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The School of Nursing is committed to assisting all full-time PhD students for four years of tuition, fees, stipend, and health insurance.

PhD Tuition and Financial Aid

Students may be funded internally or externally, depending on funding options available. The PhD 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.

Internal Funding

External funding, supplemental employment, international students, scholarships & grants, academic practice partnership scholarship for employees of penn nursing’s academic partners, future of nursing scholars program, independence blue cross nurses for tomorrow scholarship.

Eligible to candidates for a Doctoral of Nursing Practice or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree and intend to pursue a career as a nurse educator or an advanced practice nurse. Recipients will be selected by committee and awards may vary, minimum award amount will be $2500. To qualify, you must be able to provide proof of residency (RN license, driver’s license, car registration, or voter registration) in one of the following areas:

• Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Chester or Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania
• New Castle County in Delaware
• Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem and Mercer Counties in New Jersey

Jonas Scholars Program

The program was created in 2008 to support doctoral nursing students to increase the number of doctorally-prepared faculty available to teach in nursing schools nationwide, as well as the number of advanced practice nurses providing direct patient care. Through an institutional grant to the school, the Program provides financial assistance, leadership development and networking support to expand the pipeline of future doctorally-prepared nurse faculty and advanced practice nurses.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

Available to MSN, Post-Master’s, and PhD students who are interested in pursuing a career as a nursing educator, this loan forgiveness program is funded by HRSA – up to 85% forgivable. Awards may vary and can be awarded as high as $35,500, and require a 4-year work commitment as a full-time faculty member at any school of nursing.

Understanding Your Aid

Preparing financially for your doctoral program, program funding for full-time doctoral students, financial aid for part-time doctoral students.

Part-time doctoral students are responsible for their tuition, fees, and health insurance. You can submit a FAFSA if you would like to borrow Federal loans for your tuition, fees, health insurance, and living expenses.

Federal Direct Loans & Direct Graduate Plus Loans are available for full-time and part-time students who are attending at least half time (2 CUs). You can request $20,500 of unsubsidized Direct Loan funds every academic year. Keep in mind you must make a progression of 6 CUs to receive each new level of borrowing.

You can use Grad Plus Loans to cover your expected contribution and any difference between your needs and the combination of your grants, scholarships, and loans.

Loan forgiveness program

Working while enrolled in the doctoral program.

You are permitted to work in the School of Nursing to supplement your income:

• U.S. Citizens or permanent residents: Up to 10 additional hours per week
• International students: Up to 8 hours per week in addition to your primary appointment.

Many doctoral students work a secondary appointment in the school as a lecturer, clinical instructor, or as classroom support.

 As always, if you have any questions, we are here to help!

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• 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.

Spring 2024 classes will be held on: January 23, February 20, March 12, April 9, and April 30

Summer 2024 classes will be held on: may 28, june 11, june 25, july 9, and july 30.

The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record is the official repository for academic program requirements.

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PhD in Nursing Science Program

  Applications for Fall 2024 will open on August 1, 2023 . Learn More

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Vanderbilt’s PhD in Nursing Science prepares nurse scientists who will engage in multidisciplinary and team-based research that aims to transform the discipline of nursing through scientific discovery. Our students’ academic experience is closely aligned with our faculty’s scholarship and area of research focus. Graduates of our program conduct and disseminate research that responds to regional, national and international priorities. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing offers a rich array of resources through Vanderbilt University and the nonprofit Vanderbilt University Medical Center. PhD in Nursing Science student tuition is fully funded , covering up to four years of required didactic and research coursework. Additionally, admitted students receive annual stipends, for the same period, while enrolled in the PhD in Nursing Science program.  

PhD Webinar

Our webinars include an outline of the PhD in Nursing Science Program, program format, application process, components of funding, etc. Webinars are conducted throughout the academic year, and particularly ahead of a new application cycle (which open annually on August 1). Contact the PhD Program Manager to request information on upcoming live webinars. You may also click here to view a previously recorded webinar (August 10, 2022) .

 Why Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt provides an interdisciplinary, inclusive, collegial and supportive environment with close faculty interaction promoting team science. Our atmosphere is unique and stimulating, and includes rich mentoring experiences. Our faculty represent diverse backgrounds and are committed to preparing nurse scholars who can lead the nation in extending the body of nursing knowledge. Our research is organized into signature areas and include:

• Acute and Chronic Illness
• Data Science and Health Technologies
• Palliative Care Science
• Pregnancy Outcomes and Mother, Infant, Child and Family Health

PhD students benefit from close mentoring and collaboration with Vanderbilt faculty in the area of the faculty’s scholarly expertise and area of research focus. Collaborative and interdisciplinary experiences are further strengthened through the many resources available at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University and the School of Nursing.

PhD students are offered highly competitive financial aid packages that include full tuition scholarships and annual stipends for up to four years of full-time study. At the same time, students have a crucial role in the financial obligation of their PhD education. They are asked to make a continuing effort to obtain external grants and/or fellowships throughout the tuition and stipend support stage. In this, they are supported by faculty advisers who engage and support students as they seek and apply for external funding opportunities. Receiving competitive external fellowships and grants advance student success and distinction; students receive ample opportunities to enhance grant-writing expertise, which provide additional benefits well into their prospective careers.  

Admission to the Vanderbilt PhD in Nursing Science program is competitive. Students are selected on the basis of their scholastic preparation and intellectual capability. Admission to the program requires research and career goals that are consistent with the school's research foci and faculty expertise. We will only accept a student if we have faculty who are actively engaged in that area of research. For more information or to speak with someone regarding the program, please email [email protected] .

Program Overview

The PhD in Nursing Science Program at Vanderbilt University prepares diverse scholars for research and academic careers in public or private sectors of health care. Graduates of our program serve as global leaders in advancing the discipline and practice of nursing through research, education and health policy. Our ultimate goal—and the ultimate goal of nursing science—is to improve health and health care for all individuals, families and communities. Learn more . 

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PhD Resources

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

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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’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

UR Nursing Receives 7th Consecutive Excellence in Diversity Award

Oct 11, 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. 

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Ph.D. Program Info

Ph.d. program focus.

The University of Michigan School of Nursing Ph.D. program, which began in 1975, produces leading scientists who advance knowledge for the discipline of nursing and the health sciences.

The program is predicated on a strong foundation of clinical expertise framed by a nursing perspective; education at the doctoral level builds upon and extends content acquired at the baccalaureate and master’s levels and emphasizes theory development and research skills.

Our graduates are clinically proficient and have advanced preparation in nursing and related sciences, as well as in research methods and data analysis.

As a student at the School of Nursing, you can take advantage of all of the disciplinary strengths of the University of Michigan. Our students have the opportunity to study physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural variables, alone or in combination, as they influence health outcomes supported by strong interdisciplinary methods and teamwork.

Meet our current Ph.D. students and recent graduates .

Applicants to the Ph.D. program have the opportunity to apply for a unique funding opportunity: the training program on  Complexity: Innovations in Promoting Health through Team Science (CHEeTAh) .

Find a mentor for current Ph.D. students

Find a faculty mentor to help you towards your goals.

Find a mentor

Apply for the Ph.D.

The Ph.D. program is open to post-baccalaureate or post-master’s applicants.  See the  application requirements  for this program.

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The curriculum

In order to meet the diverse needs of the field of nursing and the goals of the student, the course of study provides flexibility. The program prepares nurses who are competent in research design, data analysis and inferential processes, and thus capable of pursuing research related to the delivery of patient care and developing theory oriented toward the application of nursing practice.

The Ph.D. Program curriculum requires completion of coursework (42 credits), dissertation research (minimum 8 credits per term) and apprentice hours. The two broad areas of coursework are Statistics and Methods and Substantive Research Focus. Students without practice experience are required to take an additional praxis course. This course facilitates learning about how practice informs science, and students gain skills that help them to lead successful multidisciplinary research teams in the future.

The flexible curriculum aligns with American Academy of Collegiate Nursing Core Competencies for Ph.D. education. All Ph.D. curricular components are aligned with 13 core competencies to ensure that our graduates demonstrate competence in all phases of research/scientific methods, in-depth knowledge in a substantive area of science, and capacity to conduct research that is grounded in theory, practice and policy. After completing the required coursework, students complete a preliminary/candidacy exam and proposal defense.

Students attend several seminars that provide opportunities for student-student networking and mentorship across cohorts. These seminars are designed to orient students to academic culture and program expectations, establish strong mentor/mentee relationships, introduce students to numerous researchers/labs, and provide early access to resources that will foster their success at the beginning of their academic journey and beyond. The Peer Seminar (mandatory attendance required) is student-led and attended by students from all admission cohorts. It provides opportunities for peer review of scientific products, student-student mentorship and leadership training. The Research and Professional Development Seminar is attended by all first-year Ph.D. students and facilitates skill building in areas that foster academic success (e.g., CV development, scientific writing, public speaking, peer-review, leadership). These seminars foster strong mentor/mentee relationships; reduce anxiety, misinformation and misdirection; increase student retention and satisfaction; and foster steady progression to degree. The following quote highlights some of the major strengths of our program.

“UMSN's program is wonderful in many ways: We receive excellent and rigorous training, we are socialized as and have access to a community of leading nurse scientists, we are generously funded, and the program is highly efficient (full time and designed to complete in three to four years) for the motivated student.”  

– Elizabeth Umberfield, Ph.D., U-M School of Nursing Graduate

Core competencies

Graduates will be prepared as scientific scholars and stewards of the discipline. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Scientific scholar

• Critically evaluate and synthesize the scientific literature to formulate new research questions to address gaps in current knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of study designs and ability to select a design that is appropriate to address specific aims.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of causal inference, sources of bias and methods that can improve the rigor of research. 
• Understand key quantitative and qualitative analysis processes, principles and methods of measurement, data collection and data management in the design and conduct of research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of methods and processes of theory development and application.
• Demonstrate mastery of scientific knowledge in a substantive research area.
• Routinely guide themselves by diversity, equity and inclusion principles in scholarship and research.

Stewards of the discipline

• Understand the historic, philosophic and theoretical foundations, contemporary issues and trends for nursing science.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the evolving discipline of nursing science and the integration of theory, practice and policy. Articulate the contributions of nursing science for improvement of health and health care.
• Utilize professional and research ethics and judgment in the conduct of research.
• Show evidence of excellent written and oral communication in all aspects of the research process with articulation of implications for practice, public policy and future research.
• Participate in, engages with and begin to lead interdisciplinary teams.

 Program plan options

Students may elect to enroll as full-time students based on either a three-year (accelerated) or four-year (traditional) program plan. Students are required to enroll in three terms per year. These three- and four-year, full-time program plans are outlined below.

Please see table 1 for comparisons of the program plans.

 Table 1: Ph.D. program plan comparisons

Tables 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B below outline the funding packages available to students who elect a three- or four-year, full-time program plan beginning in the fall of 2024. Based on projections, the funding packages are estimated to be worth:

• $231,950 for an in-state resident in the accelerated three-year program.
• $297,820 for an out-of-state non-resident in the accelerated three-year program.
• $292,960 for an in-state resident in the traditional four-year program.
• $363,960 for an out-of-state non-resident in the traditional four-year program.

Our Office of Business and Financial Aid is available to answer questions about program costs at [email protected] . In addition, students may visit the registrar’s office website for current tuition rates.

Dissertation grants

All Ph.D. students are eligible to apply for dissertation grants from the Rackham Graduate School and UMSN. Grant awards typically range from $3,000 to $6,000. Students use the funding to offset the costs associated with their dissertation research (e.g., subject incentives, equipment and materials, computer software, publication fees). Students may also compete for other grants designed to support their scholarship. 

Ph.D. students at UMSN work hard. Full-time students should consider their responsibilities like a full-time job that requires approximately 40 hours per week of dedicated investment. However, we strongly value and support a satisfactory work-life balance for students with diverse backgrounds and personal lives — our students are successful regardless of who they are or what they like to do. For example, our students represent those who are:

• Novice or experienced nurses.
• BSN-prepared or already have earned a graduate degree.
• Parents, married, partnered or single.
• Accomplished athletes.
• Musicians or artists.
• Members of an underrepresented minority community.
• Living in Ann Arbor or commuting regularly.
• Clinically active (limited to eight to ten hours per week)
• Graduates of UMSN or other domestic or international universities.

Students interact and socialize with fellow cohorts and take advantage of the university’s vast extracurricular opportunities such as recreational sports, faith-based organizations, and musical groups, among others. Established students who “know the ropes” welcome the new students and encourage their new peers to stay connected via Facebook and other social media venues. Here’s what our Ph.D. students say about their work-life balance.

"The Ph.D. program is a whole new experience and requires adjustment to achieve a healthy work-life balance no matter who and where you are. However, the U-M School of Nursing Ph.D. community is special because we truly care about, support and mentor one another. Students find ways to connect, whether over the enjoyment of coffee, happy hours, or sports and outdoor activities. The Rackham Graduate School also shows a clear commitment to promoting students' well-being by providing various campus social events for all the graduate students throughout the year. During the Ph.D. program, I have served regularly at my church, played intramural sports, clinically practiced biweekly, and spent time with my family and friends."

– Grace Kanzawa-Lee, Ph.D., RN, Class of 2020

“We have a tradition of celebrating each other's accomplishments together. Several students have hosted writing retreats and get-togethers in their homes, and groups of students get together for IM sports and trivia nights.”

–  Elizabeth Umberfield, Ph.D., RN, Class of 2020

"I like to train for triathlons and practice yoga after I finish classes and research for the day. I'm able to find time for exercise with thoughtful time management. My mentor and other faculty members care about my work-life balance as well. They emphasize that wellness is a priority during graduate school."

– Alex Fauer, Ph.D., RN, Class of 2020

Perhaps more than with other degree programs, excellent Ph.D. programs rely on apprenticeship-based teaching and learning methods. Academic success in Ph.D. programs is not only an outcome of hard work, but outstanding mentoring is also a key to success. Because our faculty take mentoring very seriously, we created the Collaboration for Leadership and Innovation in Mentorship (CLIM) Program. The CLIM program targets four key domains of effective Ph.D. mentorship: 1. Mentor-mentee fit, 2. Individual training plans, 3.Multi-mentor teams and 4. Mutual benefit.

Mentor-mentee fit: Upon admission to our program, we match our students with dedicated mentors who have experience working with doctoral students, compatible personalities and work styles, and deep scientific expertise in areas related to the student’s scientific interests. Starting with the application process, applicants and potential mentors meet to initially assess work style, personality and scientific compatibility. Because optimal mentor-mentee matching is critical to the success of the dyad, we do not admit students who do not have an acceptable mentor match.

Individual training plans: Once a student has been matched with an ideal primary mentor, the pair works closely together to set mutually agreed-upon goals. The pair will attend training programs that assist the dyad to build a productive and mutually respectful relationship; develop, monitor and readjust (as needed) an individual training plan (IDP); consider multiple career options; and celebrate success. The primary mentor provides intensive one-on-one support to their mentee throughout the program and typically becomes a lifelong mentor.

Multi-mentor teams: Further, our Ph.D. students become members of large and productive research teams. Through these connections, students gain additional experience through engagement in broader research activities and learn about “team science.” This engagement facilitates support from a multi-mentor team of diverse scientific experts not only from within the University of Michigan, but also from national and international research networks. The following student quotes illustrate the depth of these phenomenal research-intensive experiences.

“I am grateful for opportunities presented throughout the nursing Ph.D. program to collaborate with researchers from the schools of Medicine, Public Health, Law and Business. I welcomed the chance to develop effective cross-cultural teams with students and professors in Zambia, Ghana, Ethiopia and Brazil. We maintain these diverse team relationships, and I am confident they will lead to many more fruitful international research endeavors in the future.”

– Dr. Julie Buser, Class of 2018

"As part of a multi-mentor team, I had the opportunity to conduct research at other universities and to work with well-known leaders in my area of research. Through this collaboration, I was able to study and publish with some of the top researchers in my field at both the national and international level."

– Dr. Monica Wagner, Class of 2017

Mutual benefit: The student and mentor work together throughout the program, and the outcome of this relationship is mutually beneficial. Students and mentors learn from each other. Mentors pass along their experience and scientific knowledge, provide opportunities for exploration and professional development, facilitate connections with key leaders in the field, and provide career coaching. Students can teach their mentors about contemporary research topics and methods, and provide valuable hands-on support as research and teaching assistants. As coauthors on papers, abstracts and grants, the mentor-mentee team advance the science more quickly. Lastly, faculty promotion and tenure is supported by this enhanced productivity, and the student is better positioned to move into postdoctoral fellowships or other competitive career opportunities.

We know that being a Ph.D. student can be stressful at times, and we have services in place to help with that. UMSN has an embedded staff clinician from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). The CAPS counselor provides students with free and confidential short-term counseling to help address and overcome personal and interpersonal difficulties that interfere with the pursuit of academic and career objectives. Common concerns that CAPS staff work with students about include self-esteem, academic difficulties, test anxieties, stress, problems with relationships, sexuality, anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance abuse, suicide, and others. CAPS services are free, confidential and available to currently enrolled students. Services include: brief counseling for individuals, couples and groups; consultation to students, faculty, staff and parents; assistance with referrals to community resources; and crisis interventions.

Additional opportunities

Our Ph.D. students not only complete course work; students complete a variety of academic products that build scholarship and team collaboration skills. Our faculty assist students to write scholarly papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Student serve as first and coauthors on papers and abstracts; these student-authored publications demonstrate strong potential for future academic productivity as future scientists. Our students present their work at local, regional, national and international scientific conferences. All students write and submit a training grant and contribute to the submission of their mentor’s grants. Because of their scholarly productivity, our students are highly competitive applicants for a variety of career opportunities following graduation.

Clinical practice

Many Ph.D. students want to maintain their clinical practice expertise while in our program. Full-time students can chose to work a maximum of eight to ten hours per week at an outside clinical job.

BSN-Ph.D. students who have less than six months of clinical practice experience can participate in our Clinical Fellowship Program. Beginning the summer prior to starting the Ph.D. program, we work with the University of Michigan hospital system to place board-certified RNs in staff nurse positions. Following a full orientation, RNs work 40 hours per week on an inpatient unit that aligns with their interests. Students decrease their work hours to eight to ten hours per week upon starting the Ph.D. program in the fall.

Career opportunities

Once students obtain their Ph.D., many new career opportunities will become available. However, it is not always easy to decide on the best path. Our faculty mentors provide guidance based on what they have learned over time about their students’ unique talents. Faculty alumni frequently give seminar presentations that provide real-world perspectives about the job market for Ph.D.-prepared nurses. Further, the Rackham Graduate School has many resources to help emerging graduates find their way.

Informed by their dreams and talents, students can achieve their career goals with help from UMSN faculty. Our students are prepared to continue their research training as postdoctoral fellows. For example, some of our graduates have accepted fellowship positions at very prestigious universities (e.g., Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California-Los Angeles, University of Pittsburgh). Others have been immediately hired into faculty positions at research- and teaching-intensive universities. Several graduates have taken high-level leadership positions as directors of nursing at large academic medical centers and become leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Nursing, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, just as a few examples.

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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.

Online Nursing PhD Programs

Post-BSN or Post-MSN Options

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing

Led by faculty experts at the UCF College of Nursing, the online Nursing PhD program will prepare you for a career at the forefront of nursing science and in higher education as nursing faculty. Doctorally prepared nursing faculty are in high demand and needed to help address the nursing shortage and educate future generations.

Online Nursing PhD at UCF

• No GRE required
• Two entry points: post-BSN or post-graduate degree
• Full- or Part-time options
• Fully online courses, with two intensives annually

Funding Opportunities for PhD Students

• UCF Graduate Fellowships – More than $2M in fellowship funding awarded annually
• Nurse Faculty Loan Program – Federal loan forgiveness program for nursing PhD students
• Nurse Faculty PIPELINE Funding – $150K awarded annually to cover tuition and fees to PhD students planning to seek faculty positions after graduation

Select a UCF Nursing PhD Program to Learn More

Online BSN to PhD

A faster, affordable path to a research career.

Post-MSN or post-graduate degree program.

Nursing Scholarships and Grants

NurseJournal.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.

Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:

• Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
• Provide specific, corrective feedback.
• Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for NurseJournal.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Nurses have enough obstacles to overcome — financing their education shouldn’t pose another challenge. The country faces a nursing shortage, only magnified by the pandemic. Burnout, declining nursing school enrollment, and an aging nursing population contribute to the problem.

Nursing scholarships and grants provide a financial boost to incentivize students to pursue healthcare careers. Discover the various awards open to nurses at all levels in this helpful guide.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Scholarships and Grants for Nurses and Students

2024 healthline stronger scholarship.

Our fellow Red Ventures brand Healthline teamed up with a mission-driven nonprofit to recognize four students working at the intersection of health and wellness. The specific health and wellness themes change each year.

Who Can Apply: Current and prospective students in healthcare and related subjects may apply.

Amount: $5,000

A Nurse I Am

Ten students receive this scholarship from Cherokee Uniforms. The award includes a bag of Careismatic Brands nursing items and Careismatic Brands Student Nurse Advisory Council membership. Applicants must submit an essay.

Who Can Apply: Any nursing student enrolled in an accredited program may apply.

Amount: $3,000

AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship

Each applicant must submit a resume, transcripts, verification of tribal citizenship, letters of recommendation, and three essays of up to 500 words each for this scholarship. Finalists need to submit additional documents for verification.

Who Can Apply: Candidates must possess tribal citizenship and pursue STEM-related or nursing degrees to qualify.

Amount: $1,000 for undergraduate students; $2,000 for graduate students

Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Scholarship

Along with an online application, each student must provide two letters of recommendation, transcripts, a personal statement, and their estimated family financial contribution. Applicants entering healthcare professions or pursuing healthcare degrees can apply.

Who Can Apply: This award supports Latino students attending high school or college in San Diego County. Eligibility is based on financial need, scholastics, and community awareness.

Amount: $500-$2,000

American Indian Nurse Scholarship Program

Each applicant must submit proof of tribal heritage, a recommendation from a school official, official transcripts, a photograph, and a biographical statement to qualify for this program.

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is open to Indigenous Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian students pursuing nursing degrees. Recipients are expected to provide healthcare in their communities after graduation.

Amount: $1,500 per semester to recipients in good academic standing

American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Nurses Scholarship

Each candidate should submit a personal statement, letters of recommendation, high school or college transcripts with ACT or SAT scores, a resume, and proof of honorable discharge to qualify for this nursing scholarship.

Who Can Apply: Residents of Idaho and members in good standing of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion can apply if their higher education was interrupted or they started college later in life.

Amount: $1,000

American Nephrology Nurses Association Scholarships

The organization offers multiple nursing scholarships and grants, including funding for clinical research. Most require an application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, an essay, and documentation of eligibility.

Who Can Apply: Students must be ANNA members, pursuing BSNs or master’s degrees in nursing, and actively involved in nephrology nursing to qualify.

Amount: Varies

American Red Cross Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship

Applicants must be in good academic standing with at least one year of college credit. Funds apply only to tuition, books, and academic fees. Only limited awards go out each year.

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is available to undergraduate or graduate students who have volunteered with or work for the American Red Cross.

Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nurses Scholarships

AzFFN, part of the Arizona Nurses Association, offers multiple scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students attending nursing school in Arizona.

Who Can Apply: Applicants must live in Arizona, although guidelines vary by individual award.

Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship Program

Each candidate must submit an application, letters of recommendation, and official college transcripts. They must also provide a personal statement, school financial information, documentation of present or prior military service, and a photograph.

Who Can Apply: Applicants may be undergraduate or graduate nurses serving at any rank in the U.S. Army, including those who have received honorable discharge. Accredited nursing or nurse anesthesia programs qualify. Current or former military spouses, children, and parents may also apply.

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Foundation Scholarship

Each candidate must possess a GPA of at least 3.0 and submit an online application, essay, and personal statement to qualify. Funds cover tuition, books, and allowable expenses.

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in perioperative nursing.

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Scholarship

Each applicant should submit official transcripts documenting enrollment in a BSN or graduate nursing program, a resume, and a 1-3 page summary of their professional and educational goals and achievements. They also need to upload a headshot.

Who Can Apply: An ARN member enrolled in a BSN or a graduate program who demonstrates at least two years of rehabilitation nursing experience may apply. The award only goes to first-time conference attendees.

Amount: Up to $1,500

Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

Candidates must provide two recommendation letters, enrollment verification, and an essay to qualify for this award from B4 Brands.

Who Can Apply: Full-time students pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees in nursing may apply. Eligible candidates must have a gap of at least three years between high school and college.

Amount: Nonrenewable $1,000 paid to the school

California Department of Health Care Access and Information (formerly California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development) BSN scholarship

This award is funded by the state’s RN licensing fee and aims to distribute awards across the state to increase RN employment in high-need areas. Candidates can apply online.

Who Can Apply: Students with minimum 2.0 GPAs pursuing BSNs may apply. Each recipient must be willing to work in a medically underserved area in California for 12 months.

Amount: Up to $10,000

California Department of Health Care Access and Information (formerly California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development) Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship

Candidates must demonstrate minimum GPAs of 2.0 and be free of other service obligations. Each recipient must spend 12 months of full-time practice in a medically underserved area.

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is open to prospective nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives attending California Board- or committee-approved programs.

Amount: Up to $25,000

Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship

The Daughters of the American Revolution sponsors this need-based scholarship. Each candidate must demonstrate financial need and submit their official college transcripts or letter of acceptance into a nursing program to qualify.

Who Can Apply: This award supports three undergraduate students who are accepted into or enrolled in accredited nursing schools.

Amount: $2,500

Cascade Healthcare Solutions Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship

Cascade Healthcare Solutions hosts this essay contest for aspiring nurses. Each applicant must submit a photo and a brief biography with their manuscript for display online.

Who Can Apply: To qualify, a candidate must be an undergraduate or high school student with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Charlotte McGuire Scholarship Program

The American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) uses this program to support nurses specializing in holistic nursing. Qualifying AHNA members must hold current registered nurse licensure and demonstrate their commitment to holistic nursing practice.

Who Can Apply: This award funds undergraduates and graduate-level nursing students who are active AHNA members. Each candidate needs a current RN license.

Amount: $1,250

Coursey Enterprises

Coursey Enterprises sponsors two scholarships every spring and fall. Each applicant must submit a 200-word personal essay and photo to qualify.

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be first-year nursing students enrolled in registered nursing or licensed practical nurse programs.

Amount: $250

District of Columbia Lena Ferguson Nursing Scholarship

This award is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and administered by the University of the District of Columbia. Two one-time awards go to graduates of public schools or public charter schools in Washington, D.C., in nursing programs at the University of the District of Columbia or the University of the District of Columbia-Community College.

Who Can Apply: Nursing students at the University of the District of Columbia who maintain GPAs of 3.25 or higher may apply.

Edwina Foye Award for Outstanding Graduate Student

The Foundation for Seacoast Health sponsors this award for undergraduates and graduate students studying health-related fields. Eligible graduate students must submit GRE scores and results from the National League of Nursing (NLN) admissions test. Undergraduate applicants should submit NLN, SAT, or ACT scores. All applicants submit statements of support, personal essays, and proof of financial need.

Who Can Apply: Candidates who reside in Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle, Greenland, Newington, or North Hampton, New Hampshire; or Kittery, Elliot, or York, Maine, can apply.

Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Scholarships

ENA offers multiple scholarships for undergraduates, master’s students, and doctoral candidates. Each candidate must demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0, attend an accredited university, and submit two letters of recommendation — one of which must be from an ENA member.

Who Can Apply: All scholarships are open to student ENA members. Previous recipients cannot apply under the same category.

ExceptionalNurse.com

This website supports nurses with disabilities and offers multiple scholarships for its target readership. Each applicant must have a disability and submit three letters of recommendation, a 1-2 page essay, and official high school and/or college transcripts.

Who Can Apply: A candidate must have a disability and attend or plan to attend a nursing program full time.

Amount: $250-$500

The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association General Scholarship

While the award’s annual sponsor defines eligibility criteria, guidelines typically emphasize a nursing specialty such as critical care, oncology, or emergency care. Applicants must provide financial aid certification and official transcripts.

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is open to current students in the U.S. who intend to focus on specialty nursing areas.

Amount: Up to $10,000 per academic year

Our Race to Health Equity Diversity Nursing Scholarships

Johnson and Johnson, in partnership with the Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association, sponsors this scholarship to increase racial diversity in healthcare.

Who Can Apply: BIPOC students enrolled in state-approved undergraduate programs who show financial need and strong academic achievement can qualify. Graduate students cannot apply unless they are in their first year of nursing studies.

Frances Helen Ziegler Tunnell Scholarship

This need-based and merit-based scholarship supports Vanderbilt University nursing students pursuing MSN degrees. Six awardees receive full tuition scholarships. Applicants submit a statement of purpose, responses to essay questions, and letters of reference.

Who Can Apply: Each candidate must be enrolled full time in an MSN program at the Vanderbilt School of Nursing and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.

George B. Boland Nurses Training Scholarship

This scholarship is administered through a Forty and Eight Voiture Locale. Applications are available only at the Voiture Locale and must be submitted by mail.

Who Can Apply: This award is open to students seeking undergraduate or graduate degrees in nursing. Each applicant must reside in a Voiture Locale with an official nurse training program and be a U.S. citizen.

Amount: Up to $1,000

Gladys Carol Scholarship Program

Students must submit recent transcripts, a college acceptance letter, a copy of the Student Aid Report or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and a personal essay to qualify for this scholarship.

Who Can Apply: Each candidate must be an undergraduate student or high school senior enrolled full time in a STEM program. They also need to maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA and achieve a 1290 SAT score or 28 on the ACT.

Amount: $2,500-$5,000

GoodRx Nurses for Change Scholarship

This scholarship aims to increase diversity in healthcare. Students can use the scholarship for two-year or four-year nursing programs. Applicants must register with GoodRx to apply.

Who Can Apply: Current or recently graduated nursing students with minimum 3.0 GPAs from under-represented populations in healthcare are eligible to apply.

Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

This award covers tuition, fees, and educational costs for nurses working in critical shortage facilities after graduation. Applicants submit recommendation letters, supporting documentation, and an essay to qualify. Eligible programs include nursing, nurse-midwifery, and nurse practitioner degrees.

Who Can Apply: An eligible applicant must be enrolled in an accredited nursing degree program at the undergraduate level and not have federal judgment liens, existing service commitments, or overdue federal loan payments. The Health Resources and Services Administration prefers students with financial need.

Amount: All tuition, fees, and educational expenses

Hurst Review Services/AACN Nursing Scholarship

Hurst Review and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing co-sponsor this award. Applicants must register with Hurst Review Services before completing an online application. Hurst is a review service for nurses preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination.

Who Can Apply: This award is open to undergraduate students enrolled at AACN schools with GPAs of 3.2 GPA or higher.

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Academic Scholarship

Qualifying students demonstrate financial need and academic promise in the helping professions, including healthcare and public health. This renewable scholarship suits students entering full-time undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Who Can Apply: Applicants must be Jewish, raised in the Chicago metropolitan area, or have worked full-time in the area for at least one year and intend to remain in the area after graduation.

Amount: Up to $4,000

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

Qualifying undergraduates must be enrolled full time in Kansas nursing programs to qualify for this Board of Regents scholarship. Each applicant should submit a FAFSA, commit to an eligible sponsor, and complete the State of Kansas Student Aid application.

Who Can Apply: This service-based award funds LPN or RN students who commit to practice in Kansas sponsor facilities such as psychiatric hospitals, home health agencies, and adult care homes. This award suits Kansas residents looking to work in Kansas healthcare roles.

Amount: $3,500 (LPNs); $4,500 (RNs)

Lambda Pi Alpha Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship

To qualify for this scholarship, each applicant must submit official transcripts demonstrating a GPA of at least 3.0, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of at least 20 hours of community service in the past year. A candidate must also have completed at least one semester of nursing coursework, complete an interview, and demonstrate financial need.

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be Lambda Pi Alpha members, Illinois residents, and undergraduate students enrolled in BSN or ADN programs to qualify.

Amount: $1,500

Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing Scholarships

Loyola University Chicago students may apply for several nursing scholarships through the school’s online portal. Recipients may study nursing at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Who Can Apply: Applicants must be Loyola nursing students to qualify.

Marion A. and Eva S. Peeples Foundation Trust Scholarship

This scholarship is administered by the Johnson County Community Foundation and uses the foundation’s common application.

Who can apply: Applicants must be graduates from Indiana high schools and attend Indiana colleges or universities to qualify.

Mitzi Harris Martin Healthcare Scholarship

Managed by the Johnson County Community Foundation, this scholarship requires each candidate to submit two letters of recommendation, a professional reference, and a personal statement detailing their interest in geriatric or long-term care.

Who can apply: Applicants must be residents of Indiana’s Johnson County, 25 years of age or older, and enrolled or pursuing an advanced degree or certification in the specialty area of geriatric healthcare or long-term healthcare. Eligible candidates must commit to work in the geriatric healthcare community.

National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships

This association offers scholarship opportunities for eight undergraduate- and graduate-level nursing students. NAHN’s website provides individual criteria for each award. All scholarships require two references, a 500-word essay, a transcript, and a resume/CV.

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be NAHN members enrolled full time in accredited nursing programs to qualify.

National Black Nurses Association Scholarships

NBNA members can apply for more than 20 scholarships on the organization’s website. Application materials vary among awards. Each applicant should submit official transcripts, a 500-word essay, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a headshot.

Who Can Apply: Candidates need to be NBNA members at the national and local levels for eligibility. They must maintain current enrollment in a nursing program with at least one full year left in their studies.

Amount: $1,000-$15,000

National CPR Association

Along with a 500-1,500 word essay, each applicant needs to submit their contact information and the name of their school. The first-place winner receives $3,000. Second- and third-place winners receive free access to the CPR certification program.

Who Can Apply: Undergraduate and graduate students seeking degrees in the medical sciences, including nursing, may qualify for this award.

National Health Service Corps

Each candidate must demonstrate academic excellence, submit two letters of recommendation, and write three essays for consideration. A recipient is obligated to perform two years of full-time service in an underserved location for each year they receive a scholarship.

Who Can Apply: Full-time graduate students enrolled in accredited programs focusing on primary healthcare who do not have existing service applications can qualify.

Amount: Covers tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for living expenses

Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania

This nonprofit organization provides scholarships for three residents pursuing nursing diplomas and degrees. Each applicant provides two recommendation letters, transcripts, and a letter of acceptance from their nursing program.

Who Can Apply: Scholarships are open to Pennsylvania residents with 3.0 GPAs or higher in state board-approved programs. High school students cannot apply.

Amount: Varies; $1,000 minimum

Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships

NEF offers financial assistance for graduate-level nursing students. Each applicant should provide three references, a personal essay and goals statement, unofficial transcripts, and a $20 fee.

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be licensed RNs and current graduate students who maintain membership in a professional nursing association. They must have at least two semesters of study left and possess GPAs of 3.6 or higher. Specific guidelines vary by degree.

Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania

Each of this organization’s four scholarships apply specific application guidelines.

Who Can Apply: All awards are open to nursing students who reside in Pennsylvania.

Amount: $1,000-$2,000

Scarlett Family Foundation

Students pursuing STEM or business degrees at four-year nonprofit institutions may apply online on the Foundation’s website. Applicants must demonstrate financial need through their 1040 tax returns. They should also submit information about their academic achievements, community service, and extracurricular activities, along with an essay. More than 750 scholarships are provided annually.

Who Can Apply: Any graduating high school senior or undergraduate student with at least one year left of school may apply. Each candidate must have graduated from high school in one of Middle Tennessee’s 40 counties. A student needs to possess a 2.5 GPA or higher and score a 21 on the ACT to qualify for this award.

Sigma Nursing Research Grants

Sigma administers several nursing scholarships and grants opportunities for graduate-level students. Application processes and eligibility criteria vary with each grant.

Who Can Apply: These grants support graduate-level nursing students conducting research.

Sinclair School of Nursing Scholarships

The University of Missouri Health’s Sinclair School of Nursing sponsors multiple internal, need-based awards for undergraduate and graduate students. Eligibility requirements vary among scholarships. The online portal identifies scholarship eligibility based on the applicant’s qualifications.

Who Can Apply: Candidates study at the Sinclair School of Nursing to qualify.

‘Test Yourself’ Scholarship

Students applying for STDLabs’ scholarship should provide their GPA, official transcripts, and an essay of 750-1,000 words. Two awards are distributed every year in the fall and spring.

Who Can Apply: Any student attending an accredited degree program qualifies. Past winners cannot apply again.

The Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation

To qualify for this award, an applicant must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher, a minimum 1300 SAT score, or a minimum 27 ACT score. If the school the student plans to attend does not require standardized test results, the foundation waves score requirements. Each candidate must also submit two reference letters and a personal statement.

Who Can Apply: Learners whose parents are or were in the military, along with students whose parents did not attend college receive special consideration. Award amounts depend on the awardees’ financial need and qualifications.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

Applicants must submit their official transcripts, documentation of community involvement, and two 500-word essays to qualify for this scholarship. This one-time award is administered through the International Scholarship and Tuition Services.

Who Can Apply: Graduate-level nursing students or college seniors who plan to attend nursing programs and have one or more years of school remaining can qualify.

Amount: $5,000 or $10,000

Velma Flies Anderson Scholarship

Qualifying applicants must demonstrate financial need and excellent clinical performance evaluations. Each candidate needs to provide two letters of recommendation, hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, and live in the Mosaic Life Care Foundation service area to qualify for this scholarship.

Who Can Apply: Undergraduate seniors attending accredited RN programs in the service can apply. Eligible candidates should demonstrate excellent clinical evaluation skills.

Western Governors University Scholarships

Western Governors University nursing students provide documentation of financial need and submit general institutional scholarship applications to qualify. The university offers multiple health and nursing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing nursing.

Who Can Apply: Nursing students attending Western Governors University may apply.

Amount: Up to $5,000

WiseGeek Mental Health Well-Being Scholarship

Applicants should offer documentation that they or someone close to them has experienced mental health challenges to qualify for this scholarship.

Who Can Apply: Any college student who has experienced mental health challenges can apply.

Amount: $500

Page last reviewed on October 10, 2022

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Faq for the phd program, what is the average number of years for columbia nursing students to complete their phd.

The PhD program is full-time. Students who enter the program with a defined research question may complete the program in three years. The average years of completion is 3.1 years. 

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PhD students enrolled full-time receive funding for three years of study. 

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As part of the financial support package, students in the funded three years (eight semesters) of study are assigned research assistant or research faculty training opportunities (10 hours per week); it is the expectation that students will not have external employment. This is consistent with NIH policies for predoctoral funding. 

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Strategies for Success in a Nursing PhD Program and Beyond

Marlena c. fisher.

a Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

Tamryn F. Gray

b Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA

c Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing & Patient Care Services, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

d Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA

Melissa K. Uveges

e Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 02467, USA

Katherine E. Heinze

f Christine E Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, 77 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida, 33431, USA

Tiffany P. Pellathy

g VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, University Drive (151C), Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA

h University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, 3500 Victoria Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

Elaina Parrillo

Marilyn hravnak, marie t. nolan.

The purpose of this article is to inform newly enrolled PhD students of program expectations, strategies for success, and next steps in the career of a nurse scientist.

We used empirical evidence and insights from the authors to describe strategies for success during a nursing PhD program and continued career development following graduation.

Measures of success included maintaining health, focus, integrity, and a supportive network, identifying mentors, pursuing new knowledge and advancing research to transform health outcomes.

Nursing PhD programs help to shape future researchers and leaders. Choosing to obtain a PhD in nursing is an investment in oneself, the discipline, and the science.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing PhD programs offer opportunities to advance science, impact healthcare and health outcomes, and prepare for a variety of career opportunities. Informing newly enrolled PhD students may better prepare them for what lies ahead and facilitate student retention.

Introduction

Globally, nations have identified the value of PhD educated citizens to advance national objectives through research and innovation ( Hancock, 2021 ). A research doctorate, or PhD, in nursing enables an individual to generate new scientific knowledge to guide and transform the nursing profession and advance the health of individuals, communities and populations. Moreover, the digitalization of healthcare through innovations in data science, artificial intelligence and robotics is creating unprecedented opportunities for those with a PhD in nursing to advance the quality and access to health care to be responsive to underserved populations. However, there are barriers to increasing the nurse scientist workforce that include the current shortage of nurse scientist mentors, finances to educate the next generation and the 22.7% attrition rate specific to nursing PhD students after approximately 4 years of study ( Broome & Fairman, 2018 ; NINR, 2020 ; Fang & Zhan, 2021 ; AACN, 2021 ). Additionally, many students report that aspects of their PhD studies were unexpected and stressful, including the transition from expert clinician to novice researcher and the rigorous critique of their work as part of the research process (Tyndall et al., 2020). Some wish that they had been better prepared for their doctoral studies and future career. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to prepare students newly enrolled in a PhD program in nursing for their doctoral studies, a possible postdoctoral fellowship, and a career as a nurse scientist by providing information on PhD in nursing programs and strategies for success in doctoral studies.

Main Elements of a Nursing PhD Program

PhD programs differ on whether they require coursework, the number and format of examinations, the composition of the dissertation, and whether additional research or teaching experiences are required. Despite differences in program curriculum, the overall goal of nursing PhD programs in the U.S. is to prepare students with the foundational knowledge and skills to critique and conduct research throughout their career, not just for the dissertation. . Coursework commonly includes statistics, philosophy, research methods, and measurement ( AACN, 2010 ; AACN, 2021 ). Students may also pursue complementary coursework and research residencies that allow for greater depth of understanding about a particular research area and the responsibilities and activities of scientists. Key skills that students will develop include analytic skills, the ability to communicate ideas clearly and conduct rigorous research in a manner that is reproducible. Ideally, graduates are then prepared for entry into several different types of careers with some degree of independence. These can include academic appointments, healthcare systems leadership, foundation research positions, policy analysts, a variety of government positions and industry research positions.

Common milestones in a PhD program include examinations that may cover the content of several core courses and/or the content of the dissertation proposal and a final oral exam that is a defense of the dissertation research. The specific milestones and their timing depend on the program and the scope of the dissertation research. Programs may also differ on the required format of the dissertation. A common option involves multiple manuscripts that make a new contribution to the science addressed by the dissertation.

Research residencies, sometimes called research assistantships, may also take on several forms, such as mentored research opportunities and internships under the direction of the dissertation advisor or another faculty member to provide the student with a variety of mentored research experiences that may be related to but are not the student’s dissertation research project. Through participation in these residences, PhD students gain many skills, including grant writing, navigation of institutional review board (IRB) applications, systematic reviews, data collection, different research methodologies and a range of analytic methods, manuscript writing and dissemination. If the student is enrolled in a school that does not conduct a wide range of research, there may be opportunities to seek additional research experiences with mentors in other schools or universities or through internship programs. Since graduates of nursing PhD programs commonly pursue academic faculty appointments, many PhD programs also require or offer voluntary teaching assistantships in which the student is assigned to assist a faculty member in teaching a clinical or didactic course or may teach a course independently ( Dunbar-Jacob & Hravnak, 2021 ). This assistantship may include grading course assignments, developing a course, teaching a course section, hosting office hours, or leading test review sessions. Research residencies and teaching assistantships provide very valuable experiences that will enable graduates to function with greater confidence as a new researcher and teacher. Examples of these experiences are presented in Table 1 .

Examples of Research/Teaching Assistantships of the Authors

Preparing to Begin the Nursing PhD Program

Upon PhD program acceptance, students may take satisfaction in reflecting on this accomplishment and know that faculty believe in the students’ promising future as a successful nurse scientist. Doctoral studies will differ significantly from the undergraduate program and any other studies that were not at the doctoral level. Embarking on the nursing PhD program demonstrates commitment to a research career that includes a strong interest in research and scholarship aligned with the expertise of one or more faculty researchers at a chosen institution ( AACN Pathways to Excellence, 2010 ). When students first enter the PhD program, there is a bit of an “iceberg illusion”, meaning that what is apparent on the surface may not reveal the full context. For instance, first-year PhD students will become aware that students in the years ahead of them are securing grants to fund their dissertation work, publishing papers, and securing leadership opportunities, and may feel daunted by these achievements. However, the first-year PhD students may not be aware that grants may have been submitted more than once prior to funding or that manuscripts may have been rejected initially. Similar to an iceberg, the effort that happens beneath the surface is an often-unseen iterative building of knowledge and skills to achieve that success. Notably, over time, the culture of learning, writing, welcoming critique, revising and re-writing for a successful outcome is a process that the faculty model and students practice until it becomes second nature.

Enrolled PhD students can use the time prior to starting the program to explore the biography pages of faculty in the School of Nursing and other schools at the university, such as medicine or public health, to identify faculty who have a program of research that matches their research interests. For example, reviewing faculty members’ publications allows students to gain insight into research projects that faculty members lead. This knowledge is the beginning step in building a mentorship team.

Prior to beginning the PhD program, students can prepare by bolstering existing stress management and relaxation techniques such as through new hobbies, walking, dance, yoga, etc. If students are moving to a new geographical area, it may be beneficial to plan a move early enough to explore the area and the options available for recreation and stress relief. The transition into a doctoral program can be stressful as students navigate new roles as student, researcher, and teacher ( Dewa et al., 2020 ). In addition to these new roles, doctoral students may experience stress from finances, outside demands, and the program itself ( Volkert et al., 2018 ). It is important to recognize these potential stressors and have strategies for mitigating problems arising from stress. Specific financial stressors may include securing additional income to support housing, food and transportation during the program and identifying funding to support tuition and dissertation research ( Volkert et al., 2018 ). Understanding available financial support is part of the application process and the decision to enroll in the chosen PhD program. Having a clear understanding of all anticipated costs, as well as funding through scholarships and grants, can help doctoral students feel better prepared as they enter the program. Smith and Delmore (2007) provide resources for financial aid, scholarships, and dissertation expenses such as NIH, American Nursing Foundation, Sigma Theta Tau International and others.

During the Nursing PhD Program

In countries where nursing PhD coursework is required, content typically includes nursing theory, statistics, and research methods to support development of foundational scientific knowledge. In contrast to BSN and MSN programs, doctoral education is often a highly individualized program of study, designed in collaboration with mentors to build content expertise, research skills, and additional skills that are unique to the student’s career goals ( Conn et al., 2014 ). Thus, PhD students will need to identify elective courses that complement their required coursework, help achieve education and research goals, and support current and future research. Additional coursework in education or a teaching certificate should also be considered if their goal is an academic position. It is important to determine what courses are required to meet specific program milestones and negotiate with faculty to guide independent studies if needed. Developing a term-by-term and year-by-year curriculum plan early on is helpful, even if it is amended over time as interests and goals change. The coursework in PhD programs is designed to systematically advance research skills. Doctoral course work assignments may serve as a foundation for scholarly productivity, including development of such assignments into abstracts, presentations, and/or manuscripts. Specific strategies for achieving this include reviewing announcements related to conference abstract submissions, engaging with an advisor on course assignments that might be published, working with a librarian to update and format references to meet journal or conference guidelines, and planning how such course and research residency assignments may provide an opportunity to gain new research skills, as well as advance the work of the dissertation. It may be beneficial to discuss these topics during ongoing meetings with advisors. Demonstrating scholarly productivity is essential for securing competitive pre- and post-doctoral awards, and other positions. An overview of goals and strategies to aid in progression throughout the PhD program are presented in Table 2 .

Goals and Strategies by Year

Relationship with Advisor and Mentorship Team

Doctoral students will need to navigate their relationship with their advisor throughout the PhD program. Students can promote the success of the advisor-advisee relationship by being prepared for meetings, remaining motivated, committed to improvement, and asking thoughtful questions ( Ferreira et al., 2009 ). Creating an agenda for mentor meetings is important for staying focused and achieving meeting goals. It is important to note that there is variation in the advisor and mentorship team’s capacity and involvement in the various aspects of doctoral education. Therefore, open communication about expectations and achievable milestones in the mentor-mentee relationship is important to establish expectations at the beginning of the PhD program.

Research is a collaborative process and there is value in having formal, informal, interdisciplinary and “near-peer mentors” (students a few years ahead). Networking is an important skill to hone that requires intentional effort to find mentors and peers with similar research or methods interests who can aid in advancing their knowledge of research, design, and data interpretation. If the school where a student is enrolled has limited faculty involved in the specific research or methodological approach in which the student is interested, the student might consider seeking additional mentors and peers outside of the school or institution who can collaborate on projects.

Students commonly develop a strong, central mentorship team concentrated on their research topic, but also have mentors for other areas of development outside of research. Investing time in opportunities that allow them to improve their ability to critically appraise research, gain experience navigating the peer review process, and understand different grant mechanisms and the application process is essential. Proficiency in dissemination, both written (abstracts, manuscripts, dissertation thesis, professional writing) and oral (presentations to science and non-science audiences, articulating research focus, lectures), is critical for success as a scientist ( Conn et al., 2017 ). This developmental work requires an ongoing investment of time by both student and mentors to cultivate and advance these skills ( Schrager & Sadowski, 2016 ; Kwok, 2020 ). Time management, planning, organizing projects and budgets and navigating conflict are also skills that are fundamental to leading a research team. Students can identify mentors inside and outside of their school, university or health system who can model these skills and provide insight into these processes.

Communicating openly and often with the student faculty advisor, faculty mentors, and with “near peer mentors” to confirm understanding of program expectations, design an individual development plan (IDP) to facilitate success during matriculation and prepare for building a program of research following graduation ( Thompson et al., 2020 ) is beneficial. Thompson and colleagues (2020) present guidelines, resources, and a template of what could be included in an IDP. Reviewing and revising the IDP at least annually with student advisors and other mentors is recommended.

Challenges may arise in the student’s relationships with a peer, mentor, advisor, or committee member, and not all relationships work out. When this occurs, it is important to take time to individually reflect on what is difficult or unhelpful about the relationship and determine if or how the challenge can be remedied. This can be particularly difficult when there is a history of discordant viewpoints on the student’s education or grant preparation between the student and the primary advisor. In these situations, when conflicts are intractable, it may be important to consider whether there is a need to change advisors by engaging in personal reflection and having discussions with trusted family, friends, peers, mentors, and/or the PhD program director. Some universities have an ombudsman for PhD students and Postdoctoral fellows who is a confidential source for consultation and advice for issues such as this. During this process, it is important to have iterative conversation about the issues that are arising. If the student and advisor decide that the best course of action is to change advisors, it is important for the student to outline why this change would be beneficial and identify potential new advisors that are better aligned in terms of focus and capacity for mentorship. Each institution has a different process for changing advisors, but the key in any mentorship relationship is to have an open, honest, and respectful dialogue.

Building and Maintaining Research Integrity

Nursing PhD programs educate students in the responsible conduct of research and provide formal instruction and demonstration of ethical principles through scientific mentorship. Given the potential for the demands of doctoral study to be stressful ( Ganske, 2010 ), an environment of trust and collaboration and continuous teaching about the ethical conduct of research is important ( Fierz et al., 2014 ). Throughout the PhD program, students will naturally find opportunities to talk with their mentors about research integrity, ask questions about general ethical principles, and learn the importance of complying with institutional policies and legal requirements related to research. Mentoring relationships that are established early in the PhD program can result in long-lasting positive impacts on research performance. Maintaining scientific integrity in collaborative relationships requires a diverse community of scholars dedicated to excellence in scholarship and committed to meeting the ethical goals of research through transparent discourse, commitment to the goals of the collaboration, and preservation of the public’s trust ( Ulrich et al., 2015 ).

In the PhD program, a number of virtues are central to being a “good” researcher. Virtues are defined as the intellectual and moral qualities to which scientists aspire; the qualities that take them to their natural ends, ultimately the qualities that make them good human beings ( PérezñPinar & Ayerbe, 2017 ). Virtues develop over time, through practice and imitation ( Resnik, 2012 ) and include courage, equity, respectfulness, resoluteness, sincerity, humility, and reflexivity ( MacFarlane, 2010 ). PhD students can seek to develop these virtues, as they are a component of ethical excellence in research ( PérezñPinar & Ayerbe, 2017 ). Also important is the PhD student’s development of ethical awareness, or the awareness of the inherent ethical nature of all nursing practice ( Milliken, 2018 ) and research. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses is the profession’s normative guide for nurses’ behavior and conduct in whatever role they serve, including as a researcher ( American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015 ). In particular, provision 7 of the ANA Code states the importance of nurses in all roles and settings advancing “the profession through research and scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing and health policy” ( ANA, 2015 ). This does not mean that all nurses must conduct research; however, all nurses interact with research, either as researchers or utilizers of research ( Fowler, 2015 ). To gain research competencies, PhD students require education and experience in ethical principles, theories, and analytic frameworks, which in combination with virtues can help students navigate the moral intricacies of their own program of research ( Grace, 2018 ). Finally, remaining grounded in personal values can further develop an individual’s moral compass so that research is conducted with integrity. Maintaining scientific integrity involves respecting not just the research participants, but also the well-being of the physical and institutional environments and wider communities ( MacFarlane, 2010 ; Fowler, 2015 ).

Developing Leadership Skills

Nurse scientists require leadership skills to guide teams in policy, research, industry, hospitals, foundations, and become stewards of the discipline. During the PhD experience there are opportunities to gain leadership experience formally and informally. There are several opportunities to lead at the school level, such as the PhD student organization/student senate. Additionally, there are leadership opportunities within organizations, such as the Jonas Scholars program, AACN, and National League for Nursing (NLN). To increase representation of underrepresented and historically marginalized populations in leadership positions, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created the Health Policy Research Scholars to develop future leaders in health. Leadership development programs may include personality tests that reveal individual strengths while demonstrating that others have different approaches to similar work with common goal achievement. Informal leadership skills can be developed by mentoring doctoral students who are junior to the student. Mentorship is a crucial tenet of being a nurse scientist because educating the next generation of nurses and researchers is how we can continue to advance the discipline ( Morris et al., 2021 , AACN, 2021 ).

Managing PhD Program Demands

PhD program demands, including research residencies, writing academic papers, and developing a dissertation topic, can be stressful for students. Instead of aiming for perfection, setting small achievable goals for each endeavor is recommended. Getting to the final goal is a process that is incrementally developed, implemented, and accomplished over time. PhD students should try to remember to have confidence in their work and to celebrate accomplishments instead of scrutinizing their own work as never quite good enough ( Eleftheriades et al., 2020 ). Further, students may find that what may initially seem like failures are learning opportunities; rejected grants or manuscripts for publication often come with a treasure trove of in-depth critique from leaders in the student’s field of study and contribute to progress in their next iteration. Thus, illustrating that rejection can foster growth rather than despair.

Balancing PhD Program Demands with Personal Demands

As a PhD student, maintaining a healthy balance between studies, family, friends or personal needs is important. To achieve balance, consider defining important personal or family needs or priorities and organize other commitments around those needs. Essential PhD program requirements are demanding on their own and many students pursue coursework, research and teaching residencies beyond what is required. It is important for students to know what additional commitments they can take on without causing undue stress in their personal lives ( Stott, 2019 ). Having a strong support system of family and friends can facilitate success ( Volkert et al., 2018 ). If possible, it’s important to consider negotiating the distribution of household responsibilities and tasks. Maintaining friendships with people outside of the doctoral program and checking in with peers in the program, provides an excellent resource for ideas and support. Cultivating peer relationships within the institution and beyond is an active process that requires active listening, honesty, and respect. Peers can be a great support, but they can also be a stressor. It is important to set boundaries and practice the support you wish to receive in return. As a student, it’s important to have the capacity to recognize when individual physical, emotional or intellectual capacities have been reached and ask for help ( Melnyk et al., 2016 ). Setting times that are dedicated to work and only completing work or answering emails within those times, and taking a vacation, or engaging in other activities that bring joy, can allow for needed breaks from work ( Buettner, et al., 2011 ; Stott, 2019 ; “The Importance of Taking a Break,” 2018 ). Maintaining balance between program and personal demands is crucial to success, but it is also difficult to navigate, especially in the beginning of the program. Achieving balance is a process of understanding the program demands, identifying personal needs, and selecting effective self-care strategies, which will vary based on the individual.

Engaging in Lifelong Learning

PhD prepared nurses fulfill important roles in improving the health of individuals, communities and populations such as knowledge generation, theory development, education, translating research to clinical practice, and leadership ( Driefurst et al., 2016 ). Developing skills to fulfill these roles is a lifelong process that unfolds over time through continuous education, mentorship, and career planning. A major facet of lifelong learning is the ability to be curious, dynamic, and open to new innovations. For example, emerging technologies in education and health care such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, machine learning and robotics have resulted in new innovations that have greatly advanced research, healthcare, and health outcomes ( Buchanan et al., 2020 ; Roberts, 2019 ). Growth of scientific knowledge does not cease at the point of graduation. New areas of knowledge, methodologies, and interventions continue to become available, evolve, and are retired. The successful nurse scientist commits to a lifetime of following the literature, attending professional conferences, and engaging in coursework to keep knowledge current and innovative.

Preparing for Next Steps: Postdoctoral Fellowships

Defining the postdoctoral fellowship.

A post-doctoral fellowship is defined as a formalized opportunity for individuals holding doctoral degrees to “engage in a temporary period of mentored research and/or scholarly education for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a chosen career path” ( National Postdoctoral Association, n.d. ). A postdoctoral fellowship might involve educational components (i.e., coursework), research education, individual mentoring, and/or career training components ( Lor et al., 2019 ; Reid Ponte et al., 2015 ; Miller, 2012 ). If moving directly to a faculty position, tenure generally must be achieved within a certain time period and securing significant external grant funding is expected within the first several years. Therefore, a PhD student’s funding, publication productivity, and preliminary findings by graduation will provide insight into whether a faculty position or a postdoctoral fellowship is more appropriate.

Choosing a Postdoctoral Fellowship

There are several factors to consider when choosing a postdoctoral fellowship. For instance, postdoctoral fellowships have traditionally been supported through federally funded training grants or the grants of faculty investigators in universities. However, increasingly, non-academic settings, such as industry, hospitals, governmental organizations, and even nonprofit organizations have established post-doctoral opportunities ( Lor et al., 2019 ; Reid Ponte et al., 2015 ). While nursing-specific post-doctoral fellowships are available, nurses might choose to pursue a fellowship within an interdisciplinary setting, such as a Center for Bioethics where individuals come from various professional backgrounds, or in another discipline, such as public health or medicine ( Nolan et al., 2009 ). The delivery format of the position should also be considered, and may include virtual, on site, or hybrid models. The fellowship setting the student chooses is dependent on specific career goals, but in any case, should lead the student to independence as a scientist.

Discerning Postdoctoral Program Fit

Postdoctoral fellowships can be evaluated by their fit to the fellow’s interests, research training needs, and career trajectory. The fellowship may involve a research project with a purpose and aims that aligns with yet is distinctly separate from the fellowship mentor’s research, so that independence can be achieved. Choosing a fellowship with a strong mentor match is extremely important since a significant amount of time will be spent working with this individual or the individual’s team. A mentor will provide individualized guidance and tailored training to the fellow’s research needs ( Sherry et al., 2013 ; Conn et al., 2005 ). In addition to mentor fit, institutional fit is important for a postdoctoral fellowship. Speaking with other postdoctoral fellows and junior and senior faculty within the institution where the fellowship is located is one way to assess institutional fit. For example, those considering a particular postdoctoral fellowship might inquire about whether the institution specializes in areas important to their research, how mentorship support is structured within the institution, whether institutional staff will be available to assist with grant writing, submission, and data analysis, and what research or other academic resources are available to postdoctoral fellows ( Lor et al., 2019 ). Hearing the experiences of others at the institution can help those considering a postdoctoral fellowship to assess their overall alignment with institutional strengths in subject content, methodological approaches, or access to other training experiences, which are necessary for launching an independent career.

Postdoctoral Eligibility and Application Process

Other aspects of postdoctoral fellowships to consider are the application criteria and eligibility requirements. Eligibility criteria for a post-doctoral fellowship might include being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, holding an active clinical license (i.e., RN, APN), or having additional degrees (i.e., master’s degree) ( Sherry et al., 2013 ; Lor et al., 2019 ). There are postdoctoral opportunities for non-U.S. citizens at various universities. The Fogarty International Center at NIH is one source of funding for international fellows ( https://www.fic.nih.gov/Programs/Pages/scholars-fellows-global-health.aspx ). Application requirements will vary, but common components of a postdoctoral application include essays conveying the applicant’s interest and fit with the fellowship, including their future research plans; submission of a curriculum vitae; and letters of reference ( Sherry et al., 2013 ). Other selection criteria might include the applicant’s academic record, prior experience with research, publications, and match with a potential faculty mentor’s research focus ( Lor et al., 2019 ). Many postdoctoral fellowship applications include an interview, and it is valuable to visit the institution to assess fit and compatibility ( Lor et al., 2019 ). It is not uncommon to pursue more than one fellowship opportunity, as these positions are competitive, and a backup plan is needed.

Postdoctoral Funding and Lifestyle Considerations

Funding and life-style considerations are also important when deciding whether to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship. Most traditional fellowship positions receive funding through formal funding agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, or non-federal organizations, such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ( Lor et al., 2019 ). Identifying institutions, which have these funded postdoctoral fellowship positions can highlight regions where such opportunities exist. Non-traditional postdoctoral fellowships also exist and are funded through various means. Entry level faculty roles (i.e., Research Associate), which are intended to ease the individual into academia, have some similarities to postdoctoral fellowships although there may be expectations for teaching even if not to the extent of a ranked faculty position would require. At the conclusion of a postdoctoral fellowship, the individual will be in a good position to apply for a ranked faculty position ( Lor et al., 2019 ). While post-doctoral fellowship salaries vary, the average range is substantially lower than salaries for entry tenure-track assistant professor positions ( Lor et al., 2019 ) with smaller benefit packages. During a postdoctoral fellowship, there may be an opportunity to perform additional activities, such as teaching, for additional income, but consideration of the individual’s needed earnings is an important aspect of weighing the pursuit of a postdoctoral fellowship. Other factors, such as family obligations or inability to relocate, may take priority and thus prohibit consideration of a postdoctoral opportunity ( Lor et al., 2019 ; Sherry et al., 2013 ).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Gained During a Postdoctoral Fellowship

A post-doctoral fellowship can advance an individual’s knowledge, skills, abilities and preparation for a future career in academia, research, or policy. Coursework may be part of the formal learning within a postdoctoral fellowship and can expand learning to include new methods, novel scientific content areas, or other disciplinary learning that can advance one’s research ( Nolan et al., 2009 ). During a postdoctoral fellowship, an individual may have an opportunity to become a member of a larger research team, working together with researchers across nursing or various disciplines to conduct study investigations ( Nolan et al., 2009 ).

For those who did not receive extensive teaching experience during their PhD education, but wish to pursue an academic career, a postdoctoral fellowship in universities may offer mentored and/or independent teaching experiences. Since teaching experience can enhance an individual’s ability to secure a faculty appointment, seeking to add some teaching to the postdoctoral research work can prove to be beneficial. Furthermore, a postdoctoral fellowship provides focused mentorship in strengthening writing for publication. A systematic review of fifteen studies concluded that there is a significant increase in the number of scientific peer-reviewed publications by those who have completed a postdoctoral fellowship ( Hafsteinsdottir et al., 2017 ). Similarly, postdoctoral fellowship mentoring has been shown to make a significant difference in the number of competitive grants secured ( Hafsteinsdottir et al., 2017 ).

Postdoctoral fellowships will ideally offer opportunities to advance grant writing skills and collect preliminary data to support an independent grant submission for a career development award (i.e., K01) or R level NIH grant. Finally, a postdoctoral fellowship can provide an important opportunity for early career scientists to form research networks and build valuable collaborations ( Nolan et al., 2009 ; Reid Ponte et al., 2015 ). These collaborations further positively influence research productivity and career development ( Hafsteinsdottir et al., 2017 ).

PhD prepared nurse scientists are in great demand to educate and mentor the next generation of nurses. For students enrolled in a PhD program, employing specific strategies to maintain their health, social network, and to develop as a researcher while advancing their knowledge, skills, and abilities to be a lifelong learner are imperative to successful progression throughout the PhD milestones and beyond. Choosing to obtain a PhD in nursing is a personal career investment, and an investment in the future of nursing and nursing science. Next steps after PhD graduation may include a post-doctoral fellowship to help with the transition to an independent nurse scientist, working as an academic researcher, policy analyst, consultant in industry, or a position within a government agency, among other opportunities.

Highlights:

• Clear program expectations prior to enrollment prepare PhD students for success
• Networking can identify mentors and advance the development peer relationships
• Establishing career goals at the outset will guide plans for learning

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number F31NR019211 “Informal Advance Care Planning with Family in Blacks with End Stage Renal Disease on Dialysis”. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. This work was also supported in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars Program Postdoctoral Research Award and the Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Scholars Leadership Program.

Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

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Data Spotlight: A Closer Look at PhD in Nursing Program Enrollment and Graduations

In May 2023, AACN announced that enrollments in research-focused doctoral level nursing programs declined , with an average decline in research-focused doctoral enrollments of 4.1% from the 2021 to 2022 school year. The greatest regional decline in enrollment was seen in the schools in the North Atlantic region, with a 7.8% decline.

Graduation rates also declined between the 2021 and 2022 academic school years, with an average decrease in research-focused doctoral graduations of 4.8%. Graduation rates rose in some regions, increasing the most in the North Atlantic region, with an average increase in research-focused doctoral graduations of 23.8% or 37 additional graduates. The Midwest, however, experienced the largest decline in research-focused doctoral graduations, with an average decrease of 15% or 28 fewer graduates.

Figure 1: Enrollment Changes in Research-Focused Doctoral Nursing Programs 2021-2022 Datasource: AACN Annual Surveys, n = 146 schools

Figure 2: Graduation Changes in Research-Focused Doctoral Nursing Programs 2021-2022 Datasource: AACN Annual Surveys, n = 146 schools

From 2021 to 2022, private religious schools reported an 8.4% decline in enrollment in research-focused doctoral programs. Similarly, public schools reported a 3.8% decrease in enrollment. Private secular schools reported the smallest decline, at 1.3%. In contrast, private religious schools increased graduations within their research-focused doctoral programs from 2021 to 2022, with an average increase of 4.5%. In contrast, from 2021 to 2022, private secular schools saw a decrease in graduations of 1.2% and public schools a decrease of 8.5%. Figures 3 and 4 describe these changes.

Figure 3: Research-Focused Doctoral Enrollment Percentage Change 2021 to 2022, Public and Private Schools

Figure 4: Research-Focused Doctoral Graduation Percentage Change 2021 to 2022, Public and Private Schools  

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Nursing School in Nation’s Top 25 in Graduate School Rankings

• by Julia Ann Easley
• April 09, 2024

The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing tied for 24th place in the nation for master’s degree nursing programs in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent rankings of professional and graduate programs. 

The news outlet released updated rankings Monday, April 8, for four disciplines and 11 specialties in its 2024 edition of the Best Graduate Schools .

It is the fourth consecutive year that the UC Davis nursing school has been ranked in the top 25 in the nation for its master’s degree nursing programs.

On Monday before its scheduled publication of the rankings, U.S. News announced it would be delaying publication of its rankings for medical and engineering schools, as well as for clinical psychology programs.

After sharing its rankings with schools for their confidential review last week U.S. News said it was reviewing questions from some graduate schools concerning  the extent to which data from affiliated institutions were considered and which accrediting body was used as a source of reference for the clinical psychology programs.

Last year, an unprecedented number of inquiries from schools led the media company to first delay all rankings by a week and further delay release of medical and law school rankings.

Also among this year’s rankings, the School of Education tied for 42nd among the 255 schools that qualified.

The Graduate School of Management ’s Full-Time MBA continues to be ranked among the top programs in the nation with a tie for 57th. U.S. News surveyed more than 500 institutions with master’s-level business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The UC Davis Part-Time MBA, offered in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, was tied for 28th among the 269 that qualified.

Among specialties considered this year, public health was tied for 29th  among 213 ranked, and computer science was tied for 36th among 205 programs ranked.

About U.S News rankings

U.S. News ranks some disciplines annually and others periodically. Each set of rankings is based on different types of data, including expert opinions relating to a program’s academic excellence and statistical indicators that assess students and faculty achievements. The rankings are available on the  U.S. News and World Report website . Visit the  UC Davis rankings page  for highlights from earlier rankings, and see UC Davis’ stories about rankings since 2016 .

UC Davis and rankings

A world-class university, UC Davis is highly ranked for how it transforms students’ lives, the impact of its research, the excellence of its academic programs, its sustainability and more. The university performs self-evaluations and also appreciates the value of third-party assessments. However, ranking methods vary, change over time and can be subjective. UC Davis focuses on those rankings that most closely align with its mission and values — including serving the public good, inclusiveness and equity, and social mobility — and in national rankings looks most closely at its standing among public universities. UC Davis encourages prospective students and their families to weigh rankings among other factors in their college decision, talk with counselors and UC Davis admissions advisors, and, if possible, visit the campus.

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Credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins graduate programs again ranked among nation's best

'u.s. news & world report' includes 38 jhu programs among the top 10 in the u.s. in its annual rankings, including no. 1 ranked programs in nursing and public health.

By Hub staff report

Johns Hopkins University has 38 graduate schools, academic programs, and specialties ranked among the top 10 in the nation, including nine with No. 1 rankings, according to the latest edition of "Best Graduate Schools" from U.S. News & World Report , published earlier today.

Two schools at Hopkins—the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the School of Nursing —earned No. 1 rankings overall, and the School of Education entered the top 10, according to U.S. News & World Report .

Portions of the publication's annual list were released today but rankings for schools of medicine and engineering were delayed and will be released at a later date.

Among the new rankings released today:

The School of Nursing's DNP program ranked No. 1 for the third year in a row. Its master's degree programs tied at No. 1, up from No. 2 last year. In gerontology, the school moved up two spots to No. 1 for primary care, and up one spot to No. 2 for acute care. In other specialty areas, the School of Nursing's doctoral programs ranked:

• Psychiatric/mental health: No. 1
• Family: No. 3 (tied)
• Leadership: No. 4 (tied)
• Nursing Anesthesia: No. 36 (tie)

Public Health

The Bloomberg School retained its longtime No. 1 overall ranking among public health programs—it has held the top spot since 1994, the year the rankings began. In specialty areas, the Bloomberg School ranked:

• Environmental Health Sciences: No. 1
• Epidemiology: No. 1
• Health Policy and Management (Public Health): No. 1
• Social and Behavioral Sciences: No. 1
• Biostatistics: No. 2

Johns Hopkins tied at No. 8 in the Education category, up from No. 13 last year. The school also tied at No. 23 in higher education administration programs.

Public Affairs

Overall, Johns Hopkins programs in public affairs tied at No. 39. In subcategories, Johns Hopkins tied at No. 6 in Health Policy and Management (Public Affairs), No. 11 in International/Global Policy and Administration, and tied at No. 35 in Public Policy Analysis.

U.S. News & World Report updates some of its rankings each year and republishes the most recent rankings in other areas. Among the republished rankings for Hopkins, which are still current:

Biological Sciences

Hopkins is tied for No. 6 overall with six top 10 specialty rankings:

• Molecular biology: No. 3 (tie)
• Cell biology: No. 4
• Neuroscience: No. 4 (tie)
• Immunology: No. 5
• Genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics: No. 6 (tie)
• Biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology: No. 8

Biostatistics

Hopkins is ranked No. 1 (tie) for Biostatistics at the doctoral level. (Note: U.S. News & World Report also ranks biostatistics as a sub-category of public health, where Hopkins is No. 2.)

The university is tied at No. 20 in Chemistry and ranks No. 9 in the Biochemistry subcategory.

Computer Science

The university is tied for No. 24 overall and tied at No. 21 in the specialty of Artificial Intelligence.

Earth Sciences

The university is tied at No. 30 in Earth Sciences.

Johns Hopkins' program in economics is tied at No. 22.

English tied at No. 13 overall with the following specialty rankings:

• Literary criticism and theory: No. 3
• British literature: No. 10 (tie)
• American literature after 1865: No. 17

Health Care Management

The university is No. 7.

Johns Hopkins ranks No. 10 overall, with the following specialty rankings:

• African-American history: No. 3 (tie)
• Cultural history: No. 4 (tie)
• U.S. Colonial history: No. 5 (tie)
• Women's history: No. 6 (tie)
• African history: No. 7 (tie)
• European history: No. 7 (tie)
• Modern U.S. history: No. 16 (tie)

Mathematics

Johns Hopkins is tied at No. 20 in Mathematics with the following specialty rankings: + Analysis: No. 18 (tie) + Algebra: No. 23 (tie) + Applied Math: No. 25

Overall, the university is tied at No. 13 with the following specialty rankings: + Living Systems: No. 5 (tie) + Cosmology: No. 7 + Condensed Matter: No. 13 (tie)

Political science

Overall, political science is tied at No. 41. In sub-categories, Johns Hopkins ranked: + Political theory: No. 8 (tie) + International politics: No. 24 (tie)

The university's graduate program in psychology is tied at No. 12 overall and tied at No. 5 in the subcategory of behavioral neuroscience.

Overall, sociology is tied at No. 29. The sub-category of sociology of population is tied at No. 17.

Posted in University News

Tagged u.s. news and world report , university rankings

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• UB schools among the best in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings

UB schools among the best in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings

Photo: Douglas Levere

By David J. Hill

Release Date: April 9, 2024

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Several schools within the University at Buffalo, New York’s flagship, are ranked among the top nationwide in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings , released this morning.

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is among the top 20 in the country, coming in at No. 19 overall and 18th among public universities.

“This achievement is a testament to our relentless pursuit of groundbreaking research, transformative discoveries, and unwavering commitment to the success of our students,” said Gary Pollack, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Our top 20 ranking reaffirms our steadfast commitment to cultivating the next generation of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science leaders who will push the boundaries of scientific inquiry, drive innovation in patient care, and elevate the standards of pharmaceutical research on a global scale.”

The School of Social Work is once again in the top 25, coming in at 24th nationally and No. 13 among public universities.

The School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program moved up 11 spots to 34th in the country and No. 24 among public universities. In addition, the nursing anesthesia program was ranked 22nd.

“We are immensely proud to rank among the best DNP programs in the United States,” says School of Nursing Dean Annette Wysocki, PhD. “Our commitment to exceptional nursing education cultivates discipline of the mind to educate highly discerning nurse practitioners, who are indispensable in addressing the nation’s critical shortage of primary care providers. Quality nursing education remains paramount in safeguarding the health and wellness of our community.”

UB’s Graduate School of Education moved up four spots to No. 54 in Best Education Schools. Among public universities, the Graduate School of Education ranks 42nd. “Our steady climb in the rankings over the years is a testament to the hard work and high-quality research of GSE faculty,” says dean Suzanne Rosenblith, PhD.

The School of Public Health and Health Professions moved up four spots, to No. 46 nationally and No. 29 among public universities. Its programs in occupational therapy (41) and physical therapy (74) were also ranked, as was biostatistics (22).

Meanwhile, the School of Law moved up 17 places to No. 108 among Best Law Schools nationwide and 56th among public universities.

The School of Management’s MBA program came in at No. 74 in Best Business Schools and 38th among public universities, making it the highest rated business school within SUNY.

In addition, UB’s graduate programs in audiology (22) and speech language pathology (32) were also ranked this year.

Media Contact Information

David J. Hill Director of Media Relations Public Health, Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Sustainability Tel: 716-645-4651 [email protected]

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U.S. News Releases 2024 Best Graduate Programs Rankings

Find the top-ranked graduate schools in business, education, law, nursing and other fields.

U.S. News Ranks Best Graduate Schools

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To help prospective graduate students find a school that fits their needs, U.S. News released the 2024 rankings for multiple graduate fields.

Depending on the job or field, earning a graduate degree may lead to higher earnings, career advancement and specialized skill development.

But with several types of degrees and hundreds of graduate schools, it can be difficult to narrow down the options. To help prospective graduate students find a school that fits their needs, U.S. News released its 2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings today. They evaluate business, education, fine arts, health, law, library studies, nursing, public affairs, science, and social sciences and humanities graduate programs. Medical school and engineering rankings are not being released at this time.

A notable methodology change includes a new salary indicator based on profession in the business rankings.

Additionally, for the first time in four years, there are new rankings for a blend of doctoral and master's programs in audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, nurse midwifery and speech-language pathology. Graduate programs in nurse anesthesia and social work are also ranked for the first time since 2016 and 2022, respectively. Those and other specialty rankings are based on reputation ratings from scholars at other surveyed schools.

Read each program's specific methodology for the most detailed explanations of all the changes. The rankings are one source of information among many that prospective college students can use to inform their college decision. Below is a summary of the top-ranked schools in four major graduate program areas:

Best Law Schools

Best business schools, best nursing schools, best education schools.

Among the top 10 law schools . Yale Law School in Connecticut and California-based  Stanford Law School shared the top spot again. The  University of Chicago Law School in Illinois maintained its No. 3 rank, followed by a four-way tie at No. 4: Duke University School of Law in North Carolina, Harvard Law School in Massachusetts, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and the University of Virginia School of Law .

Columbia Law School in New York ranked No. 8 again, while there was a three-way tie for No. 9: New York University School of Law , Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law in Illinois and the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor Law School .

Looking beyond the top 10, multiple law schools moved up in the rankings. William & Mary Law School in Virginia, for instance, jumped nine spots from a tie at No. 45 to a five-way tie at No. 36.

U.S. News also ranked 13 law specialties: business/corporate, clinical training, constitutional, contracts/commercial, criminal, dispute resolution, environmental, health care, intellectual property, international, legal writing, tax and trial advocacy. (You can filter by specialty on the  main ranking page .)

Meanwhile, in the  part-time law school rankings – which consists of law schools with at least 20 part-time students enrolled in fall 2022 and fall 2023 – the top three stayed the same. The  Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., is once again at the top while D.C.-based  George Washington University Law School , now No. 3, switched places with the  Fordham University School of Law in New York City, which claimed second place.

Previously ranked at No. 3 and No. 6 respectively, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and Stanford Graduate School of Business took the top spot in this year's full-time MBA program rankings . Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business moved down from their previous places in the top two to tie at No. 3.

While the top 10 mostly consists of the same schools as last year, both the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business joined those ranks this year. UC Berkeley rose from a three-way tie at No. 11 to a three-way tie at No. 7, while UVA moved up four spots from No. 14 to a tie at No. 10.

Farther down the full-time MBA rankings, there were some big changes. For example, Pitt's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business soared 39 spots from a tie at No. 86 to a tie at No. 47.

Meanwhile, the very top of the part-time MBA rankings looks similar to last year, with the same schools in the top 5: UChicago, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, NYU's Leonard N. Stern School of Business and the Anderson School of Management at the University of California—Los Angeles. But UChicago took the No. 1 spot from UC Berkeley this year.

Moving up from No. 2, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Maryland tied with Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Georgia to claim the top spot in this year's nursing master's program rankings. Duke University School of Nursing in North Carolina climbed up by one to claim the third spot.

Johns Hopkins ranked No. 1, as it did last year, in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program rankings. George Mason University School of Nursing in Virginia – which reported more graduates and resources per faculty – soared from a four-way tie at No. 39 to take the No. 2 spot. Duke tied with the University of Washington School of Nursing to round out the top three.

Duke also ranked No. 1 in all of the ranked nursing master's nursing practice specialties, including administration, family, both acute and primary care adult gerontology, and mental health.

Once again, Teachers College, Columbia University in New York was No. 1 in the graduate education schools rankings. This year, however, it tied with the University of Wisconsin—Madison School of Education , which climbed two spots.

The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor's School of Education dropped from the top position to tie with the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies at No. 3. UCLA was previously tied at No. 7.

U.S. News also ranks nine education specialties, with the College of Education at Michigan State University claiming the top spot in the following categories: curriculum and instruction, educational administration, elementary teacher education, higher education administration and secondary teacher education.

Searching for a grad school of education? Access our  complete rankings  of Best Graduate Schools.

Grad Degree Jobs With $100K+ Salaries

Tags: students , graduate schools , medical school , business school , law school , education graduate school , engineering graduate school , MBAs , nursing programs

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U.S. News & World Report ranks UNI among 2024 Best Graduate Schools

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa –  U.S. News & World Report has once again ranked the University of Northern Iowa among its list of 2024 Best Graduate Schools. Designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond an undergraduate degree, the  Best Graduate Schools rankings evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing. 

UNI’s honored programs for graduate education are a combination of face-to-face, entirely online and hybrid degrees offered in partnership with all UNI colleges,  Online and Distance Education , and the  College of Graduate, Research and Online Education where more than 80 degree, certificate and endorsement programs are housed. 

“It’s incredibly gratifying to have UNI recognized as a national leader in graduate education,” said Steph Huffman, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and dean of the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education. “UNI has a strong, long-standing history of developing educators, innovators, strategic leaders and other professionals who serve our schools, businesses and organizations, and communities. This ranking reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, impactful graduate educational opportunities.”

By collecting graduate school data annually, U.S. News is able to present the most current figures on enrollment, job placement, faculty and other critical quality indicators that help prospective students make informed decisions.

UNI’s  College of Education offers 10 master's programs and a doctoral program which are represented within the graduate rankings of Best Education Schools. These range from advanced degrees like elementary and early childhood education to programs that prepare school administrators, school psychologists and teacher librarians.

"The ranking continues to represent our outstanding faculty, innovative curriculum, and our ability to meet students where they are to deliver an experience that is individualized, relevant and meaningful,” said Amy Nielsen, the College of Education’s interim associate dean of graduate studies.

UNI also ranks among the top in the country for its  part-time MBA in the Wilson College of Business. 

"I am proud to see our MBA program recognized again as one of the top programs in the nation," said Leslie Wilson, dean of the Wilson College. "I know our faculty are working diligently to ensure our curriculum meets the needs of students preparing to be global business leaders. From the use of AI, addressing supply chain disruptions, and managing a remote workforce, we seek to provide our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the changing landscape and excel in their careers. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students, who have helped make our program successful."

UNI’s  Speech-Language Pathology M.A. is among the top 100 speech pathology programs in the rankings. Students benefit from valuable clinical experience at the Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic located conveniently on campus.

“We take pride in offering students a comprehensive educational experience that combines hands-on clinical exposure, rigorous coursework, and valuable research opportunities with faculty members,” said Jennifer Garrett, head of the UNI Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “This recognition reaffirms our department's commitment to excellence in training future speech-language pathologists. With the experiences they gain here, our students graduate as highly competent professionals, ready to make meaningful contributions to improving the lives of individuals with communication disorders.”

UNI’s  Master of Public Policy Program is recognized as one of the Best Public Affairs Programs by U.S. News & World Report. With its fully online format, the program is ideal for those seeking career advancement within public service and nonprofit organizations in the field of public policy. 

“As the only nationally accredited program in the state, earning this recognition reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation in preparing future leaders for impactful public policy careers,” said Chris Larimer, MPP program coordinator and professor in the Department of Political Science. 

The University of Northern Iowa ranks highly in a number of U.S. News categories, including ranking  second best among regional public universities in the Midwest . It also ranks among the best value schools, best colleges for veterans and most innovative schools.

Media Contact: Adam Amdor

[email protected], uni physics faculty awarded national science foundation and dept. of energy research grants.

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I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University is the oldest leading medical university in Russia that has become a cradle of most medical schools and scientific societies of our country. For decades it has been unofficially known as “First Med”.University success is based on a blend of glorious traditions and actual innovative approaches multiplied by a great potential of human resources. We are proud to be a unique educational, scientific and medical complex that graduates, certifies and provides lifelong professional education for physicians and other healthcare workers; that contributes significantly to the domestic and global medicine. The University is closely linked to the fundamental and applied research, highly efficient medical treatment, and propaganda of medical and pharmaceutical achievements. Our University is rich with knowledge and experience that is generously transferred to our students, to those whose mission will be to face the challenges of the 21st century in the field of medicine and people aiding, to implement new methods and technologies in healthcare.

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MD-PhD program receives $1.1 million in NIH funding

• Written by John Keenan, UNMC strategic communications
• Published Apr 5, 2024

Justin Mott, MD, PhD

A new National Institutes of Health grant for the Medical Scientist Training Program will bring more than $1.1 million to UNMC over the next five years.

With this award, UNMC joins about one-third of the approximately 150 medical schools across the country who have NIH-funded MD-PhD programs, said Justin Mott, MD, PhD, director of the MD-PhD Scholars Program in the UNMC College of Medicine.

“The NIH put out an announcement looking for programs that had something unique in terms of trainees who were underrepresented in medicine,” Dr. Mott said. UNMC’s strength, he said, is that approximately 20% of its applicants and 20% of its trainees have a rural background.

“At most medical schools, that number is about 5 or 6%,” he said.

In addition, more than 40% of participating college of medicine faculty have a rural background or their research and clinical populations relate to rural communities. And the program showed geographic diversity, with applicants from 42 states over the past five years.

 A rural background can mean a great deal to a physician scientist, Dr, Mott said.

“Obviously, our experiences shape the questions that we ask,” he said. “Students from a rural background may be uniquely suited to ask questions about why health outcomes are not as good for members of the community who live in rural areas, why life expectancy is shorter, why there’s higher risk for some cardiovascular diseases and for some infections. What about the exposures about the culture, about the nature, of rural America is different? These scientists are ready to ask those questions.”

The strength of the program and its trainees also helped secure the funds, Dr. Mott said.

“The track record of our alumni matters a lot,” Dr. Mott said. “More than 92% of the students who come into our program stay and get both degrees, and that’s higher than the national average. And the time to achieve both degrees is at or slightly below the national average. Also, we’re setting our students up for success after they graduate.”

Trainee research strengths also reinforced program strengths. Dr. Mott said, pointing to two recent federal awards received by students:

• Aaron Schwab received a fellowship from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences this year, one of only two awards from NIEHS to UNMC currently, for a study exploring health impacts of agricultural dust exposures common in rural areas.
• Rebecca Slotkowski received a fellowship from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities in 2022, one of only four awards from the NIMHD to UNMC currently, to study a program designed to reduce sociodemographic impacts on cardiovascular risk and adverse maternal outcomes in young people in urban Omaha.

The LEAD MSTP award will allow the MD-PhD program to increase its annual cohort of accepted students from five to six, Dr. Mott said.

”This sounds like a small change, but over an eight-year program, it will increase our size to about 48 students. It also allows us to have additional support, not just through the NIH, but also through UNMC Graduate Studies, which has committed to supporting students during their graduate training based on this award.”

Dr. Mott expects the award will strengthen program recruitment, especially since grant reviewers pointed out the robust nature of the peer mentorship and scholarly community in the UNMC program.

UNMC College of Medicine Dean Bradley Britigan, MD, said the MD-PhD program is a source of pride for the college.

“From its inception, the MD-PhD program has nurtured physician scientists who have gone on to achieve great things,” Dr. Britigan said. “This new grant will allow it to grow even stronger.”

The large number of trainees with rural backgrounds grew organically, Dr. Mott said.

“This is not something that we select for in our admissions,” he said. “It’s more that the potential applicants are selecting for us. Our participating faculty, we’re about 40% who have either a rural upbringing or their clinic or their research have particular focus on rural communities. That provides an understanding, a shared background, a support system and a recognition of the value the students bring in. They may self-select into the program because of that.”

Dr. Mott credited his predecessors, Debra Romberger, MD, and Shelley Smith, PhD, for building the strong program, and thanked Dr. Britigan and Dele Davies, MD, the senior vice chancellor of academic affairs and dean of UNMC Graduate Studies, for their support.

Dr. Davies called the award “a national badge of excellence and a testament to the many years of hard work and foundation that has been laid by the dedicated faculty and leadership of the program in the college of medicine and the graduate studies program. 

“This partnership has enabled our MD-PhD program to become recognized as among the very best in the country, based on the outcomes of our students and time to degree completion.”

Dr. Davies congratulated Dr. Mott and his team, as well as his predecessors, for “their concerted and relentless effort to make this training grant a reality. This institutional training grant adds to the growing strength of UNMC’s training programs dedicated to critical areas of research emphasis that will continue to help attract and train the next generation of scientists who will answer and solve the most pressing questions in health for generations to come.”

“The institutional support has been excellent across the board from the beginning of the program,” Dr. Mott said. “The integration between medicine and graduate studies facilitates the students’ growth as physician scientists, not sometimes a physician and sometimes a scientist. And that integration was a strength as we competed with other institutions for these funds.”

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School of Nursing Bend Program

Join us in bend.

The OHSU School of Nursing, Portland campus, is expanding to Central Oregon to start a new Bend cohort for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program . The accelerated nursing program will take place on the Central Oregon Community College (COCC) campus.

Read more about this new partnership in the OHSU News announcement .

Note about Financial Aid Offering the Accelerated Bachelor of Science program at Central Oregon Community College has been approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), OHSU’s accrediting body, but is still pending approval for Title IV Financial Aid by the United States Department of Education (USDE).

Student Financial Aid Federal Aid Federal Financial Aid through OHSU will not be available to students accepted into the Accelerated Bachelor of Science at the Central Oregon Community College location until the USDE has authorized this location, which may or may not occur before July 1, 2024. In addition, financial aid cannot be provided by Central Oregon Community College for enrollment in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science program.

However, if you wish to be considered for federal aid you can start the 2024-25 financial aid application process now.  Note:  Your application will be reviewed once you are offered admissions and the USDE has approved the new location. Additional information on the application process is on the financial aid website .  As a student seeking a 2 nd Bachelor’s degree, once the location is approved, you can be considered for Federal Student loans such as Federal Direct Stafford Loan funding. 

Non-Federal Aid Even if you are later awarded a federal loan, there are yearly and aggregate limits on that funding.  Therefore, you should also start looking for additional funding sources to cover the total cost of attendance.  Some options are scholarships as well as private education loans . 

If you have questions on financial aid, you can contact the office at [email protected] or 503-494-7800 .

Why our Bend location

Bend is the largest city in Central Oregon but has small-town roots and charm. Bend offers its residents outdoor adventures, thoughtful dining choices, a haven for craft beer lovers, and a very active cultural life with multiple performing spaces both outdoors and indoors.

The Deschutes River runs right through the city's center, providing views and activities year-round; while Mt. Bachelor keeps watch from the near horizon. Bend’s proximity to multiple natural wonders means its residents can kayak, ski, or hike on the same day.

Student experience

This will primarily be a face-to-face program held at COCC; some courses will be delivered online.  Students will be required to do clinical hours; these will take place at St. Charles Hospital and community locations in Bend and surrounding areas, including Redmond, La Pine, Madras, Warm Springs, and Prineville.

Clinical sites

Clinical experiences will be offered in Bend and the surrounding area. A list of specific community health spaces will be added soon.

Student resources

Below are some commonly referenced resources by OHSU School of Nursing students:

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For specific questions related to the Bend cohort, please reach out to the Admissions team at [email protected] .

Scholarships available

OHSU offers a variety of scholarships that can help fund your education.

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