UR School of Nursing Renames PhD Program

The new program title was recently approved by the New York State Education Department and also applies to the school’s seven MS/PhD dual degree programs. The change affects only the title of the program; admission criteria and the program’s curriculum remain unchanged.

“The name change more accurately reflects the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the curriculum and helps to ensure that nursing is recognized among the many different kinds of health scientists ushering in the next generation of medical breakthroughs,” said Kathy Rideout, EdD, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

UR Nursing’s PhD program is one of the oldest of its kind in the country. It admitted its first students in 1979, and the program’s rigorous and highly focused curriculum was widely acclaimed and served as a pattern for other universities to model.

Approaching its 40th year, the program remains synonymous with innovation. The PhD in Nursing and Health Science program welcomes a select handful of students each year. The wide range of expertise in the school’s faculty attracts licensed clinical health professionals from a variety of health-related disciplines, including nursing, social work, speech-language pathology, and others.

“A diversity of professional backgrounds in the classroom helps to foster interprofessional communication and collaboration,” said Bethel Powers, RN, PhD, FSAA, FGSA, director of PhD programs at the School of Nursing. “Regardless of the health discipline to which our students belong, they graduate from our program as scientists well-prepared to conduct meaningful research both independently and as members and leaders of interdisciplinary teams.”

Learn more about our PhD in Nursing and Health Science program.