Nursing, PhD

I. Admission Requirements

• A personal statement that addresses the candidate’s research interests, potential faculty mentors, research and scholarship goals, and the impetus for pursuing the Nursing, PhD.
• Two written professional references from individuals with expertise to comment on the applicant’s capability for research and scholarship (for example, university professors, employers). At least one of the references must be from a doctorly-prepared nurse.
• A master’s degree in nursing from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited school. (Applicants without a MSN must have a BSN from an accredited program.) See below for details on the BSN to PhD admission requirements.
• Minimum grade-point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale on all graduate work.
• Evidence of a current unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina or a NCSBN compact state. Students on foreign student visas must present evidence of professional standing in their respective countries. BSN to PhD students must obtain an unrestricted license by the end of the fall semester of the year of admission to continue in the program.
• Satisfactory performance on Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) when English is not the first language.
• Computer competency, with proficiency in basic software. The school requires that all students use e-mail and web access for communication and coursework.
• A graduate statistics course that included inferential statistics or another statistical refresher course approved by the PhD program director. Students who do not have the inferential statistics course may take NURS 7638 in the first semester of the program to meet this requirement.
• A current curriculum vita.
• Once the student’s application is complete, the interview will be coordinated by the PhD program associate and conducted virtually by a selection committee comprised of PhD program faculty. 

Applicants for admission to the BSN to PhD option must meet general admission requirements for the PhD program. Additional requirements include:

• Minimum GPA of 3.3 and no grade below B on all previous coursework.
• BSN from an accredited nursing program.
• Approval of the director of the MSN concentration selected and the PhD program director.
• A graduate statistics course that includes inferential statistics or other statistical refresher course approved by the PhD program director prior to enrolling in doctoral courses.

II. Application

The Nursing, PhD program admits 6-10 students each year. Applications for study to begin in the summer semester will be accepted until February 15 or until seats are filled. Applications are processed as received. Applicants are expected to ensure that the Graduate School and the College of Nursing receive all supporting credentials by the final filing date. BSN to PhD applicants enrolled in the final semester of undergraduate study must provide a transcript as soon as they graduate and no later than August 1 of the year enrollment in the graduate program would begin. Applicants are evaluated in four areas: GPA, references, essay, and interview. Completed applications are considered as they are received. All completed applications received by the final filing date will be given careful consideration. Interviews are conducted as completed applications are received. Each applicant will be notified in writing of the admission decision after the admission process is completed.

Preference is given to those who demonstrate a capacity for creative inquiry, critical thinking, scholarship, and leadership. In the case of equally qualified applicants, preference will be given to individuals who intend to pursue doctoral study on a full-time basis. Students will be assigned an academic advisor at the time of admission. All admitted PhD students are required to begin in the 11-week summer school session of the year of acceptance.

III. Degree Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 54 semester hours (s.h.) beyond the master’s degree (includes a minimum of 6 s.h. for dissertation) with the exception of BSN to PhD students who are required to complete between 72 and 80 semester hours and DNP to PhD students who are required to complete a minimum of 54 semester hours that may include up to 12 semester hours from a DNP program to partially fulfill requirements of the PhD program. As in other research-focused programs of doctoral study, students in this program may expect to enroll in more than the minimum required credit hours and to be aware that study opportunities that focus on particular areas of study are in addition to the basic program requirements. Additional study is individualized and depends on the student’s background and graduate preparation as well as the identified career focus. The program of study includes both full- and part-time options. Since enrollments in doctoral programs tend to be small, students need to closely adhere to the plan of study, as courses are offered once a year. To deviate from the plan of study may mean a delay of one or more semesters before course enrollment is again possible.