care, and populations within the context of diversity and
vulnerability. Faculty approved this direction, and in 2005, an ad hoc PhD Development
Committee was established to work on the program proposal. This committee completed a draft
statement of program goals, outcomes and proposed courses for the PhD program that was
approved by the College of Nursing faculty at a meeting held on February 2, 2006. The full
proposal was approved at the June 26, 2006, faculty meeting in the College of Nursing.
The Government of Saskatchewan has been aware of our plans to develop a PhD program
since our initial full-day retreat with Dr. Pringle. Most recently, Acting Dean Joan Sawatzky and
Associate Dean (Regina Site), Dr. Marlene Smadu, have raised this initiative along with other
educational updates in meetings held in the spring of 2006 with government representatives,
including Minister Pat Atkinson (Advanced Education and Employment) and Minister Len
Taylor (Health). Discussions have occurred with Lynn Digney Davis (Chief Nursing Officer)
on several occasions. On August 28, 2006, Minister Len Taylor attended a Faculty Forum at the
College of Nursing. Again our plans for a PhD program in 2007 were presented by the Associate
Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) from the College of Nursing.
3.2 The Need for Doctoral Studies in Nursing
Nursing is a relatively young discipline that has made great strides in the development of
its substantive knowledge. To this end, research has been a focus of the discipline for the last
fifty years. With a growing focus on the need for research evidence to support professional
practice decisions, nursing as a profession in Canada has focused on the need for university
preparation for registered nurses, graduate studies in nursing, and doctoral preparation for
nursing faculty and researchers. In Canada, the growth of doctoral programs in nursing is a
relatively recent phenomenon with the first doctoral program in nursing at the University of
Alberta in 1991. Prior to that date, nurses completed their doctoral education in other fields or
left the country to obtain doctoral preparation in nursing. Although the small number of nursing
doctoral programs in Canada has produced excellent graduates, the production of new graduates
has not kept pace with the country’s requirements. In 2003, only 234 of the 671 doctorallyprepared nurses in Canada were graduates of doctoral programs in nursing (Griffin, 2004).
In recent years, most major medical-doctoral universities in Canada have developed
doctoral programs in nursing. In order to meet the health care needs of the people of the country,
Canada will require significant increases in the number of nurses with doctoral education
(CASN, 2004). In 2001 only 0.1% of RNs reported being educated at the doctoral level in
nursing, a figure that had not increased since 1996 (Canadian Nurses Association/ CASN, 2003).
In 2004, participants at an invitational forum on doctoral education, sponsored by CASN and
Health Canada, estimated that approximately 4 times as many nurses will need to be prepared at
the doctoral level by 2014. Doctorally prepared nurses are needed as faculty to educate
sufficient numbers of new graduates to meet workforce demands of the health care system, and
as researchers to generate the evidence required to address health problems of Canadians and
advance the substantive knowledge base of the discipline of nursing.
5
To provide national direction for the development of doctoral programs in nursing,
CASN convened a national task force on doctoral education. This task force recommended that
Canadian doctoral programs be held to the following quality criteria (CASN, 2004):
1. Doctoral programs will be housed in research-intensive academic nursing units within
universities with well established graduate infrastructure.
2. Academic nursing units should have a critical mass of active faculty researchers capable of
supporting the mentorship, research training and socialization of doctoral students.
3. Students will be provided with opportunities to access high quality interdisciplinary and
interprofessional research and teaching experiences.
4. Students will be provided with opportunities for active engagement in a scholarly learning
environment related to at least three core components: research training; core disciplinary
knowledge related to history, context and theoretical underpinnings of nursing, and
knowledge of the current state of the science and scholarship within a substantive field in the
discipline of nursing.
The College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan is well positioned to meet
these criteria and offer high quality doctoral education in nursing. The College of Nursing has a
well established graduate infrastructure established 20 years ago. Over the last few years, as
evidenced in the College of Nursing Integrated Plan (2003), the College of Nursing has
developed greater research capacity through focus on areas of strength in faculty preparation,
practice, and research. These areas of research strength include diverse and vulnerable
populations and environments for health and care (see recent faculty publications, Appendix A).
In July 2003, the College of Nursing hired the first Associate Dean of Graduate Studies
and Research to support the development of research capacity. Since that time, the College has
developed the research infrastructure further through the employment of a Research
Development Officer, a Research Information Technician, a Programmer Analyst, and a
Development officer. We now have 19 faculty members with doctoral degrees who have
demonstrated commitment to establishing programs of research (Appendix B). Since 2000, four
faculty members have been funded as Principal Investigators (PIs) or Co-Principal Investigators
(Co-PIs) on Tri-Council funded research projects, four faculty funded as PIs or Co-PIs by other
national level funding agencies, and one as a PI at the international level. Many faculty members
are Co-Investigators (Co-Is) on Tri-Council funded research and other national and provincial
projects (Appendix C). Most recently, we have appointed a faculty member as Director of the
RBC Community Development Program in the College of Nursing, funded by a $750,000
contribution from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) for 8 years. The Centre for the
Advancement of the Study of Nursing Education and Interprofessional Education (CASNIE), a
newly established unique centre, will support faculty and graduate students in their research on
the pedagogy of nursing and interprofessional health sciences. A unique tool to support research
in nursing education is the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) database
established in 2002 to track student progress through the program and their employment history
in the first 5 years of the practice. A newly established Saskatchewan Health Research
Foundation Quality End of Life Research Group lead by a College of Nursing faculty member is
also committed to building faculty and student research capacity. For further details on research
funding in the College of Nursing, see Appendix C.
Within the College of Nursing, we have a history of support and mentorship of graduate
students. Many students will be provided with opportunities to access high quality
6
interdisciplinary and interprofessional research and teaching experiences. The College has
successfully negotiated involvement with six funded research/training initiatives that include the
following: 1) Centre for Knowledge Transfer (CHSRF- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
[CIHR]-Alberta Heritage). 2) The Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre (IPHRC-CIHR),
3) The graduate training program in Public Health and the Agricultural Rural Ecosystem
(PHARE-CIHR), 4) The Community and Population Health Research Training Program (CIHR),
5) SEARCH- The Swift Efficient Application of Research to Community Health (Centre for
Health Evidence, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Health Quality Council),
and 6) CIHR strategic training program: Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on
Research – Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC). Currently we have one special case PhD
student involved in TUTOR-PHC, another with CIHR-PHARE funding, and a third with CIHR
funding through a New Emerging Team Grant. The other two special case PhD students are
funded through the Tri-Council research grants of their supervisors. Two of our faculty
members enrolled in PhD programs are supported by the Centre for Knowledge Transfer and one
faculty member was supported through IPHRC. New opportunities are available for
interprofessional educational experiences through Patient- Centered Interprofessional Team
Experience (P-CITE) funding. Two College of Nursing faculty have taken leadership roles in PCITE and seven faculty have received P-CITE funding as PIs or Co-Is (Appendix C).
3.3 Demand (students)
The SPR document made reference to the demand for a PhD program in nursing in
Saskatchewan. We are expecting the greatest demand to come from our MN graduates. The MN
program has graduated 127 students in the past 20 years. We have been steadily increasing the
number of MN student admissions from 6 at the outset (1986) to a maximum of 27 in 2006-2007.
In addition, over 30 Registered Nurses throughout the province have already indicated their
interest in the PhD program. Most of the interest is from nurses who want to become educators
at the University level. Because of our unique strengths of research in environments for health
and care, and community within the context of diversity and vulnerability, it is expected that the
new program would be attractive to nurses throughout Canada.
3.4 Uniqueness of the program
The proposed PhD program in nursing, which will focus on research-intensive learning in
the field of Nursing, will be the first such program in Saskatchewan. This program will be
unique and will not compromise or duplicate any other doctoral program at the University of
Saskatchewan or the University of Regina. The program will serve the needs of the province to
address nursing issues in areas of primary health care, public health, mental health, community
development, and the health of rural, remote, aboriginal, end-of-life client, families, and
populations. These areas are highly congruent with the health research priorities for
Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Health, 2004). No other nursing doctoral programs in Canada
currently address these issues as primary foci. In addition, opportunities for research into
forensic nursing, environmental and population health are well supported by links with existing
centres such as the Regional Psychiatric Centre (Corrections Canada), the Toxicology Research
Centre, the Institute of Agricultural, Rural and Environmental Health (I.ARE.H), and IPHRC.
Within the College of Nursing, the CASNIE Centre and the RBC Community Development
Program will provide support for PhD students. See Appendix D for existing partnerships that
will support doctoral students in their research. All doctoral students will have supervisors with
existing funded programs of research. This model has worked very effectively with the current
Special Case PhD students in the College of Nursing.
7
The courses planned for the proposed doctoral program in nursing will reflect the
substantive knowledge and the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the discipline of
nursing. The proposed Philosophy of Nursing Science course will build on concepts of the
philosophy of science. This course, however, will examine the development of nursing
knowledge and its role in the advancement of nursing as a discipline. This course will be pivotal
to the socialization and research advancement of these developing nursing scholars. Similarly,
the Advanced Research Methods courses in both quantitative and qualitative designs will build
upon the philosophical underpinnings of nursing science, and will explore research methods
deemed particularly appropriate for evidence-based practice in nursing. For example, in the
advanced quantitative methods course, students will analyze research methods focused on
nursing interventions and health outcomes. Students will also develop expertise in a cognate
area specific to their specialization and area of research. They will attain this level of
specialization through at least two graduate level courses in their cognate areas. These courses
could be taken through the University of Saskatchewan or at other universities worldwide,
particularly those supported by the Western Deans Agreement. Past special case students have
taken cognate courses with other departments or universities in oncology nursing, gender and
women’s health, and health promotion, planning and evaluation. Examples of possible cognate
courses from other disciplines that may be of interest to PhD in nursing students are listed in
Appendix E.
Special Case PhD students in the College of Nursing have taken Special Topics Courses
from College of Nursing faculty in areas of Death and Dying, Contexts of Care, Theory
Development for Rural and Northern Nursing Work Environments, Health Program Planning
and Evaluation, and Measurement Issues in Observational Research. Specific to this new
doctoral program, a cognate course in Community within the Context of Diversity and
Vulnerability was developed. Additional cognate courses will be designed as needed by students
in the program (NURS 898.3 Special Topics).
3.5 Expertise of the Dept/Unit
The College of Nursing identified areas of research strength and promise as part of the
research and scholarly landscape of the University of Saskatchewan and the PhD Planning
workshop. The overall areas were: (1) populations within the context of diversity and
vulnerability, and (2) environments for health and care. Research in the College has and is being
conducted with diverse and vulnerable populations such as: end of life clients and families,
aboriginal populations, and mental health populations. Within environments for health and care,
the focus of research programs are: community development, public health, agricultural, rural
and remote populations, culturally-sensitive care, health services, and knowledge transfer &
health policy. This category also includes educational environments. As mentioned previously,
the College of Nursing has established a Centre for Advancement of the Study in Nursing
Education and Interprofessional Education (CASNIE) to support research and scholarly
initiatives. Since 2000, College of Nursing faculty have published 155 articles in refereed
journals (Appendix A). Research funding since 2000 has totaled $21,874,860 with 51%
($11,179,932) of these funds brought in by a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator
from the College of Nursing. The remaining $10,694,928 has a College of Nursing faculty
member as a Co-Investigator.
8
Several faculty have associate memberships in disciplines with PhD programs (e.g.,
Psychology, Community Health and Epidemiology, Education) and have gained experience on
PhD committees. Since 1986 there have been 75 successful thesis students supervised by College
of Nursing faculty. Faculty serve on thesis committees in nursing and in other colleges as well.
We currently have 19 doctorally prepared faculty members and 11 more who will be receiving
their doctoral degrees in the next 2 years (Appendix B). Four faculty members are currently
supervising 5 Special Case PhD in Nursing students who have funding through CIHR training
initiatives. Our first Special Case PhD graduate (Dr. Debra Morgan) has been very successful
and currently is Principal Investigator (PI) of a CIHR New Emerging Team (NET) with 1.25
million dollars of CIHR funding over 5 years (2003-2008). Dr. Morgan is an Associate Member
with the College of Nursing and is Co-Supervisor of one of the Special Case students who plans
to complete the PhD this term and commence Post Doctoral studies in 2007.
4.0 Description
4.1 Goal
The PhD program in Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan prepares nurse scholars
for leadership roles with the knowledge and skills to advance nursing as an academic, research,
and practice discipline. During this educative process, doctoral students will participate in
critical appraisal, knowledge generation, research synthesis, and knowledge transfer. As
graduates, these nurse scientists will contribute to the health and well-being of individuals,
families, and communities with recognition of their diversities, vulnerabilities, and their
environments for health and care.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
4.2 Objectives
The PhD Program in Nursing prepares nurse scientists who will:
Develop in-depth knowledge of a substantive area of nursing science
Develop conceptual and analytical skills in nursing knowledge, theory development, and
theory testing
Integrate knowledge from nursing and related disciplines that supports health for
individuals, families, and communities at the local, national, and international levels
Actively participate in the development of nursing knowledge, adding to the evidentiary
base for nursing practice
Demonstrate excellence in nursing scholarship
Model values consistent with integrity in science and professional nursing
Provide leadership in the nursing profession
Advance nursing as an academic and practice discipline
Demonstrate skills in scholarly writing, grant application, and knowledge transfer
Work collaboratively with professionals, scientists in other disciplines, and other
stakeholders to solve problems and challenges to effect improvements in health for
populations within the context of diversity and vulnerability
Conduct original doctoral research that will lead to a future program of research
4.3 Environment for Learning
Students will participate in a program of study involving core and cognate courses
designed to meet student needs for specialization. The learning environment supports a spirit of
9
inquiry and is intellectually rigorous, stimulating, and challenging. Mentorship opportunities will
be available in research, teaching, and leadership in the College of Nursing. Opportunities for
interdisciplinary research and practice are available through the College’s association with eight
other health sciences disciplines at the University of Saskatchewan. At this College, areas of
research strength include diverse and vulnerable populations, and environments for health and
care. English is the language of study. Areas of study include nursing science and philosophy,
nursing research methodology, and a cognate area relevant to nursing.
5.0 Courses and requirements for proposed PhD program
5.1 Courses
NURS 981.3 895.3- Philosophy of Nursing Science (3 cu) (Term 1)
The theory and philosophy of nursing science will be explored through its historical context and
current issues of knowledge development in the discipline of nursing. Diverse theoretical and
philosophical perspectives will be critiqued and the relationship among philosophy, theory,
research, and practice will be explored. (See Appendix F.1)
NURS 982.3 896.3 - Nursing Research: Advanced Qualitative Methodologies (pre-/co-requisite
N893.3 or equivalent) (3 cu) (Term 1)
This course involves intensive inquiry into selected qualitative research approaches, their
historical development, philosophical assumptions, and epistemological stances. Ethical and
methodological issues related to qualitative designs will be explored in the context of
contributions to clinically relevant nursing knowledge. (See Appendix F.2)
Advanced Statistics (The specific course will be determined by the PhD Advisory Committee
from courses currently available in other disciplines) (3 cu) (Term 1 or Term 2).
NURS 983.3 897.3 - Nursing Research: Advanced Research Methods in Quantitative Design (3
cu) (Term 2)
The focus of this research course is on the design of quantitative research to further advance the
development of nursing knowledge. The course will examine various theories and assumptions
of research design, measurement, and intervention development to investigate nursing practice
issues and health outcomes. (See Appendix F.3)
Two courses minimum in cognate area (3 cu each)
These 800 level courses should address student’s area of specialization and research. They must
be approved by the PhD Advisory Committee.
Note: These courses may be developed by College of Nursing Faculty as Special Topics (NURS
898.3) or selected from other disciplines (e.g., Appendix E) or other universities in the Western
Dean’s Agreement or Saskatchewan Universities Graduate Agreement (SUGA).
NURS 986.3 816.3 - Community within the Context of Diversity and Vulnerability (3cu) (Term 1
or Term 2)
This course involves intensive inquiry into selected topics on community within the context of
diversity and vulnerability. Traditions of research, philosophical assumptions and
epistemological stances for conducting research with these populations will be examined. Ethical
and methodological issues related to community-based research will be explored in the context
of contributions to culturally relevant knowledge. (See Appendix F.4)
10
Nursing 990: Seminar
This departmental seminar includes reports and discussion of current nursing research. Students
will be expected to attend throughout the program.
Nursing 996: Research
Students writing a PhD dissertation must register for this course.
Nursing 999 Doctoral Research Seminar
The overall focus of the seminars is on the doctoral students’ development as nurse scholars.
These seminars will include areas related to research dilemmas, ethical and design issues, the
research process, publication, and grant writing. They will facilitate the transition from doctoral
student to nursing scholar. Students will be expected to attend throughout the program.
5.1.1 Summary of Requirements for PhD in Nursing
Required Nursing Courses Additional Requirements
*NURS 981.3 895.3
Advanced Statistics (3 cr.
* NURS 982.3 896.3
units)
*NURS 983.3 897.3
6 credit units of nursing or
NURS 990
non-nursing cognate
NURS 996
courses
NURS 999
* indicates new course in College of Nursing
Electives
*NURS 986.3 816.3
(may be used as cognate
credit, open to all other
graduate students)
5.2 Comprehensive Examination
Upon completion of all required course work, students will complete a comprehensive
examination in a written and oral format. The examination questions will relate to the doctoral
student’s field of study and area of research. The PhD Advisory Committee will assign 2-3
questions that address the following areas: (1) nursing theory and philosophy (knowledge of the
discipline), (2) substantive theory and research pertinent to the student’s field of study, and (3)
research design and analysis. In a one month take home format the student will answer the
questions in scholarly paper form.
The written examination will be graded by the Advisory Committee on a pass/fail basis.
Following a pass on the written work, the student will be required to discuss the papers in an oral
examination.
The PhD Advisory Committee is responsible for determining the detailed procedure for
administration of the examination. The comprehensive examination may be repeated once, with
permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
5.3 Dissertation
Oral Proposal Defense
The first stage of the dissertation is the dissertation proposal. This is written with the
guidance of the Supervisor and the Advisory Committee. When, in the opinion of the student and
the Supervisor, the proposal is complete, the student will submit a draft to the members of the
Advisory Committee. A meeting will be held at which the student will present the dissertation
proposal, and answer questions relating to literature review, methodology, and ethical
considerations. When the Committee judges the proposal as complete, the student may proceed
to Ethics Review.
11
Oral Defense of Dissertation
Following approval of the proposal by the Ethics Committee of the University of
Saskatchewan, the student will complete the research and write the dissertation, meeting with the
Supervisor at intervals throughout the process. Following the guidelines of the College of
Graduate Studies and Research, the Supervisor will review the completed dissertation. When
both believe it is ready, the dissertation will be submitted to the Advisory Committee. Following
approval of the Advisory Committee for examination, an Examining Committee will be struck.
The student will present his/her research at an open forum, and will be questioned by the
Examining Committee.
5.4 Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and
Research, University of Saskatchewan. In order to be admitted as fully qualified, the applicant
has to have completed a recognized master’s program in a field that is relevant to the PhD
program of study, and have completed a graduate course in each of statistics, research methods,
and nursing theory. A minimum average of 80% or equivalent in previous graduate work is
required. Applicants should be able to demonstrate previous research experience through
completion of a thesis or other research experience.
As a condition of admission, an appropriate supervisor will be identified and will have
agreed to supervise the work of the doctoral student. Applicants must be licensed to practice as a
Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Saskatchewan or another province in
Canada. International students must be Registered Nurses in their home country and as students
they will have liability protection under the Registered Nurses Act in the same manner as
undergraduate students (S. McKay, Registrar of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses
Association, personal communication, May 2006).
5.5 Process for Application
Applicants are selected by the PhD Admissions Committee on the basis of the academic
and research potential as demonstrated by past grades, letters of references, statement of goals
and career plans, scholarly work, current curriculum vitae, and match with potential supervisor.
Intake into the program is yearly in September. The deadline for consideration of applicants for
admission will be November 15 of the previous year; however, for 2007 the admission deadline
will be after the program has been approved. During the 2006-2007 academic year, prospective
students will be asked to watch the College of Nursing website for updates.
Application Requirements
• Completed GSR 100 admission form from the College of Graduate Studies and Research
accompanied by a $50.00 application fee
• A confirmed College of Nursing supervisor or thesis director who will supply a letter of
support outlining how research interests of the applicant are congruent with the
supervisor's current research interests
• A brief synopsis (approximately 3-4 pages in length) outlining the reasons for
undertaking PhD study, the research interests, and academic goals. These statements must
also describe how the student’s research interests are congruent with the College of
Nursing research foci
• A current curriculum vitae
12
•
•
Two official copies of all post secondary transcripts (2)
3 letters of recommendation. Two of these letters should be from professors acquainted
with the applicant’s previous scholarly work, one of whom was the applicant’s thesis or
research supervisor. The letter of recommendation must also be accompanied by a
completed GSR 101 Confidential Letter of Recommendation form
• Interview with the PhD Admissions Committee and proposed supervisor
• Proof of eligibility for registration as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse in
Canada
Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously received a
degree for which the language of instruction was English, must present evidence of
proficiency in English prior to initial registration. Tests scores must be forwarded directly to
Admissions, College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGSR) and the College of Nursing
by the testing site and are to be received no later than the deadline date for application. The
list of approved tests of English proficiency are available on the CGSR website.
All forms for the application process are available from the College of Graduate Studies and
Research Office, Room 180 College Building, or the College of Graduate Studies and Research
website at: www.usask.ca/cgsr.
Application documents are to be directed to:
Graduate Studies Coordinator
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
107 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5
Phone: (306) 966-1477
Fax: (306) 966-6703
5.6 Residency Requirement
On-campus residency is encouraged but there is no minimum residency requirement by
the College of Graduate Studies and Research. Full-time, funded, on-campus doctoral students
will be preferred.
6.0 Resources
6.1 Faculty Resources
There are currently 48 MN students and 5 Special Case PhD students who are in varying
stages of completion of their programs. Of these graduate students, 21 MN (7 in the Primary
Health Care Nurse Practitioner focus) and 2 PhD students started their programs in September
2006. In the first year of the PhD program, it is anticipated that there will be six full-time
students. The plan is to keep the graduate admissions overall at around a “steady state” of 30
admissions, including MN and PhD students. However, when the PhD program is underway
(projected for September 2007), the proportion of PhD students will increase relative to the MN
cohort. This will support the efforts of the College of Graduate Studies and Research to increase
the proportion of PhD students relative to the overall graduate student population at the
University of Saskatchewan (College of Graduate Studies and Research, 2003, p.3). The onset of
the revised clinical option in the MN program (PHC-NP) was planned to start in 2006 with no
admissions in 2007 to facilitate the start of the PhD program and to allow the cohort of PHC-NP
13
students to complete their program and for an evaluation to be done prior to the next cohort for
admission.
As mentioned earlier, there are currently 19 College of Nursing faculty with completed
doctorates which will provide the faculty resources to teach the four new courses and provide
dissertation supervision (Appendix B). Several faculty have Doctoral degrees in nursing
(Professors W. Duggleby, L. Ferguson, L. Leeseberg Stamler, P. Petrucka, L. Racine; Adjunct
Professor D. Forbes; Associate Member D. Morgan) or Interdisciplinary degrees with a nursing
component (Professors D. Goodridge,
P. Woods). Other faculty have Doctoral degrees in related fields such as Community Health and
Epidemiology (Professors G. Dickson, R. Roberts), Counselling, Psychology, or Psychiatry
(Professors K. Wright, N. Stewart; Adjunct Faculty M. Montbriand), Health Care Research
(Professor K. Semchuk, Professor Emeritus G. Laing), Pharmacology (Professor D. Quest),
Education (Professors M. Smadu, J. Anonson, S. Bassendowski, G. Donnelly) and Agricultural
Medicine or Toxicology (Professors D. Rennie,
L. Bharadwaj). The expertise of these faculty members has a good fit with the academic themes
of this PhD proposal and Appendices A and C illustrate the growing research-intensiveness in
the College of Nursing as indicated by peer-reviewed publications and research grants. We will
make every effort to link students to funding opportunities from scholarships or doctoral stipends
within faculty research grants. Eleven other faculty are in PhD programs and more hiring is
planned to increase the faculty complement to 45 by 2011 when the College of Nursing will
move into the new E-Wing of the Academic Health Sciences building.
6.2 Administrative and Support Staff
The Associate Dean (Graduate Studies & Research) and the Graduate Coordinator roles
provide administrative support to the graduate program. A full-time secretary is dedicated to the
Graduate Studies and Research mandate of the College of Nursing. In the fall of 2005, a
Research Development Officer was established as a new full-time support staff to enhance
research-intensiveness at our multiple sites for College of Nursing faculty (Regina, Prince
Albert, and several sites on the Saskatoon campus). In 2006, the College of Nursing hired a
Director of Operations who will assist with administrative issues (interim space, computer
allocation) in consultation with the Associate Dean.
6.3 Space
The College of Nursing is actively involved in the planning for the new Academic Health
Sciences building project with designated space for faculty, staff and graduate students in E-wing
by 2011. Until that time, we have priorized space for Special Case PhD students in areas with
proximity to faculty who have funded research programs and in proximity to other PhD students
(five in total at present) to encourage a supportive learning environment. Currently, all PhD
students have assigned space with computers, telephones and internet access. We have
information technology support within the College of Nursing and students have access to
computer laboratories in the Health Sciences building. Given the relatively small numbers of
students in a class, no problem is anticipated in finding seminar rooms for the four proposed new
courses.
7.0 Relationships and Impact of Implementation
In the process of planning for the PhD program in Nursing, consultation has occurred
informally and formally. Formal discussion of the program took place in conjunction with the
development of the College of Nursing’s Integrated Plan (2003).
14
Dr. Karen Chad, Associate Vice-President Research attended the first PhD planning meeting
(March 2005) and Dr. Lillian Dyck (Associate Dean, Programs) from the College of Graduate
Studies and Research was invited to attend. Subsequent discussions about the PhD in Nursing
program have occurred with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Tom Wishart, and
with the Associate Deans of Health Research. As the number of students admitted to the
program, who will take courses outside of the College of Nursing, will be approximately 6 per
year, the impact on other Colleges will be minimal. A list of potential courses in the cognate
areas, including one new cognate course in Nursing, is attached (Appendix E). Consultation has
been done with academic units that offer these cognate courses, to determine whether nursing
students could gain admittance to their courses. The Department of Community Health and
Epidemiology, College of Medicine, has been consulted about the new cognate course in nursing
to confirm the lack of overlap with their existing courses (see Letter of Support, Appendix G.2)
and the value of this course offering for their PhD students.
In summary, the consultation process has been extremely positive. We believe that the
proposed PhD program will meet the quality criteria of CASN (2004) and will add strength to the
growing emphasis on doctoral education at the University of Saskatchewan (College of Graduate
Studies and Research Integrated Plan, 2003).
8.0 Budget
The PhD Program in the College of Nursing will be offered primarily through the
existing operating budget of the College of Nursing with an additional $117,532 for the start-up
year and an annual budget of $107,532 thereafter (see Appendix I.1 and I.2). The rationale for
this budget is included in the consultation form that was developed with Financial Services
(Appendix I.1). The inclusion of a stipend for supervised teaching fits well with the goals set out
in the College of Graduate Studies and Research Multiyear College Plan (2003, pp.13-14).
Recent increased funding for undergraduate seats has already increased our faculty
complement by over 10 faculty and more faculty will be hired over the next five years. There is
considerable enthusiasm in the College of Nursing about the development of the PhD program
and it is anticipated that the course delivery and dissertation supervision will be handled well
within the existing faculty and our collaborative partners.
References
Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) (2004). Position Statement: Doctoral
Education in Nursing in Canada. Ottawa: Authors.
Saskatchewan Health (2004). Health Research Strategy. Saskatchewan: Authors.
Saskatchewan Health (2003). A Progress Report on Saskatchewan’s Nursing Strategies: The
Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care. Saskatchewan: Authors.
Canadian Nurses Association/CASN (2003). Joint Position Statement: Doctoral Preparation in
Nursing. Ottawa: Authors.
College of Graduate Studies and Research (2003). Multiyear College Plan 2003-2008.
Saskatoon: Authors.
College of Nursing (2003). Integrated Plan, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan,
2003/04 – 2007/08. Saskatoon: Authors.
Griffin, P. (2004). Nursing Research Capacity in Canada. Ottawa: Office of Nursing Policy,
Health Canada.
University of Saskatchewan (2001). Systematic Program Review. Saskatoon: Authors.
Wood, M., Giovannetti, P. & Ross-Kerr, J. (2004). The Canadian PhD in Nursing: A Discussion
Paper. Ottawa: Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.
15
List of new courses
NURS 981.3 895.3 – Philosophy of Nursing Science
The theory and philosophy of nursing science will be explored through its historical context and current issues of
knowledge development in the discipline of nursing. Diverse theoretical and philosophical perspectives will be
critiqued and the relationship between philosophy, theory, research, and practice will be explored.
Rationale for introducing this course:
The philosophical and theoretical basis of nursing science is essential to the growth and professional socialization of
students in doctoral programs in nursing. This course is foundational to the maturity of research skills that contribute
to the development of the substantial knowledge of the discipline. Because this program is a PhD in Nursing, it is
especially important that students have a perspective of the domains of the discipline and of the conceptual
frameworks and theories that drive the advancement of knowledge.
NURS 982.3 896.3– Nursing Research: Advanced Qualitative Methods
Pre-/Co-requisite NURS 893.3 or equivalent
This course involves intensive inquiry into selected qualitative research approaches, their historical development,
philosophical assumptions, and epistemological stances. Ethical and methodological issues related to qualitative
designs will be explored in the context of contributions to clinically relevant nursing knowledge.
Rationale for introducing this course:
This is a new doctoral level qualitative research course for the PhD in Nursing. Qualitative research methodologies
have advanced and increased in complexity and diversity in the last 10 years. It is reasonable to address the
complexity of qualitative methodologies in an advanced seminar course building on masters level courses. This
doctoral course will help the development of knowledgeable, excellent and independent nursing qualitative
researchers.
NURS 983.3 897.3 – Nursing Research: Advanced Research Methods in Quantitative Design
Pre-/Co-requisite NURS 892.3 or equivalent
The focus of this research course is on the design of quantitative research to advance the development of
nursing knowledge. The course will examine various theories and assumptions of research design,
measurement, and intervention development to investigate nursing practice issues and health outcomes.
Rationale for introducing this course:
Nurse scientists need to be adequately prepared in the development, conduct, and dissemination of exemplary
health research. This course is designed to prepare beginning nurse scientists to be competent in reviewing
and preparing fundable research proposals (at the national level) that will provide evidence for nursing
practice.
NURS 986.3 816.3 – Community Within the Context of Diversity and Vulnerability
Pre-/Co-requisite NURS 981.3 895 – Philosophy of Nursing Science
This course involves intensive inquiry into selected topics on community within the context of diversity and
vulnerability. Traditions of research, philosophical assumptions and epistemological stances for conducting research
with these populations will be examined. Ethical and methodological issues related to community-based research
will be explored in the context of contributions to culturally relevant knowledge.
Rationale for introducing this course:
This is a new doctoral level cognate course for the PhD in Nursing. Nursing as a discipline and applied science is
confronted by health issues that are often related to the social determinants of health. In a context of advanced
clinical practice, specialized knowledge of diversity and vulnerability must be provided to enable nurses and other
health professionals to enhance the delivery of culturally competent health care. This course will also help students
develop community-based strategies to improve the health outcomes. Finally, this doctoral course will help the
development of knowledgeable researchers who will be called to fulfill the social and scientific mandate of nursing
in this complex and diverse society and health care system.
16
75
76
95
96
97
98
99
ASSOCIATE DEAN
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Academic Programs Committee
FROM:
Trevor Gambell, Associate Dean, CGSR
DATE:
February 27, 2007
RE:
New Ph.D. Program in Nursing
____________________________________________________________________________________
The Ph.D. program proposal in Nursing has been long on the drawing board of the
College of Nursing. The College of Nursing has a 16-year history of graduate
programming with the M.N. program and the recent Advanced Nursing Practice clinical
option program. The SPR review of the M.N. program in 2001 resulted in a B rating
which validated both the quality of the program and its administration, thus paving the
way for the present proposal for a Ph.D. program in Nursing, a recommendation of the
SPR reviewers.
The proposal came to the College of Graduate Studies and Research for the first time in
the fall of 2006, going to the Ph.D. Committee on October 16. The minutes of that
meeting record the following: “…it is a remarkably complete package and very well
designed. The Committee as a whole is very impressed by the proposal.” These minutes
also refer to discussion about space considerations for new doctoral students, and note
that the College of Nursing is negotiating to take over more space in a variety of
buildings on campus. The new Health Sciences facility, projected to open in 2011, will
alleviate space problems.
Another issue that arose was that of funding for students. The Committee was told that
no stipend funds currently exist; however, there is an advancement officer in place in the
College of Nursing to locate endowments and bursaries that would for targeted for Ph.D.
candidates. As well, a new action plan is in place for devolved scholarships which will
allow for topping up of Ph.D. scholarships. In addition, several new faculty members
have grants which include funding for Ph.D. students.
A question about the number of seminar-style courses without final exams led to the
response that such courses are typical of Nursing programs in Canada where students are
required to write significant papers in place of a final exam. (There are approximately 11
Ph.D. programs in Canada at the present time.)
There was a reminder from the Ph.D. Committee of Graduate Council to include a NURS
996 (Dissertation) to the required course list.
The residency requirement issue was raised: would the program consider part-time
students? The Committee was told that most nursing graduate students are working
while they complete their degrees. It may be necessary to increase the number of
advisory meetings to ensure that students who have finished course work stay on track to
complete the degree. Full time residency would be encouraged but not required. The
preference is for fulltime, funded, on-campus students.
There was a motion carried following discussion to approve the Ph.D. Nursing program
proposal “contingent on inclusion of NURS 996 and a table showing the core, cognate
and elective courses in the program.”
The proposal then went to the Executive Committee on October 26, 2006 where it was
sent forward without further revision or comment to the Graduate Council on February 6,
2007 where the motion to approve was carried without revision.
This proposed program is consistent with and supports the CGSR College plan to both
increase the number and quality graduate students at the U of S, and especially to
increase students in doctoral programs. The College of Nursing has a strong record of
excellence in administration of graduate programs, and CGSR is convinced that there are
sufficient qualified faculty in the College of Nursing to both mount and sustain a Ph.D.
program without negatively affecting the master’s program. In fact, the goal is to have a
total of 30 graduate students on an ongoing basis, six of which would be Ph.D. candidates
and 24 Master’s students.
Trevor Gambell
Associate Dean
College of Graduate Studies and Research
University Secretary's Office
Memorandum
TO:
Norma Stewart, Associate Dean, College of Nursing
Trevor Gambell, Associate Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Research
FROM:
John Rigby, Chair, Planning Committee of Council
DATE:
Sept. 26, 2006
RE:
Notice of Intent for PhD program in Nursing
The Planning Committee discussed this Notice of Intent at its Sept. 6, 2006 meeting.
Assistant Dean Mary MacDonald is a member of Planning and so was able to provide some
additional information about the intentions of the Nursing college for this program.
The Planning Committee is supportive of the proposed program and commends this
initiative. Committee members agreed that the introduction of a PhD program would be a logical
progression in the College of Nursing’s development.
Several issues were raised which will need to be dealt with by Nursing and by the
College of Graduate Studies and Research when the full proposal is being written:
1. The proposal document should include:
- Discussion of the societal need for a PhD program in Nursing, particularly whether this is a
program which is preparing a future professoriate or whether there are other rationales for this
program.
- Information from the College of Graduate Studies regarding how this fits into an overall plan
for areas of emphasis in the health sciences.
- Explanation of the research agenda in Nursing and the areas of research available for PhD
students. The proposal should also deal with supervision issues when the faculty are not all PhDprepared themselves.
2. Concerns were raised about the indication in the letter from Associate Dean Stewart that the
College intended to launch this program within its existing budget.
It was noted that provincial funding for Nursing has been based on undergraduate nursing
seats.; the province may not be supportive of extending its funding for graduate work in the
college, including expansion of Library resources. It was recommended that the College of
Graduate Studies and the College of Nursing should discuss with the VP Academic what funding
is needed for the program and what trade-offs could be required. Nursing should also ask the
University to undertake discussions with Sask Learning and Sask Health to inform them about the
proposal and deal with any concerns regarding requirements of practice.
3. Committee members also noted that the College of Nursing is discussing whether it will
change its arrangement with SIAST regarding delivery of the undergraduate program. It was
suggested that the final version of the PhD proposal should also include some information about
whether the total resources available to the College of Nursing will be affected if the
undergraduate programs are revised, and how that might affect implementation of the PhD in
Nursing..
_______________________________
cc:
Joan Sawatzky, Acting Dean, College of Nursing
Office of the University Secretary
212 College Building 107 Admin Place
Saskatoon, SK Canada S7N 5A2
Phone: (306) 966-4632 Fax (306) 966-4530
MEMORANDUM
TO:
John Rigby, Chair, Planning Committee of Council
FROM:
Trever Crowe, Chair, Academic Programs Committee of Council
DATE:
May 22, 2007
RE:
Program proposal for PhD in Nursing
At its May 11, 2007 meeting, the Academic Programs Committee discussed the Subcommittee
Report on the proposal for a PhD program in Nursing, and met with Associate Dean Norma
Stewart to discuss several issues.
1. Concern about the number of credit units for this PhD program.
The program requires 18 credit units plus a thesis. APC members were concerned that this was a
high number of credit units for a research-based PhD program. Associate Dean Stewart noted
that the program had been designed to conform to accreditation standards for such programs in
the United States and eastern Canada. As well, she noted that course requirements for individual
students could vary depending on the courses they had completed in their Master’s programs.
The Committee agreed that students should be informed their PhD program might take longer
than three years to complete.
2. Funding resources for students.
Committee members expressed concern about whether students would have funding for their
programs. Associate Dean Steward noted that the six Special Case students presently working on
their PhD programs all had funding, and that the College would make every effort to ensure that
all its PhD students would have funding.
The Academic Programs Committee agreed that it supports this program as an important
contribution to the array of health science programs at the University. It will increase PhD
enrolments and improve research intensiveness. The Committee approved the following motion:
That the proposal of the College of Graduate Studies and Research for a PhD program in
Nursing be recommended for approval.
_______________________________
MEMORANDUM
TO:
John Rigby, Chair
Planning Committee of Council
FROM:
Alison Renny, Chair
Budget Committee of Council
DATE:
April 30, 2007
RE:
Nursing Graduate Program Proposal
______________________________________________________________________________________
A joint subcommittee of the Academic Programs Committee and Budget Committee met on March 20,
2007, to consider the proposed Ph.D. graduate program in Nursing, and subsequently met with program
proponents on April 24th. The subcommittee considered the proposal to be timely, reflecting the need for
Ph.D. nurse educators and researchers as reflected in the College’s strategic plan. Budgetary issues
considered related to graduate student funding and space allocation.
At the April 26, 2007, Budget Committee meeting, the following motion was carried:
Motion: “That the Budget Committee receive the joint subcommittee report on the proposal for a
Ph.D. graduate program in Nursing, and recommend approval of the proposal to the Planning
Committee. “
I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding the committee’s deliberations.
_______________________________________
Alison Renny, Chair, Budget Committee of Council
c C. Fornssler
Attach: Subcommittee Report
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
Academic Programs Committee and Budget Committee
Nursing Program Proposal
Members: Budget Committee: Alison Renny (Chair), Bob Faulkner; Academic Programs Committee:
Fred Remillard, Hilary Clark; Resource: Jim Spinney, Sandra Calver (Secretary)
The joint subcommittee met on March 20, 2007, to consider the Nursing Ph.D. program proposal and
subsequently on April 24th, to review the proposal with the program proponents. The meeting on April 24th
was attended by Norma Stewart, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, and Lynnette Stamler,
Graduate Studies Coordinator, within the College of Nursing. The program was commended from an
academic viewpoint and as clearly meeting the need for Ph.D. educated Nursing faculty members on a
national basis. However, members of the subcommittee had a number of questions regarding the budget,
space allocation, and program structure. A summary of the discussion with the proponents on these points
follows.
In response to the question of whether the program is course intensive, proponents noted the program
requires 18 credit units (3 credit units theoretical; 9 credit units research [statistics, qualitative,
quantitative]; 6 credit units cognate field), and as such meets the three core components outlined by the
Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) for doctoral programs. Other Canadian Nursing
doctoral programs require on average 15 to 27 credit units of courses. Although Ph.D. programs in Nursing
are presently not accredited, proponents noted this is clearly a future consideration as outlined by the
CASN. The course requirements are well aligned with other doctoral programs within the discipline and
the potential for future accreditation.
With respect to the question of course numbering, proponents outlined the following changes to course
numbering for graduate courses to ensure course numbers fit with the traditions at the university:
ƒ NURS 981 will become NURS 895
ƒ NURS 982 will become NURS 896
ƒ NURS 983 will become NURS 897
ƒ NURS 986 will be come NURS 816
The subcommittee commented on the importance of adequate space as critical to mounting the program.
Within three years, the Ph.D. program is anticipated to be at its full complement as presently structured,
with approximately 20-21 students. By 2011, the College will be housed within the Academic Health
Sciences Complex if the project proceeds according to schedule. In the interim, the Director of Integrated
Facilities Planning is well aware of the space needs for the program, and faculty office space exists which
can be used for the program as the College is presently hiring its new faculty on a staggered basis.
With respect to the overall budget, members of the subcommittee expressed the view that the budget for the
program proposal as outlined was modest. The committee did, however, seek clarification regarding the
$60,000 requested as a central allocation to provide $10,000 as a one-time stipend to each new Ph.D.
student admitted to the program, regardless of any other funding held. Proponents for the proposal outlined
the rationale for the request as a stipend to support students during the first term of their program to permit
dedicated time for students to develop and submit grant proposals. Few students are expected to enter with
full funding as many will have been out of graduate school for a significant period of time. The stipend
also recognizes the co-teaching, mentored with a faculty member, which is an expectation of all Ph.D.
students and an important academic goal for the program.
…2
The subcommittee supported the intention for the use of the funds, but questioned whether this would set a
precedent for other Ph.D. programs. In summary, members supported the budget as outlined, but given
Budget Committee’s advisory role, counseled proponents that consideration and approval of the request for
the $60,000 student stipend remained at the discretion of PCIP. Proponents stressed that although the
teaching relief stipend from central administration will clearly benefit the program, the College is
committed to mounting the program. Alternate funding will be sought if central funding is not allocated for
this portion of the budget.