Doctor of Philosophy Program in Nursing Science (International Program)

Program overview

General Information

Program Title: Doctor of Philosophy Program in Nursing Science (International Program)
Name of the Degree: Full name: Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing Science)
Abbreviation: Ph.D. (Nursing Science)
Responsible Unit: Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)

Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University

Philosophy of the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science Program aims to produce highly scholarly researchers who advance the field of nursing science. Nursing science is the science of health and well-being, which is an integration of biological, behavioral, and social science, and merges the worlds of natural, applied, and human science to a holistic understanding of human health, behavior, and well-being. The program emphasizes conducting research and innovations related to precision health and personalized care, which recognize individual differences at the genetic, genomic, environmental, and lifestyle behavioral levels with an ethical role model. This holistic approach to addressing the health problem necessitates a multidisciplinary team to conduct research and innovations utilizing various advanced research methods, as well as leveraging big data science and emerging scientific and digital technologies.

The teaching philosophy is guided by Mahidol University, the Thai National Higher Education Plan, and Case Western Reserve University on learner achievement through a learning-centered approach. The program fosters lifelong learning, a strong research ecosystem, and educational transformation. Through outcome-based and student-centered learning, graduates are equipped to drive innovation, policy, and experiences in conducting research in precision health and bio-behavior with expert faculty and a multidisciplinary approach.

Program Objectives

After graduating from the program, doctoral graduates achieve the qualifications standards of higher education as follows.

Have in-depth knowledge of relevant nursing and related science theories to solve problems and extend the body of new knowledge of nursing and health.
Have expertise in high-quality research creation or innovation and international dissemination of outcomes.
Have a judgment of academic and professional ethics and morals.
Have responsibility, creativity, leadership, and team-working mindsets, and digital literacy.

Session on the Case Western Reserve University partnership — Engaging with faculty and partners through the Case Western Reserve University collaboration.

Faculty research meeting — Engaging with faculty and partners through the Case Western Reserve University collaboration.

Learning outcomes

Program-Level Learning Outcomes

When completing the program, the graduates will be able to:

PLO1

Synthesize existing knowledge from previous studies and integrate with related theories from nursing and related sciences to further develop a research proposal.

1.1Integrate knowledge of relevant nursing and interdisciplinary knowledge, advanced statistics, and research methodology through critical analysis.
1.2Apply appropriate theoretical and methodological knowledge to analyze problems.
1.3Generate new evidence-based knowledge with a systematic process.
1.4Formulate the research proposal based on scientifically sound, ethical considerations, and practically achievable.

PLO2

Conduct high-quality research to generate a new body of nursing knowledge to improve the health and well-being of people, and support health policy, with international dissemination.

2.1Critically justify research problems related to health.
2.2Judging an appropriate research design, advanced statistics, and/or advanced analytical tools in accordance with the research question.
2.3Conduct original and high-quality research across disciplines to advance nursing science, leading to innovative healthcare solutions to envision health policy.
2.4Disseminate scientific findings at a level that can be referenced or adapted to other contexts responsibly and accurately in an international peer-reviewed publication with high academic integrity.

PLO3

Demonstrate a high ethical integrity in academic, research, and professional practice.

3.1Lead academic integrity in academic work by avoiding plagiarism, including properly citing sources, and/or respecting intellectual property.
3.2Conduct research in accordance with high research integrity.

PLO4

Express accountability, creative thinking, leadership and teamwork, cross-cultural awareness, and digital literacy.

4.1Demonstrate academic integrity, scientific integrity, and professional commitment leading to professional development.
4.2Develop critical and creative thinking by generating new ideas, solutions, and perspectives, and conduct research responsibly.
4.3Be an effective leader or a good follower to support, cooperate with colleagues, make decisions, and resolve problems with cross-cultural awareness.
4.4Creatively use and navigate digital technologies, utilize appropriate communication, and collaborate seamlessly with others.

Curriculum structure

Program Structure

Complies with the Announcement of The Commission on Higher Education Standard on the subject of Criteria and Standards of Graduate Studies B.E. 2565, the curriculum structure for Plan 2.2 — Study coursework and write a Dissertation is as below.

21cr.

Required courses

6cr. +

Elective courses (not less than)

48cr.

Dissertation

75cr. +

Total (not less than)

Fees

Expense

Graduate School expense announcement

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Link to be provided

How to apply

Admission

Plan 2.2 — Study coursework and write a dissertation

Applicants for this plan must submit an application with supporting documents to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University, as follows:

Must submit a Statement of Purpose not exceeding one page (A4 size).
Must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's academic ability, professional competence, and potential for success in the PhD program. At least two referees must hold a research doctorate (PhD or equivalent), preferably in nursing or a related discipline.
Must provide official financial documentation demonstrating their ability to support their studies throughout the program.

Case Western Reserve University — Admission Policy for the CWRU Certificate

The admission criteria for Case Western Reserve University require that all students who apply to the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Nursing Science (International Program) of Mahidol University must meet the CWRU admission requirements. All the application documents will be in English. The application packages will include the following:

A. Completed application form, which includes a 1-page written statement of the student's educational and professional objectives, and research focus.
B. CV in Lattes format.
C. The TOEFL or IELTS score sheet, as the scores meet the requirements of CWRU. CWRU courses are taught in English. Students are subject to published language requirements for the semester in which they will be attending.
D. Transcripts and degree verification.
E. Active Registered nurse license in the home country.
F. Financial support from the student's institution of origin.

Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Graduation is in accordance with the Graduate Program Standards and the university regulations on Graduate Studies. Plan 2.2 — Study coursework and write a dissertation. To receive the doctoral degree from Mahidol University, students must complete their studies as follows.

Complete all courses as specified in the curriculum with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 from a 4.00 grading system or its equivalent.
Students must pass the Qualifying Examination.
Pass the English Proficiency test following the Faculty of Graduate Studies' criteria.
Propose the dissertation to the committee appointed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and pass the oral thesis examination as the final stage. The dissertation examination is open to the public.
The complete or part of the Dissertation has to be published, or at least accepted to be published, in a qualified international journal as announced by the committee, granted a patent, accepted as an innovation, or acknowledged as a creative product to be applied commercially, socially, and economically. In the case of an innovative or creative product, the Dissertation shall be evaluated by at least 3 external Dissertation committees from the same field or related field who are knowledgeable, experienced, and highly recognized and approved by the University Council.

Courses of the program

Courses

Plan 2.2 — Study coursework and write a Dissertation. Credits are shown as (lecture – practice – self-study).

1) Required Courses — 21 credits
Code	Course	Credits
RANS 901 รมพย ๙๐๑	Philosophy of Nursing Science and Nursing Knowledge Developmentปรัชญาพยาบาลศาสตร์และการพัฒนาความรู้ทางการพยาบาล	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 902 รมพย ๙๐๒	Genetics and Genomics in Clinical Researchพันธุศาสตร์และจีโนมิกส์ในการวิจัยคลินิก	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 903 รมพย ๙๐๓	Advanced Statistics in Health Researchสถิติขั้นสูงสำหรับงานวิจัยทางสุขภาพ	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 904 รมพย ๙๐๔	Health Policyนโยบายสุขภาพ	2 (2-0-4)
RANS 905 รมพย ๙๐๕	Advanced Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Omics Science in Health and Illnessสรีรวิทยาขั้นสูง พยาธิสรีรวิทยา และวิทยาการโอมิกส์ในภาวะสุขภาพและความเจ็บป่วย	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 906 รมพย ๙๐๖	Advanced Research Design in Nursingการออกแบบวิจัยขั้นสูงทางการพยาบาล	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 907 รมพย ๙๐๗	Qualitative Nursing Researchการวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพทางการพยาบาล	3 (2-1-5)
RANS 908 รมพย ๙๐๘	Seminar on Literature Review in Nursing and Health Researchสัมมนาการทบทวนวรรณกรรมการวิจัยทางการพยาบาลและสุขภาพ	1 (1-0-2)
Courses of Case Western Reserve University
NURS 518 NURS ๕๑๘	Qualitative Research in Healthcareการวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพในการดูแลสุขภาพ	3 (3-0-9)
NURS 524 NURS ๕๒๔	Molecular Methods in Clinical Researchวิธีการทางโมเลกุลในการวิจัยทางคลินิก	3 (3-0-9)

Note: For the second year, students studying at Case Western Reserve University are required to take courses from CWRU that are equivalent to those offered by Mahidol University. The total number of required course credits taken at CWRU is 6 credits. The following table shows the CWRU courses that are equivalent to those at Mahidol University.

Case Western Reserve University	Mahidol University
NURS 524 Molecular Methods in Clinical Research — 3 (3-0-9) NURS ๕๒๔ วิธีการทางโมเลกุลในการวิจัยทางคลินิก	→ RANS 802 Genetics and Genomics in Clinical Research — 3 (3-0-6) รมพย ๘๐๒ พันธุศาสตร์และจีโนมิกส์ในการวิจัยคลินิก
NURS 518 Qualitative Research in Healthcare — 3 (3-0-9) NURS ๕๑๘ การวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพในด้านการดูแลสุขภาพ	→ RANS 807 Qualitative Nursing Research — 3 (2-1-5) รมพย ๘๐๗ การวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพทางการพยาบาล

2) Elective Courses — not less than 6 credits

Students can register for elective courses of this program, other courses in the international program offered by other faculties equivalent to graduate studies of Mahidol University, or the ones offered by Case Western Reserve University, or other universities, according to the student's interest, with the approval of the program committee or the advisor.

Elective courses — Credits (lecture – practice – self-study)
Code	Course	Credits
RANS 909 รมพย ๙๐๙	Integrative Omics Approaches in Biobehavioral Science Researchบูรณาการแนวทางการวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์ชีวพฤติกรรม	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 910 รมพย ๙๑๐	Precision Nursing in Chronic Illness Prevention and Managementการพยาบาลแม่นยำในการป้องกันและจัดการความเจ็บป่วยเรื้อรัง	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 911 รมพย ๙๑๑	Nursing Informatics Researchการวิจัยสารสนเทศทางการพยาบาล	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 912 รมพย ๙๑๒	Innovation Development and Testingการพัฒนานวัตกรรม และการทดสอบ	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 913 รมพย ๙๑๓	Measurement in Nursing and Health Researchการวัดในการวิจัยทางการพยาบาลและสุขภาพ	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 914 รมพย ๙๑๔	Outcomes Research in Nursingการวิจัยเชิงผลลัพธ์ทางการพยาบาล	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 915 รมพย ๙๑๕	Advanced Statistics in Health Research: Linear Modelsสถิติขั้นสูงสำหรับงานวิจัยทางสุขภาพ: โมเดลเชิงเส้น	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 916 รมพย ๙๑๖	Multivariate Statistics in Health Researchสถิติหลายตัวแปรสำหรับงานวิจัยทางสุขภาพ	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 917 รมพย ๙๑๗	Health Data Scienceข้อมูลสุขภาพทางวิทยาศาสตร์	3 (3-0-6)
RANS 918 รมพย ๙๑๘	Seminar in Health Science Researchสัมมนาวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์สุขภาพ	3 (3-0-6)
Courses of Case Western Reserve University
NURS 630 NURS ๖๓๐	Advanced Statistics: Linear Modelsสถิติขั้นสูง: โมเดลเชิงเส้น	3 (3-0-9)
NURS 631 NURS ๖๓๑	Advanced Statistics: Multivariate Analysisสถิติขั้นสูง: การวิเคราะห์หลายตัวแปร	3 (3-0-9)
NURS 533 NURS ๕๓๓	Introduction to Data Science in Healthcareความรู้เบื้องต้นเกี่ยวกับข้อมูลทางวิทยาศาสตร์ในการดูแลสุขภาพ	3 (3-0-9)
NURS 615 NURS ๖๑๕	Topical Seminar in Health Science Researchการสัมมนาการวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์สุขภาพ	3 (3-0-9)

Note: For the second year, students studying at Case Western Reserve University can take elective courses from CWRU that are equivalent to those offered by Mahidol University. The following table shows the CWRU courses that are equivalent to those at Mahidol University.

Case Western Reserve University	Mahidol University
NURS 630 Advanced Statistics: Linear Models — 3 (3-0-9) NURS ๖๓๐ สถิติขั้นสูง: โมเดลเชิงเส้น	→ RANS 915 Advanced Statistics in Health Research: Linear Models — 3 (3-0-6) รมพย ๙๑๕ สถิติขั้นสูงสำหรับงานวิจัยทางสุขภาพ: โมเดลเชิงเส้น
NURS 631 Advanced Statistics: Multivariate Analysis — 3 (3-0-9) NURS ๖๓๑ สถิติขั้นสูง: การวิเคราะห์หลายตัวแปร	→ RANS 916 Multivariate Statistics in Health Research — 3 (3-0-6) รมพย ๙๑๖ สถิติหลายตัวแปรสำหรับงานวิจัยทางสุขภาพ
NURS 533 Introduction to Data Science in Healthcare — 3 (3-0-9) NURS ๕๓๓ ความรู้เบื้องต้นเกี่ยวกับข้อมูลทางวิทยาศาสตร์ในการดูแลสุขภาพ	→ RANS 917 Health Data Science — 3 (3-0-6) รมพย ๙๑๗ ข้อมูลสุขภาพทางวิทยาศาสตร์
NURS 615 Tropical Seminar in Health Science Research* — 3 (3-0-9) NURS ๖๑๕ การสัมมนาการวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์สุขภาพ	→ RANS 918 Seminar in Health Science Research — 3 (3-0-6) รมพย ๙๑๘ สัมมนาวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์สุขภาพ

Note: *Several seminar topics are offered. For students in this program, CWRU offers a course on the Biological Implications of the Social Determinants of Health.

3) Dissertation — Plan 2.2 Academic (Coursework and research)
Code	Course	Credits
RANS 999 รมพย ๙๙๙	Dissertationวิทยานิพนธ์	48 (0-144-0)

The five-year journey

Study Plan throughout the Program

1

Year 1

Studying at Mahidol University

Semester 1

Fall semester

Core coursesRANS 901 Philosophy of Nursing Science and Nursing Knowledge Development — 3 (3-0-6)
RANS 903 Advanced Statistics in Health Research — 3 (3-0-6)
RANS 904 Health Policy — 2 (4-0-8)

*Elective courses3 credits

Academic activities- Journal club
- Academic writing workshops

Total 8–11 credits

Semester 2

Spring semester

Core coursesRANS 905 Advanced Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Omics Science in Health and Illness — 3 (3-0-6)
RANS 906 Advanced Research Design in Nursing — 3 (3-0-6)
RANS 908 Seminar on Literature Review in Nursing and Health Research — 1 (1-0-2)

*Elective courses3 credits

Research campSystematic Reviews

Total 7–10 credits

Summer

Research activities- Lab talk and lab visit (Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of ICT)
- Writing for publication

2

Year 2

Studying at Case Western Reserve University

Semester 1

Fall semester

Core coursesNURS 524 Molecular Methods in Clinical Research — 3 (3-0-9)

Elective coursesNURS 615 Tropical Seminar in Health Science Research: Biological Implications of the Social Determinants of Health — 3 (3-0-9)
NURS 630 Advanced Statistics: Linear Models — 3 (3-0-9)

Total 9 credits

Semester 2

Spring semester

Core coursesNURS 518 Qualitative Research in Healthcare — 3 (3-0-9)

Elective coursesNURS 533 Introduction to Data Science in Healthcare — 3 (3-0-9)
NURS 631 Advanced Statistics: Multivariate Analysis — 3 (3-0-9)

Total 9 credits

Summer

Research Practicum3 (3-0-9) — 180 hrs. practicum

Total 3 credits

3

Year 3

Studying at Mahidol University

Semester 1

Fall semester

Dissertation courseRANS 999 Dissertation — 6 (6-18-0)
Qualifying Examination
Proposal defense

Academic activities- Proposal development

Total 6 credits

Semester 2

Spring semester

Dissertation courseRANS 999 Dissertation — 6 (6-18-0)

Academic activitiesIRB preparation and grant writing

Total 6 credits

Summer

None

4

Year 4

Studying at Mahidol University

Semester 1

Fall semester

Dissertation courseRANS 999 Dissertation — 12 (0-36-0)

Research activities- Dissertation follow-up: Data collection

Total 12 credits

Semester 2

Spring semester

Dissertation courseRANS 999 Dissertation — 12 (0-36-0)

Research activities- Dissertation follow-up: Data analysis

Total 12 credits

Summer

None

5

Year 5

Studying at Mahidol University

Semester 1

Fall semester

Dissertation courseRANS 999 Dissertation — 12 (0-36-0)

Research camp- Dissertation report preparation

Total 6 credits

Semester 2

Spring semester

Dissertation courseRANS 999 Dissertation — 12 (0-36-0)
Dissertation Defense

Research ActivitiesManuscript preparation and submission

Total 6 credits

Summer

None

Note

Six courses taken at CWRU in the second year that are equivalent to courses at Mahidol University and can transfer credits to Mahidol University are shown in the tables in the Courses section.
For elective courses, students can take courses offered from the program, or other courses in the international program offered by other faculties of Mahidol University equivalent to graduate studies, or the courses from Case Western Reserve University, or the ones offered by other universities, according to the student's interest, with the approval of the program committee or the advisor. Those courses should be related to the dissertation topic that students are interested in conducting in their dissertations.
Students must complete the research practicum 180 hours before the dissertation defense.
The program will provide the research activities in each semester of each academic year to support students' dissertations.

5. The details of the study plan at Mahidol University and the partner university are as follows:

Year 1: Students complete 15 credits of required courses. Students can take elective courses (6 credits) at the Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University, in Thailand. Alternatively, some students can take elective courses from CWRU that have equivalent courses to those at Mahidol University in Year 2.
Year 2: Students complete 21 credits of required courses, elective courses, and research practicum at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, which have equivalent courses to those at Mahidol University. During each semester or in the summer, students can participate in a 180-hour research practicum (equal to 3 credits) with faculty from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. After completing all courses at Case Western Reserve University, students receive a certificate from the University.
Year 3: Students complete the required courses and elective courses of Mahidol University. Students complete 180 hours of research practicum. Students must pass their qualifying examination before they take the proposal examination. After passing the proposal examination, students prepare documents for IRB submission.
Year 4–5: Students conduct their research with data collection and data analysis to complete their dissertations before having the dissertation examination and write a manuscript to submit to an international journal. When receiving a letter of acceptance, the students can obtain a doctoral degree and graduate from Mahidol University.

The dissertation

Thesis

48credits · RANS 999

Dissertation (วิทยานิพนธ์) — 48 (0-144-0)

For Plan 2.2 Academic (Coursework and research). The dissertation is the core of the doctoral journey, developed from Year 3 through Year 5.

Dissertation-related graduation requirements

Propose the dissertation to the committee appointed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and pass the oral thesis examination as the final stage. The dissertation examination is open to the public.
The complete or part of the Dissertation has to be published, or at least accepted to be published, in a qualified international journal as announced by the committee, granted a patent, accepted as an innovation, or acknowledged as a creative product to be applied commercially, socially, and economically. In the case of an innovative or creative product, the Dissertation shall be evaluated by at least 3 external Dissertation committees from the same field or related field who are knowledgeable, experienced, and highly recognized and approved by the University Council.

Funding & support

Scholarships

Scholarships — Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University

graduate.mahidol.ac.th/inter/current-students/?p=scholarship

Open scholarships page