Online PhD Nursing Education

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Aug 29, 2012

Two of my colleagues graduated from Capella last year, and they loved it. They sing it's praises. They are friends of mine (people I actually like at work, and the students like them too). If it weren't for the cost, I'd consider it myself. I'm looking at a local, on-site program, that is part of the university system I work for (so they are paying a generous sum of my tuition).

BCRNA · Sep 2, 2012

Most phd nursing programs do not respect an education focus. An EdD may be more appropriate. I personally believe it is a great specialization. A phd is a research degree. No research grants or government funding will be awarded to a research focus on education.

They prefer something that improves patient outcomes or safety. They want to benefit patients outcomes, not nursing outcomes. Since phd program faculty want funding and publication, they will not "waste" time on research topics that have neither. Depending on what you want to teach a DNP may even be more appropriate. I know of no phd nursing programs with an education focus ( a few will focus on pt education)

Also, stay away from Phoenix or the other online programs similar to it. That is if you want to work in academia. They will not accept a degree from these programs. A safe rule is that if the ability to pay tuition is the hardest enrollment requirement, don't attend. No reputable program for a phd will accept a C average, no entrance exam, and no proof of scholarly aptitude. Not to mention their tuition is too high, find a good public university with an instate rate. You will finish with a fourth or half of the cost.

iteachob, MSN, RN · Sep 5, 2012

Two of my colleagues graduated from Capella last year, and they loved it. They sing it's praises. They are friends of mine (people I actually like at work, and the students like them too). If it weren't for the cost, I'd consider it myself. I'm looking at a local, on-site program, that is part of the university system I work for (so they are paying a generous sum of my tuition).

Have you looked at the Nursing Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)? If you are interested in staying employed as nurse faculty, it is definitely something worth looking into. I'm currently a part-time PhD student in KY, and full-time faculty (at a different university) and get all my tuition covered by this loan. The loan is forgiven at a rate of 20%/year for the first 3 years post graduation, and 25% for the 4th year that you remain employed full-time as faculty in a school of nursing. That's 85% loan forgiveness. You are required to take extra classes in education, but that's a good thing if you are committed to teaching.

Look into here:

Nurse Faculty Loan Program Funding Opportunity