Doctoral programs in nursing: an examination of curriculum similarities and differences

In this exploratory study, eight doctoral programs in nursing (four PhD and four DNS/DSN/DNSc) were surveyed to examine curricular similarities and differences between research-oriented and professional-oriented programs. Content analysis was utilized to examine manifest content of 101 units of analysis derived from questionnaire items. These items reflected environmental input, curricular design, and outcome variables. Findings suggested that more curricular similarities than differences existed between the two program types. Curricular design variables reflected the most differences in the areas of program purposes and objectives. Several areas were identified for additional research in each variable category.