Nursing Doctorate-University of South Africa

tbal · Dec 28, 2004

I'm enrolled in a distance ed program at the University of South Africa. It's a "DLitt et Phil" in Advanced Nursing Science. It's a research only degree, but legitimate. I wonder if anyone has experience with having a degree like this recognized by a U.S. nursing education program. (I am a nursing instructor.) I decided to go this route for a number of practical reasons and one personal one: it gives me a structure to pursue research in which I am deeply interested. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with the University of South Africa or a non-traditional doctorate.

Hi Bookwormom! I don't know much about the University of South Africa. But, I was just wondering if the college where you work will recognize this doctorate degree. Will this increase your options of becoming a professor at this college? I am currently enrolled in a distance MPH program through California College for Health Sciences. I am also very interested in research.

Teresa :)

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 28, 2004

I'm interested in getting more info about this. Can you post the URL for the program you are in?

Maybe there are grads of this program working in the US (I see you are in Appalachia)--that should give you an idea of how the degree is received.

I'm assuming the Powers That Be in the US don't actually accredit foreign schools..... But there must be something, since nurses with degrees from other countries are able to be licensed here.

bookwormom · Dec 31, 2004

Here is the link for the doctoral program in nursing:

http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=1515

I applied through their agent in Canada, Dr. Michael Essalen:

www.iaci-canada.com/

As far as I can tell, this is the only wholly distance ed doctorate in nursing available in English, outside the USA. It is affordable. I saw it mentioned in the Sigma Theta Tau publication, Reflections. The UNISA undergraduate programs are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, a body recognized by the US Dept of Ed. (I don't think the DETC is as prestigious as regional accreditation.) Unlike most (but not all) US doctorates, UNISA requires the writing of a dissertation only-- they call it a thesis-- based on original research. No additional course work.

Certainly this is a very challenging program. Nonetheless, I think I may have to defend it to others. A doctorate would be useful to me professionally. I'd like to know if anyone else has experience with UNISA, and how their degrees have been accepted.

bancho · Dec 31, 2004

Hello,

How about http://www.nursing.arizona.edu/Doctoral.htm. U of A is a recognized American university.

bookwormom · Dec 31, 2004

Hello,
How about http://www.nursing.arizona.edu/Doctoral.htm. U of A is a recognized American university.

Sounds great, (I looked at it), but I am deep into the program at UNISA now, and have had my research proposal accepted. I kind of like the idea of doing something international.

bookwormom · Dec 31, 2004

Hello,
How about http://www.nursing.arizona.edu/Doctoral.htm. U of A is a recognized American university.

Sorry, duplicate entry!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 1, 2005

phd programs are usually research intensive.

might find some info on the icn website :http://icn.ch/index.html

us: accn info re doctoral programs

check out:democratic nursing organization of south africa (denosa)

http://www.denosa.org.za/

the south african nursing council approved nursing education institutions

http://www.sanc.co.za/neis.htm

bookwormom · Jan 1, 2005

Interesting links. I was familiar with most, but found the ACCN Indicators (of quality research-focused doctoral programs) especially interesting. Are you familiar with the International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing (INDEN)? It describes doctoral programs in nursing worldwide The address is:

http://www.umich.edu/~inden/

opalmRN · Jan 3, 2005

Sorry for the hi-jack, but do I see a name change here Ms. Chris?

Congrats to you RN, I must have missed the announcement.

I'm interested in getting more info about this. Can you post the URL for the program you are in?
Maybe there are grads of this program working in the US (I see you are in Appalachia)--that should give you an idea of how the degree is received.
I'm assuming the Powers That Be in the US don't actually accredit foreign schools..... But there must be something, since nurses with degrees from other countries are able to be licensed here.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

Sorry for the hi-jack, but do I see a name change here Ms. Chris?
Congrats to you RN, I must have missed the announcement.

Yeah, one morning there it was, the name change. It was maybe a week after I passed the NCLEX. (You knew about that, though, right? It has been a long time!)

I tried to track down the culprit to thank him or her, but no one has confessed. Yet.