Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

Students with experience or interest in leading the transformation of health care through nursing education and research are sought for the Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Doctor of Philosophy program. Ideal students want to focus on important societal health issues through the work of advancing health and improving the systems that provide health services.

Graduates of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing are prime candidates for formal leadership positions. Graduates exercise leadership through scientific approaches, vision, initiative, cultural inclusiveness, teamwork, and a commitment to assuring health care is highly effective, compassionate and accessible.

About the PhD program

The full-time, academic, doctoral program prepares graduates as leaders in health care, health policy and education and research at the university level to:

• conduct transformative research
• educate health professionals and researchers
• effect system change
• influence and implement policy
• advance health from multiple settings

Doctoral students take core courses plus electives and must complete a dissertation. The doctoral program is a four-year program and requires full-time enrollment. Core courses are offered fall, winter and spring quarters (not summer) on the UC Davis Sacramento campus. Students in the doctoral program should expect to be on campus at least three days a week. Students should expect that some quarters, they need to be available on certain weekends and evenings. Course schedules vary each quarter by individual student areas of interest. Electives vary for all students and are conducted on both the Sacramento and Davis campuses.

A mandatory orientation is provided for incoming students their first quarter. This full-time, three-day experience runs the week prior to the first fall quarter. Throughout this time together, students interact with School of Nursing leadership, participate in team building and develop one-on-one faculty relationships. The week serves as the foundation for the Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate program curriculum.

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