UMass Boston

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Personal statement: As a prompt, focus on the following: Specific interest in either Health Policy or Population Health, Rationale/basis for interest in pursuing a PhD in Nursing, Current major research and policy or population health interests in nursing/health care, Description of professional post-PhD goals with relevance to health policy or population health.
• Two professional references
• Current résumé or CV
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program (BS-to-PhD). Master’s degree in Nursing or related field from an accredited program (MS-to-PhD)
• Nursing license, certification (if applicable)
• Candidates are encouraged to schedule an interview with the Program Director or her/his designate as part of the application process.

International Students

In addition to the general admissions requirements, international students must take both the TOEFL exam and IELTS exam and meet the minimum score requirements. For additional information on the international student application process, please refer to the “Special Instructions” section in your application.

Deadlines: March 31 (priority deadline) and July 1 (final deadline) for fall

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar's website

Course Requirements - BS to PhD Health Policy and Population Health Track

Required Courses (42 Credits)

• NURSNG 607 - Evidenced Based Teaching Practices 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 616 - Evidence Based Practice I: Appraising the Strength and Significance of Evidence 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 618 - Introduction to Health Policy, Finance and Ethics 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 637 - Mental and Psychosocial Health of the Urban Family 3 Credit(s)

or

• NURSNG 608 - The Nurse Educator in the Academic Setting 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 700 - Philosophy of Nursing Science: Ways of Knowing 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 702 - Doctoral Seminar 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 715 - Health Informatics 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 741 - Health Policy I 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 745 - Population Health I 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 750 - Contemporary Disciplinary Knowledge 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 757 - Social Behavioral Determinants of Health 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 760 - Introduction to Biostatistics: Biostatistics I 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 765 - Health Systems Leadership 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 770 - Biostatistics II: Advanced Statistical Methods in Healthcare Research 3 Credit(s)

Research Methods Courses (9 Credits)

• PPOL-G 609L - Qualitative Methods and Field Research 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 825L - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods I 3 Credit(s)

or

• NURSNG 825L - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods I 3 Credit(s)

or

• NURSNG 780 - Epidemiologic Methods 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 790 - Integrating concepts & methods for research development 3 Credit(s)

Methods Electives (9 Credits)

Complete three electives chosen in consultation with the graduate program director.

Dissertation Research (9 Credits)

• NURSNG 899 - Dissertation Research 3-9 Credit(s)

Course Requirements - MS to PhD Health Policy and Population Health Track

Required Courses (21 Credits)

• NURSNG 607 - Evidenced Based Teaching Practices 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 700 - Philosophy of Nursing Science: Ways of Knowing 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 702 - Doctoral Seminar 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 741 - Health Policy I 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 745 - Population Health I 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 750 - Contemporary Disciplinary Knowledge 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 770 - Biostatistics II: Advanced Statistical Methods in Healthcare Research 3 Credit(s)

Research Methods Courses (9 Credits)

• PPOL-G 609L - Qualitative Methods and Field Research 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 825L - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods I 3 Credit(s)

or

• NURSNG 825L - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods I 3 Credit(s)

or

• NURSNG 780 - Epidemiologic Methods 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 790 - Integrating concepts & methods for research development 3 Credit(s)

Methods Electives (9 Credits)

Complete three courses chosen in consultation with the graduate program director.

Dissertation Research (9 Credits)

• NURSNG 899 - Dissertation Research 3-9 Credit(s)

Program Requirements - BS to PhD Health Policy and Population Health Track

Complete 69 credits from 21 courses including 14 required courses, three research methods courses, three methods electives, and nine credits of dissertation research.

Doctoral candidacy: Students must pass written and oral comprehensive exams which is a prerequisite for doctoral candidacy. The written exam consists of two papers; one conceptual and one methodological.
Dissertation: Candidates must complete and defend a dissertation written in traditional five-chapter format.

Statute of limitations: Eight years.

Program Requirements - MS to PhD Health Policy and Population Health Track

Complete 48 credits from 14 courses including seven required courses, three research methods courses, three methods electives, and nine credits of dissertation research.

Doctoral candidacy: Students must pass written and oral comprehensive exams which is a prerequisite for doctoral candidacy. The written exam consists of two papers; one conceptual and one methodological.
Dissertation: Candidates must complete and defend a dissertation written in traditional five-chapter format.

Statute of limitations: Eight years.

phdnursing@umb.edu
(617)287-7571

Graduate Program Director:
Ling Shi
ling.shi [at] umb.edu