Nursing Student Guide and Policies

The doctoral programs are built on a strengths model that capitalizes on human resources and geographic needs. The strengths perspective is powered by a belief that "you can build little of
lasting value on pathology and problem, but you may build an enduring edifice out of strength and possibility inherent in each individual" (Saleebey, 1992, p.7). Key principles of the strengths model include: 

• Focus is on the student and faculty strengths, not barriers and deficits.
• The community is viewed as an oasis of resources, not an obstacle to expanding educational horizons.
• Specific deliverables to meet course outcomes are based on the person's selfdetermination.
• The student/faculty relationship is primary and essential.
• Assertive outreach is the preferred mode of interaction. In other words, online accessibility and interaction are valued and expected.
• Students are expected to grow, learn, and evolve as a result of the doctoral educational experience (Adapted from Rapp & Wintersteen, 1989).
• Graduates will be empowered to connect regional and personal resources to meet the health care needs of the community. The program, built on a model of strengths and offered in an online format, will prepare nurses to serve as stewards of the discipline in education and research as well as innovators and change agents in the health care sector.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)

Specific admission requirements for the Ph.D. and DNP degree programs are located in the UT Tyler Catalog Nursing Doctoral Programs sections, respectively.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)

Non-degree-seeking students are not allowed to enroll in Ph.D. or DNP courses unless they are currently enrolled in a doctoral program at another university. Non-degree-seeking students are subject to the guidelines of The Graduate School.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)

Students are assigned a doctoral advisor upon acceptance into the program and based on the areas of interest identified in the application essay. This advisor will mentor the student throughout the first year of study. Specific expectations include: 

1. The student will meet with the advisor during the orientation before beginning coursework. Together, the student and advisor will complete a projected program of study during their initial meeting. This program may be revised as needed and as indicated by the direction of the student’s research. 
2.  The student will consult with the advisor prior to registering each semester. The program of study is reviewed and updated at this time. Students are barred from registering until the advisor gives the graduate office approval to lift the registration bar. 
3. The initial advisor will assist the student in identifying an appropriate major professor.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)

Upon acceptance into the program and based upon the areas of interest identified in the application essay, students are assigned a faculty mentor. The faculty mentor will work with the student and an industry mentor throughout the program to plan and implement the DNP Project. 

1. Students will meet with their assigned faculty mentor during the orientation prior to beginning course work. 
2. Together the student and faculty mentor will discuss the formulation of the PICOT question for the DNP Project, the choice of an industry mentor, and the expected trajectory of the project across the curriculum. 
3. The student will consult with the faculty mentor during all on-campus intensives, as assigned in coursework, in scheduled meetings with the industry mentor, or as needed or requested throughout the program.
4. Given that the DNP Project is completed across the curriculum, course substitutions are generally not allowed. Any substitution requires the approval of the student advisor and the DNP Program Director.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)

Students wishing to transfer credit or substitute a course for one listed in the degree plan are subject to the policies of The Graduate School. The maximum number of hours that may be transferred into a doctoral program is 12 semester credit hours. To determine graduate required course equivalency, the following procedure must be followed: 

1. The student will submit a request to their Faculty Advisor and Program Director. The student is to include a transcript showing satisfactory completion of the course and supporting documentation, i.e., course syllabus. 
2. The Program Director will forward the documentation to the faculty teaching the designated course. 
3. The faculty teaching the designated course will review the documentation and submit their recommendation to the Program Director. 
4. If documentation is considered sufficient, the Faculty Advisor will complete a transfer credit approval form, submit it to the registrar’s office, and place approval documentation
   in the student’s file. 
5. If the documentation is considered insufficient, the Program Director will inform the student requesting the equivalency that the required course must be taken.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)

Doctoral requirements for progression include the following:

1. A minimum grade of “B” is necessary in all required courses for the Ph.D. and DNP degrees. Students are responsible for monitoring grades in the course learning management system throughout the semester and communicating with course instructors regarding grade status. Two course failures will result in dismissal from the program.
2. Core courses must be taken in sequence, as indicated in the U.T. Tyler catalog. 
3. Nursing courses within the Ph.D. and DNP curricula may only be repeated once. A course withdrawal is counted as one course attempt. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances. 
4. Any elective hours are subject to approval by the student’s faculty advisor.

6.7.1 Doctoral Proficiency Exam (for Ph.D. only)

Before entering candidacy, the student must successfully pass the Doctoral Proficiency Exam (DPE). The purpose of the exam is to articulate the knowledge accumulated throughout the coursework. This written exam is scheduled near the end of coursework. The specific dates are posted in the NURS 6337 syllabus as students enrolled in NURS 6337 are those eligible to take the exam. The final two weeks of the semester are dedicated to the exam. The processes are as follows:

1. Students receive the DPE packet via their Patriot email account.
2. The packet includes research articles and guidelines for the completion of the DPE.
3. Two weeks are allotted for completion of the exam.
4. During this time, the only person to whom questions may be addressed is the Ph.D. Program Director.
5. Students may not discuss the exam or consult one another during the DPE time frame.
6. Exams are returned to the designated administrative assistant by the due date, which is included in the DPE instructions.
7. Late submissions are not accepted.
8. Following submission, de-identified papers are sent by the administrative assistant to 2-3 faculty to grade.
9. Faculty submit grades for the anonymous papers back to the administrative assistant who compiles the results, which are shared with the Ph.D. Program Director after the due date has passed.
10. Results will be emailed to students within two weeks from the due date for submission.

6.7.2 Candidacy (For Ph.D. only)

Students are admitted to candidacy upon completing all coursework and successfully passing the DPE. The request for candidacy initiates with the student and Faculty Advisor but is submitted by the Doctoral Program Director. The form for submission is located on The Graduate School website.

6.7.3 Dissertation (For Ph.D. only) 

The dissertation is a culmination of the student’s program of research while enrolled in the doctoral program at The University of Texas at Tyler. The dissertation process at The University
of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing is a hybrid between the traditional U.S. model, which emphasizes beginning a major research project upon completion of coursework, and the European model, which emphasizes publication and a discourse of the program of research at
the end of the study. Specific guidelines for dissertation are provided on the Ph.D. learning management site Canvas PhrnDz Café Org.

6.7.4 DNP Project (DNP only)

The DNP Project is a culmination of the DNP’s exploration of a clinical question that results in the implementation of an evidence-based practice project, a practice or leadership innovation, or instituting a quality improvement initiative. The DNP Project is formulated and completed in a sequence of key assignments across courses in the DNP Curriculum. A final presentation and
submission of an electronic portfolio are required.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)

Students must file for graduation according to the policies and deadlines established by the Registrar. University graduation requirements are outlined in The University of Texas at Tyler Catalog.

The student is responsible for meeting the requirements and application deadlines for graduation.

(Reviewed 6/12/2022)