Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Specialties Program
Advance Nursing Science. Lead Healthcare Innovation.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing at the College of Nursing, Hawler Medical University prepares future nurse scientists, educators, clinical leaders, and healthcare researchers capable of generating innovative knowledge that advances nursing practice, improves healthcare quality, and addresses complex health challenges at local, national, and international levels.
The program fosters academic excellence through rigorous scientific research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice. Doctoral candidates work closely with experienced faculty members to conduct original research that contributes to nursing science specialties Such ( Adult Nursing, Pedaitric Nursing, Maternity nursing , community health nursing and psychiatric mental health nursing ) and improves patient outcomes.
Why Choose Our PhD Program?
The College of Nursing provides an intellectually stimulating research environment that supports innovation, critical thinking, and scientific excellence.
Our PhD students benefit from:
- Expert academic supervision by experienced nursing researchers
- Research addressing national and global healthcare priorities
- Evidence-based and interdisciplinary research approaches
- Opportunities for scientific publication and conference presentations
- Collaboration with hospitals, healthcare institutions, and community organizations
- Research that directly influences nursing practice, education, and healthcare policy
This program advances and develops nursing specialties and sub-specialties by support PhD students in discipline-specific theories, rigorous research methodologies, and advanced clinical practices.
Program Aim
The PhD in Nursing program aims to prepare graduates who are able to:
- Generate new knowledge in nursing and healthcare.
- Conduct independent and rigorous scientific research.
- Address significant nursing and healthcare problems through research.
- Apply appropriate research methodologies to investigate complex health issues.
- Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific evidence.
- Contribute to evidence-based nursing practice.
- Improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes through research.
- Contribute to nursing education and academic development.
- Disseminate research findings through scholarly publications and scientific presentations.
- Contribute to the development of nursing and healthcare policy.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the PhD in Nursing program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge in nursing science and relevant healthcare disciplines.
- Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific literature related to nursing and healthcare.
- Identify significant gaps in nursing knowledge and formulate appropriate research questions.
- Design and conduct independent, rigorous, and ethical nursing research.
- Apply appropriate quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed research methodologies.
- Analyze and interpret research data using appropriate analytical methods.
- Generate original knowledge that contributes to nursing science and healthcare.
- Translate research findings into evidence-based nursing practice, education, and healthcare improvement.
- Communicate research findings effectively through scientific publications and presentations.
- Demonstrate ethical, professional, and responsible conduct of research.
- Contribute to interdisciplinary research and healthcare collaboration.
- Demonstrate leadership in nursing scholarship, research, and professional development.
- Collaborate graduate PhD students in education process
Research Areas
The College offers doctoral research opportunities across diverse nursing specialties and healthcare disciplines.
Current research themes include:
Adult Health and Medical-Surgical Nursing
Research focuses on improving clinical outcomes through nursing interventions, evidence-based practice guidelines, patient education, chronic disease management, perioperative nursing care, pain management, pressure injury prevention, traumatic brain injury, diabetic foot care, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hemodialysis, Crohn's disease, obesity management, and urolithiasis.
Maternal and Women's Health Nursing
Research addresses maternal and neonatal outcomes, reproductive health, gestational weight gain, cervical cancer screening, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), labor management, childbirth positions, episiotomy care, fertility, and women's health education.
Pediatric Nursing
Research includes essential neonates care, childhood diabetes, burn care, respiratory care, cerebral palsy, low birth weight infants, oncology and hematology disorder care, infection prevention, ADHD, ASD and family-centered interventions to improve child health outcomes.
Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health
Research explores mental health promotion, psychological well-being, caregiver support, stigma reduction, substance use disorders, psychoeducational interventions, suicide prevention, and community mental health.
Community and Public Health Nursing
Research emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, school health, diabetes prevention, antibiotic resistance awareness, nutrition education, breast cancer screening, drug abuse prevention, and healthy lifestyle interventions within communities.
Nursing Education
The College actively supports research that enhances nursing education through innovative teaching methods, curriculum development, evidence-based education, concept mapping, and educational effectiveness in nursing programs.
Research Methodologies
Doctoral students are encouraged to employ advanced research methodologies appropriate to their research questions, including:
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
- Prospective Cohort Studies
- Comparative Studies
- Case control
- Mixed-Methods Research
- Experimental and Quasi-Experimental, and non-experimental Designs
- Educational Intervention Studies
- Clinical Effectiveness Research
- Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
- Community-Based Research
- Quality Improvement Research
These methodologies enable students to generate robust scientific evidence that informs nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
Graduate Attributes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Design and conduct independent scientific research.
- Critically evaluate healthcare evidence.
- Lead interdisciplinary research teams.
- Translate research findings into clinical practice.
- Develop innovative nursing interventions.
- Strengthen healthcare systems through evidence-based solutions.
- Publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Present research at national and international conferences.
- Contribute to healthcare policy and professional leadership.
Research Impact
The College of Nursing is committed to producing research with meaningful societal impact. Doctoral research contributes to:
- Improving patient outcomes
- Enhancing nursing quality and safety
- Advancing evidence-based healthcare
- Strengthening nursing education
- Promoting health across communities
- Supporting sustainable healthcare development
Research projects are designed to address real healthcare challenges and produce findings that can be translated into clinical practice and public health initiatives.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the PhD in Nursing are well prepared for leadership roles in:
- Universities and higher education institutions
- Research centers
- Healthcare organizations
- Government and Ministry of Health agencies
- International organizations
- Clinical leadership positions
- Healthcare quality and accreditation agencies
- Policy development and consultancy
Program Information
| Item | Information |
| Degree Awarded | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing specialty |
| Faculty | College of Nursing |
| Institution | Hawler Medical University |
| Study Mode | Full-time |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Credit Requirements | 180 ECTS |
| Research Component | Original doctoral dissertation |
Admission Requirements
Applicants should normally possess:
- A master’s degree in nursing (specialty) or a closely related discipline.
- A strong academic record.
- Research experience appropriate for doctoral study.
- English language proficiency.
- Successful completion of the University's admission procedures.
Join a Community of Nursing Researchers
At the College of Nursing, Hawler Medical University, doctoral students become part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing nursing science, improving healthcare, and shaping the future of the nursing profession through excellence in research, education, and innovation.
Current PhD students
|
Specialty |
No. of PhD students |
Supervisors |
No. supervised |
|
Adult Nursing |
15 |
Assistant Prof. Dr. Vian affan Naqshbandi |
3 |
|
Prof. Dr. Yousif Bahaaddin Ahmed |
1 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Ronak Nima Allah Hussein |
3 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Rawand Musher Hweizi |
2 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Younis Khidr Bayez |
1 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Yousif Mohammed Younis |
2 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Dara Abdullah Qadir |
1 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Dler Hamad Ismail |
1 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Abdul Salih Kuwait |
1 |
||
|
Maternal / Women's Health Nursing |
7 |
Prof. Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed |
2 |
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Awaz Aziz Saeed |
2 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Tiran Jamil Piro |
2 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Kazhan Ibrahim Mahmoud |
1 |
||
|
Pediatric Nursing |
10 |
Prof. Dr. Norhan Zaki Shakir |
4 |
|
Prof. Dr. Shukr Salim Hassan |
2 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Muroj Hashim Al-Ani |
1 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Nizar Ramadan Othman |
1 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Dler Abdulkhaliq Chalabi With Assit professor Dr. Kaify J Qadir |
1 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Pary Mohammed Aziz |
1 |
||
|
Mental Health Nursing |
6 |
Assistant Prof. Dr. Abdulqadir Hussein Ahmed |
3 |
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Mustafa & Assistant Prof. Dr. Abdulqadir Hussein Ahmed |
1 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Abbas Latif Muhyaddin |
1 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Diyar Hussein Tahir |
1 |
||
|
Community Health Nursing |
10 |
Prof. Dr. Karim Fatah Aziz |
3 |
|
Prof. Dr. Salih Ahmed Abdullah |
3 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Mustafa |
1 |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Abu Bakr Majid Salih & Prof. Dr. Vian Affan Naqshbandi |
1 |
||
|
Assistant Prof. Dr. Karwan Mohammed |
1 |
||
|
Asiatant Prof. Dr. Sarhang Qadir Sorchi |
1 |
||
|
TOTAL |
48 |
Iraq, Kurdistan Region,