HU NURSING SCHOOL AWARDED $1 MILLION FOR Ph.D. PROGRAM

Hampton, VA - The Hampton University School of Nursing was awarded $1,041,764 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Nursing. The purpose of the grant is to support the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) nursing degree program.

The major goal of the Ph.D. in nursing program is the education of nurse scholars and researchers prepared to advance scientific knowledge and influence the development of effective health care policies and nursing practices.

In 1998, the Ph.D. program at Hampton University was implemented as a two-phased approach: the on-site program and the distance education program. The Ph.D. program began in the fall semester 1999 with an inaugural class of six students and builds upon the existing 25-year-old masters program. The doctoral program in nursing at Hampton is the first and remains the only such program to be fully implemented at a historically black college or university.

"Hampton's rationale for initiating a doctoral program is its recognized leadership in nursing education and its desire to ensure the fullest range of high-quality education for its students," said Dr. Pamela Hammond, Dean of the School of Nursing. "Inherent in this rationale is Hampton's need to continue to be responsive to high-risk, unserved and underserved populations, especially minority families."

The focus of this Ph.D. program is on the family and family-related research. The nursing faculty believes in the value of the family as the integral unit of society that has the greatest influence on the health of the nation. Therefore, the faculty is committed to eliminating disparities in health among all Americans through the preparation of the next generation of nurse leaders who will be positioned to develop and effect the implementation of policies affecting health care across the lifespan.

The Hampton University School of Nursing is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Since 1944, the nursing faculty of Hampton University has continually provided high quality, professional nursing education at the Bachelor of Science Degree level. In 1976, the nursing faculty instituted a Master of Science Degree program, making Hampton University the first historically black college or university to offer a master's degree in nursing to students, regardless of ethnic heritage.

For additional information, please contact: Yuri R. Rodgers at (757) 727-5253 or via email: yuri.milligan@hamptonu.edu