Program Overview
Advance Your Nursing Career: MSN to PhD in Nursing
As dedicated lifelong learners, many of our Master of Science in Nursing graduates return to our community to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. Our PhD program is specifically designed to prepare the next generation of nurse scientists for influential careers in clinical research and the scholarship of discovery.
By earning your PhD, you unlock professional opportunities in higher education, scientific research, and executive leadership.Designed for Working Professionals
We understand that PhD students often balance demanding professional roles. To accommodate your schedule, our MSN to PhD program utilizes a hybrid-friendly format where students come to campus just one day each week.
This dedicated on-campus day allows you to clear your professional calendar and fully immerse yourself in intensive coursework. It provides a vital space to engage with your cohort and collaborate directly with expert faculty members in a focused, academic environment.
View the Curriculum
| Component | Course | Course Title / Requirement | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | |||
| Program Requirement | Minimum of 48 units of post-master’s coursework, including 15 units for the dissertation. Minimum grade of B- required in degree courses with an overall GPA of 3.0. | 48 | |
| Core Component (9 units) | |||
| Core | PHDN 601 | Philosophy of Science in Nursing | 3 |
| Core | PHDN 602 | Theory Development in Nursing | 3 |
| Core | PHDN 697 | Seminar in Health Equity and Disparity Research | 3 |
| Research Core Component (12 units) | |||
| Research Core | PHDN 607 | Applied Statistics and Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Research Core | PHDN 608 | Applications of Multivariate Statistics | 3 |
| Research Core | PHDN 670 | Quantitative Designs in Research | 3 |
| Research Core | PHDN 673 | Introduction to Qualitative Research: Background, Processes, and Approaches | 3 |
| Areas of Emphasis (12 units) | |||
| Areas of Emphasis | Four graduate courses selected by the student and advisor or dissertation chair related to the student’s specific research topic. | 12 | |
| Dissertation Component (15 units minimum) | |||
| Dissertation | PHDN 650 | Nursing Research Seminar | 1 |
| Dissertation | PHDN 651 | Nursing Research Seminar | 1 |
| Dissertation | PHDN 652 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
| Dissertation | PHDN 653 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Dissertation | PHDN 654 | Nursing Research Seminar | 3 |
| Dissertation | PHDN 695 | Dissertation | 6 |
| Total Units | 48 | ||
| Candidacy Registration Requirement | |||
| Candidacy | PHDN 695 / PHDN 655 | Proposal and dissertation findings presentations are required. After completing 15 units of dissertation research (6 units of PHDN 650–653, 3 units of PHDN 654, and 6 units of PHDN 695), candidates must continue to register for PHDN 695 (1 unit) and PHDN 655 (1 unit) each semester to maintain candidacy until the dissertation is completed. See the Doctoral Student Handbook for dissertation guidelines. | |
A Community of Mentorship and Support
What truly distinguishes our nursing program is the strong personal connection between faculty and students. We prioritize a supportive learning environment to ensure every doctoral candidate has the resources and guidance necessary to excel in their research.
When you join our program, you become part of a collaborative community of nurse scientists. Our faculty and peers walk alongside you, providing the mentorship needed to nurture your academic and professional success.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates are prepared for high-level leadership roles that influence systems, policy, and organizational strategy. This includes executive leadership positions, health system innovation roles, academic leadership, and research focused on improving care delivery, workforce outcomes, and health equity.
Students focus on research that addresses complex health care challenges, including leadership effectiveness, workforce sustainability, care delivery models, patient safety, and system-level outcomes. Dissertation work is designed to generate evidence that informs decision-making and drives meaningful change across health systems.
An MSN to PhD program focuses on generating new knowledge through research and preparing nurse scientists and faculty. A DNP program focuses on applying existing evidence to improve clinical practice. Nurses interested in research, academia, and advancing the science of nursing typically pursue a PhD.
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