Advancing in the Profession...

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

PhD Program Overview

Consider a PhD if you want a focus on research in a clinical, academic, or scientific environment.  You can enter the PhD level of graduate study as a post-BSN student (BSN-PhD Option - 79 credits) or as a student who has attained the master's degree in nursing (MS-PhD Option - 64 credits) or a student who has attained a DNP (DNP-PhD option).

Part-time and full-time options are available.  Full-time study requires a minimum of 9 credits per semester. MS-PhD students who have not completed a graduate statistics course within the past 5 years will be required to enroll in a graduate statistics course the first fall semester of the program.  As a PhD graduate you will:

• generate and disseminate knowledge to advance nursing science and facilitate its translation into practice;
• design and evaluate innovations to improve health outcomes;
• engage in and lead collaborative research teams; and
• influence health science agenda-setting and policy initiatives.   

Course work in nursing and other sciences are emphasized during the early portion of an individualized program of study. As you continue through the program, time is increasingly devoted to research conducted under the supervision of a faculty researcher and mentor. For the College, three prominent research focal areas are listed below.

• Understanding Mechanisms to Prevent & Treat Biological Injury (faculty with this focus)
• Reducing Risks and Promoting Health in Vulnerable Populations (faculty with this focus)
• Managing Consequences of Aging or Chronic Illness (faculty with this focus)

Other research foci are available through match with faculty mentors.  All students are expected to come to campus for a robust 5-day Resident Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) each year for the first three years of doctoral study.  RISE attendance for part-time students may vary. RISE typically occurs the week prior the fall semester, in August of each year.

International students wishing to attend UA to study in-residence will be required to register for 6 units of non-online courses each Fall and Spring semesters.

Your educational goals and mentorship experience will be best met when they are aligned with faculty research interests and areas of expertise.  Please review the article "Finding a Match and A Mentor in Doctoral Study" by Terry Badger, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN. You are encouraged to contact potential faculty mentors to discuss your research goals in relation to faculty expertise.  A faculty directory of research interests with some video clips of current research programs can be located on the web site under Current Faculty. The College’s web site also provides a research search tool. 

PhD Application Information

Technology Requirements

DNP/PhD Dual Degrees (DNP/PhD Sample Plan of Study)
If you are interested in attaining broader advanced clinical practice skills with strong research competencies, consider taking advantage of our dual Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.  You will be prepared at the highest level of professional nursing practice and with advanced skills for engaging in research to create, apply and translate new knowledge to improve healthcare – in practice domains or academia.   You will work closely with clinical mentors to develop specialty competencies, as well as faculty research mentors to create a program of research.  The DNP/PhD Dual Degrees option is available upon admission to one of the doctoral programs.  Dual degree students must satisfy both DNP and PhD posted admission and enrollment requirements.

• BSN-DUAL w/Adult Acute Care NP Specialty
• BSN-DUAL w/Family NP Specialty
• BSN-DUAL w/Pediatrics NP Specialty
• MS-DUAL w/Adult Acute Care NP Specialty
• MS-DUAL w/Family NP Specialty
• MS-DUAL w/Pediatrics NP Specialty
• MS-DUAL no specialty

Post DNP-PhD Option
If you are interested in attaining strong research competencies, consider taking advantage of our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.  Your plan of study will be individualized upon admission to the PhD program. You will be prepared to engage in research to create, apply and translate new knowledge to improve healthcare – in practice domains or academia.   You will work closely with faculty research mentors to create a program of research. 

For more information contact:
Office of Student Affairs
College of Nursing, Room 112
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-6158

Email: advanced@nursing.arizona.edu

Accreditation and Affiliations 
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, and affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing  and the Western Institute of Nursing. 

Recognition
The University of Arizona College of Nursing has been recognized for the outstanding work our of faculty, students, staff and alumni. Below are some of our recent awards.