Share | Print

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education

School of Education

Nursing Education specialization

A shortage of nursing faculty is a key reason U.S. nursing schools must turn away tens of thousands of qualified applicants each year. Capella's doctoral Nursing Education specialization is designed to prepare master's-level nurses to meet this growing need and to advance the field of nursing through doctoral research. The National League for Nursing recognizes that this PhD specialization in Nursing Education aligns with the Core Competencies for Nurse Educators©, using competencies that are integral to the Certified Nurse Educator® (CNE) exam. The curriculum includes such topics as advanced nursing theory and concepts, curriculum design and evaluation, teaching strategies, and classroom assessment. People likely to be interested in this specialization include nursing faculty members who want to pursue advanced faculty or leadership positions and nurses currently working in health care delivery who want to share their knowledge of nursing.

This specialization is not designed to satisfy licensure requirements for P–12 public school teachers or administrators.

View or post comments

Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 48 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Quarter - Coursework: $4,530
Up to 3 courses per quarter
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $4,062

Many of our learners receive aid.

Estimate your cost and aid now.
Course Demonstration
Sign-up for Free Course
Photo of Capella University learner or alum Photo of Capella University learner or alum

Meet the faculty & staff who will support your academic success.»


Residency requirements: Three 4-day weekend experiences

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will complete 3 residential colloquia, each of which includes a 4-day weekend experience, at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond.

Doctoral colloquia each have 3 steps:

Step 1: Colloquium Courseroom (opens approximately 2 weeks prior to Weekend Experience)
Step 2: Weekend Experience (4-day residency)
Step 3: Colloquium Courseroom—Assessment and evaluation (completed the week after the Weekend Experience)

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn’t include costs for evening meals or travel. You’ll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.888.227.3552.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • ED8002 - Foundations of Theory and Practice in Doctoral Studies
  • ED8112 - Educational Research Methods
  • ED8117 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods*
  • ED8122 - Statistics for Educational Research I*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • ED7311 - Theory and Methods of Educating Adults
  • ED7314 - International and Multicultural Perspectives in Postsecondary and Adult Education
  • ED7712 - Classroom Assessment in Education
  • ED7310 - Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Educational Process
  • ED8350 - Advanced Nursing Theory and Concepts
  • ED8355 - Curriculum Design and Evaluation in Nursing Education
  • ED8360 - The Nurse Educator: Faculty Roles and Responsibilities
  • ED8365 - Teaching Strategies in Nursing Education
  • ED8370 - Nursing Leadership and Professional Practice
  • ED9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • ED9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
  • ED9921 - Dissertation Research 1* - 5 quarter credits
  • ED9922 - Dissertation Research 2* - 5 quarter credits
  • ED9923 - Dissertation Research 3* - 5 quarter credits
  • ED9924 - Dissertation Research 4* - 5 quarter credits

Eleven Elective Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • Recommended elective courses
  • ED7818 - The Future of Teaching and Learning: Issues for the Educational Leader
  • ED5317 - Foundations of Adult Education
  • ED5311 - The Collaborative Nature of Adult Education
  • ED7391 - International Aspects of Adult Education
  • ED5804 - The Delivery of Distance Education
  • ED7212 - Administration and Leadership of Distance Education Programs
  • ED7590 - Critical Thinking in Adult Education
  • ED7700 - Learning Theory and the Educational Process
  • ED7540 - Leadership in Higher Education
  • ED7547 - Assessment in Higher Education
  • ED7690 - Critical Skills for Facilitating Online Learning
  • ED5312 - Strategies for Building Online Learning Communities
  • ED5313 - Curriculum Development for Online Learning
  • ED7716 - Faculty Leadership
  • ED7800 - Grant Writing for Higher Education
  • ED8444 - Higher Education Curriculum Development and Teaching Strategies
  • ED8600 - Effective Online Course Design, Delivery, Facilitation, and Assessment
  • HS8505 - Ethics and Decision Making in Health Care
  • HS8300 - Diversity in the Workplace
  • OR
  • Choose any graduate courses.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

Course Descriptions

Receive via email a full description of all Capella University courses.

Receive our newsletter

  • Average salary by degree
  • Tips to reduce your costs
  • How to make the most out of your education
Subscribe to our free e-Newsletter
Privacy Policy

Learn more about our related specializations:

MSN





Proud to attend Capella!!

July 8, 2010Debra I have attended Capella for the last 18 months and have discovered online learning is great! The academic counselors are super with helping students be successful. My course work is now complete, and I am heading into my comprehensive exam quarter. I must say that my learning is this program has far exceeded my expectations, and I recommend Capella to any nurse looking to obtain a PhD.

On my way to becoming a scholar-practitioner at Capella!

July 11, 2010Mary Capella has been invaluable in my job as a nursing program director. I have been able to immediately apply something to my job from every course I have taken. The courses are rigorous, but manageable due to being online. I am able to complete my school work when it is convenient for me and my family. The faculty are approachable, knowledgeable and helpful. The discussions with my peers from all over the world are invaluable. I highly recommend Capella's Ph.D. program in Nursing Education.

Capella is synonymous with excellence.

July 12, 2010Patsy From the minute to start the doctoral learning journey by talking with a Capella application specialist, you know you are dealing with a student friendly, learner-centered institution. Capella personalizes the experience and gives more learning support than a learner can imagine! Being a doctoral learner at Capella University it a priviledge because of the high educational standards the university maintains and because of its uniqueness in developing scholar-practitioners. I am proud to be a Capella doctoral learner, on my way to being a scholar-practitioner.

Proud and Excited about Capella

July 11, 2010Samdra I have found the Nursing education program to be both challenging and engaging. Learning a lot from all fronts and gaining a great expanse of knowledge. When first starting the program it was a new program and after speaking with the VP of the NLN and gaining her recommendation for the program I went full steam ahead and have no doubts about the program. I am preparing for my comp exams in october and feel prepared thanks to the fantastic support of all the staff. One great program, whenever asked by anyone about online programs always without hesitation recommend Capella

International Kudos

August 9, 2010Tammie I am a Canadian nurse who chose Capella to pursue my PhD, because of its innovative curriculum and delivery design, and I have not regretted ONE moment. I have had stellar support, from the enrollment advisor, to my doctoral course advisor, to my comprehensive exam and dissertation advisor. I had looked long and hard in my own country for a flexible, and credible program, given my busy life with children, and work, with little success. I have been able to utilize what I have learned in my coursework, and am impressed with the practical application of the theory. It serves me well in my role as a faculty member, and the skills I am developing as a scholar-practitioner will be useful in helping to develop new knowledge about nursing education, and add to my profession's specific knowledge base. I have met great people from all over the US, some of whom will be lifelong friends. Thank you, Capella, for a great experience.

Triumph for Nursing Education

May 3, 2011Iris The PhD in Nursing Education is a very rigorous and rewarding program. I have yet to find a reason not to complete my PhD nor why would anyone not want to? I am almost finished with the program and have enjoyed the many interactions with peers, advisers, enrollment counselors, and of course my faculty. The entire process has been enjoyable, flexible, and really fun to connect with others as they triumph through the program as well. It is a worthy feat! Come join us in a program that will change your professional life and add to your personal accomplishments of completing a terminal degree that will assist in changing nursing practice!

Accreditation

August 24, 2011Alicia Is the PHD in Nursing Education accredited ?

Scholarly Preparation in Nursing Education

August 31, 2011Jim The Capella School of Education has the greatest Nurse Educator PhD program going. I discovered so many areas in the Capella curriculum that just didn't exist at the ground-based university PhD in Nursing program I attended before enrolling in the Capella program. There seems to be no stone left unturned by the curriculum development team involved in the Nurse Educator PhD track. It is truly amazing to be near completion of my coursework and heading toward the Comprehensive Examination phase and not feeling a lack of preparation. It must be said that what a learner puts into this educational journey is what they're going to leave it with . . . and Capella has so much in the way of learner resources to explore, learn from, and prepare with . . . the resources become part of the educational process in education. Remarkable and highly recommended! Jim Harris, MSN,RN, CCRN Clinical Nursing Instructor

PHD in Nursing Education

May 17, 2011Jackie I have read the comments of the PhD Program. Their comments have been helpful to me. I would like to know how many credits is the program and how many years it takes from start to finish?

Decision to attend Capella University

September 29, 2011Miriam I have listened to the testimonies of some of the graduates from this university and their experiences are very impressive and compelling to me. My decision of wanting to be a student here is influenced by the impact of faculty's support to the students.
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's education degrees online and online education degree programs
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's education degrees online and online education degree programs

1.866.933.5981 Call Hours

Request a university guide Start your admission application
Education pays off

Get the facts about the value of higher education

Last Viewed

Most Recent

Ready to Apply?
Apply for admission | Or call: 1.888.227.2736

Looking to take a single course?
Register for a single course | Or call: 1.877.295.6791