UT Tyler to Offer Doctoral Program in Nursing

May 10, 2004

In the fall, students will have the opportunity to pursue a doctor of science degree in nursing at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Linda Klotz, dean of the UT Tyler College of Nursing and Health Sciences, announced.

This will be made possible through a collaborative agreement with the School of Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Students will be admitted to the UTHSC-Houston program and will be given the option of attending class on the UT Tyler campus. The classes will be conducted using video computer technology. UT Tyler graduate faculty will be available to serve as advisers.

“We are pleased to make advanced education possible for nurses in this region,’’ Dr. Klotz said. “Hospitals, other care providers and schools of nursing report a continuing need for nurses prepared at the doctoral level. An increase in the numbers of nurses academically prepared for the faculty role is essential for increasing the numbers of graduate nurses ready to enter into practice. ’’

The graduate nursing faculty at UT Tyler will work closely with the UTHSC-Houston faculty to ensure the success of this collaboration, said Dr. Barbara Haas, associate professor of nursing, who will serve as the coordinator for doctoral nursing students at UT Tyler.

The long-term goal is to establish an independent nursing doctoral program in collaboration with The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, for which UT Tyler would serve as the degree granting institution, Dr. Haas said.

The UT Tyler undergraduate nursing program offers the basic undergraduate track for unlicensed students, as well as three accelerated Mobility in Nursing Education tracks to licensed nurses. These tracks include the LVN to BSN, RN to BSN and RN to MSN tracks. All programs are fully accredited by state and national regulatory agencies.

The master of science in nursing program builds upon the undergraduate program to support specialization in education, administration or advanced practice. The MSN degree provides a solid foundation for a doctoral level education.