Nursing, Ph.D.
School of Nursing
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, offered by the WVU School of Nursing, is designed to educate you as a nurse scholar-scientist for careers in research, teaching, and service. This program prepares you to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge, educate the next generation, and assume collaborative leadership roles in shaping health policy, improving health, and reducing disparity.
Cost:
$843 ($1,915 non-resident) / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
17 Courses / 55 Credits
Duration:
Three to seven years / 16-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: August 18, 2026 Admission Term: Fall
Learning Format:
Online courses, low-residency
Program Overview
Shape the Future of Healthcare
The Ph.D. in Nursing is designed for nurse scholars and scientists who aspire to lead in research, education, and health policy. This program prepares you to generate new knowledge, educate future nurses, and drive meaningful change in healthcare systems and communities.
- Research-Focused Curriculum: Complete 55 post-master’s credits in nursing science, research methodology, and a chosen area of concentration.
- Scholarly Impact: Conduct original research, publish findings, and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and practice.
- Leadership Preparation: Develop the skills to lead in academic, clinical, and policy-making environments.
- Flexible Residency Options: Fulfill residency requirements through on-campus semesters or approved alternative plans that support informal learning and professional growth.
- Ethical & Evidence-Based Practice: Graduate with a deep understanding of scientific integrity, ethics, and the role of the nurse scholar in shaping health outcomes.
Curriculum
Ph.D Program of Study and Progression Plan
The Ph.D. program requires students to take at a minimum: nursing core courses, cognate courses, and research courses comprising 55 credits of post-master’s coursework. The Ph.D. coursework provides content in scholarly processes, nursing science and an area of concentration that supports the student’s chosen area of scholarship. Students and their faculty advisors determine what other coursework and experiences are needed to support their dissertation research.
The schedule of courses can be found in the WVU School of Nursing PhD Progression Plan.
Once a student successfully passes the written and oral components of the qualifying examination, they must complete the research and dissertation phase, culminating in a written and oral dissertation defense.
Residency Experience
Doctoral education involves many learning experiences that take place outside the formal classroom setting. These involve observing and participating in activities conducted by the graduate faculty, using departmental and University libraries, attending lectures presented by visiting scholars, informally debating other students, and similar activities. To ensure that graduate students experience this kind of informal learning, doctoral programs at WVU generally require at least two semesters in residence on campus. However, an individual student or graduate committee may propose an alternative plan by which the student can gain equivalent educational experience. This plan must be submitted in writing, approved by the college or school dean or designee, and placed in the student’s program file.
Program Learning Outcomes
The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to educate nurse scholars/scientists for roles in research, teaching, and service. The program will prepare you to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge, educate the next generation, and assume collaborative leadership roles in shaping health policy, improving health, and reducing disparity.
The expected learning outcomes of the program are that at the completion of the program,
each graduate will be able to:
- Analyze theory, scientific base, and methods to generate knowledge that informs nursing science, practice, and policy.
- Differentiate the integrated roles and responsibilities of the nurse scholar in teaching, leadership, practice, and service.
- Disseminate scholarly works through publications to advance the knowledge base of nursing.
- Conduct research that adheres to scientific integrity and ethics.
- NSG 727: Contemporary Nursing Science, 3 credit hours
- NSG 728: Nursing Science Theory/Philosophy, 4 credit hours
- NSG 732: Seminar in Nursing Scholarship, 3 credit hours
- NSG 735: Principles: Nursing Education, 3 credit hours
- NSG 736: Advanced Health Policy and Ethics, 3 credit hours
- NSG 737: Leadership, 3 credit hours
Select two 3 credit courses. One course must be an advanced methodology course and at least one of the two courses must be taken outside the School of Nursing
- NSG 724: Health Research Statistics I, 3 credit hours
- NSG 725: Health Research Statistics II, 3 credit hours
- NSG 729: Quantitative Methods, 3 credit hours
- NSG 731: Qualitative Research Methods, 3 credit hours
- NSG 733: Research Grant Development, 3 credit hours
- NSG 734: Use of Data, 3 credit hours
- NSG 781: Research Mentorship, 1 credit hours
- NSG 783: Dissertation Seminar, 2 credit hours
- NSG 797: Research, 8 credit hours
- NSG 785: Qualifying Examination, 1 credit hours
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
Qualifications
- Submission of formal transcript of a nursing degree at the baccalaureate level or higher from a nationally accredited nursing program and a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
- Master's degree in nursing (or higher) from a nationally accredited nursing program and a regionally accredited institution.
- A Master's degree in a health-related discipline will be considered.
- Official transcripts indicate a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in Master's degree work.
- A minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all graduate work attempted.
- Provisional admission may be considered if the overall GPA is 2.75-2.99 depending upon space available and other qualifications.
- An active, unrestricted RN license in at least one state at the time of application.
- Provide evidence of current license to practice nursing.
- Personal Essay: Submit a personal essay (APA format, no more than 5 pages), addressing the following topics:
- How you have prepared for doctoral work (background)
- Why do you want a Ph.D
- How does a Ph.D fit into your career plan
- Personal/academic strengths and weaknesses
- Research area of interest
- Current/long term goals
- Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. An invitation for an interview does not guarantee admission.
- Transfer students must provide a statement of good standing from the program in which currently enrolled.
To be considered, applicants will be required to meet all WVU admission requirements in addition to program-specific admission criteria.
Note: Any student who has been dismissed from the West Virginia University School of Nursing or any other nursing program may be considered for readmission if the dismissal was academic and was followed by successful completion of an additional degree. Any student who has withdrawn from the WVU School of Nursing program may be considered for readmission. Students may apply for readmission in accordance with the following guidelines and criteria but must follow the standard admission procedures. Students must meet all original admission requirements.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
Apply to WVU
Once you have reviewed the qualifications you can begin the application process. Below is a button that will take you to the WVU application page. To get started you'll first need to create an account on that page. Once you have done so, click "Start Application" and review your admission type prior to completing enrollment information.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 1 for a Fall term start date.
- Click on the Apply Now button below.
- Please select the following options on the New Application screen:
- Type of Student: Doctorate
- Which Program: Nursing Ph.D
Request Official Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities Attended
It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu. Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent to:
WVU Hub
P.O. Box 6004
Morgantown, WV 26506
Acceptance
Candidates for admission are evaluated on the entire admission packet. The WVU School of Nursing accepts new PhD students on a rolling admission basis and will review all qualified applications based on admission criteria. Acceptance is dependent upon space available in the program with the most qualified applicants being accepted at the time of review. Decisions will be emailed to students.
The acceptance letter will provide information to prepare you for the PhD program including course dates for the summer session, course registration, orientation, overnight accommodations, parking permits, required software and textbooks.
In programs with limited capacity and competitive admissions, the most qualified students are selected among those that meet the minimum requirements. Students who want to appeal the Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions Committee decision as unfair, arbitrary, or capricious may contact the director of Admissions and Enrollment for the School of Nursing. The request will be forwarded to the program director for consideration, and the student will receive detailed information regarding the formal appeal process.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with Our Team
Jessica Carr Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-6841 Jessica.Carr1@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to prepare nurse scholars/scientists for roles in research, teaching, and service. The program prepares graduates who will contribute to the body of nursing knowledge, educate the next generation, and assume collaborative leadership roles in shaping health policy, improving health, and reducing disparity.
The majority of Ph.D. nurses pursue careers in either the research or teaching fields, so their day-to-day duties will vary depending on which career track they have chosen.
Career Paths
- For a nurse researcher, typical duties may include:
- Identify research questions, and design and conduct scientific research with other scientists from various fields
- Collect and analyze scientific data and publish reports detailing findings
- Write proposals and apply for grants to help fund their research
- Establish and maintain quality assurance programs to ensure the validity of their data findings
- Train and supervise laboratory staff and other nurses or scientists
- For a Ph.D. nurse educator who has chosen to pursue a faculty position, typical duties may include:
- Plan, prepare, and revise curriculum and study materials for nursing courses
- Deliver lectures to undergraduate and graduate level nursing students
- Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work
- Grade students' classwork, laboratory, and clinical performance
- Mentor and advise students regarding their future work in the nursing industry
- For faculty members who pursue department chair or administration roles, additional duties may include:
- Hire, supervise and conduct performance reviews of faculty members
- Assist with the scheduling of classes and professors
- Oversee department curriculum and provide quality control as to the content and materials of given nursing courses