Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The PhD Program prepares beginning level nurse scientists, the majority of whom become nursing faculty. The PhD Program is based on the belief that nursing is a science. We believe nurse scholars must receive doctoral preparation to develop as scientists, and doctoral education is best accomplished when faculty and students participate in a partnership of inquiry. Successful graduates think critically, conduct research and serve as successful collaborators and principal investigators on interdisciplinary research teams. Graduates develop leadership skills to influence health policy and promote social justice at local, national and global levels.

The doctoral curriculum includes four areas of study. Theory development develops analytical abilities and provides the knowledge base and skills requisite to the development of the nurse scholar. Conduct of research enhances the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement a program of research. Area of emphasis is specific to the research topic of individual interest. And finally, your dissertation includes development of the research proposal, data collection, writing of the dissertation and the final oral presentation.

The doctoral program includes a minimum of 48 units of post-master’s course work:

• Theory Development (9 units)
• Research (15 units)
• Area of Emphasis (9 units)
• Dissertation (15 units)

The application deadline is December 15. The minimum GPA requirement for the BSN to PhD program is 3.0.  The minimum GPA requirement for the MSN to PhD program is 3.5.  Three professional recommendations (including two from nurses who hold the PhD degree) and a personal statement of research interest and professional career goals are also required. An interview will be scheduled for those who meet preliminary selection criteria.

International applicants must generally meet the same requirements. Waiver of the California RN licensure requirement is considered on an individual basis. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is mandatory of all applicants except those who are from English speaking countries.

The University of San Diego's minimum scores are:

TOEFL
237 on the computer-based test
580 on the paper-based test
83 on the internet-based test

IELTS
Band score 7

International applicants are also required to have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org). A Course-by-Course Report from WES must be submitted with your application. Be advised that the evaluation will take at least 20 days, sometimes much longer. Please contact the agency for more information.

The personal statement of career goals should include an area of research interest and related clinical, teaching, and/or research experience. The area of research interest should be reflective of the expertise of USD School of Nursing faculty. Future career goals should also be addressed.

Academic coursework, faculty mentorship, and independent study provide the mechanism for a full-time student to progress through the Post-Master's PhD program in 3 to 4 years and through the BSN to PhD program in approximately 4 to 5 years.

The University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science received funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and operate a student loan fund to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty. Up to 85% of the principal and interest of the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) loan may be forgiven after a student completes the PhD program in advanced nursing education and works as a full-time faculty member in an accredited School of Nursing for four years. Please contact the School for application materials at (619) 260-4548.

In addition to this fund, there are federal loans, university grants, and scholarships available. To learn more about the Federal Stafford Loans and University Grants, please contact the Office of Financial Aid. To learn more other opportunities, please visit our Financial Aid Resources web page.

Students receive a strong foundation in scientific inquiry with a focus on a clinically relevant area for scholarship and research, hands-on research skills, strategies to promote nursing scholarship, such as grant writing and publication, and a focus on knowledge transmission of the discipline of nursing. Nurses prepared with a PhD have career opportunities as faculty and administrators in university settings. They assume the role of nurse scientist as principal investigators or members of interdisciplinary research teams in academic and health care settings. Positions are also open to PhD prepared nurses in government or private organizations influencing health policy and health care.

For students who have completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice, up to 11 units of course work completed within the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree may be applicable to the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree.