The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program has significantly evolved since its inception in 1979 and the curricular revision in 2023. From practice improvements using experimental designs to theory and evidence generation through varied research approaches, the program has responded to the local and global healthcare landscape. Corollary to the mandate of UP as a national university as stipulated in Republic Act 9500, the UP College of Nursing aims to lead in the setting of academic standards that will produce nurse scientists who contribute to nation building and societal goals.

The current revision is based on local, regional, and global recommendations that respond to the expanding roles of the nurse in practice, evolving healthcare system, and changing needs of patients; the broader demand from Nurse Scientists to assume leadership roles; and significant changes in Nursing Science, education, practice, and research. Specifically, literature recommends PhD curricula to prepare graduates to assume both traditional nurse scientist roles and roles yet to be envisioned. The curricula reflect the integration of competencies on health policy and innovation, implementation science, data science, informatics, and competency in teaching with emphasis on pedagogy. The curricular content was enhanced to ensure culturally-relevant care (diversity in gender, ethnicity and cultural background) and use of emerging technologies. The postgraduate independent and collaborative research initiative should be able to generate data and evidence to inform policy and practice changes (regulation, workforce, scope of practice).

September 27, 1979

1. Develop a theory that will contribute to the development of relevant policies and programs for the improvement of the health system and Nursing Science.
2. Lead in high impact research to inform practice and improve health outcomes, contributing to societal goals
3. Demonstrate transformational leadership through engagement in research and innovative practice.
4. Build networks with communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and programs in health system improvement
5. Adhere to the highest professional, ethical, and legal standards in the practice of the profession.

1. Good scholastic record from any recognized institution of higher learning
2. Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a recognized institution of higher learning
3. At least 1 year of experience as a professional nurse in a hospital, community setting or nursing research unit. A certificate of employment or any document proving the minimum one year experience is required.
4. Duly accomplished Application Form which can be downloaded in this link: https://ngohs.upm.edu.ph/forms-and-manuals/

1. Original copy of the official Transcript of Records
2. Two (2) recommendations from former professors, supervisors or employers. The recommendation forms are included in the application packet.
3. Receipt of processing fee paid at the UPM Cashier’s Office. The Cashier’s Office is along Padre Faura Street.
4. Resume or curriculum vitae.
5. Certified true copy of college diploma with the seal of the university and the signature of the registrar in ink.
6. Birth certificate (original to be presented for verification).
7. Marriage certificate (present original for verification), if applicable
8. Four (4) passport size photos
9. Photocopy of birth certificate and marriage certificate (for female applicant) (NSO paper).
10. Essay on an 8 1/2’ x 11” sheet of paper describing your motivation for pursuing graduate study and your view of self-directed learning as a method of instruction, and a description of your research interest.

1. GWA of 1.75 or better in all courses taken and in major courses provided there is no grade of 5.00 in any of them
2. Completion of 36 units (24 units of core courses, 6 units of content courses and 6 units of cognates) of prescribed academic courses
3. Passing of the comprehensive examination
4. Satisfactory completion and submission of 6 bound copies of the dissertation
5. Article accepted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. The article must be based on the dissertation.

Course Code: Nursing 301
Course Title: Philosophies of Science and Nursing Theories
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Philosophies of science grounding nursing, theoretical development process and theory classifications, including influential attributes of a discipline and a profession for nursing research and nursing practice

Course Code: Nursing 302
Course Title: Theory Building in Nursing
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: Nursing 301
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Analysis of philosophies, theories, concepts, principles, and research findings, and engaging in the process of nursing theory development

Course Code: Nursing 303
Course Title: Theory Grounding
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: Nursing 302
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Strengthening the built theory actual files grounding, utilizing appropriate research methods

Course Code: Nursing 306
Course Title: Dynamic in Nursing Practice
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: The course deals with study on the development of nursing science as a discipline knowledge and practice profession, and its relationship to the dynamic nature of the health care environment

Course Code: Nursing 391
Course Title: Quantitative Research Methods and Nursing
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Analysis and application of Quantitative Research methods to support theory building and validation in nursing and contribute to Nursing Science

Course Code: Nursing 392
Course Title: Theory Building in Nursing
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: Nursing 301
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Analysis and application of Qualitative Research methods to support theory building and validation in nursing and contribute to nursing science

Course Code: Nursing 393
Course Title: Advanced Statistics in Nursing
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Application of multivariate analysis in nursing and healthcare which includes inferential statistics, modeling, and advanced statistical techniques

Course Code: Nursing 399
Course Title: Advanced Research Methods
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: Nursing 391 and Nursing 392
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Focuses on research methodologies to support theory building, theory, theory validation, program evaluation, and policy development in Nursing

Course Code: Nursing 320
Course Title: Behavioral Perspectives in Health
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Psychological, sociological and cultural theories and models as applied to health behavior

Course Code: Nursing 350
Course Title: Nursing and Health Program Development
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Program Planning, implementation, evaluation, including health human resource development

Course Code: Nursing 351
Course Title: Health Policy Development and Policy Issues in Health Systems
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Analyses of major health policies that impact the health care system and present policy development and its challenges

Course Code: Nursing 354
Course Title: Transcultural Nursing
Credit Units: 3 units
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Understanding of cultural caring within the context of healthcare and the nursing phenomena (Ethno-nursing). And its application towards culturally sensitive and responsive nursing care

Course Code: Nursing 400.1
Course Title: Dissertation I
Credit Units: 4 units
Pre-requisite: Passed the comprehensive examination
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Development and defense of a written research proposal for dissertation

Course Code: Nursing 400.2
Course Title: Dissertation II
Credit Units: 4 units
Pre-requisite: Passed the comprehensive examination
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Implementation of an approved (technical and ethical) dissertation proposal and oral defense of the written dissertation

Course Code: Nursing 400.3
Course Title: Dissertation III
Credit Units: 4 units
Pre-requisite: Passed the comprehensive examination
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Writing of research article unit in acceptance for publication in a reputable peer-reviewed or ISI journal