UH nursing program
offers online degree

A doctorate in nursing is now being offered online by the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has approved the online delivery of the degree program, making it the first UH-Manoa doctorate program to be offered online.

The program prepares nurse scholars to conduct clinical scholarship and to teach in nursing education programs, especially those with minority student populations.

Hawaii has a shortage of registered nurses. The new online program might increase the number of nursing educators and help address a faculty shortage in Hawaii's public nursing schools, according to the university.

The new distance-learning program will be offered statewide and on the mainland beginning this fall. Most of the courses will be offered via the Internet, e-mail, list-serves and other Web-based technology.

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene has offered an on-site doctorate in nursing since 1998. Seven students have graduated since then and are filling leadership positions in nursing. For more information on the program, contact the school's Student Services Office at 956-8939 or visit www.nursing.hawaii.edu.