phd in nursing curriculum

Top PhD in Nursing Programs

What is a ph.d. in nursing.

• Ph.D. in Nursing vs DNP
• Types of Programs
• Top Programs
• Program Overview
• Is a Nursing Ph.D. For Me?

The Ph.D. in Nursing degree opens career opportunities for nurses as researchers, forging new and cutting-edge nursing practices for future generations. This article explores this terminal nursing degree, how to get it, and the top Ph.D. in Nursing programs.

A Ph.D. in Nursing is the highest degree awarded to nurses and one of two terminal nursing degrees. Ph.D. stands for Doctor of Philosophy, and Ph.D. in Nursing programs focus on evidence-based research.

Throughout their 4-6 year study, nursing Ph.D. students learn how to conduct, analyze, and publish nursing research. The degree culminates in students conducting an independent research project and writing a dissertation on it.

Ph.D. in Nursing and DNP Differences

A Ph.D. in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are both terminal nursing degrees. However, comparing a  DNP vs. a Ph.D. in Nursing reveals distinct differences. Notably, the Ph.D. in Nursing prepares you for a science, academic, or research-focused career as opposed to a clinical one.

Key Ph.D. in Nursing vs. DNP Differences

>> Related:  Top Online DNP Programs

Types of Ph.D. in Nursing Programs

The United States is home to over 135 Ph.D. in Nursing programs, which you can attend in multiple formats at nearly every educational level. The types of Ph.D. in nursing programs include the following:

• BSN to Ph.D. in Nursing: These Ph.D. in nursing programs allow nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to pursue a career in nursing research without first attending an MSN program.
• MSN to Ph.D. in Nursing: Designed for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) trained nurses, these programs typically include core courses for the doctoral program, electives, and dissertation study.
• DNP/Ph.D. Dual Degree: These rigorous programs allow students to concurrently attain expertise in scientific inquiry and faculty practice and hone the practical skills of expert nurse clinicians. 

>> Show Me DNP Programs

Online Ph.D. in Nursing Programs

Are Ph.D. in Nursing programs available online? The answer is yes; you can find several online options to pursue this degree. Since a Ph.D. in Nursing focuses on scientific inquiry, it doesn't have the same onsite practical hours as other nursing degrees. 

Program dependant, you may still need to show up on campus a few times each year. However, for the most part, all you need to earn a Ph.D. in nursing is Wi-Fi, good study habits, and determination.

Top Ph.D. in Nursing Programs

Each Ph.D. in Nursing program is unique, offering its own benefits and features. We assembled the top five Ph.D. in Nursing programs nationwide following Nurse.org's proprietary ranking algorithm , which considers and ranks schools based on factors like:

• Tuition costs
• Program length
• Nursing school accreditation
• Admission requirements
• The variety of available programs
• Additional program accolades

 1. University of Pennsylvania

• Program Cost:  $46,934 per academic year
• Program Length:  4-6 years
• Application Due Date: Dec. 1st

The University of Pennsylvania boasts one of the top Ph.D. in nursing programs nationwide. To offset the expensive tuition, the university offers full-time students stipends during their first four years. In exchange, students may work as Teaching Assistants within UPenn's School of Nursing for up to 16 hours a week. 

Contact UPenn about this program:

• Phone: (215) 898-4271
• Email: [email protected]

Source: University of Pennsylvania

2. Duke University

• Program Cost:  Fully funded (up to 5 years)
• Application Due Date: November 30th

In 2023, U.S. News & World Report named Duke University the second-best graduate school for nursing. Duke's Ph.D. in Nursing program prepares nurses to become stalwart scholars. Graduates will build nursing science by leading multidisciplinary research that determines the relationship between chronic illness and care systems.

Contact Duke University about this program:

• Phone: (919) 684-3786
• Email: Contact Request Form

Source: Duke University

3. Duquesne University

• Program Cost:  $1,765 per credit
• Program Length:  3-4 years
• Application Due Date:  February 1st

As the first fully online Ph.D. in Nursing program, Duquesne offers a highly flexible education option to many students nationwide. Additionally, students attending the program may get to study abroad at the Duquesne campus in Dublin, Ireland.  The 56-credit program culminates in a dissertation proposal and final defense in which students orally defend their research thesis to the dissertation committee.

Contact Duquesne University about this program:

• Phone: (412) 396-6219
• Email:  [email protected]

Source: Duquesne University

4. Columbia University

• Program Cost:  Fully funded (up to 3 years)
• Application Due Date:  November 15th

Ph.D. in Nursing student at Columbia choose one of three major areas to study, which include Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science, Analytical Foundations of Nursing Science, and Electives and Applications. The programming heavily focuses on publication, grantsmanship, presentation, and networking. In addition to their coursework, students participate in research experience and training.

Contact Columbia University about this program:

• Phone: (212) 305-5756
• Email: [email protected]

Source: Columbia University

5. Rush University

• Program Cost:  $1,344 per credit hour
• Program Length:  3-5 years
• Application Due Date:  March 4th

Rush University's Ph.D. in Nursing is fully online except for an on-campus orientation and summer intensive learning sessions. The program focuses on preparing nurses and non-nurses with graduate degrees to become leaders in clinical research and educators who influence healthcare policy. While many students keep working throughout the program, they often must take fewer hours while completing their dissertation.

Contact Rush University about this program:

• Phone : (312) 942-7100
• Email: [email protected]

Source: Rush University

What to Expect in a Ph.D. in Nursing Program

Nursing Ph.D. degrees focus on scholarship and nursing research. By the end of the course, you'll be able to conduct and publish evidence-based research that can alter the face of nursing practice and healthcare policy for future generations. 

Generally, these educational pathways combine graduate study and research activities and do not include clinical rotations. Instead, you will be required to complete a long-form research paper called a dissertation. To write your dissertation, you'll complete independent research based on a significant and relevant scientific inquiry in the nursing field. 

>> Related: The Best Nursing Research Topics

What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Nursing?

Ph.D. in Nursing programs prepare graduates to pursue careers in research and teaching, advanced clinical practice, health care administration, and policy.  Following graduation, your future may hold a career as a nurse scientist, as an administrator, as a nurse educator, or in establishing health policy.

Ph.D. in Nursing Salary

Healthcare workers who hold a Ph.D. in nursing earn an average annual salary of $100,00 or $60.45 per hour , according to Payscale . However, your nursing salary will vary depending on your career, employer, location, experience, and other relevant factors.

How Much Does a Ph.D. in Nursing Degree Cost?

Ph.D. in nursing programs range from $400 to over $2,300 per credit hour at more distinguished institutions. However, several universities will fund your Ph.D. tuition itself or through a federal research grant. Most often, these funding opportunities are only available to full-time students, while part-timers must pay the full tuition costs.

How Long Do PhD in Nursing Programs Take?

Most Ph.D. in nursing programs take between 4-6 years to complete. Your educational timeline will vary based on your previous education and whether you attend full or part-time.

What Will You Learn in a PhD in Nursing Program?

Since all Ph.D. degrees in nursing emphasize healthcare research, their curriculums will all share certain core elements, which include:

• The philosophical and historical foundations of nursing knowledge
• Review of existing and evolving nursing theory
• Methods and process of developing theory
• Research methodology and data management
• Academic, research, practice, and policy development

Your graduate nursing program will consist of several key milestones to reinforce your education. These include:

• Leadership strategies related to nursing, healthcare, and research
• Mentorship and working alongside faculty on their individual research programs
• Immersion experiences are designed to encourage leadership and scholarship.
• Each student will be required to complete a dissertation.

Ph.D. in Nursing Program Requirements

Each university sets its own entry standards, which vary based on the type of program . However, general Ph.D. in nursing admission requirements include the following:

• BSN, MSN, or non-nursing graduate degree
• Personal research statement
• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• Admissions interview
• Writing sample
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Letters of recommendation
• Unencumbered RN license
• Official post-secondary school transcripts
• TOEFL or IELTS scores

Is a Ph.D. in Nursing Degree Right for Me?

Your professional goals play a massive role in deciding whether to pursue a Ph.D. in nursing. If you're interested in scientific and academic nursing research, healthcare policy, or becoming a nurse educator, a Ph.D. in nursing is an excellent option. Remember, it will not qualify you for APRN positions, so if you have clinical aspirations, a DNP is the right doctoral nursing option.

Next Steps to Enroll in a PhD in Nursing Degree Program

Ready to start your educational journey toward earning a Ph.D. in Nursing? You can start working toward those goals today with these simple steps:

• Research Universities: Find a program that suits you based on your budget, attendance needs (e.g., part vs. full-time and in-person vs. online), and interests.
• Plan Applications: Understand the program requirements and application deadlines for each school you're applying to. Then, make a plan to collect and submit all the necessary materials and documentation on time.
• Prepare Properly: If a university considers you for Ph.D. candidacy, you'll attend an admissions interview. Planning and practicing this interview and paying close attention to why you chose the program and your research interests will optimize your chances of admission.

Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career.

By clicking “Join Now”, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. We will not sell or distribute your email address to any third party, and you may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

Skip to content

Our Culture

Diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Learn about our commitment to social justice and health equality and anti-racism.

Academic Programs

Admissions at a glance.

Learn more about Admissions at Columbia Nursing, including important dates and deadlines, and how to apply to all of our programs. 

Research Centers and Programs

Research areas of focus.

Explore the research areas of focus conducted by our faculty, postdocs, and students.

Patient Care

Primary care services.

The ColumbiaDoctors Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Group, combines evidence-based practice with a personalized approach to provide quality care.

Global Health

Global opportunities for students.

Global opportunities for clinical practicum and research may be available for MDE and doctoral students at Columbia Nursing.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of philosophy (phd), ignite your future with a columbia nursing phd.

The Columbia University School of Nursing PhD program is a full-time, research-intensive curriculum that prepares nurses for careers as nurse scientists who will conduct research across a broad range of populations and health conditions. Importantly, much of our research is focused on health disparity populations with the long-term goal of informing health policy and clinical practice across the lifespan.

Columbia Nursing provides three years (eight semesters) of funding for tuition, related fees, health insurance, and a stipend for full-time PhD students.

Program Design

Our PhD program provides students with an understanding of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing science and a strong foundation in research methods (design, statistics, measurement, quantitative and qualitative methods) for clinical, translational and health services research. All students are mentored by research advisors with active programs of research as they move toward independent research and assume the roles of doctorally prepared nurse scientists.  

As a Columbia Nursing PhD student, you will learn to:

• Design, conduct, and report multidisciplinary research studies that increase knowledge to improve the health and well-being of patients and families across the lifespan
• Advance the state of the science in a substantive area of research through application of innovative and rigorous methods
• Promote health and well-being for individuals and families in the context of their communities
• Provide leadership in improving the health care delivery system at local, national, and international levels
• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate and develop policies for delivery of health service
• Translate evidence accumulated through research into practice and policy at multiple levels

As part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), Columbia Nursing enjoys a unique collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the College of Dental Medicine. CUIMC provides myriad opportunities for interprofessional collaboration in research . 

The PhD curriculum builds on the foundation of nursing science by bringing together practice, policy, translational research, and leadership. The core courses provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct relevant and well-designed research studies. Electives strengthen an area of clinical interest or intensify understanding of a specific research or analytic method. 

Both post-master's and post-BSN students admitted to the program will complete a minimum of 57 credits. The curriculum plan is designed to make it possible to complete the program in three years for those students with clearly defined plans for their dissertation research.

PhD courses are offered in three major areas:

• Theoretical foundations of nursing science
• Analytical foundations of nursing science
• Electives and application

Students must be registered as full-time for the duration of the program (typically three to four years). The minimum number of semester credits in required coursework is 37 (four semesters) for eligibility to progress to the qualifying exam. Six of the 37 credits required to be completed prior to the qualifying examination are elective courses tailored to the student’s dissertation topic and/or dissertation methods. The PhD program requires nine credits of elective courses. A minimum of 57 total credits is required for program completion. 

Concurrent with Coursework

• Research Experience (participating in faculty research projects and/or a research practicum)
• Research Faculty Training

Request a Sample Academic Program Plan

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination helped me to combine the content I learned in my courses and my research interests so I could further articulate my research question. Performing a scoping review on my topic of interest immersed me in the current literature and was crucial to the development of my dissertation. This experience prepared me to successfully work independently through the rest of my Ph.D.

 Kylie Dougherty, BSN, RN, M.Phil.

In addition to coursework, students must successfully complete a qualifying examination with written and oral components. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is awarded after successful completion of the qualifying examination and the student enters doctoral candidacy status.

Dissertation

Students are expected to successfully defend a dissertation reporting original research. Four dissertation credits are required each semester during the dissertation phase of study. 

Scholarship Expectations

My advisor and the Columbia Nursing faculty provided me exceptional guidance throughout the PhD program to extend my learning beyond the classroom with the goal of becoming an independent nurse scientist. I learned valuable skills and knowledge to successfully obtain a NIH-funded predoctoral training award, present research findings at local, regional, and national conferences, and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals with good impact factors.

Joseph Belloir, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC

• Publication: At least one manuscript published in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.
• Grantsmanship: At least one grant application submitted to an appropriate funding agency or organization.
• Presentation: At least one abstract submitted for presentation as a poster or oral presentation at an appropriate professional meeting.
• Networking: Student will attend at least one regional or national research meeting.

Preparation for Postdoctoral Fellowship: Research Career Next Step 

The coursework and research mentoring at Columbia Nursing helped prepare me for the next steps in my education and career post-PhD. In addition to structured coursework and educational seminars, the school provided beneficial informal support and resources. Feedback sessions with both peers and faculty were very helpful in preparing me to present posters and presentations at research conferences. The school also provided funds for travel to conferences where I presented my research. The grant writing workshop and mock reviews of grant applications provided me with tools and feedback needed to successfully apply for additional funding for my research. Finally, interdisciplinary research collaborations with faculty provided me with opportunities to work with researchers from several disciplines to complete my dissertation.

Melissa Beauchemin, PhD '19, MS '10, RN

PhD Student Handbook

The Columbia Nursing PhD student handbook provides information to aid doctoral students in planning coursework and proceeding through all phases of the program.

Request a PhD Student Handbook

What is it like to be a PhD student at Columbia Nursing?

Required courses (excluding electives).

Building upon the foundations provided in the quantitative and qualitative research method courses, in this course students examine advanced methods and frameworks frequently used in studying health policy, health services research problems and comparative effectiveness research. In addition to a critical review of the methods, the course examines the relationship among science, policy and healthcare delivery, and identifies critical questions shaping the future policy research agenda.

Interdisciplinary research is an approach to advancing scientific knowledge in which researchers from different disciplines work at the borders of those disciplines in order to address complex questions and problems. Successful interdisciplinary efforts require mastery of specific competencies. This seminar will introduce students to competencies in interdisciplinary research through a combination of readings, case studies, and lectures in each necessary aspect, chosen from fields essential to successful interdisciplinary research. It is intended to assist learners to understand why and how different professional disciplines must work together to generate and disseminate knowledge. We will examine: different conceptualizations of interdisciplinary; barriers to and facilitators of interdisciplinary research; approaches, benefits, and limitations of collaboration and team science; methods for measuring interdisciplinary collaboration; the intersection of translational and interdisciplinary scientific strategies; and individual researchers' experiences with and evaluations of their own interdisciplinary scientific projects. Learners will develop a set of skills to be effective members and leaders of interdisciplinary research teams.

The student works with a faculty member or other scientist who is conducting a research project. The specific nature of the experience depends on the nature and stage of the research, but might include search and review of relevant literature, data collection, data analysis and/or grant preparation.

This course is intended for PhD students who are engaged in relevant scholarly activities that are associated with dissertation research.

This foundational course will examine the philosophy of nursing knowledge including foundations of nursing theory, concept development, and its application to research. Students will explore approaches to the analysis and development of concepts and the application of nursing concepts and frameworks to clinical practice and research. Ideas, assumptions, events, people, and writings are examined for their influence, inter-relationships, and significance to nursing. Types of reasoning will be evaluated within the context of nursing and health. Major theories, frameworks, and concepts of nursing and health and their implication for research will be discussed. The focus of the course will be on development of critical thinking skills in analyzing key elements of philosophies, concepts, and conceptual frameworks.

In this foundational course students will study the links between theory and the psychosocial and biophysical measures used in nursing research.  Students will employ the principles of classical test theory and item response theory to evaluate the reliability and validity of measurement.  Application of computational techniques will be covered in the lab portion of the course.  Course topics include types and uses of measures, item/scale development and validation, survey methods, reporting for publication, and the relationships between measurement and research ethics, cultural competency, and health disparities.

This course provides a foundation for quantitative research methods and design. Research process topics examined include: appraisal of the quality of existing evidence; identification of gaps in the literature; formulation of researchable questions and testable hypotheses; types of research variables; sampling designs and power analyses; and the uses, strengths, and weaknesses of various experimental and quasi-experimental research designs.

This course provides an in-depth examination of qualitative study designs and methods through a combination of theoretical discussion and hands-on practical experience. Topics include paradigm distinctions, theoretical perspectives, designs and methods, critique of research reports, and ethical issues in qualitative research.

The course is intended for PhD students who are engaged in relevant scholarly activities that are not associated with the required course sequence. Such activities must accrue more than 20 hours/week.

This course is intended to provide a hands-on introduction to delivering data visualizations to serve as a critical lens through which individual and population level health can be examined. The proposed course will combine concepts and theory in data visualization and exploration and practice to enable the student to gain the necessary knowledge to use graphics and statistics to explore the data, find and construct a narrative, and share findings in ways colleagues and decision-makes can readily understand and act upon.

This course is designed to provide the tools for the doctorally prepared nurse to evaluate, translate and integrate published research results into clinical practice. During the course, students will learn how to conceptualize clinical practice problems and transform them into answerable clinical research questions, how to search for the best clinical evidence, and how to assess clinical evidence using basic epidemiological, biostatistical and scientific principles. The course will culminate in a systematic review or meta-analysis of a body of research relevant to advanced practice nursing.

Total Credits:

Today marks the 177th Commencement Ceremonies at Emory University! After the activities at the Quandrangle, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing will host a Degree Candidate Recognition Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Emory Student Center. All events will be streamed live.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Emory’s PhD program in Nursing is committed to improving human health, the experience of health, and the provision of health care through the discovery of new knowledge and its translation into practice. The program is designed to prepare researchers who want to revolutionize health care and improve health outcomes for diverse populations.

The Fall 2025 application deadline is December 1, 2024.

Virtual Open House Events

All virtual open house events will take place Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. EST on Zoom. Use the links below to register.

Upcoming Meetings:

• 08/20/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 09/10/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 10/08/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 11/05/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)

Previous Meetings:

• September 26, 2023
• October 24, 2023
• November 14, 2023
• December 12, 2023

Program Contacts

[email protected]

Jean Harrell Graduate Program Administrator

Emory University’s School of Nursing PhD program is a full-time, intense learning experience designed to develop the next generation of researchers who will change the face of health care. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing on the strengths of Emory University and its partners in areas as varied as the humanities, natural and social sciences, public health, engineering, law, and business.

At Emory, we offer a PhD track with a focus on data science in addition to our standard PhD curriculum. 

Signature Areas of Focus

Our program is built on the research strengths of our faculty in six signature areas:

• Aging Studies
• Artificial Intelligence/Data Science
• Natural Disasters, Environmental, and Climate Science
• Translational and Neuroscience
• Women’s Health

Other Areas of Focus

Emory nursing faculty are committed to supporting the learning and discovery for our doctoral nursing students. We have faculty who are renowned scholars within a diverse range of expertise in areas such as:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Cardiovascular Health
• Caregiver Well-Being
• Data Science
• Environmental Health
• Farmworker Health
• Global Health
• Health Informatics
• Maternal/Child Health
• Mental Health
• Metabolic Disease
• Nurse Workforce and Quality of Patient Care
• Pain, Opioids, and Harm Reduction
• Palliative Care
• Sleep Research
• Symptom Science
• LGBTQIA+/Transgender Health

For additional information, please visit our Office of Nursing research page.

This video gives prospective students pragmatic guidance in selecting a U.S. research-intensive doctoral program in nursing.

Teaching Assistant Training & Teaching Opportunity Program

The PhD in Nursing trains students to teach through the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity Program , or TATTO, program. This program provides a short course offered in late summer before the first year, training and teaching assistantships and teaching associateships.

The Jones Program in Ethics

The Jones Program in Ethics (JPE) at Emory University provides students with a foundational, cross-disciplinary introduction to the question of ethics for their research, training and careers. It is a required, integral part of the curriculum in LGS doctoral programs: Learn more Link here:

T32 Nurse Scientist Training Opportunities

Our National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) funded training T32 program prepares pre-doctoral and post-doctoral nurse scientists to develop and test interventions to improve health outcomes of persons with or at risk for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, HIV-AIDS, and asthma/COPD.

Provisional Artificial Intelligence Track

Artificial intelligence (AI) and associated computational sciences (machine learning, natural language processing, cybersecurity, etc.) are fundamentally changing the healthcare landscape. Accompanying these changes are tremendous opportunities as well as profound ethical concerns and social impacts. View a summary of the program . View a provisional version of the courses of study .

Admission Requirements

Fall 2024 Application Deadlines

• Priority deadline: December 1, 2023
• Final deadline: January 2, 2024
• All applicants selected for an interview will be interviewed by video/zoom meeting, scheduled at a convenient time for applicant and faculty.
• Admitted applicants will visit campus February 5, 2024 to meet with faculty, other PhD students, and to experience Atlanta.

Applications are submitted through Emory's Laney Graduate School (LGS). For more about LGS admissions, click here .

For admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program, Emory University seeks highly qualified applicants with the discipline and motivation to excel in interdisciplinary research. To be considered for admission, you must submit the following items:

• Completed application
• Submission of a Statement of Purpose that describes the applicant’s vision for what they want to study, who they want to study with, and why they want to study at Emory.
• Research interests that match faculty expertise
• Three (3) recommendations
• Satisfactory TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• Credential evaluations from any evaluator affiliated with NACES, The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .  The most common ones are World Education Services , Educational Credential Evaluators , and Educational Perspectives .
• Transcripts issued by the registrar’s office from each post-secondary institution attended
• Resume or curriculum vitae

Emory University considers applicants who hold a BSN or MSN from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program in the US or an international equivalent (Applicants holding a degree in a non-nursing related discipline will be considered on an individual basis).

Students entering with a BSN and intending to pursue advanced practice certification must be eligible for licensure as RN in Georgia by the end of the first year of study.

Application

Meet our students.

Meet our current and past doctoral students and learn a little more about how they impact the world of nursing research.

Student graduate’s dissertations include:

• Evaluating Stochastic Epigenic Mutations as a Potential Mechanism Translating Psychosocial Stressors into Risk for Postpartum Depression (Julianne Todd)
• Relationships among Dietary Patterns, Metabolites and Symptoms in Persons with Heart failure (Erica Nicole Davis)
• The Gut and Vaginal Microbiome in Pregnant Patients with and Without Urogenital Infections (Emily Faith Wissel)
• End-of-Life Care of Uong Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Cohort Study (Carolina Gustafson)
• LivFit with HIV:  Reducing inflammation and improving endothelial function with exercise adherence among older persons with HIV (Crista Irwin)
• Identifying and Addressing Healthcare Disparities in the Pediatric Acute Care Setting (Amy Rebecca Kolwaite)
• Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Gynecologic Cancer Pre-and Post-Radiotherapy and its Association with Obesity and the Gut Microbiome (Haerim Lee)
• Evaluation of Facility-Based Individual Differentiated Service Delivery Among Stable People Living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya Using Mixed Methods Research (Rosemary Kinuthia)
• Relationships Among Strong Black Woman Belief, Coping Behaviors, Social Support, and Psychological Distress for Black Mothers after Stillbirth (Carrie Henry)
• The Influence of Postpartum Retention in Care on Mortality in Women Living with HIV (Jade McBroom)
• The role of the circulating registered nurse in communicating and fostering relationships and the impact on time spent in the operating room (Kent Haythorn)
• The Role of Vitamin D in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Gene Expression within an African American Cohort (Sheila Jordan)
• Diabetes Management and Self-Care among Emerging Adults: Emerging Adult and Diabetes Care Provider Perceptions of Self-Management Influences, Visit Interaction, and a Tool to Enhance Diabetes Care at Visits (Rachel Wolf)
• Staying Alive in Little Five: Perceptions of Service Industry Workers Who Encounter an Opioid Overdose in Little Five Points, Atlanta (Sara Febres-Cordero)
• The Occupational and Health Histories of Undocumented Immigrants Receiving Frequent, Emergent-Only Hemodialysis (Daniel Smith)
• Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Adolescents with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Psychiatric Residential Treatment (Amy Greenblatt)

A full list of student accomplishments is updated regularly (PDF) .

Here are just a few job titles of our graduates.

• Chief Nursing Officer with the Jamaican Ministry of Health
• Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Disease Control
• Pediatric Center for Wellness
• RTI International – Division of Public Health and Clinical Research
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Pediatric Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice

Tuition and Awards

Full-tuition scholarships.

All full-time admitted students are granted full tuition waiver and receive an annual stipend over 12 months in exchange for teaching and research services. The stipend is drawn from a combination of faculty advisor grant support, school support and student research grants received during the program. Stipends are renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic and research performance, for a total of four years. Faculty and students work together to identify and apply for National Institutes for Health's National Research Service Award and other fellowships for stipend and research support funding during the doctoral program. Students also receive Professional Development Support Funds from Laney Graduate School to attend conferences and support research-related expenses.

T32 Predoctoral Fellowships through Spring 2023

The School of Nursing offers a research training program for selected predoctoral students to focus on developing and testing interventions to improve health outcomes of persons with or at risk for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, HIV-AIDS, and asthma/COPD. Individuals selected as fellows in this training program receive a monthly stipend, benefit assistance, assistance for professional travel, and modest funds to support research related expenses. The Laney Graduate School also offers scholarships to PhD students.

Charting Innovative Paths for Nursing Research & Scholarship

Many of our students participated in the 11th Annual Georgia Nursing Leadership Coalition Doctoral Symposium, “Charting Innovative Paths for Nursing Research & Scholarship” at Emory Nursing Learning Center on 2/11/23.

Students gave the following presentations at the Event:

• Policing Mental Health: Race and Psychiatry in Atlanta Avi Wofsy – PhD Student, Emory University
• Childhood Trauma Exposure and Length of Labor: A Potential Oxytocin-Linked Contributor to Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Black Birthing People Abby Britt – PhD Student, Emory University
• Personal Measures of Air Pollution During Pregnancy and Infant Head Circumference and Length at Birth Hina Raheel – PhD Student, Emory University
• Ways of Knowing: The Historical Intersections of Breastfeeding, Capitalism, and Whiteness Octavia Vogel – PhD Student, Emory University
• Bots and Fake Participants: Ensuring Valid and Reliable Data Collection Using Social Media Recruitment MethodsZ Roseline Jean Louis – PhD Student, Emory University

Many students presented posters. Hayden Herring, 1st year student, won 1st place for his poster.

How to Successfully Apply to Our PhD Program

Application process questions.

How Much is the Application Fee

$75 US.  The fee is non-refundable, and can be paid by credit card as part of the online application.

When exactly is the application deadline?

The deadline falls at midnight, U.S. Pacific time, on the deadline date of the each program. Nursing PhD program application deadline is January 1.

May I request a fee waiver?

Yes. Application fee waivers are processed through Laney.  The  application fee waiver page  explains our waiver policy.   https://www.gs.emory.edu/admissions/fee-waivers.html

Should I wait until I have my official test scores before submitting my application?

No.  Complete the online application at your earliest convenience.  When we receive your scores, they will be matched with your application.

Do I need to submit non-degree transcripts?

Yes. Admissions committees consider your complete academic record. 

If my undergraduate Degree is from Emory, Do I need to request a transcript from Emory?

Yes. You will need to upload one as part of your online application.  (If you are offered admission and accept, you will not need to submit an official copy, since we are able to verify the one you uploaded.)

If I participated in an exchange program while an undergraduate, do I have to request that transcript?

If you took some courses at a university as part of an exchange, like a study abroad program, and those course credits (course name, credit hours, and grade) are reflected on the transcript that includes your degree, then you do not need to submit a separate transcript from the university where you studied as part of an exchange. If you list that exchange experience as a separate educational experience on your application, you will need to upload either a separate transcript or a note explaining to us that the credits are included in another transcript. 

How should I submit my transcripts in the application?

Scan and upload them through the online application. Unofficial transcripts issued by the Registrar to you (the student) are acceptable.

You are required to submit one transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, present school included. International transcripts must be translated and notarized.  

Please do not mail paper transcripts.  If you are admitted and decide to attend Emory, then you will need to submit official copies of your transcripts before you can enroll. But for your application, the scanned, unofficial versions are all that's needed.

Does the recommendation letter have to be on the Emory form?

We encourage the use of the online recommendation system. If a recommender is unable to use this system, contact the program you are applying to for instructions.  You can find contact information on  our Degree Programs page .

Must letters of recommendation be submitted by the application deadline?

It is possible to submit letters of recommendation after the application deadline, but it is not advisable.  Most programs begin to review applications very soon after the deadline, and an application is not considered complete unless it has three letters of recommendation. 

Can I make changes to my application after I have submitted it?

No. Contact the graduate program to which you are applying for advice.  You can find contact information on  our Degree Programs page .

Can I reactivate my application from last year?

No. Applicants who wish to reapply must submit a new application, application fee, and supporting credentials.

Technical issues with the application: Email CollegeNet at  [email protected] . 

Additional Questions

Do you have to have your research focus before entering the program?

No, but strongly encouraged.

Can I start the PhD program in the spring semester?

NO.  This program begins with the fall semester matriculation only.

Can this program be completed in 3 years?

It can be done in three years if you are really focused.  But it will be challenging.

What are the fees students pay?

Enrollment, technology, health and wellness, athletic  and activity fees.  

Fall and spring you should be prepared to pay approximately$442, summer fees are about $351

When do I submit the application for the T32 program?

T32 application is due one day after the PhD program application, Jan. 2nd

Can I have my international transcripts reviewed by an agency other than World Education Services (WES)?

Laney Graduate School requires WES services review.

Do I have to have a master’s degree to enter this program?

No.  Students can apply to the program with a BSN

Can I work/ be employed outside the program?

Any work/employment has to be approved by the program

How many hours can I work if approved?

Students are allowed to work 10 hours a week

Accreditation

Emory University undergoes accreditation at the university level and throughout our colleges and schools to ensure our educational programs meet the highest standards. The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is accredited by multiple organizations. For a list of accreditations, you can visit our Accreditations page.

Featured Story

Emory nursing doctoral students receive prestigious NIH predoctoral fellowship awards

Test content heading.

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Static and dynamic content editing

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system. How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

• Test and more Test
• asdasteawsdsf

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

• testasdf; as;dflkjas dl;asdf a;slkdjf;asldkfjasd;fas
• as;dlfkjasd aljsad;lkfjas df;kljasd
• asdf;laskdflkasjdf as

Images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Emory Nursing

• Academics & Admissions
• Student Experience
• About Emory Nursing
• Job Opportunities
• Faculty & Staff

Find us on Social

PhD Curriculum

Coursework requirements for all phd students.

The PhD Program in Nursing requires a minimum of 52 credit hours of coursework before the dissertation. The Plan of Studies below illustrates the scheduling of the required coursework.

PhD coursework is structured with a substantial core (31 credits) of nursing science and research methods to be taken in the School of Nursing.

This core will be expanded with elected statistics, research methods, and cognate courses in an outside field of study or minor area (15 credits) to be taken mainly outside of nursing in other Duke University departments. The student will choose elective courses with the guidance and approval of the supervisory committee. In addition, the supervisory committee may require the student to take courses above the minimum if the student needs additional coursework to support the dissertation research plan.

Additional requirements include a one-semester research practicum (1 credit) and courses that count towards a teaching certificate (5 credits).

PhD Program in Nursing Plan of Study

Preliminary exam (admission to phd candidacy).

The Graduate School requires submission of the Report of the Doctoral Preliminary Examination for all doctoral candidates by the end of the Spring semester of their third year. 

PhD Education

Find Programs

There is no doubt that education is the path for a nurse to achieve greater clinical expertise. At the same time, however, the nursing profession needs more nurses educated at the doctoral level to replenish the supply of faculty and researchers. The national shortage of faculty will soon reach critical proportions, having a significant impact on educational programs and their capacity to educate future generations of nursing students.

Although the number of doctorate programs has continued to increase, the total enrollment of students in these programs has remained fairly constant, resulting in a shortage of newly minted PhDs to renew faculty ranks.  As a result, approximately 50% of nursing faculty possess the doctorate as a terminal degree. Furthermore, with many advances being made in the treatment of chronic illnesses, there is a continuing need for research that assists patients in living with their illness.  This research requires individual investigators who are prepared on the doctoral level.

One reason there is a lack of nurses prepared at the doctoral level is that, compared with other professions, nurses have more interruptions in their careers. Many in the profession are females who work as nurses while fulfilling responsibilities as wives and mothers.  As a result, many pursue their education on a part-time basis. Also, the nursing profession traditionally has viewed clinical experience as being a prerequisite to graduate education. This career path results in fewer individuals completing the doctorate at an earlier stage in their career, thereby truncating their productivity as academics, researchers, and administrators. To reverse this trend, many nursing schools have developed programs that admit students into graduate (doctorate and master's) programs directly from their undergraduate or master's programs.

Nursing Research

When nurses do research for their doctorates, many people tend to think that it focuses primarily on nurses and nursing care. In reality, nurses carry out clinical research in a variety of areas, such as diabetes care, cancer care, and eating disorders. 

In the last thirty years, advances in medicine have involved, for the most part, advancing treatment not cures. In other words, no cure for the illness has been discovered, but treatment for that illness has improved. However, sometimes the treatment itself causes problems for patients, such as the unwelcome side effects of chemotherapy. Nurses have opportunities to devise solutions to problems like these through research, such as studies on how to manage the illness and its treatment, thereby allowing individuals to lead happy and productive lives.

The Curricula

Doctoral programs in nursing are aimed at preparing students for careers in health administration, education, clinical research, and advanced clinical practice. Basically, doctoral programs prepare nurses to be experts within the profession, prepared to assume leadership roles in a variety of academic and clinical settings, course work and research, students are trained as researchers and scholars to tackle complex health-care questions. Program emphasis may vary from a focus on health education to a concentration on policy research. The majority of doctoral programs confer the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, but some award the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS), and the Doctor of Education (EdD).

Doctoral nursing programs traditionally offer courses on the history and philosophy of nursing and the development and testing of nursing and other healthcare techniques, as well as the social, economic, political, and ethical issues important to the field. Data management and research methodology are also areas of instruction. Students are expected to work individually on research projects and complete a dissertation.

Doctoral programs allow study on a full- or part-time basis. For graduate students who are employed and therefore seek flexibility in their schedules, many programs offer courses on weekends and in the evenings.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for doctoral programs vary. Generally, a master's degree is necessary, but in some schools a master's degree is completed in conjunction with fulfillment of the doctoral degree requirements. Standard requirements include an RN license, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an essay. Students applying for doctoral-level study should have a solid foundation in nursing and an interest in research. Programs are usually the equivalent of three to five years of full-time study.

Selecting a Doctoral Program

Selecting a doctoral program comes down to personal choice. Students work closely with professors, and, thus, the support and mentoring you receive while pursuing your degree is as vital as the quality of the facilities. The most important question is whether there is a "match" between your research interest and faculty research. Many of the same questions you would ask about baccalaureate and master's degree programs apply to doctoral programs. However, in a doctoral program, the contact with professors, the use of research equipment and facilities, and the program's flexibility in allowing you to choose your course of study are critical.

Some questions to consider asking include: Are there opportunities to present research findings at professional meetings? Is scholarship of faculty, alumni, and students presented at regional and national nursing meetings and subsequently published? Has the body of research done at a university enhanced the knowledge of nursing and health care?

Other questions to consider include: Does the university consider research a priority? Does the university have adequate funding for student research? Many nurses with doctorate degrees make the natural transition into an academic career, but there are many other career options available for nurses prepared at this level. For example, nurses prepared at the doctoral level are often hired by large consulting firms to work with others in designing solutions to health-care delivery problems. Others are hired by large hospital chains to manage various divisions, and some nurses with doctorate degrees are hired to manage complex healthcare systems at the executive level. On another front, they conduct research and formulate national and international healthcare policy. In short, because of the high level of education and a shortage of nurses prepared at this level, there are a number of options.

Salaries are related to the various positions.  Faculty salaries vary by the type of institution and by faculty rank, typically ranging from approximately $80,000 at the assistant professor level to over $115,000 at the professor level.  Salaries of nurse executives also vary, with the lowest salaries being in small rural hospitals and the highest being in complex university medical centers. Consultant salaries are wide ranging but often consist of a base plus some percentage of work contracted. Clinical and research positions vary considerably by the type of institution and the nature of the work.  Needless to say, a doctoral education does provide individuals with a wide range of opportunities, with salaries commensurate with the type and level of responsibilities. 

Our websites may use cookies to personalize and enhance your experience. By continuing without changing your cookie settings, you agree to this collection. For more information, please see our University Websites Privacy Notice .

School of Nursing

Nursing PhD Program

Enhance your career.

Focus your career on advancing science to improve health

Develop new knowledge.

Builds sought after healthcare leaders that create measurable impact on society.

Prepare for admission.

Taking courses as a non-degree student is an excellent way to explore the program and think further about your own research ideas and direction.

In its 29th Year

UConn's state-of-the-art doctoral nursing program allows you the opportunity to generate and test your own theory.

Advancing nursing science to build a healthier world

The UConn School of Nursing PhD Program in Nursing prepares nurses who promote health for all people through nursing science.

The faculty of the PhD Program in Nursing at the University of Connecticut (UConn) have a long-standing commitment to advancing the discipline of nursing through research and theory that promotes health among individuals, families, groups and communities across the lifespan and states of health.

The School of Nursing attracts top PhD students who work closely with leading faculty on research in a variety of specialty areas. Faculty research interests span areas such as health equity; symptoms, including pain and sleep disturbance; maternal child health; and support for diverse individuals, families, and communities with acute and chronic conditions from neonates through older adults. Our programs of research integrate behavioral and biological processes and address mechanistic questions as well as health-promoting interventions.

A PhD in Nursing prepares you to conduct research and to assume positions in a variety of settings. These may include faculty positions in university settings and leadership roles in academe, industry, clinical settings, and the government, to name just a few.

Graduates of the UConn PhD Program in Nursing routinely obtain competitive postdoctoral positions at prestigious universities and receive generous funding through the National Institutes of Health and other sources.

As a student in the UConn PhD Program in Nursing, you will join a diverse community of nurses and interdisciplinary peers, faculty mentors, and practitioners that will change your views, accelerate your career, and promote collaborative work over a lifetime.

The PhD Program in Nursing offers entry to applicants with a bachelor's degree in nursing (BS to PhD) or a master’s degree in nursing (Post-master’s to PhD). The PhD Admissions Committee evaluates candidates’ qualifications and the fit of their research interests with graduate faculty PhD mentors. Successful applicants must meet application criteria, have relevant experience, and clearly express research interests compatible with research faculty in the School of Nursing and/or affiliated faculty.

Please use the inquiry form on the right hand side of this page to contact us with any questions!

Application deadline for Fall 2024 is December 31, 2023. 

Attend an Infosesssion

Application deadline for Fall 2025 is December 31, 2024.

Request Information

What Are They Saying?

OLGA JARRIN  (’2010) Faculty, Rutgers University

“As a triple graduate of UConn School of Nursing I have been well prepared at each stage of my career, from working as a visiting nurse to leading an interdisciplinary research team on projects to improve...  READ MORE

Mallory Perry-Eaddy (’2019) Faculty, University of Connecticut

“The UConn SON BS-PhD program has been pivotal to my development as a nurse scientist. My education has provided me with a strong foundation in clinical inquiry..."  READ MORE

• News & Events
• Faculty & Staff

A world-class city filled with art and culture and an incredible campus that offers cutting edge resources–that’s what students receive at Penn Nursing. And that’s just the start. Penn Nursing and the wider university offer something for everyone, as well as a lifelong community.

Penn Nursing is globally known for educating dynamic nurses—because our School values evidence-based science and health equity. That’s where our expertise lies, whether in research, practice, community health, or beyond. Everything we do upholds a through-line of innovation, encouraging our exceptional students, alumni, and faculty share their knowledge and skills to reshape health care.

Penn Nursing students are bold and unafraid, ready to embrace any challenge that comes their way. Whether you are exploring a career in nursing or interested in advancing your nursing career, a Penn Nursing education will help you meet your goals and become an innovative leader, prepared to change the face of health and wellness.

Penn Nursing is the #1-ranked nursing school in the world. Its highly-ranked programs help develop highly-skilled leaders in health care who are prepared to work alongside communities to tackle issues of health equity and social justice to improve health and wellness for everyone.

Penn Nursing’s rigorous academic curricula are taught by world renowned experts, ensuring that students at every level receive an exceptional Ivy League education . From augmented reality classrooms and clinical simulations to coursework that includes experiential global travel to clinical placements in top notch facilities, a Penn Nursing education prepares our graduates to lead.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Our goal is to develop scholars of the discipline of nursing capable of building a program of research that advances nursing knowledge and contributes to the health of individuals, families, and communities.

About the Program

The penn advantage.

Home to some of the most forward-thinking scholars and researchers in the world, Penn offers the opportunity to work alongside faculty who are actively shaping the future of nursing science and healthcare. Our networks and longstanding clinical and community partnerships throughout greater Philadelphia and beyond provide uncommon access to research and practice resources.

Program Information

Program Length

Financial aid available?

Start Semester

Learning Format

Program Details

The program consists of seven core courses, two statistics sequence courses, and five concentration courses; each course is worth one course unit, or CU. Students will take three to four courses each fall and spring semester. Most students complete their coursework within three to four years and then will be on dissertation status until the final dissertation defense.

Click the link below to view the curriculum for this program in the University catalog or download a sample plan of study .

View the curriculum

Requirements

Minimum qualifications for the program.

BSN and MSN or Master’s degree in the field of Nursing.

Application Deadlines

Fall 2024 enrollment.

Deadline: December 1, 2023 Latest Decision Notification: mid-February

*Dates subject to change without notice.

Costs & Tuition

We are committed to assisting all full-time PhD students for four years of tuition, fees, living stipend, and health insurance. You may be funded internally or externally, depending on the options available. The doctoral program leadership will determine which funding is most appropriate for all incoming students. Students who choose part-time enrollment are responsible for paying for their own tuition, fees, and health insurance. Learn more about financial aid for PhD students .

The charts below outline costs based on the school year. For full-time doctoral students, after the first five years the reduced rate is charged until the Doctorate degree is awarded, or for a maximum of five additional years.

Full-Time: Fall 2023 & Spring 2024

Part-time per cu: fall 2023 & spring 2024, doctoral reduced rate: fall 2023 & spring 2024, program outcomes.

Our doctoral graduates go on to take coveted leadership roles in academia, healthcare, government, and related fields, and are integral to the growth of our profession.

Related Links

May 7 | 6:00pm

Spring 2024 Graduate Programs Info Session

May 22 | 6:00pm

June 14 | 12:00pm

Program Activities

Future-proofing healthcare.

How Penn Nursing’s PhD program is the key to unlocking innovative and equity-focused care and policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a phd and a dnp.

• Prepares nurse scientists to conduct research, develop the scholarship needed to advance the body of nursing knowledge, guide the practice of nursing, assume leadership in nursing and health care organizations, and participate in the development of social and health policy
• Methods and theories used to guide research
• Grant writing skills
• Technology used in research
• Statistical & other analytical methods
• Research traditions & methodologies
• Faculty role development
• Cognate areas of interest to guide research
• Clinical Requirements – No
• Research Requirements - Faculty guided research residency hours working on an established research project(s) to hone selected research skills
• Final Product - Original research project that makes a significant contribution to the science of nursing
• Academic faculty position which includes research, education, and service roles
• Research Scientist for healthcare organizations, industry or government agencies
• Principal Investigator on extramural research grants
• Leadership positions in health organizations, industry and government agencies
• Government advisor on health policy
• Purpose - Prepares expert clinical scholars to perform direct clinical practice, translate, disseminate and integrate evidence-based research into clinical practice and improve quality of health outcomes for individuals, populations and systems.
• Advanced clinical practice
• Clinical scholarship skills
• Technology used in practice
• Analysis of clinical outcomes
• Evidence-based practice
• Leadership role development
• Rural and underserved populations
• Clinical Requirements - No
• Research Requirements – No
• Final Product – Project based
• APRN in a variety of healthcare settings
• Academic faculty position which includes practice, education, and service roles
• Leadership positions in health care organizations, industry, government agencies
• Evidence-based Practice Coordinator
• Outcomes Manager
• Magnet Coordinator
• Quality Improvement Director

How many are accepted to the PhD program at Penn Nursing?

Approximately 6-12 applicants are accepted each year.

How can I get more information on the research faculty are doing for my application?

Please find our faculty’s research interests here .

Can I reach out to faculty for more information?

Yes, you are encouraged to reach out to faculty who align with your research interests and may be a good mentor during your PhD program. The PhD application is about looking at faculty’s research interests and how they align with yours. In your application, you should highlight these connections.

Is there a clinical component?

Is there an admissions interview.

Competitive applicants will be invited to interview.

When does the PhD program start?

The PhD program starts in the fall semester, and it typically takes 3-5 years to complete the program.

If I am an international applicant with an international RN license, can I still apply to the PhD program?

Yes, you may apply to the PhD program with an international RN license. The license must be valid at time of application.

Ready to take the next step?

See yourself here.

• Home  /  Academics  / PhD in Nursing

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Our PhD in nursing offers students a chance to become nurse scientists, nursing professors, and nurse policy- and change-makers.

• World-class scholar-mentors  exploring a rich variety of research
• 4 years' free tuition + generous annual stipends for ALL admitted students
• Powerful development of students' grant and scholarly writing , and ample opportunities and funding to present at major conferences
• Loan forgiveness programs if pursuing full-time careers in academia
• Deadline to apply:  December 15 (for entry the following fall)

The PhD in Nursing is administered by the School of Nursing, but the degree is conferred by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS). Therefore, applicants will complete the application through GSAS.  Please review this detailed information about the application process and admission requirements .

[VIDEO] Discover the PhD in Nursing

Download the video file .

The PhD in nursing program prepares students for careers as scholars, nurse scientists., and academics ready to contribute to nursing science, knowledge, theory, and practice through systematic inquiry. By graduation, PhD in nursing students will:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge of nursing, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry
• expand the research base of nursing theory and practice
• serve the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world by addressing major nursing and healthcare issues through research and in a scholarly manner

All applicants for the PhD must possess a BSN. Many also possess an MSN and nurses with other graduate degrees (MPH, MBA, MS in Health Administration, etc.) are also encouraged to apply.

Every year, UVA PhD nursing students earn grants to support their doctoral studies, and many publish and present around Virginia, the U.S., and internationally.

UVA's PhD in nursing program is focused on research, and the curriculum includes courses in qualitative, quantitative, and historical research. Over the course of the program, all PhD students submit a research proposal for peer review, and many submit proposals to the NIHNR's annual service awards competition.

Because research is such a critical element of the PhD program, we seek to admit students whose scholarly interests are congruent with those of our faculty. A list of faculty eligible to chair PhD student committees is available on the Faculty Directory page .

PhD in Nursing Admission Requirements

To be considered for the PhD program, applicants must:

• Submit a completed application to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (not the School of Nursing) and pay an $85 application fee
• Have at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program and a minimum "B" average
• Submit transcripts for all post-secondary work
• Submit three letters of reference that speak to the applicant's ability to pursue doctoral studies (two must be from doctorally-prepared nurse educators and one may be from a current or recent employer)
• Submit a CV reflecting professional achievements and productivity
• Submit an essay (1,000 words or fewer) describing the applicant's educational, research, and professional goals, including a specific description of the planned focus of study and a researchable topic for development
• Have completed a recent course in statistics (with software applications)
• Be available for an interview with one or more faculty members (conducted in Charlottesville or via Zoom as needed)
• International applicants have  additional requirements  
• The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is no longer required to apply to the PhD program; however, the option remains for applicants to provide scores as part of the application. The institutional code for UVA is R-5820 .

Statistics Prerequisite

One option is to complete Courses 1-3 of this series: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/statistical-analysis-r-public-health . Please note that the certificate showing successful completion of the course is required. The student needs to choose the paid option to receive the certificate. This is one example; please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

Steps to Apply for the PhD in Nursing

Those interested in applying to the PhD in nursing program apply through UVA's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), which prefers to receive one package containing all supporting materials (recommendations, transcripts and scholarly writing). The completed application, the application fee and all supporting data must be received no later than December 15.

Financial Aid for PhD in Nursing Students

Graduate teaching assistant (gta) positions.

• All admitted students to the PhD program are eligible to be awarded four years of scholarship to cover tuition, insurance, and fees, in exchange for serving as a GTA 10 hours per week. 
• See the  Financial Aid page for more information.

Loan Programs for Future Nursing Faculty

• The school also offers financial support programs to students considering full-time faculty positions through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program and the Virginia Nurse Faculty Loan. Through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, funded by HRSA, doctoral students may borrow funds for their academic expenses (tuition and books). If they become a full-time faculty member at any accredited institution, up to 85% of the loan (principal and interest) is forgiven.
• Doctoral students enrolled in UVA’s PhD or DNP programs who are planning on teaching full-time in Virginia can apply to the Virginia Nurse Faculty Loan. Students may be eligible to borrow up to $25,000 per year during the coursework phase of their programs. This loans is eligible for cancelation if graduates go on to teach full-time at any public or private nursing education program in Virginia for four years.

Visit our Tuition and Financial Aid web pages for more information.

Plans of Study for the PhD in Nursing

Please see a suggested Nursing PhD Plan of Study .

Please visit the  Graduate Record for the official program requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.

• Louisville.edu
• Health Sciences Center
• PeopleSoft HR
• PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
• PeopleSoft Financials
• Business Ops
• Cardinal Careers
• Academic Programs /
• PhD in Nursing /

PhD in Nursing Curriculum

Required courses.

The PhD in Nursing consists of at least 40 semester credit hours of coursework beyond an MSN degree or 55 semester credit hours beyond a BSN degree plus dissertation credit hours.  The core curriculum is reflected below. Equivalencies require prior  approval by the program director.

BSN-PhD & MSN-PhD Tracks:

Phd coursework requirements.

Total Credit Hours = 40

Additional Coursework Required for BSN to PhD Track

All BSN students must complete the following 15 semester hours of master's level courses.

MSN Applicants

Applicants accepted into the MSN-PhD program are strongly advised to have completed a three-credit masters-level statistics course (applied descriptive and inferential statistics) with a grade of B (3.0) or higher within five years before the date of enrollment. Applicants who wish to take a refresher course will be advised of available statistics courses to take prior to beginning PhD-level coursework in statistics.

DNP to PhD Track

School of nursing.

Health Sciences Campus, K-Wing 555 South Floyd Street Suite 3019 Louisville, KY 40202

If planning a visit, view our visitor information.

View contact information.

1-877-81-NURSE

502-852-5825

M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

No Weekend or Holiday Hours

About the School

Office of the Dean

Accreditation

KBN Program Benchmark

Giving to the SON

Social Media

The bachelor of science in nursing , master of science in nursing , doctor of nursing practice , and APRN certificate programs at University of Louisville are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, bachelor, master, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees (D.M.D., J.D., M.D.). UofL Accreditation

• Partnerships

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

YOU ARE BOUVÉ

Advance the science of nursing through innovation and interdisciplinary inquiry .

The PhD in Nursing program at Northeastern University prepares future nurse-scientists to advance nursing through innovation and interdisciplinary inquiry to improve the health of individuals and communities. Graduates are expected to lead research initiatives that advance nursing science through knowledge development and interdisciplinary scholarly inquiry.

Students will study with nursing faculty who collectively have a variety of expertise and interests and whose research addresses questions that extend across a broad health spectrum.

In addition, students have an opportunity to study with faculty from other Northeastern departments, as well as with other Boston-area researchers. This collaboration allows students to work across disciplines and to access populations and sites essential for completing a dissertation

Degree: Nursing PhD Application deadline: June 1 GRE: Required Study options: Full-time/part-time

Video: Chelsea Kirker, MSN, CRNA describes why she is doing a PhD at Northeastern

Chelsea Kirker, MSN, CRNA describes why she is doing a PhD at Northeastern

Post-master’s students  (also referred to as Advanced Entry)  will build on their prior degrees and clinical foundations by completing  48 semester hours , including the dissertation. 

Post-baccalaureate  students will complete  60 semester hours , including the dissertation.

On a full-time basis, students entering with a master’s degree can expect to commit a  minimum of three years  to completing the program; if entering with a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of four years. Both full- and part-time options are available to all students. Course descriptions can be found in the PhD Handbook.

Graduates are expected to lead multidisciplinary research initiatives that advance nursing and health care through knowledge development and interdisciplinary scholarly inquiry. Students will work with nursing faculty whose research address innovative questions that seek to advance knowledge for improvement of care. In addition, students will have an opportunity to collaborate with faculty across the broader Northeastern University community in addition to Boston area research and healthcare institutions. This collaboration allows students to work across disciplines and to access populations and research sites essential to the success of their original dissertation study.

The Baccalaureate, Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Northeastern University School of Nursing are accredited by the  Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ,  655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791

Handbooks and Manuals

Sample curriculum.

Sample curriculum, subject to change.

Prerequisites

Both post-BSN and post-MSN students are expected to show satisfactory completion of a basic statistics course . Note:  Post-BSN students will be required to take an epidemiology course as part of their PhD coursework.

Full-time Sample Curriculum

Research core.

8 courses, 3 credits each unless otherwise noted — 22 credits

NRSG 7700  Science of Nursing

NRSG 7705  Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations in Nursing Science

NRSG 7709  Qualitative Research Methods

NRSG 7712  Quantitative Research Methods

NRSG 7715  Measurement in Clinical Research

NRSG 7750  Health Care of Urban Populations

NRSG 7770  Research Colloquium (1 credit)

NRSG 7755  Intervention Research: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation

Research Practicum

2 courses, 1-4 credits each · 6 credits

NRSG 9984 Students are required to complete 6 credits of supervised research practicum with a seasoned researcher. The purpose of the practicum is to develop student research skills through engagement with an active research project. Students must have a viable MA RN license. Research practicum activities vary and may include any or all of the following aspects of the research process:

• Assisting/conducting critical literature reviews
• Developing proposals
• Developing human subjects guidelines
• Recruiting and consenting participants
• Collecting data
• Managing data
• Analyzing data
• Developing presentations
• Writing scholarly research paper(s)

Post-Bac Required Courses

In addition, post-baccalaureate students are required to take:

NRSG 5121  Epidemiology and Population Health

NRSG 7104  Foundations in Nursing Research (3

2 Elective Courses (6 credits)

Electives may be taken in nursing or in an area related to the student’s dissertation research, including appropriate methodology and statistics courses.

2 courses, 3 credits each · 6 credits

Cognates are courses that are taken outside the School of Nursing and should provide depth and breadth to the student’s phenomenon of interest.

PHTH 5210  Biostatistics

PHTH 6210  Applied Regression Analysis

Dissertation

4 courses, 3 credits each unless otherwise noted · 8 credits total

NRSG 9845  Dissertation Seminar 1

NRSG 9846  Dissertation Seminar 2

NRSG 9990/9991  Dissertation

Admissions Requirements

*Note: A Massachusetts RN license is required by matriculation in the PhD program in order to do the research practicum component of the program. If you are a registered nurse, you may enter the PhD program after completing a baccalaureate or a master’s degree. A degree in nursing is preferred.

To apply to the PhD in Nursing you will need the following:

Current U.S. RN License *

Minimum GPA of 3.0

Official transcript(s) of ALL college-level study-to-date resume

Personal statement  indicating applicant’s personal goals for obtaining a DNP and expectations of the program

A minimum GRE of 300 or equivalent  for the verbal and quantitative combined, should be taken within the last five years

Three letters of recommendation  that address your potential in a career in nursing research

Satisfactory completion of a basic statistics course

Personal Statement   describing your goals, your reason for pursuing a PhD in nursing and your research area of interest

For international applicants  TOEFL scores or IELTS scores

Got questions?

Amanda Choflet, DNP, RN, NEA-BC 617-373-3488 [email protected]

Graduate Admissions 617-373-2708

Past PhD Dissertation Topics

Utilization of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Postoperative Pain in Anesthesia Chris Gill

Understanding college students’ motivations for the use and discontinued use of fitness related technology in relation to their physical activity behaviors Jessica Wallar

Experiences of School Nurses Caring for Newly Arrived Immigrant and Refugee Children Jacqueline Brady

An Exploration of the Influence of Stigma and Trauma in the Illness Representations of those Veterans who Decided to Initiate Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus Casey Garvey

Toward an Understanding of Suicidal Ideation Among Career Firefighters Elizabeth Henderson

Mold Exposure Levels in Inner-City Schools and Homes: An Examination of the Relationship Between Fungal Exposure and the Prevalence Rate of Asthmatic Symptoms Among Children Ages 5 to 15 Evin Howard

New-onset Delirium among Elderly Acute Care Orthopedic Trauma Patients: Sleep Disturbance and Nutritional Status as Modifiable Risk Factors Susan Maher

Stress, Resilience and Reintigration Among Post-9/11 US Veterans: A Holistic Investigation Anna Etchin

Exploring the Issues of HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis and Sexually Assaulted Individuals Meredith Scannell

Charting the Path from Diagnosis to Treatment: A Grounded Theory Study of Ovarian Cancer Rachel Pozzar

Frequently Asked Quesions

What’s the difference between the dnp and phd programs.

Northeastern offers two different doctoral degrees in nursing: the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The PhD is a research-oriented degree, while the DNP is practice-oriented. Nurses interested in leadership might be interested in the DNP, whereas those interested in becoming nurse scientists would be a good fit for the PhD program.

What financial support is available for students?

A select number of competitive Graduate Assistantships are available for doctoral students. Graduate Assistantships cover tuition and include a stipend in exchange for working 20 hours/week as a research or teaching assistant.

NOTE: Graduate Assistantships are awarded each academic year.

Can I transfer credits towards the program ?

You may be able to transfer in up to 9 credits that have not been previously used towards another degree and were taken at the graduate level for a grade of B or better. Students must receive approval from the program director prior to transferring courses and must be enrolled in the program in order to begin the transfer process.

More information about Northeastern University’s transfer policy can be found in the  Bouve Transfer Policy.

Can I attend the program on a part-time basis ?

Full-time or part-time enrollment is available. Students who attend full-time complete the degree in five continuous semesters (21 months).

Students who attend part-time usually complete the degree in three years . Students must consult with the financial aid office to assure PT status is acceptable for loan eligibility . All students (full-time or part-time) must take the NRSG7100 Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice course as the first course which is offered in the Fall.

Can I speak with faculty in the PhD program that share my research interests ?

Yes, we would be happy to put you in touch with our faculty. Please send your query along with a description of research interests so that you can be appropriately matched to:

Dr. Rhonda Board Program Director [email protected]

Connect with us

Have more questions about Bouvé? We’re here to help.

Want to take the next step and start your journey at Bouvé?

Request more information

Interested in learning more about what Bouvé has to offer?

•   /  
• Academic Programs
• Doctor of Philosophy in…
• PhD Curriculum and Courses

PhD Courses and Curriculum

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
• Admission Requirements
• How to Apply
• Curriculum and Courses
• Research Competencies and Terminal Outcomes
• Pre/Postdoc Fellowships
• Scholarships and Financial Aid

Ways to Study

Course offerings, required courses.

NURS 903 Scientific Reasoning I: Defining and Articulating a Researchable Nursing Problem

This course introduces scientific reasoning, methods and ethical principles guiding scientific inquiry. Includes an introductory review of the literature and formulation of a researchable problem and purpose statement within a focused area of nursing inquiry. Corequisite: All first semester core courses in PhD program; offered every fall semester, 2 credits.

NURS 904 Scientific Reasoning II: Creating and Articulating Specific Aims

This course explores the structure and scientific premise of investigation through construction of Specific Aims using the National Institutes of Health guidelines for a grant application. Prerequisite: All first semester core courses in PhD program; Corequisite: All second semester core courses in PhD program; offered every spring semester, 1 credit.

NURS 905 Scientific Reasoning III: Articulating Significance and Innovation

This course provides foundational knowledge and methods needed to situate a particular scientific question within the current state of the science and create an argument for scientific innovation. Prerequisite: All first-semester core courses in PhD program; Scientific Reasoning II; Corequisite: All second semester core courses in PhD program; offered every spring semester, 1 credit.

NURS 906 Scientific Reasoning IV: Crafting Methods and Analysis to Meet Specific Aims

This course focuses on knowledge and application of foundational scientific theory, design, methods and analysis to the creation of a research proposal within the National Institutes of Health proposal model. Prerequisite: All first semester, and 10-week second semester core courses in PhD program; Corequisite: PhD Seminar II; offered every spring semester, 2 credits.

NURS 908 Carolina PhD Seminar I: Introduction to Nursing Science and Syndemics

This course introduces the ontological and epistemological basis of nursing science and the application of syndemic thinking as a lens for conducting nursing science. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the SON PhD program; Corequisite: All first semester core courses in PhD program; offered every fall semester; 2 credits.

NURS 909  Carolina PhD Seminar II: Biological, Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioral Determinants of Health

This course examines the biological, physiological, psychological, and behavioral determinants of health and their interactions. Prerequisite: All first semester core courses in PhD program; Corequisite: All second semester core courses in PhD program; offered every spring, 2 credits.

NURS 910 Carolina PhD Seminar III: Social Determinants of Health

This course examines social determinants of health at multiple levels, and their interactions, and characteristics that differentiate structural from non-structural social determinants. Prerequisite: All first semester core courses in PhD program; offered every fall, 2 credits.

NURS 911 Carolina PhD Seminar IV: Synthesizing Multiple Determinants of Health, Syndemics, and Nursing Science

This course evaluates the interplay among biological, physiological, psychological, behavioral, and social determinants, whether the relationships are consistent with a syndemics framework, and the potential for novel relationships across determinants in these areas to advance nursing science. Prerequisite: All first-year core courses in PhD program; Carolina Core Seminar III; offered every spring, 2 credits.

NURS 913 Knowledge Synthesis I: Organizing & Evaluating Evidence

This course develops students’ competence in identifying, organizing and critiquing the evidence in a focused area. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Scientific Reasoning I; Corequisite: PhD Lab I; offered every fall semester, 1 credit.

NURS 914 Knowledge Synthesis II: Disseminating Evidence

This course continues to develop the knowledge synthesis with a focus on synthesizing the evidence and writing the review for publication. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Knowledge Synthesis I; Corequisite: PhD Lab II; offered every spring, 1 credit.

NURS 912 Theoretical Foundations of Scientific Inquiry

This course develops student competence in analyzing and applying philosophical and theoretical orientations in the conduct and critique of scientific and scholarly work. Corequisite: All Core Courses in Fall, Y1 of the Program; offered every fall, 2 credits.

NURS 916 Design, Measurement, and Analysis I: Descriptive and Associational Research

This course offers an in-depth examination of quantitative and qualitative descriptive and associational research, including design, sampling, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Corequisite: All Core Courses in Fall, Y1 of the Program; offered every fall, 4 credits.

NURS 917 Design, Measurement, and Analysis II: Explanatory and Predictive Research

This course offers an in-depth examination of qualitative and quantitative explanatory and predictive research, including design, sampling, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Corequisite: All Core Courses in Fall, Y2 of the Program; offered every spring, 4 credits.

NURS 918 Intermediate Statistics: Regression Analysis

This course focuses on the use of advanced regression techniques to analyze various types of response variables with multiple predictors, interaction terms, or longitudinal data. Prerequisite: Design, Measurement and Analysis I and II; offered every fall, 3 credits.

NURS 924 Experiential Learning I

This course serves as a synthesis hub to guide students in developing the cognitive and psychomotor skills needed to search the scientific literature, develop conceptual models, analyze data, and interpret findings. Corequisite: All first semester core courses in PhD program; offered every fall, 1 credit.

NURS 925 Experiential Learning II

This course serves as a synthesis hub to guide students in developing the cognitive and psychomotor skills needed to complete a knowledge synthesis, hone select grant writing skills, analyze data, and interpret findings. Prerequisite: All first semester core courses in PhD program; Corequisite: All second semester core courses in PhD program; offered every spring, 1 credit.

NURS 985 Research Seminar & Practicum: Guided Individual Research Experience

Directs students to develop research skills related to dissertation and future research. Minimum of 3 credits required; offered every spring and fall semester and both summer sessions; 1-3 credits.

NURS 994 Dissertation

Dissertation credits. Minimum of 6 credits required; offered every spring and fall semester and both summer sessions; 3 credits.

NURS 671  Nursing Inquiry to Advance Evidence-Based Practice and Scholarship

This course is an  i ntroduction to scientific inquiry, evidence-based practice, and nursing/healthcare innovations. Emphasis is on: theory, ethics, problem identification, question development, design selection, data analysis and interpretation, statistical applications, and appraisal of research reports. Prerequisite: admission to an undergraduate BSN program and eligible to take required undergraduate nursing research course; the Hillman Scholars program; or PhD in Nursing Program; 3 credits.

NURS 675 Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation: Integrative Seminar

Prerequisite: Admission to the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation. This seminar will cultivate personal and professional skills essential for students’ development and socialization as nurse innovators, leaders, researchers, and scholars. Content is iterative and progressive in depth and scope. Offered every fall and spring semester; 1 credit.

NURS 899 Special Topics

Independent study with an authority in the field. Elective; offered every spring and fall semester and both summer sessions. Offered every fall and spring semesters, and both summer sessions; 1-6 credits.

NURS 901   Clinical Scholars in Nursing Innovation I

Prerequisite: Students must be Hillman Scholars; licensed as an RN in North Carolina, and enrolled full-time in the PhD program. The first of two courses designed to enhance scholars’ understanding of nursing practice and care delivery within clinical microsystems. Students engage in individualized, precepted clinical experiences and guided scholarly reflection. Offered every fall semester, 6 credits.

NURS 902 Clinical Scholars in Nursing Innovation II

Prerequisite: NURS 901. Second sequential course for doctoral students designed to extend scholars’ understanding of nursing practice and develop identity as a nurse scientist. Scholars engage in individualized, precepted clinical experiences and guided scholarly reflection. Offered every spring semester; 6 credits.

NURS 915 Health Organization Policy

Examines interrelated changes in nursing, ethical and legal expectations, and the organization of health care and health policy. Ways that nurse leaders in health care organizations adapt to and challenge public policies throughout the policymaking process and consequences for organizations and for health, practice, research and education are explored. Offered as needed; 3 credits.

NURS 928 Organizational Theories

Examines the major theoretical paradigms, perspectives, and issues in organization theory, particularly as applied to organizations providing health care services. Offered as needed; 3 credits.

NURS 930 Children at Risk: Prenatal Period Through Emerging Young Adulthood

This course will apply ecological and developmental perspectives to research with children at risk for conditions that threaten life and quality of life, and resilience under risk. Emphasis is on critically evaluating conceptual models, designs and methods, and responsible conduct of research that aims to understand, prevent or manage risk. Offered as needed; 3 credits.

NURS 932 Families and Health

Explores theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues related to research in families and health across the life span. Content includes family research related to health promotion, risk reduction, vulnerability, and health risk, and the family in the context of acute and chronic illness. Cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic issues are included. Offered as needed; 3 credits.

NURS 933 Health Care Quality and Patient Outcomes: Conceptual and Empirical Approaches

Prerequisite: NURS 976 or permission of instructor. Examines literature on quality of care – effectiveness, safety, efficiency, equity, timeliness and patient-centeredness. Critically evaluates conceptual frameworks, research designs, sources of data, analytic approaches, and implications for health care policy. Offered as needed; 3 credits.

NURS 950 Analysis of the Academic Role in Nursing Education

This course examines knowledge, theories and skills necessary for transition into an academic teaching role in university schools of nursing. Particular emphasis on the teaching-learning process as utilized in higher education. Elective; offered every other spring semester, odd years; 3 credits.

NURS 951 Mentored Teaching Practicum

Prerequisite: NURS 875 or NURS 950 or permission of the instructor. Provides doctoral students with a mentored teaching experience through which educational theory and methods can be applied while engaging in teaching activities with the mentor. The practicum will provide opportunities to analyze course design, implement objectives, evaluate student competencies and practice a variety of teaching methods: Offered every fall and spring semester and both summer sessions; 1-3 credits; may be repeated for up to 3 credits in total.

NURS 957 From Theory to Intervention

Prerequisite: NURS 912 or graduate level theory course. In-depth exploration of selected programmatic research in nursing and related fields on prevention and management of chronic conditions in order to generate and evaluate treatment theory and intervention protocol. Offered every fall semester; 3 credits.

NURS 958 Designing Intervention Studies

Prerequisite: NURS 957 or permission of instructor. Examines methodological, ethical, and practical issues in the design and implementation of theory-based intervention studies. Offered every spring semester; 3 credits.

NURS 968 Writing the Pre-/Post-Doctoral Training Plan for a Research-Intensive Career

This course explores components of and rationale for a pre-/post-doctoral training plan and its relevance for planning a research-intensive career. Students will write a personalized training plan following grant criteria. Prerequisite: Graduate status or permission of the instructor; completion of all first semester core courses in PhD program; permission of primary mentor; offered every summer; 2 credits.

NURS 979 Qualitative Analysis

Prerequisite: NURS 977 or equivalent doctoral level qualitative methods course. Emphasizes the work of analysis and interpretation. Students apply relevant qualitative techniques to their own data. Offered as needed; 3 credits.

Updated July 2019

PhD Curriculum Map

Second Year Specialization

Third Year (And Beyond) Dissertation

Course Sequencing

This course sequencing applies to the new curriculum,  beginning fall 2020 . Curriculum Courses for our PhD program will be offered at the following times:

Every Fall + –

NURS 671      Nursing Inquiry to Advance Evidence-Based Practice and Scholarship

NURS 675      Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation: Integrative Seminar

NURS 899      Special Topics

NURS 901      Clinical Scholars in Nursing Innovation I

NURS 903      Scientific Reasoning I: Defining and Articulating a Researchable Nursing Problem

NURS 908      Carolina PhD Seminar I: Introduction to Nursing Science and Syndemics

NURS 910      Carolina PhD Seminar III: Social Determinants of Health

NURS 912      Theoretical Foundations of Scientific Inquiry

NURS 913      Knowledge Synthesis I: Organizing & Evaluating Evidence

NURS 916      Design, Measurement, and Analysis I: Descriptive and Associational Research

NURS 918      Intermediate Statistics: Regression Analysis

NURS 924      Experiential Learning I

NURS 951      Mentored Teaching Practicum

NURS 957      From Theory to Intervention

NURS 985      Research Seminar & Practicum: Guided Individual Research Experience

NURS 994      Dissertation

Every Spring + –

NURS 902      Clinical Scholars in Nursing Innovation II

NURS 904      Scientific Reasoning II: Creating and Articulating Specific Aims

NURS 905      Scientific Reasoning III: Articulating Significance and Innovation

NURS 906      Scientific Reasoning IV: Crafting Methods and Analysis to Meet Specific Aims

NURS 909      Carolina PhD Seminar II: Biological, Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioral Determinants of Health

NURS 911      Carolina PhD Seminar IV: Synthesizing Multiple Determinants of Health, Syndemics, and Nursing Science

NURS 914      Knowledge Synthesis II: Disseminating Evidence

NURS 917      Design, Measurement, and Analysis II: Explanatory and Predictive Research

NURS 925      Experiential Learning II

NURS 958      Designing Intervention Studies

Every Summer + –

NURS 968      Writing the Pre-/Post-Doctoral Training Plan for a Research-Intensive Career

Electives Offered as Needed + –

NURS 915      Health Organization Policy

NURS 928      Organizational Theories

NURS 930      Children at Risk: Prenatal Period Through Emerging Young Adulthood

NURS 932      Families and Health

NURS 933      Health Care Quality and Patient Outcomes: Conceptual and Empirical Approaches

NURS 950      Analysis of the Academic Role in Nursing Education (every other spring, odd years)

NURS 979      Qualitative Analysis

Updated July 2019

Carolina Core

The purpose of the Carolina Core is to provide a curricular framework for students to achieve the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential in a graduate of the UNC School of Nursing. Consisting of 11 tenets, the Carolina Core was developed following rigorous review of national recommendations, analysis of the best available evidence, and consultation with education experts. Each Carolina Core tenet includes a title, a definition, and a narrative designed to apply the definition to the Carolina Nursing graduate.

• Carolina Core Tenets

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD Program Overview

Application Deadline: November 1  Application Available: September 1  Program Start: Fall, once a year only  Length of Program: 4 years full-time  Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy  Part-Time Study: YES  Distance Learning: Not at this time

Ranked #1 in Best Value PhD in Nursing Programs

( Value Colleges 2016 )

About the PhD

The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing Doctoral program prepares students to become researchers and to assume advanced leadership roles in nursing and health care delivery. A combination of conceptual approaches, challenging interactions in seminar discussions, and work with active researchers produces a stimulating environment for scholarly development.

Each student selects a focus area based on their nursing background, interests, and goals. The focus area provides a broad structure for the student's individualized course of study. Courses from nursing and from non-nursing disciplines offer options for tailoring the program of study to a student's particular focus area. The program is designed to help students identify a dissertation topic, apply for research funding, and begin a lifelong research career.

PhD Resources

Objectives for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD and AE PhD) Program

The graduate of the PhD program in nursing is expected to:

• Conduct research to advance knowledge and practice in nursing and healthcare.
• Develop, test, and refine theories for nursing and healthcare.
• Participate as a scholar in the advancement of theoretical, ethical, and practice aspects of nursing and healthcare.
• Participate as a scholar in transdisciplinary teams to advance the science of nursing and healthcare.
• Assume leadership roles in practice, education, and policy arenas to promote high quality and innovative health care, especially in underserved populations.
• Accept responsibility and accountability for disseminating knowledge.

Program requirements for the PhD in Nursing include core courses and other courses to ensure preparation in a focused area of study. The PhD program prepares nurse researchers to make significant contributions to nursing knowledge and nursing practice through ongoing scientific inquiry and the dissemination of research findings.

Degree Plans (All files are in PDF format.)

• BSN to PhD Program of Work
• BSN to PhD Sample Schedule
• PhD Program of Work
• PhD Sample Schedule

There are various avenues for support during the doctoral program. Every student who applies by the November 1 deadline and is accepted into the PhD program, will be considered for a one-year Fellowship. Those applying after the November 1 deadline may also be considered for financial support. Monetary amounts range from $7,000 - $25,000, based on admission scores and full time/part time status. Competitive continuing fellowships are available after year one, based on timely academic progression and scholarly activities. Other small scholarship opportunities (usually $1,000-$2,000) may be available yearly through the School of Nursing. Doctoral students may work as Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and Assistant Instructors. These appointments have tuition and benefits assistance based on appointment hours/week.

Additionally, US citizen and permanent resident doctoral students can apply to the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) . The NFLP is a loan-cancellation program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Health Professions. This program allows nursing schools to provide financial loans to students enrolled in advanced degree nursing programs and who intend to teach in a nursing program after graduation. This is not a need-based loan program; however, students must complete a FAFSA. For more information, visit UT Financial and Administrative Services - Nursing Faculty Loan Services page.

• UT Austin offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary study ( doctoral portfolio programs ) in fields such as gerontology, Mexican American studies, and women's studies.
• Internationally recognized nursing faculty with over $10 million in NIH research funding.
• Nursing faculty at UT Austin have diverse backgrounds in preparation and experience.
• Thirteen of the current 26 graduate nursing faculty are Fellows in the prestigious American Academy of Nursing.
• The doctoral program emphasizes development of a sound foundation in nursing science.
• Participation in faculty research projects is an integral part of the doctoral program.

All students interested in applying for graduate study in Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin must meet the admission requirements established by the University’s Graduate School and the School of Nursing. Applicants are expected to be graduates of accredited colleges or universities. Below are the minimum requirements for admission.

• Degree: A bachelor's or a master's degree in nursing from an acceptable accredited program or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution.
• GPA : 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable GPA in upper-division work (junior- and senior- level courses) and in any graduate work complete.
• Recommendations : 3 required
• Statement of Purpose
• Curriculum Vitae/resume
• Nursing License: Current RN licensure, if admitted.

All students applying for formal admission to the Master’s and PhD programs must complete the online application and submit the following application materials by the November 1 deadline .

Application for Admission

Complete online application for admissions and pay application fee at ApplyTexas.org . The application is only open between September 1st and November 1st. The online application is data entry only. All supporting application documents are uploaded on the My Status page after the application is paid and submitted.

* Recommendation : Complete online application, at minimum, 2 weeks prior to the November 1 deadline, ensuring all documents provided by the application deadline.

Supporting Documents

• Official transcripts dated one year or less, from all four-year institutions attended.
• See AE-PhD Application Checklist (PDF) for transcript upload procedures.
• Curriculum Vitae/resume.
• Personal Statement: Maximum two (2) pages. Readable font, 12-point, double spaced, 1-inch margins)
• Using our secure, personalized form, three (3) professional recommendations that attest to the applicant's academic ability, professional competency and personal character must be submitted electronically by each recommender.
• Written recommendations are not accepted.
• See the International Students webpage for English language requirements.

For additional details on how to prepare your graduate application materials and personal statement instructions, please view PhD Application Checklist (PDF).

Visit the Graduate Admissions webpage for additional information.

All materials must be submitted electronically to the My Status Check page that is available approximately 48 hours after the ApplyTexas.org application submission.

The School of Nursing Graduate Admissions and Progression Committee (GAPC) begin preliminary admission reviews after the November 1st deadline. All application materials are required to be submitted by the program’s application deadline; files that remain incomplete will not be reviewed or acted upon by GAPC.

If admitted, applicants will be notified of the admission decision by March. Decisions are communicated in the following ways:

• Offers of admission are sent via email by the School of Nursing.
• Official e-letters from the Graduate and International Admission Center notifying you of the admission decision of the Office of Graduate Studies are available on the application Status Check page.

NOTE: Email is the official means of communication for all university business.

If not admitted, applicants will be notified by the GIAC only.

Please feel free to email Graduate Student Services Office if you have questions about the admission process.

All files are in PDF format.

• Choosing a Quality PhD Program
• PhD Application Checklist

Michigan State University

College of Nursing

Get Connected:

Faculty/Staff Login:

We offer both full-time  and part-time  program options to meet the needs of each individual student. The full-time program curriculum is intended to be completed in four-years. Many students complete the full-time program while working 10-20 hours per week either at MSU or as a nurse. The part-time program is intended to be a six-year program. This enables students to pursue their PhD while also having time to manage other responsibilities like working full time and/or take care of family.

For examples of each curriculum, please see the PhD Handbook . The director of the PhD Program,  Dr. Lorraine Robbins , is happy to answer any questions you may have!

Course requirements

66 credits minimum at the doctoral level: CEP 933: Quantitative Methods in Educational Research II or EPI 808: Biostatistics I CEP 934: Multivariate Data Analysis I or EPI 809: Biostatistics II NUR 920: Translation of Research and Scientific Knowledge to a Community Setting NUR 921: Scientific Foundations of Nursing Knowledge Development NUR 924: Designing Interventions for Improving Health Outcomes NUR 930: Methods in Clinical Research NUR 939: Improving Health Outcomes: Scientific Foundations NUR 940: Research Practicum  NUR 950: Nursing Research Seminar I NUR 951: Nursing Research Seminar II NUR 999: Nursing Dissertation VAR: Qualitative research course, as approved by committee VAR: At least two courses in area of concentration, as approved by committee VAR: At least two additional statistics courses, as approved by committee PhD Curriculum

NOTE: Students who have not completed a master's degree in nursing may be required to complete additional coursework as identified by their Faculty Advisor and Program Guidance Committee.

Optional College of Nursing Certification in College Teaching Program (CCTP):

NUR 861: Curriculum design  NUR 866: Academic and clinical teaching in nursing education

Helpful links:

• Tuition & Fees
• Course Schedules
• Academic Calendar
• Application System

Resources for:

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• PhD in Nursing & Health Science Program

Launch your research career at an NIH-ranked nursing school with a premier academic medical center in Rochester, New York.

• MS-PhD Combined Program
• Academics & Curriculum
• Eligibility & Admissions
• Tuition & Financial Support
• Careers & Student Bios

The PhD in Nursing and Health Science program offers a rich and supportive learning environment for the next generation of nursing and health care scientists.

Program Cost

100% tuition waiver.

For full-time PhD students plus annual stipend

Research Rankings

Ranked 31st among nursing schools in research funding from the National Institutes of Health

Priority Deadline

Applications accepted for fall entry only. Apply by Jan. 15 for priority enrollment and UR scholarship/fellowship consideration.  Refer to our application deadlines.

The PhD in Nursing & Health Science program at the University of Rochester sets itself apart by offering close mentorship from  nationally-recognized faculty . Plus, the collaborative learning environment is enriched by interaction with researchers across many disciplines — all of which allows you to learn how to make meaningful discoveries and innovations in a changing health care landscape.

Choose from three pathways to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing and Health Science. Full-time students are awarded assistantships that provide full tuition waiver, health insurance, and stipend support.

As part of the University of Rochester Medical Center , the School of Nursing engages in groundbreaking interdisciplinary research through collaborative partnerships with nurses and other health care practitioners across the campus, region, and nation. The University of Rochester School of Nursing has a long history of research innovation and continues to pioneer new breakthroughs in:

Sexual Health & HIV Oncology & Palliative Care Healthy Aging Parent-Child, Adolescent & Transgenerational Health Cardiovascular Care

Quotation Mark What keeps me going is the notion that I'm helping patients. That in the future I will hopefully help more people with my research. And the support of the faculty, really. They know how to mentor, to push and challenge me as a student and to explore things that I might not recognize within myself. Faith Lambert, MS, RN, FNP-BC Research Interests: Adolescent & adult health, health disparities, HIV Meet PhD Students

Join the next cohort of PhD students

The PhD in Nursing & Health Science program admits a small cohort each fall. From day one, you will work closely with your mentor, receive assistance with coursework and grant writing, and work alongside your peers to discover how to pursue research that makes an impact.

Our PhD Students

News & Stories

UR Nursing Researchers Present, Earn Prizes at ENRS

Apr 15, 2024

UR Nursing’s Abu-Ba’are Leads $2.3M Study on Improving HIV Prevention, Care in Ghana

Dec 18, 2023

UR Nursing Researchers Recognized at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions

Nov 21, 2023

Marie Flannery, PhD, RN, AOCN

Director, PhD Program in Nursing & Health Science Associate Professor of Nursing

Natalie Leblanc, PhD, MPH, RN, BSN

Assistant Professor Harriet J. Kitzman Endowed Fellow in Health Disparities

Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN

Postdoctoral Program Director Center for Nursing Research on Aging

James McMahon, PhD

Endowed Chair for Innovation in Health Care Associate Professor

Connect With Us

Interested in earning your PhD? Connect with us to discuss the PhD degree in nursing and health science and the opportunities available at the University of Rochester. 

Request Info

Contact Admissions

Follow the School of Nursing at the University of Rochester

• Graduate School
• MADISON, WI
• Add Your Review

Master’s programs

All master’s programs offered, similar grad schools.

• The Catholic University of America
• WASHINGTON, DC
• Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• MINNEAPOLIS, MN
• Rating 4 out of 5   3 reviews
• ECPI University
• VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
• Rating 4.83 out of 5   12 reviews
• Thomas Jefferson University
• PHILADELPHIA, PA
• Rating 4.6 out of 5   5 reviews

Should I Get a Master's Before a Doctoral Degree?

Do you need a master's degree to get a Ph.D.? No, but experts suggest considering these key factors before deciding.

Should I Get a Master's Before a Ph.D?

Getty Images

A master’s eases the transition to graduate work and may make you more competitive when applying to doctoral programs.

Although it's not usually a requirement, earning a master’s degree before applying to a Ph.D. or other doctoral program can be a good way to get accustomed to graduate-level coursework while gaining valuable research experience and connections in your field.

But it can also be an expensive and time-consuming detour on the route to a doctorate, so it’s important to consider whether the benefits of earning a master’s before a Ph.D. outweigh the cost.

Here are some factors experts say you should weigh.

Reasons to Get a Master’s Degree First

Karin Ash, a graduate consultant at Accepted, a college admissions consulting firm, says the research experience students can gain through a master’s tends to give them an edge in doctoral admissions.

Master's studies can also expand opportunities for students who already have significant research work behind them. Ash notes that some students she works with have research experience but choose to explore other research areas through a master's before deciding on a focus for their doctoral studies.

If your undergraduate major was fairly different from what you plan to study at a graduate level, getting a master’s degree first can help bridge the gap, says Julie Posselt, a professor of education and associate dean of the University of Southern California Graduate School. Posselt, who earned her master's before pursuing doctoral studies, says master’s studies can also help you decide whether what you’re studying is right for your academic interests and career goals .

“I learned through my master's program that the field that I had started to pursue was much more narrow than what I wanted for the long term,” Posselt says. “So instead of investing five years in a field, I was able to invest a shorter amount of time – two years – and then make the decision that if someday I wanted a Ph.D., it was going to need to be in a broader field than the one that I had during my master's.”

Ash and Posselt say a master’s can be a good way to network with experts in your field of interest and make connections that will be valuable in a future career.

“A lot of STEM students tell me they don’t have professors who know them as their classes are large,” Ash wrote in an email. “Obtaining a master’s degree will allow them to develop relationships with professors who can then write substantive recommendation letters .”

Reasons to Go Straight to a Doctoral Program

Master's degrees can be expensive , and students often don't receive significant funding to complete their studies.

“My concern is the increasing debt that American students have from their undergraduate education," Posselt says, "and the fact that most master's programs don't fund them, and as a result, students have to take out significant loans" to complete a master’s.

"I always encourage students, if they're going to get a master's degree, to try to find a place where they can get funding along the way,” she says.

On the other hand, Ash says it’s common for Ph.D. programs to be fully funded , so it may be unnecessarily costly to earn a master’s degree first – especially if it means taking out student loans .

In addition to considering the tuition cost, Posselt says it’s important to consider the earnings you could lose by delaying the start of your career by a year or two to pursue a master’s degree.

It's also worth investigating whether the doctoral program you're considering will accept some of the credits you earn in a master's program, as that could shorten your doctoral studies. But Posselt says the transferability of master's-level coursework is relatively weak and varies by institution.

Even if you do apply master's coursework to your Ph.D., it may not be worthwhile.

"Many Ph.D. programs will accept credits from courses taken at the master's level if the coursework is relevant to the program," Ash says. "However, often the applicant is veering to a more specialized education and will need to take the appropriate coursework to become proficient in that subject area. This could mean they end up with many more credits than needed to graduate."

If you’re still unsure whether you should pursue a master’s first, Posselt says it’s important to consider the leverage the degree could have when it comes to doctoral admissions. A master’s is more valuable in some fields than others, she notes, so consulting with advisers and mentors from your undergraduate studies is a good way to determine how useful it will be when pursuing doctoral work.

Grad Degree Jobs With $100K+ Salaries

Tags: graduate schools , education , students

You May Also Like

Different jobs with med degree.

Jarek Rutz April 30, 2024

Completing Medical School in Five Years

Kate Rix April 30, 2024

Dealing With Medical School Rejection

Kathleen Franco, M.D., M.S. April 30, 2024

Should You Take the LSAT More Than Once?

Gabriel Kuris April 29, 2024

How to Win a Fulbright Scholarship

Cole Claybourn and Ilana Kowarski April 26, 2024

What to Ask Law Students and Alumni

Gabriel Kuris April 22, 2024

Find a Strong Human Rights Law Program

Anayat Durrani April 18, 2024

Environmental Health in Medical School

Zach Grimmett April 16, 2024

How to Choose a Law Career Path

Gabriel Kuris April 15, 2024

Questions Women MBA Hopefuls Should Ask

Haley Bartel April 12, 2024

• Precepting at YSN
• Event Calendar

Graduate Entry Pre-Specialty in Nursing (GEPN)

The GEPN program allows those with a non-nursing background to take advantage of a Yale nursing education to pursue a rewarding career in advanced practice nursing.  This accelerated three-year program combines preparation in basic nursing with advanced training leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Graduates will be prepared to take advantage of a diverse range of career opportunities, including advanced clinical practice, leadership roles, and further education such as post-master’s certificates or doctorates.

Recognizing that students arrive to the gepn program with vast experiences and knowledge outside of nursing, the gepn curriculum balances both the arts and the sciences in the curriculum and clinical components. students are offered experiences in the acute-care hospital units and community settings to achieve ysn’s overall mission of better health for all people. we believe that the integration of preventive and curative practice is key to the education of nurses..

The faculty believe that the art of nursing is as important as the science of nursing and are committed to understanding, developing, and evaluating clinical competency. The curriculum is carefully crafted to provide students both traditional and alternative pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning. We use resources from Yale University, Yale New Haven Hospital and the local New Haven community to provide students with learning and creative opportunities in becoming a nurse.

Upon completion of the pre-specialty year, students continue on with their graduate studies which includes theory, practice, and research. Students are admitted into their designated specialty when accepted into the program. The Certificate in Nursing and a license to practice nursing in Connecticut are the two prerequisites required for the GEPN student to continue with their graduate work to earn their MSN degree.

How to Apply to the GEPN Program

All GEPN applicants must submit and complete an   online NursingCAS application  and pay a non-refundable application fee of $80.  In addition to the online application, the following elements of a complete application are required: 

Prerequisites

Please note an important recent change to the GEPN prerequisite requirement: all four prerequisites must be completed no later than June 15th, but none of the courses must be completed by the application deadline.  

Four prerequisites are required for admission for all GEPN applicants. These courses must be completed before June 15th prior to matriculation into the school. A grade of B- (80) or better is required. Prerequisites must be taken at an accredited college or university including community college either in person or online within the last 8 years prior to application submission. AP credits are NOT acceptable to fulfill the following required courses. The four courses required are:

Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (4 credits/semester). May complete one semester of anatomy and one semester of physiology both with labs as separate courses.

General Chemistry with lab (4 credits)

Microbiology with lab (4 credits)

GEPN Faculty

Faculty who teach in the gepn program.

Laura Kierol Andrews, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC

Kassandra August-Marcucio, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CUNP

Sandy Cayo, DNP, FNP-BC, PhD(c)

Elizabeth Cohen, Pharm D

Joanna Cole, RN, APRN, FNP-BC

Daihnia Dunkley, PhD, RN

Linda Ghampson, MSN, RN, CHSE

Max Greger-Moser, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Wendy Mackey, APRN-BC, MSN, CORLN

Travis McCann, MSN

Jennifer McIntosh,  PhD, RN, CNE, PMH-BC, NEA-BC

Sharen McKay, PhD

Christine Rodriguez, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, MDiv, MA

Marlene St. Juste, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

• The Graduate School >
• Graduate News >

School of Nursing fosters mentor experience

campus news

Nursing student Lilian Igwe (right), who will graduate in May, is paired with mentor Tineka Pace. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

By CHARLES ANZALONE

Published April 26, 2024

Tineka Pace is a Buffalo native and 2002 School of Nursing graduate “continuously haunted” by the memories of blatant and inconspicuous racism, cultural ignorance and bigotry that she has experienced during her career.

Because it matters to what she does now for the School of Nursing, she will explain what those strong words mean.

After a warning that some of the words she needs to use will be “offensive,” Pace will tell you about the numerous times she has been called “the N-word” by patients; the time when she walked into a room as a nurse manager and was asked by patients to see “your boss” and “empty the garbage” on her way out; and when her supervisor, who otherwise valued her work, looked the other way when she was clearly the target of racism.

“There has certainly been no lack of instances of inconspicuous racism that have plagued my life as a nurse. It feels as though the occurrences became more frequent as I progressed in my career,” says Pace, who is now nurse manager for the AmTrust Workers Compensation Utilization Review Unit.

“I want to emphasize that one of the most challenging aspects of my career has been dealing with microaggressions from colleagues and leadership.”

Here’s what she’s doing about it. Pace was singled out as one of — if not the most enthusiastic — participant in the School of Nursing’s mentorship program. It was clear that after George Floyd was killed in 2020, students were asking for extra support, Pace says, and she felt compelled to step forward.

Stick around. The story gets hopeful soon. But Pace is so invested, so committed to filling what she clearly sees as a need, it’s important to hear her out and understand where her urgency comes from.

“I have also been asked about my upbringing and my education in a way that suggests that I must have come from a disadvantaged background or a lower level of academic achievement,” she says. “How statements that imply that I must have been accepted into the UB SON through an affirmative action program or that I was hired into management to satisfy a diversity quota find their way into conversations still amazes me. The constant need to feel that I must prove myself is exhausting. My measurable accomplishments and achievements are constantly being overshadowed by notions that advancements were handed to me because I check two diversity boxes (female and black).”

The mentorship program Pace holds in such high esteem did indeed start in response to Floyd’s death in May 2020, according to Sophia Overton, clinical instructor and program lead.

A Sept. 14, 2020, panel entitled “Filling in the gaps: A discussion about professional challenges with racism in nursing” was led by Amy Hequembourg, the school diversity officer at the time. Pace was among the panelists who volunteered to become mentors for Black and African American students who desired support.

“It was evident Black nursing students felt they needed additional support to help them navigate racial tensions following the murder of George Floyd,” Pace says. “It was important to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of nurses, especially those from underrepresented groups.”

Overton says the program provides nonacademic support to interested students.

“The support is student-driven based on their concerns, needs and interests. Some topics include self-care strategies, how to manage microaggressions, prejudices in the workplace, etc. The overarching goal,” she says, “is to help the mentees develop skills, confidence for their personal and career success.”

‘Support continues’

The mentors are registered professional nurses employed in various areas of the nursing profession, according to Overton. Many are members of the first professional nursing sorority in Buffalo, Iota Eta Eta of Chi Eta Phi Inc. Mentors correspond with their mentees at least twice monthly for 30 minutes to discuss topics of the students’ choosing.

“Some mentees still maintain contact with mentors,” says Overton. “The support continues.”

Lilian Igwe is a great example. A traditional nursing program student who will graduate in May, Igwe is paired with Tineka Pace.

“Prior to submitting my application, there was a rumor suggesting that individuals of color were frequently overlooked during the admission process,” says Igwe, who Pace described as “a brilliant and enthusiastic young woman with a bright future ahead of her.”

“Hearing this rumor definitely put fear in my heart about whether I would get in or not,” Igwe says. “Or if I should even consider applying.”

Now, Igwe is glad she did.

“I am on the e-board of the Multicultural Nursing Organization as the activities coordinator and am happy to be an African American who can give courage to other people of color like me to apply so I can invalidate that rumor,” she says.

 “Tineka is always connecting me with resources. I even won a scholarship she encouraged me to apply for. She checks in on me often to make sure I am staying on track.

“Knowing her has been a consistent reminder about how successful a Black woman can be. That is reassuring while being in a predominately white institution,” Igwe says.

“I would definitely keep in touch with her after I graduate from the UB nursing program, and I recently asked her to do the honor of pinning me for my nursing pinning ceremony.”

• myPNW Login
• Brightspace Login
• PNW Calendar
• Scholarships
• Tuition and Fees

Stepping up to the challenge: Meet PNW 2024 graduate Allison Arnold

Allison Arnold, ‘24, has a talent for staying calm under pressure. Whether it’s making key defensive plays as the center fielder for PNW Pride Softball or preparing to enter a fast-paced Nursing career, she can stay cucumber cool.

Arnold is completing her bachelor of science in Nursing (BSN) from PNW’s College of Nursing . Her goal is to start as an emergency room or intensive care unit (ICU) nurse. Down the line, she wants to further her education with a master of science in Nursing (MSN) or even a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

While at PNW, Arnold played with Pride Softball and served on PNW Athletics’ Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) .

“My words of advice for student-athletes are that it’s never too hard to do both your sport and school,” Arnold said. “If it’s something you’re passionate about, you can do both.”

How did you become interested in Nursing?

“My mom is a nurse practitioner. When I was growing up, I wanted to be like my mom, so that was my drive to be a nurse. I’m drawn to health care in general. I just have a nurturing and helpful personality, and I always want to help someone if they are hurt. My siblings would say I care a lot. I’m a triplet, and I was always the leader out of us, such as caring for someone when they got sick.

“I picked Nursing at Purdue Northwest because I also wanted to play softball at a high level, and PNW was one of the schools that would allow me to do both.”

What did you like the most about your program?

“The connections we have with the local hospitals. We have so many fantastic hospital systems all around in Northwest Indiana. No matter what direction you go, there’s a hospital. And you can cross the state line and we have access to Illinois hospitals. Those connections can change your life. If you go to a Nursing program in a rural setting, then you probably won’t have access to the same big hospitals.”

Make connections and use your resources...If you make connections or get involved in a committee or club, you can make a group of friends and find like-minded people. Allison Arnold, ‘24, Nursing

What did you like the most about PNW?

“Literally anywhere you go, you have resources, whether that’s in student housing, academic tutors, professors that are willing to help you, peer mentors in Athletics. Our coaches are also the biggest support system you could possibly ask for.”

Did you have a pivotal experience while attending PNW?

“Being a part of SAAC and doing trunk-or-treat with the community meant a lot because you’re doing something impactful, powerful and fun for a community that needs it. With PNW being in the middle of Hammond, we help build relationships with our school and the city. Trunk-or-treat creates a safe environment for families that come out, and they love that.”

What words of advice would you share with prospective students?

“Make connections and use your resources. If you utilize mentors and all the materials your professors give you, you’ll be more than successful. If you make connections or get involved in a committee or club, you can make a group of friends and find like-minded people.”

Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?

Tristan Zink

Head softball coach

“She’s helped me more than anyone with academics, personal life and softball. She has been such a huge support for me throughout my whole experience. She’s awesome.”

Meet the Spring 2024 Graduates

Discover what inspires our remarkable Spring 2024 graduates—and how they are Powering Onward to their futures.

Read Graduate Stories