columbia nursing phd program

Accelerated Masters Nursing Program for Non-Nursing College Graduates

Located in the heart of NYC, Columbia University School of Nursing is among the world’s leading centers of nursing education, research, and practice. 

Length of Program

Application deadline.

October 2024

Decisions Posted

February 2025

Program Start Date

October 2022

February 2023

The Masters Direct Entry (MDE) Program is a full-time accelerated nursing program for non-nurse college graduates who wish to become registered nurses (RNs).

This program prepares students in the provision of evidence-based nursing care with an emphasis on care coordination and religio/cultural care to patients along the wellness/illness continuum and across all care settings.

Heidi Hahn-Schroeder, DNP, RN

What Makes an Education at Columbia Nursing Unique

Educational Excellence

We prepare students to excel as clinicians, researchers, and nurse leaders. Our reputation for innovation and excellence attracts highly motivated students who are eager to apply the knowledge they acquire and practice at the highest level of the profession.

Clinical Practice

Learning extends beyond the classroom. Students complete over 1,000 clinical hours in small group clinical settings in areas such as labor and delivery, medical surgical, pediatrics, community health, and psychiatric-mental health. The MDE program offers a unique six-week integration experience in which students work one-on-one with an RN in New York or participate in one of many global integration sites. Additionally, we have partnerships with more than 200 practice sites throughout NYC. 

Global Health

Columbia University School of Nursing prepares nurses with the knowledge, clinical expertise, and leadership skills to contribute to the vast health challenges facing most of the world's population. Our mission is to instill in nursing students a sense of global citizenship and ethical responsibility. 

Can I work while I am in the program?

It is not possible to work during the MDE program.

What is the outlook for employment and salaries for a Registered Nurse?

The employment and salary outlook for entry-level Registered Nurses is excellent. Please review the U.S. Department of Labor's career data and growth projections.

Can I apply to multiple specialties for the DNP?

  No. You must choose only one specialty.

Can I choose a specialty for the MDE program?

  No. The MDE program prepares students as nurse generalists and registered nurses. Thus, students do not choose a specialty.

What degree is awarded after I graduate from the MDE?

Students are awarded a Master of Science degree after graduating from the MDE. New York State does not offer MSN degrees.

Do you require labs for the science prerequisite courses?

Columbia Nursing does not require labs for the science prerequisite courses. However, please check with your home state as labs may be required for your home state licensure.

Financial Aid & Scholarships Available

Columbia University School of Nursing is proud to offer approximately $10 million annually in fellowships and scholarships to our nursing students who demonstrate excellent academic achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise for leadership in nursing. 

"Most of the nursing schools I researched offered bachelor’s degree programs, but Columbia Nursing's Masters Direct Entry (MDE) program allows me to get my master’s degree in 15 months, and leads directly into a doctoral program without having to apply again to school. And, as soon as I graduate I can sit for the licensing exam to become an RN. Also, the MDE program offers a lot of clinical hours starting from day one, which was a big draw. I had concerns about transitioning from a different field, and I wanted to be able to get hands-on experience working with patients right away. Columbia Nursing facilitates that."

Janine Inez

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Patient Care

A Columbia Nursing education enables students to practice at the highest extent of their preparation, providing accurate, independent diagnosis, and evidence-based treatments and interventions.

Our world-class faculty serve as both educators and clinical role models. Most maintain an active practice, introducing students to the challenges of clinical practice by bringing real-world experiences and scenarios into the classroom.

Columbia Nursing’s faculty practice opened at Columbia-Presbyterian Eastside in Manhattan on September 29, 1997. The faculty's first commercial venture, originally called Columbia Advanced Practice Nurse Associates (CAPNA), responded to the need to further validate cost, quality, and competence benefits of advanced practice nurses. In 2016 it was rebranded as ColumbiaDoctors Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Group.

Today, the practice operates out of a practice location in Washington Heights, just across the street from Columbia Nursing. Additional practice components include a nurse practitioner house calls service in upper Manhattan and using telehealth to increase access to care.

As part of their practicum, both student nurses and student advanced practice registered nurses have an opportunity for clinical preparation via rotations through the primary care faculty practice.

The faculty practice sub-specializes in the following areas:

• Integrated mental health
• Palliative care within the primary care setting
• Care of LGBTQ individuals

In addition, Columbia Nursing has clinical partnerships with more than 200 practice sites throughout New York City, and affiliations with major New York medical centers including NewYork-Presbyterian. This solid clinical training ground gives our students invaluable experiential learning, and opportunities to actively contribute to the health of individuals and communities, a critical complement to our rigorous classroom curriculum.

Visit the ColumbiaDoctors Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Group website to make an appointment or learn more.

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School of Nursing

For more than a century, Columbia University School of Nursing has helped transform the nursing profession as clinicians, nurse scientists, and leaders in health policy, both nationally and worldwide. Our innovative curriculum and research programs continue to set and raise the standard for graduate nursing education.

Columbia Nursing is consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading nursing schools, with a range of specialized graduate degree offerings. Our academic programs allow students to master all facets of nursing care at the highest level, preparing them to excel within an interdisciplinary health care team. Our rigorous training in both classroom and clinical settings offer unique opportunities that help shape the next generation of nurse scientists and care providers.

Columbia Nursing's steady position as a leader in funding from the NIH and other prestigious federal agencies demonstrates our commitment to research and scholarship.

We seek to instill a sense of global citizenship and ethical responsibility in our students and prepare them for the vast global health challenges of today and tomorrow.

As part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Washington Heights community, Columbia Nursing prepares students for careers that improve health and health care here in New York City, across the nation, and around the world.

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Application Management

Thank you for your interest in the Columbia University School of Nursing.  As a new user, to begin an application, please CREATE AN ACCOUNT under First-time users. To add a new application to your profile, please LOG IN.  Below you will find a listing of our program options : Non-Degree Programs: Online Prerequisites for Entry to Nursing (OPEN) Palliative Care Throughout the Lifespan for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) Degree Programs: Masters Direct Entry for Non-Nurses  (MDE)  DNP in Nurse Anesthesia Masters in Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership (Remote Only) Post-Baccalaureate DNP for RN's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Additionally, you may find the resources below useful: Admissions at a glance and deadlines  

Student Profiles

Financial Aid for degree programs only Please note the following application update : All degree program enrolling students will have their references verified by the Office of Admission or a third-party vendor (Re Vera) prior to entry. Good luck on your application and we look forward to getting to know more about you.  

Kind Regards,

Office of Admissions  Columbia Nursing

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• B.Sc (Nursing)

Study In Usa > Colleges In Usa > Columbia University > Programs > Ph.D[Nursing]

Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D] [Nursing] From Columbia University

Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D] (Nursing)

Field of Study : 

₽4,152,836 /Yr

• The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Columbia University is a 4-year program.
• The School of Nursing Ph.D program is a full-time, research-intensive curriculum that prepares nurses for careers as nurse scientists who will conduct research across a broad range of populations and health conditions. 
• Theoretical foundations of nursing science
• Analytical foundations of nursing science
• Electives and application
• The program provides a strong foundation in nursing science and research methods, enabling graduates to conduct evidence-based research independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams.
• Students are mentored by faculty advisors as they move toward independent investigations. 
• Columbia University offers Financial aid for students who pursue a doctorate.
• The student-faculty ratio of this college is 6:1.
• The acceptance rate of Columbia University is 5.8%.
• Columbia University is ranked #19 in QS Global World Rankings 2021.

Tuition Fees

Other Expenses

Ph.D. students are offered fellowships that cover five years of tuition, and Columbia Health Insurance and Health Fees.

Eligibility & Entry Requirement

Academic Eligibility: 

• Students must have a master of science degree to get admission in this program.
• Students required to maintain at least a 3.0 overall GPA.

Language Requirments:

• Students whose official language is not English are required to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores. 

Scores Required

Avg. Score in

Minimum gpa

Required Document List

The following Documents are required to attend this program:

• Statement of Purpose:  An essay or other written statement written by the student.
• Resume/CV:  Outline of academic achievements and/or awards, publications, relevant work and/or volunteer experience.
• Academic Documents:  Submit copies of official transcripts from post-secondary institutions attended.
• Sample of written work:  Student has to write something interesting as their sample essay in the application form.
• Statement of Interest:  Reasons or intentions for pursuing studies in this program, including a description of prior experience.
• Two confidential letters of recommendation:  Referees (Teachers, guidance counselors, or Professors) should comment on academics and that references should submit along with the application system.

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The Nursing program from Columbia University is a full-time, research-intensive curriculum that prepares nurses for careers as nurse scientists who will conduct research across a broad range of populations and health conditions.

Columbia University Multiple locations Manhattan , New York , United States Top 0.1% worldwide Studyportals University Meta Ranking 4.2 Read 80 reviews

Importantly, much of our research is focused on health disparity populations with the long-term goal of informing health policy and clinical practice across the lifespan.

The Nursing program from Columbia University provides students with an understanding of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing science and a strong foundation in research methods (design, statistics, measurement, quantitative and qualitative methods) for clinical, translational and health services research. 

All students are mentored by research advisors with active programs of research as they move toward independent research and assume the roles of doctorally prepared nurse scientists.  

The PhD curriculum builds on the foundation of nursing science by bringing together practice, policy, translational research, and leadership. The core courses provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct relevant and well-designed research studies. Electives strengthen an area of clinical interest or intensify understanding of a specific research or analytic method. 

Both post-master's and post-BSN students admitted to the program will complete a minimum of 57 credits. The curriculum plan is designed to make it possible to complete the program in three years for those students with clearly defined plans for their dissertation research.

PhD courses are offered in three major areas:

• Theoretical foundations of nursing science
• Analytical foundations of nursing science
• Electives and application

Students must be registered as full-time for the duration of the program (typically three to four years). The minimum number of semester credits in required coursework is 37 (four semesters) for eligibility to progress to the qualifying exam. Six of the 37 credits required to be completed prior to the qualifying examination are elective courses tailored to the student’s dissertation topic and/or dissertation methods. The PhD program requires nine credits of elective courses. A minimum of 57 total credits is required for program completion. 

Programme Structure

As a Columbia Nursing PhD student, you will learn to:

• Design, conduct, and report multidisciplinary research studies that increase knowledge to improve the health and well-being of patients and families across the lifespan
• Advance the state of the science in a substantive area of research through application of innovative and rigorous methods
• Promote health and well-being for individuals and families in the context of their communities
• Provide leadership in improving the health care delivery system at local, national, and international levels
• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate and develop policies for delivery of health service
• Translate evidence accumulated through research into practice and policy at multiple levels

Key information

• 36 months

 3-4 years

Start dates & application deadlines

• Apply before 2024-11-15 00:00:00

Disciplines

Academic requirements.

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Student insurance.

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

• Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
• Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
• Home contents and baggage

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Columbia University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal .

Other requirements

General requirements.

Admission Criteria

• Bachelor's or master's degree in nursing, or 
• Master's degree in a related discipline (i.e. MBA or MPH) and a bachelor's degree in nursing (admitted applicants may be required to enroll in additional nursing credits to ensure adequate preparation). 
• Applicants with an associate’s degree in nursing and a bachelor's or master's degree in other areas are eligible to apply.
• Note: Official transcripts from all institutions attended will be required prior to enrollment in the program.
• New York State RN licensure or eligibility
• International Applicants Only: TOEFL Exam Score

Tuition Fee

International, living costs for manhattan.

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Nursing.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Read more about eligibility

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Nursing Education | Health Studies & Applied Educational Psychology

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Nursing Education

Department of health studies & applied educational psychology.

Visit Program Website

Program Description

Teachers College was the first academic setting to educate nurses. Nursing Education began at Teachers College in 1899. The Nursing Education Program has a long and distinguished tradition of commitment to the education of nurses who have diverse roles in academic and community settings in the United States and abroad. The newly revised curriculum for the Ed.D. in nursing education was designed by a group of nursing education experts and is delivered entirely online. 

The Program in Nursing Education at Teachers College, Columbia University is committed to the development of nurse educators into researchers who will then become scholars, leaders, and visionaries in the education of nurses across the spectrum of nursing education programs.

In addition to the online EdD Program, the Nursing Education program offers an Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education. The purpose of the Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education is to offer doctorally-prepared students, currently working in or interested in nursing education, an opportunity to gain academic preparation in the role of nurse educators.

Doctor of Education

Nursing education (online) doctor of education.

Points/Credits: 90

Entry Terms: Fall Only

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Education in Nursing Education is designed for nurses with master’s degrees who want to become nurse educators in either academic or staff development settings. Although all courses are online, the program fosters deep collaboration among students and faculty to maximize preparation for educator roles and to facilitate efficient progress through the program. The program encourages a unique collaborative approach to dissertation design and development.

Outcomes of Program

Integrate knowledge from nursing and higher education that supports the development of innovative teaching strategies that address diverse learning needs.

Apply theories from nursing, higher education, and related disciplines as a foundation for enacting the nurse educator role in academic and health care settings.

Demonstrate expertise as an advanced nurse educator that models the pursuit of lifelong learning and that reflects trends in nursing and higher education, inter-professional education, health care, and nursing practice.

Pursue intellectual inquiry and scholarly endeavors individually and collaboratively to advance knowledge in nursing education.

Serve as a scholar, leader, and advocate in nursing, nursing education, and higher education.

Nursing education courses have been designed to merge knowledge of the role of nursing faculty with the role nursing programs play in higher education. Courses have a theoretical foundation, along with a research underpinning so that best practices in didactic and clinical practice areas are taught, used, and tested. Ed.D. students learn how to actively engage their students in the learning process and how to be facilitators of learning, not just givers of knowledge. The program requires that students take a specific complement of courses in Nursing Education, Research Methods and Statistics, and Broad and Basic Courses and meet other requirements as outlined below.

Course Requirements

Nursing Education: All courses count for 3 credits; 24 credits are required.

HBSN 6000 Nursing Knowledge in Nursing Education

HBSN 6030 Curriculum Development in Nursing Education

HBSN 6040 Teaching and Learning Strategies in Nursing Education HBSN 6043 Innovations in Nursing Education

HBSN 6044 Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education

HBSN 6045 Simulation in Nursing Education

HBSN 6310 Practicum I: The Nurse Educator Role

HBSN 6320 Practicum II: Leadership in Nursing Education

Research Methods: 12 credits are required.

HBSS 5040 Research Methods in Health and Behavior Studies

HBSN 5044 Advanced Research Methods: Literature Review and Critique

HBSN 6540 Dissertation Design and Development

HBSN 7500 Dissertation Seminar

Statistics: 6 credits are required

HUDM 4120 Basic Concepts in Statistics OR

HUDM 4122 Probability and Statistical Inference

HUDM 5122 Applied Regression Analysis

Broad and Basic Courses 9 credits required

9 credits in electives taken at Teachers College that are outside Nursing Education Adult Learning and Higher Education

Cognitive studies

Communication, Media, and Learning Technologies Design Health education

Diabetes education

Total: 51 Credits

It is expected that students will transfer between 39 and 45 credits from their master’s degree programs if those credits are determined to be acceptable by the Teachers College registrar and program faculty.

Other Requirements

The Ed.D. requires the completion of 90 credits of graduate study (including transfer credits), certification as a doctoral candidate, which involves taking a certification examination in person at the College, a dissertation proposal approved as a result of a proposal hearing, successful oral defense, and acceptance of a research-based doctoral dissertation.

Enrolled students begin their doctoral student experience with a five-day in-person orientation to the program that occurs in August prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. All admitted students are required to attend this orientation on campus. During the orientation, students will be guided to plan their entire program of study. They plan the types of experiences they want to include in their courses and practica. They are apprised of the courses where they will be required to find a suitable nursing education setting in which to complete some of the course objectives (e.g., Simulation in Nursing Education), and they are instructed on the need to identify preceptors for Practicum I and Practicum II early in the program so that the credentials of the preceptors can be vetted, the preceptors can receive information about what will be required, and appropriate agreements can be executed.

Advanced Certificate

Nursing education advanced certificate.

Points/Credits: 15

Entry Terms: Spring/Summer/Fall

The purpose of the Academic Certificate in Nursing Education is to improve Nursing Education and to improve the teaching skills of those nurses who already have doctoral degrees. The goal of the program is to offer doctorally-prepared nurses, who are currently working in or interested in nursing education, an opportunity to gain academic preparation as nurse educators. There are currently 1,200 nursing faculty vacancies across the U.S., and this number is expected to climb sharply over the next few years as current faculty begin to retire. An Academic Certificate in Nursing Education prepares those seeking to extend or advance their teaching skills to improve nursing education generally.

The program consists of five core courses designed to help nurses with doctorates to deploy their advanced clinical or research expertise to enhance the education of new nurses and advanced practitioners.

HBSN 6030 Curriculum Development in Nursing Education - 3 credits

HBSN 6040 Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education - 3 credits

HBSN 6043 Innovations in Nursing Education - 3 credits

HBSN 6044 Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education - 3 credits

HBSN 6045 Simulation in Nursing Education - 3 credits

The program can be completed in two years if students take one course per semester for five consecutive semesters. Classes are taken with current doctoral students in the Nursing Education Ed.D. program, assuring a high-quality program.

• Jane K Dickinson Senior Lecturer

Adjunct Faculty

• Colleen Manzetti Adjunct Assistant Professor
• HBSN 5044 - Advanced Research Methods: Literature Review and Critique This course builds on introductory research methods courses to enhance the students' abilities to design research, to interpret research findings, to critique research reports, and to write the review of literature for their dissertation proposals. Issues affecting the design of research and interpretation of research findings in Nursing Education studies are the specific focus of the course. The literature review will be done in consultation with students’ dissertation advisors.
• HBSN 6000 - Nursing Knowledge in Nursing Education This course introduces students to major theoretical perspectives on nursing education/practice/research and how nursing theory can be used to guide nursing education that promotes nursing disciplinary knowledge. Students are introduced to definitions, philosophies, and patterns of knowing in nursing. Discussions focus on what makes nursing actions nursing, and how that can be taught effectively at the various levels of nursing education. Students also learn how to identify problems, research questions, and theories to guide their dissertation research.
• HBSN 6030 - Curriculum Development in Nursing Education This course explores the essential structures, components, and factors of curriculum development pertaining to nursing education. Concentration will be on the curriculum development process.
• HBSN 6040 - Teaching and Learning Strategies in Nursing Education This course explores associations of key aspects of learning development to educational interventions in higher education.
• HBSN 6043 - Innovations in Nursing Education This course examines innovations in education that support and promote a culture of active teaching and learning. Use of technologies in nursing education will be a focus. Evidence-based teaching strategies will be identified for use in the classroom and clinical settings.
• HBSN 6044 - Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education This course examines evaluation methods in nursing within the classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting. Current issues, trends, and research related to educational testing instruments, alternatives to standardized evaluation methods, and outcome measurement in nursing education will be discussed. Students will develop reliable and valid evaluation measures for use in nursing education.
• HBSN 6045 - Simulation in Nursing Education This course explores the teaching strategy of role play, focusing specifically on simulation and its application for both classroom and clinical practice within nursing education. Evidence-based simulation strategies will be explored using active teaching strategies.
• HBSN 6053 - Clinical Teaching in Nursing Education This course investigates best practices in nursing education for planning and developing student-centered clinical activities. A preferred specialty area of nursing practice will be the focus for planning and developing these activities.
• HBSN 6310 - Practicum I: The Nurse Educator Role In this course students will examine and implement the role of the nurse educator in higher education and/or health care organizations
• HBSN 6320 - Practicum II: Leadership in Nursing Education In this course students will examine the role of the nurse educator in relation to broader perspectives of selected higher education and/or health care agencies. Further, students will implement aspects of the nurse educator role in selected academic units, institutions, and in the profession of nursing.
• HBSN 6540 - Dissertation Design and Development Permission required. Required of all doctoral candidates. Group critique of dissertation proposals; focus on beginning- to intermediate- level aspects of analysis of theory and research design. This course may be repeated as often as necessary until the student is ready for the departmental examination. Once HBSN 6540 is taken, continuous fall/spring enrollment in the course is required until the semester during which the departmental examination is held.
• HBSN 6541 - Advanced seminar on dissertation design development Focus on advanced aspects of research design and method.
• HBSN 6930 - Independent study in nursing education Permission required. Individual guided learning experience at the doctoral level in a selected aspect of nursing education. Topic agreed upon between student and faculty.
• HBSN 6940 - Research in Nursing Education Permission required. Allows student to contract with individual faculty member for research-related work in a defined area of study.
• HBSN 7500 - Dissertation Seminar - Nursing Education Permission required. The departmental examination, involving presentation of dissertation proposal for faculty approval. This course is required of all certified doctoral candidates and may be taken only once.
• HBSN 8900 - Dissertation Advisement in Nursing Education Individual advisement on doctoral dissertation following completion of all course-work. Fee to equal 3 points at current tuition rate for each term. See catalog on continuous registration requirements for Ed.D. degree.
• HBSS 5040 - Research methods in health and behavior studies I Introduction to research, study designs, and data collection methods in research in health and behavior studies, including nursing, nutrition, and health education with emphasis on reading and understanding research literature.
• HUDM 4122 - Probability and statistical inference An introduction to statistical theory, including elementary probability theory; random variables and probability distributions; sampling distributions; estimation theory and hypothesis testing using binomial, normal, T, chi square, and F distributions. Calculus not required.
• HUDM 5122 - Applied regression analysis Least squares estimation theory. Traditional simple and multiple regression models and polynomial regression models, including use of categorical predictors. Logistic regression for dichotomous outcome variables is also covered. Class time includes lab time devoted to applications with IBM SPSS. Prerequisite: HUDM 4120 or HUDM 4122 or HUDM 4125.

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PhD in Nursing

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Comprehensive Examination Process

Dissertation requirements, about the phd program.

The doctor of philosophy in nursing (PhD) program prepares clinical scholars, educators, and researchers for leadership roles in a variety of academic, industry, and healthcare settings. Because the knowledge and skills needed to produce excellent health-related research is not discipline specific, the PhD program does not require a prior degree in nursing. Indeed, we have had PhD students with academic preparation in health administration, health education, medical ethics, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health and social work.  

The MU Sinclair School of Nursing (MUSSON) offers a challenging and yet enriching PhD program with two options. The PhD curriculum, program requirements, and program outcomes are the same whether you choose the Online PhD option or the International Residential Nursing PhD option. Only the method of course delivery varies. Additional details can be found on the Sinclair School of Nursing PhD Program Options webpage . 

• Online PhD Program Option : PhD coursework may be accessed online through the Online PhD program option by learning over the World Wide Web using the Canvas learning management system. This option also requires a 3 Day On Campus visit (held the first week of the summer semester on the Columbia campus) the first summer of enrollment and 4 Day On Campus Intensives every April until coursework is completed (see PhD On Campus Dates). Because the program is online, students are responsible for obtaining the required technology for successful participation in synchronous online courses (see Technology Requirements). Additionally, students are responsible for all the costs associated with travel and housing for the On Campus Intensives;
• International Residential PhD Option : Through the International Residential PhD option, international students attend the MU campus hybrid classes in Columbia, Missouri. The International Residential PhD student attends the hybrid classes in person, while the Online student cohort participates virtually via videoconferencing software. International Residential PhD students may also enroll in traditional residential course offerings through the MU Sinclair School of Nursing and the rest of the MU campus. Students in the International Residential PhD option must enroll in 4.5 credits during their first summer and maintain full-time status by enrolling in 9 credits each fall and spring term thereafter. Of the 9 credits each term, at least 6 credits must be either traditional face-to-face or hybrid coursework in order to qualify for and retain the F-1 or J-1 student visa status. The remaining 3 credits each term may be taken 100% on-line.

MU requires a minimum of 72 credit hours, including 15 hours of 8000-9000 level coursework exclusive of readings, research, problems and independent study experiences, beyond the bachelor’s degree for the PhD. The student’s doctoral committee may recommend that up to 30 hours of post-baccalaureate graduate credit from a regionally accredited university be transferred toward the total hours required for the doctoral degree. With program approval, up to 6 hours of coursework for which professional credit was received may be counted toward the 72 credit-hour requirement. It is the responsibility of the doctoral committee to determine whether it is appropriate to transfer credit; however, the Graduate School must make the final review of the transfer request to determine if the credit meets the minimum guidelines. Ultimately, the student’s doctoral committee, in collaboration with the student, determines the student’s plan of study and total credit hours necessary to adequately prepare the student to successfully complete their dissertation research.  Typical post-baccalaureate student takes ~77 credits. Typical post-master’s student takes ~59. Typical post-clinical doctorate student takes ~48 credits. The PhD curriculum is divided into two categories:

• Foundational Core  - Minimum of 29-36 credit hours (leadership and technology, responsible conduct of research, philosophical, theoretical & scientific basis, epidemiology, biostatistics &/or data science, research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, grant writing, on-campus intensive immersions (residencies)
• Individualized Specialty Area -  Minimum of 27-39 credit hours of of research focus seminars, interdisciplinary collateral coursework (coursework taken outside the School of Nursing that helps to support the dissertation research topic), faculty mentored research practicum experiences, specialty area applied sciences including education or leadership courses, dissertation research, and electives.

The PhD program at the MU SSON can be completed in three to five years of full time study, depending on whether the student entered as a post-baccalaureate or a post-graduate degree student. International Residential PhD students are required to be enrolled in full-time study.  Part-time study also is available for students in the Online option.   

Once the plan of study is completed, you prepare for your doctoral comprehensive examination, develop your research proposal, and begin your dissertation research project. The doctoral dissertation and its defense are the program’s culmination and demonstrate your ability to identify and pursue research that meets the highest of professional standards.

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B-1 Qualifying Process for the Post-Baccalaureate to PhD Program Option

Upon provisional admission to the program, a temporary adviser is assigned to the student. Two additional faculty members are selected to serve on the Qualifying Examination Committee, which approves the courses taken prior to the qualifying process. The student selects both a substantive content area in nursing and a general research interest. To fully qualify for the doctoral program, Post-Baccalaureate to PhD students must earn at least a grade of B in the following:

• NURSE 7010 Biostatistical Foundations for Health Researchers
• NURSE 7087 Leadership and Technology Institute
• NURSE 7160 Scientific Foundations for Health Sciences
• P_HLTH 7952 Research Methods in Public Health or  P_HLTH 8420 Principles of Epidemiology
• Nine additional graduate credits, typically nursing applied sciences or collateral courses

The student initiates the qualifying process by enrolling in three credits of NURSE 8900 Research Practicum in Nursing with a member of the PhD program committee. The course syllabus and course contract for NURSE 8900 can be found on the PhD Forms webpage.

Through the PhD Comprehensive Examination process, the student demonstrates his/her ability to address the theoretical, methodological and substantive issues of his/her field of study. The examination tests the breadth and depth of knowledge and the ability to integrate ideas across research focus areas. The student must be enrolled to take this examination and it may be administered only when MU is officially in session. The student is not allowed to sit for the PhD comprehensive examination until the last semester of course work or when course work is substantially completed, all incomplete grades are satisfied, and the PhD Competencies are met.

The Comprehensive Exam, which is prepared by the student’s PhD program committee, has a written component followed by an oral section. The written component of the examination is completed at home or another site of the student’s selection during five consecutive days. The oral defense is a two-hour examination by the PhD program committee. The two sections of the examination must be completed within one month. The student is expected to complete the Comprehensive Examination within five (5) years of enrollment in the PhD program and it must be completed at least seven (7) months before the final defense of the doctoral dissertation. Additional details of the process can be found at https://nursing.missouri.edu/academic-programs/phd/ .

The culmination of the PhD degree is the completion of a written doctoral dissertation. The dissertation must:

• Be written on a subject approved by the candidate's doctoral dissertation committee
• Embody the results of original and significant investigation
• Be the candidate's own work.

Within the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, the PhD Dissertation process consists of:

• Development of a dissertation proposal
• Approval of the proposal by the doctoral dissertation committee
• Approval of the research project by the Health Sciences Institutional Review Board
• Ethical conduct of the research project
• Writing the doctoral dissertation
• Public defense of the doctoral dissertation
• Approval of the dissertation by the candidate’s doctoral dissertation committee
• Submission of the written doctoral dissertation in an approved format.

Students have five (5) years from completion of the PhD Comprehensive Exam to complete the doctoral dissertation. 

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Students interested in the PhD program are encouraged to apply for admission as early as possible. All admitted students are required to start the PhD program during the summer semester. 

Early Acceptance Deadline: January 1st   Recommended for applicants desiring to be full-time students who are planning to apply for a competitive fellowship(s) and international residential PhD option applicants who need time to obtain a visa and move to Columbia, MO prior to classes starting in early June. 

Regular Acceptance Deadline : March 1st  

Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the  Sinclair School of Nursing PhD program  and the minimum requirements of the Graduate School . Because requirements vary, you must refer to a degree program's graduate admission page to learn about specific admission criteria, application deadlines, eligibility and application process.  Your application materials will be reviewed by both the Graduate School and the degree program to which you’ve applied before official admission to the University of Missouri.

NOTE: Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements or do not have a cumulative GPA must submit acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the exam must have been taken within the last 5 years.  

Admission Contact Information S246 School of Nursing Columbia, MO 65211 573-882-0277 Email: [email protected] https://nursing.missouri.edu/

Published by the University Registrar, 125 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: 573-882-7881

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University of Missouri

Sinclair school of nursing, doctor of philosophy in nursing (phd) degree information.

Our doctor of philosophy in nursing (PhD) program prepares clinical scholars, educators and researchers for leadership roles in a variety of academic, industry and healthcare settings. Because the knowledge and skills needed to produce excellent health-related research is not discipline specific; the PhD program does not require a prior degree in nursing. Indeed, we have had PhD students with academic preparation in health administration, health education, medical ethics, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health and social work.

Program Overview

Our PhD program is highly individualized and flexible with the goal of accommodating the wide variety of learning needs of our students.  To that end, we have an online option for distance learners and an international residential option for international students.  We welcome both nurses and non-nurses with a degree in a health-related field into our PhD program and have plans of study to accommodate both post-baccalaureate or post-masters students. Once selected for admission, you are paired with a PhD advisor with whom you have a good research match in terms of research methodology, population of interest and/or phenomenon of interest. Your advisor provides guidance on establishing your PhD program committee.  Your PhD program committee guides your Plan of Study, research practicum experiences and, ultimately, your dissertation research.  All new PhD students are required to start during the summer semester and attend a 4-day June On Campus Intensive Orientation on the University of Missouri Campus in Columbia, Missouri. The required coursework in the PhD curriculum includes content related to theoretical and philosophical basis of research, nursing and healthcare applied sciences, substantive science seminars, statistics, responsible conduct of research, research methodologies and research practica. The core curriculum is completed in sequence and provides a strong foundation upon which to examine your research interest area.  In collaboration with your PhD program committee, you will select collateral coursework to support your research interests and professional goals.  Regardless of program option, all PhD students are expected to attend the 4-day April On Campus Intensive each year they are enrolled in coursework. Once the plan of study is completed, you prepare for your doctoral comprehensive examination, develop your research proposal, and begin your dissertation research project. The doctoral dissertation and its defense are the program’s culmination and demonstrate your ability to identify and pursue research that meets the highest of professional standards.

Student Program Outcomes

While maintaining a foundational commitment to building nurse scientists, faculty collaborations within and outside the MU SSON provide a rich environment for both nurses and non-nurses to flourish and develop their scholarship.  Regardless of academic background, all PhD students are mentored to achieve the following program outcomes: • Assume leadership roles in nursing and health care. • Initiate and maintain collaborative relationships with nurses and individuals in other disciplines. • Advance nursing and health care knowledge by critically evaluating existing theories and knowledge and identifying new areas of inquiry for research • Develop the science that guides nursing practice and/or health care by conducting original research using established ethical principles and disseminating research findings to advance new directions in theory, practice and education. • Educate the next generation through formal teaching and mentoring. • Advance development of health policy, through application of research and advocacy for ethical decision-making.

Today marks the 177th Commencement Ceremonies at Emory University! After the activities at the Quandrangle, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing will host a Degree Candidate Recognition Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Emory Student Center. All events will be streamed live.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Emory’s PhD program in Nursing is committed to improving human health, the experience of health, and the provision of health care through the discovery of new knowledge and its translation into practice. The program is designed to prepare researchers who want to revolutionize health care and improve health outcomes for diverse populations.

The Fall 2025 application deadline is December 1, 2024.

Virtual Open House Events

All virtual open house events will take place Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. EST on Zoom. Use the links below to register.

Upcoming Meetings:

• 08/20/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 09/10/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 10/08/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 11/05/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)

Previous Meetings:

• September 26, 2023
• October 24, 2023
• November 14, 2023
• December 12, 2023

Program Contacts

[email protected]

Jean Harrell Graduate Program Administrator

Emory University’s School of Nursing PhD program is a full-time, intense learning experience designed to develop the next generation of researchers who will change the face of health care. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing on the strengths of Emory University and its partners in areas as varied as the humanities, natural and social sciences, public health, engineering, law, and business.

At Emory, we offer a PhD track with a focus on data science in addition to our standard PhD curriculum. 

Signature Areas of Focus

Our program is built on the research strengths of our faculty in six signature areas:

• Aging Studies
• Artificial Intelligence/Data Science
• Natural Disasters, Environmental, and Climate Science
• Translational and Neuroscience
• Women’s Health

Other Areas of Focus

Emory nursing faculty are committed to supporting the learning and discovery for our doctoral nursing students. We have faculty who are renowned scholars within a diverse range of expertise in areas such as:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Cardiovascular Health
• Caregiver Well-Being
• Data Science
• Environmental Health
• Farmworker Health
• Global Health
• Health Informatics
• Maternal/Child Health
• Mental Health
• Metabolic Disease
• Nurse Workforce and Quality of Patient Care
• Pain, Opioids, and Harm Reduction
• Palliative Care
• Sleep Research
• Symptom Science
• LGBTQIA+/Transgender Health

For additional information, please visit our Office of Nursing research page.

This video gives prospective students pragmatic guidance in selecting a U.S. research-intensive doctoral program in nursing.

Teaching Assistant Training & Teaching Opportunity Program

The PhD in Nursing trains students to teach through the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity Program , or TATTO, program. This program provides a short course offered in late summer before the second year, training and teaching assistantships and teaching associateships.

The Jones Program in Ethics

The Jones Program in Ethics (JPE) at Emory University provides students with a foundational, cross-disciplinary introduction to the question of ethics for their research, training and careers. It is a required, integral part of the curriculum in LGS doctoral programs: Learn more Link here:

T32 Nurse Scientist Training Opportunities

The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing invites applications for full time study in the PhD in Nursing program, and applicants for postdoctoral traineeship funded by the T32 program. T32 pre-and postdoctoral trainees will participate in a tailored research training program , which aims to prepare nurse scientists acquire knowledge and skills to employ data science (DS) and/or emerging health information technologies (HIT) into their research.

Provisional Artificial Intelligence Track

Artificial intelligence (AI) and associated computational sciences (machine learning, natural language processing, cybersecurity, etc.) are fundamentally changing the healthcare landscape. Accompanying these changes are tremendous opportunities as well as profound ethical concerns and social impacts. View a summary of the program . View a provisional version of the courses of study .

Admission Requirements

Fall 2024 Application Deadlines

• Priority deadline: December 1, 2023
• Final deadline: January 2, 2024
• All applicants selected for an interview will be interviewed by video/zoom meeting, scheduled at a convenient time for applicant and faculty.
• Admitted applicants will visit campus February 5, 2024 to meet with faculty, other PhD students, and to experience Atlanta.

Applications are submitted through Emory's Laney Graduate School (LGS). For more about LGS admissions, click here .

For admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program, Emory University seeks highly qualified applicants with the discipline and motivation to excel in interdisciplinary research. To be considered for admission, you must submit the following items:

• Completed application
• Submission of a Statement of Purpose that describes the applicant’s vision for what they want to study, who they want to study with, and why they want to study at Emory.
• Research interests that match faculty expertise
• Three (3) recommendations
• Satisfactory TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• Credential evaluations from any evaluator affiliated with NACES, The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .  The most common ones are World Education Services , Educational Credential Evaluators , and Educational Perspectives .
• Transcripts issued by the registrar’s office from each post-secondary institution attended
• Resume or curriculum vitae

Emory University considers applicants who hold a BSN or MSN from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program in the US or an international equivalent (Applicants holding a degree in a non-nursing related discipline will be considered on an individual basis).

Students entering with a BSN and intending to pursue advanced practice certification must be eligible for licensure as RN in Georgia by the end of the first year of study.

Application

Meet our students.

Meet our current and past doctoral students and learn a little more about how they impact the world of nursing research.

Student graduate’s dissertations include:

• Evaluating Stochastic Epigenic Mutations as a Potential Mechanism Translating Psychosocial Stressors into Risk for Postpartum Depression (Julianne Todd)
• Relationships among Dietary Patterns, Metabolites and Symptoms in Persons with Heart failure (Erica Nicole Davis)
• The Gut and Vaginal Microbiome in Pregnant Patients with and Without Urogenital Infections (Emily Faith Wissel)
• End-of-Life Care of Uong Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Cohort Study (Carolina Gustafson)
• LivFit with HIV:  Reducing inflammation and improving endothelial function with exercise adherence among older persons with HIV (Crista Irwin)
• Identifying and Addressing Healthcare Disparities in the Pediatric Acute Care Setting (Amy Rebecca Kolwaite)
• Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Gynecologic Cancer Pre-and Post-Radiotherapy and its Association with Obesity and the Gut Microbiome (Haerim Lee)
• Evaluation of Facility-Based Individual Differentiated Service Delivery Among Stable People Living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya Using Mixed Methods Research (Rosemary Kinuthia)
• Relationships Among Strong Black Woman Belief, Coping Behaviors, Social Support, and Psychological Distress for Black Mothers after Stillbirth (Carrie Henry)
• The Influence of Postpartum Retention in Care on Mortality in Women Living with HIV (Jade McBroom)
• The role of the circulating registered nurse in communicating and fostering relationships and the impact on time spent in the operating room (Kent Haythorn)
• The Role of Vitamin D in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Gene Expression within an African American Cohort (Sheila Jordan)
• Diabetes Management and Self-Care among Emerging Adults: Emerging Adult and Diabetes Care Provider Perceptions of Self-Management Influences, Visit Interaction, and a Tool to Enhance Diabetes Care at Visits (Rachel Wolf)
• Staying Alive in Little Five: Perceptions of Service Industry Workers Who Encounter an Opioid Overdose in Little Five Points, Atlanta (Sara Febres-Cordero)
• The Occupational and Health Histories of Undocumented Immigrants Receiving Frequent, Emergent-Only Hemodialysis (Daniel Smith)
• Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Adolescents with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Psychiatric Residential Treatment (Amy Greenblatt)

A full list of student accomplishments is updated regularly (PDF) .

Here are just a few job titles of our graduates.

• Chief Nursing Officer with the Jamaican Ministry of Health
• Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Disease Control
• Pediatric Center for Wellness
• RTI International – Division of Public Health and Clinical Research
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Pediatric Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice

Tuition and Awards

Full-tuition scholarships.

All full-time admitted students are granted full tuition waiver and receive an annual stipend over 12 months in exchange for teaching and research services. The stipend is drawn from a combination of faculty advisor grant support, school support and student research grants received during the program. Stipends are renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic and research performance, for a total of four years. Faculty and students work together to identify and apply for National Institutes for Health's National Research Service Award and other fellowships for stipend and research support funding during the doctoral program. Students also receive Professional Development Support Funds from Laney Graduate School to attend conferences and support research-related expenses.

T32 Predoctoral Fellowships through Spring 2023

The School of Nursing offers a research training program for selected predoctoral students to focus on developing and testing interventions to improve health outcomes of persons with or at risk for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, HIV-AIDS, and asthma/COPD. Individuals selected as fellows in this training program receive a monthly stipend, benefit assistance, assistance for professional travel, and modest funds to support research related expenses. The Laney Graduate School also offers scholarships to PhD students.

Charting Innovative Paths for Nursing Research & Scholarship

Many of our students participated in the 11th Annual Georgia Nursing Leadership Coalition Doctoral Symposium, “Charting Innovative Paths for Nursing Research & Scholarship” at Emory Nursing Learning Center on 2/11/23.

Students gave the following presentations at the Event:

• Policing Mental Health: Race and Psychiatry in Atlanta Avi Wofsy – PhD Student, Emory University
• Childhood Trauma Exposure and Length of Labor: A Potential Oxytocin-Linked Contributor to Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Black Birthing People Abby Britt – PhD Student, Emory University
• Personal Measures of Air Pollution During Pregnancy and Infant Head Circumference and Length at Birth Hina Raheel – PhD Student, Emory University
• Ways of Knowing: The Historical Intersections of Breastfeeding, Capitalism, and Whiteness Octavia Vogel – PhD Student, Emory University
• Bots and Fake Participants: Ensuring Valid and Reliable Data Collection Using Social Media Recruitment MethodsZ Roseline Jean Louis – PhD Student, Emory University

Many students presented posters. Hayden Herring, 1st year student, won 1st place for his poster.

How to Successfully Apply to Our PhD Program

Application process questions.

How Much is the Application Fee

$75 US.  The fee is non-refundable, and can be paid by credit card as part of the online application.

When exactly is the application deadline?

The deadline falls at midnight, U.S. Pacific time, on the deadline date of the each program. Nursing PhD program application deadline is January 1.

May I request a fee waiver?

Yes. Application fee waivers are processed through Laney.  The  application fee waiver page  explains our waiver policy.   https://www.gs.emory.edu/admissions/fee-waivers.html

Should I wait until I have my official test scores before submitting my application?

No.  Complete the online application at your earliest convenience.  When we receive your scores, they will be matched with your application.

Do I need to submit non-degree transcripts?

Yes. Admissions committees consider your complete academic record. 

If my undergraduate Degree is from Emory, Do I need to request a transcript from Emory?

Yes. You will need to upload one as part of your online application.  (If you are offered admission and accept, you will not need to submit an official copy, since we are able to verify the one you uploaded.)

If I participated in an exchange program while an undergraduate, do I have to request that transcript?

If you took some courses at a university as part of an exchange, like a study abroad program, and those course credits (course name, credit hours, and grade) are reflected on the transcript that includes your degree, then you do not need to submit a separate transcript from the university where you studied as part of an exchange. If you list that exchange experience as a separate educational experience on your application, you will need to upload either a separate transcript or a note explaining to us that the credits are included in another transcript. 

How should I submit my transcripts in the application?

Scan and upload them through the online application. Unofficial transcripts issued by the Registrar to you (the student) are acceptable.

You are required to submit one transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, present school included. International transcripts must be translated and notarized.  

Please do not mail paper transcripts.  If you are admitted and decide to attend Emory, then you will need to submit official copies of your transcripts before you can enroll. But for your application, the scanned, unofficial versions are all that's needed.

Does the recommendation letter have to be on the Emory form?

We encourage the use of the online recommendation system. If a recommender is unable to use this system, contact the program you are applying to for instructions.  You can find contact information on  our Degree Programs page .

Must letters of recommendation be submitted by the application deadline?

It is possible to submit letters of recommendation after the application deadline, but it is not advisable.  Most programs begin to review applications very soon after the deadline, and an application is not considered complete unless it has three letters of recommendation. 

Can I make changes to my application after I have submitted it?

No. Contact the graduate program to which you are applying for advice.  You can find contact information on  our Degree Programs page .

Can I reactivate my application from last year?

No. Applicants who wish to reapply must submit a new application, application fee, and supporting credentials.

Technical issues with the application: Email CollegeNet at  [email protected] . 

Additional Questions

Do you have to have your research focus before entering the program?

No, but strongly encouraged.

Can I start the PhD program in the spring semester?

NO.  This program begins with the fall semester matriculation only.

Can this program be completed in 3 years?

It can be done in three years if you are really focused.  But it will be challenging.

What are the fees students pay?

Enrollment, technology, health and wellness, athletic  and activity fees.  

Fall and spring you should be prepared to pay approximately$442, summer fees are about $351

When do I submit the application for the T32 program?

T32 application is due one day after the PhD program application, Jan. 2nd

Can I have my international transcripts reviewed by an agency other than World Education Services (WES)?

Laney Graduate School requires WES services review.

Do I have to have a master’s degree to enter this program?

No.  Students can apply to the program with a BSN

Can I work/ be employed outside the program?

Any work/employment has to be approved by the program

How many hours can I work if approved?

Students are allowed to work 10 hours a week

Accreditation

Emory University undergoes accreditation at the university level and throughout our colleges and schools to ensure our educational programs meet the highest standards. The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is accredited by multiple organizations. For a list of accreditations, you can visit our Accreditations page.

Featured Story

Emory nursing doctoral students receive prestigious NIH predoctoral fellowship awards

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Emory Nursing

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Our Culture

Diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Learn about our commitment to social justice and health equality and anti-racism.

Academic Programs

Admissions at a glance.

Learn more about Admissions at Columbia Nursing, including important dates and deadlines, and how to apply to all of our programs. 

Research Centers and Programs

Research areas of focus.

Explore the research areas of focus conducted by our faculty, postdocs, and students.

Patient Care

Primary care services.

The ColumbiaDoctors Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Group, combines evidence-based practice with a personalized approach to provide quality care.

Global Health

Global opportunities for students.

Global opportunities for clinical practicum and research may be available for MDE and doctoral students at Columbia Nursing.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP) prepares nurse clinicians (RNs) or advanced practice nurses (APRNs) to provide fully accountable and comprehensive care to patients.

With the increasing scope of clinical scholarship in nursing and the growth of scientific knowledge in the discipline, doctoral level education is recommended for independent practice. The DNP program prepares advanced practice nursing students to conduct complex diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, make use of sophisticated informatics and decision-making technology, and assimilate in-depth knowledge of the biophysical, psychosocial, behavioral, and clinical sciences. 

The Post-BS DNP specialties are:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program (AG-ACNP)
• Anesthesia Program (ANES)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program
• Midwifery Program
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH)

There are currently multiple points of entry to the DNP program:

Registered Nurses with a BS degree

The Post-BS DNP is a two to three year, full-time program for registered nurses interested in advanced practice that includes a clinical immersion. This program prepares students as Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs) in an area of specialty. Students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for comprehensive care of patients, while also serving as leaders, educators, and innovators in the profession. Graduates are eligible for state licensure and professional certification in their area of specialty. The following two entry points require a transcript evaluation for advanced standing upon enrollment.

Registered Nurses with an MS degree

The program for RNs with an MS degree is a two to three year, full-time program that includes a clinical immersion. This program prepares students as Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs) in an area of specialty. Students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for comprehensive care of patients, while also serving as leaders, educators, and innovators in the profession. Graduates are eligible for state licensure and professional certification in their area of specialty.

Advanced Practice Nurses with an MS Degree

The program for RNs with an MS degree and advanced practice nurses is a six-semester, full-time program that includes a clinical immersion. Students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for comprehensive care with patients across sites and over time, while also serving as leaders, educators, and innovators in the profession. 

What is it like to be a DNP student at Columbia Nursing?

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Graduate Programs

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Whether you are searching for an advanced practice degree to expand your clinical role or training for a new position in nurse leadership or informatics, our online, nationally ranked graduate programs will prepare you for the next phase of your career.

Master's of Science in Nursing

Whether you are searching for an advanced practice degree to expand your clinical role or training for a new position in nurse leadership or informatics, our online, nationally ranked programs will prepare you for the next phase of your career.

Certificate of Graduate Study Programs

Earning a Certificate of Graduate Study (CGS) from the College of Nursing allows you to gain certification in another clinical specialty, healthcare leadership, or informatics.

Doctoral Programs

Earn a terminal degree in nursing practice or prepare for a research career as a nurse scientist

Why USC Nursing Graduate School

The College of Nursing ranks No. 1 for our online graduate programs for the fourth year in a row by the 2024 U.S. News & World Report.

All application materials (except official transcripts) will be submitted via the College of Nursing's graduate application portal .  Official transcripts must be sent to The Graduate School . Review the degree requirements before you apply.

When completing your application, please make sure to select the correct program name. Program names listed through the Graduate School and corresponding CON programs: Certificate of Graduate Study (Post Master’s) (CGS) (These include the concentrations of):

• Adult Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Healthcare Leadership (HL)
• Nursing Education (NE)
• Nursing Informatics (NI)

Applicants for the AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP programs should apply for summer admission and matriculation. If after application review, the candidate qualifies for the advanced standing in the CGS program, the student may matriculate in the fall rather than the summer. 

Each CGS program has separate application deadlines and program start dates. 

• Clinical specialty programs (AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP): Classes start in the summer semester. Applications may be submitted July 1 - February 1 (early decision September 1).
• Healthcare Leadership program: Classes start during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Applications may be submitted July 1 - February 1 (early decision September 1). 
• Nursing Education program: Classes start during the fall semester. Applications may be submitted November 1 - May 1 for fall entry.
• Nursing Informatics program: Classes start during the fall semester. Applications may be submitted November 1 - May 1 for fall entry.

To be eligible for graduation, a candidate must

• complete an approved program of study
• have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and earn a 3.0 or better in all required classes and courses number 700 or higher
• complete the required clinical hours

MSN program costs depend on several factors. For estimated costs, view  Graduate Programs Cost Estimates 2023-2024.   The Offie of Financial Aid provides the full breakdown of the estimated cost to attend . For additional tuition and fee information, visit the Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees website

Financial aid is available. To determine your eligibility, complete the FAFSA form  on the university’s Financial Aid website. The College of Nursing also offers general scholarships . In addition, other scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available through The Graduate School and the university’s Financial Aid and Scholarships office .

Phone: 803-777-9080 Email: [email protected]

Address: Williams-Brice Building, Room 208 1601 Greene St. Columbia, SC 29208

Upcoming Events

Clinical placement information session.

Thursday, Jul. 18, 2024

Location: See event description for more details.

Cost: Free event.

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