University of Utah Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

Admissions Process

Two cohorts of PhD students will be admitted to the University of Utah Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence Doctor of Philosophy program. Admission to the doctoral program is limited and selective. Admission cannot be guaranteed for all individuals meeting criteria for admission.

Cohort 1: begins Spring 2009
Application Deadline:    August 6, 2008

Cohort 2: begins Summer 2010
Application Deadline    October 15, 2009

Admission to the University of Utah is consistent with policy of the Graduate School. Students must be admitted to both the Graduate School of the university and the College of Nursing. Application to the University Graduate School should be completed preferably two (2) months prior to College of Nursing application deadlines.

Applicants to the College of Nursing graduate programs must submit documentation of the following:

  • Completed University of Utah application to graduate school.
  • Completed College of Nursing application form.
  • Three professional references (instructions for on-line submission is on the College of Nursing Application)
  • An original written statement of research goals and interests for doctoral study which evidence of a match with research expertise and interests of faculty mentor.
  • Current copy of resume that documents experience and professional activities.
  • Sample of professional writing (i.e., manuscript, report, or thesis, preferably published writing, but employment related writing can be submitted).
  • Transcripts of credits verifying previous academic degrees. Transcripts must also verify completion of a statistics course.

Follow this link to find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the application process.

Follow this link for our Application Checklist.

International Applicants

In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants must:

  • File an International Student Application for Admission obtained from the International Admissions Office, 250 Student Services Building, (801) 581-3091.
  • If English is a second language, the applicant must submit evidence of:
    • Completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a required score of 550 ( score of 600 is recommended) or the computerized version (TOEFLC) with a score of 213 or above.
    • Completion of a standardized test of spoken English (PAS, TSE, or comparable test).
  • Provide evidence of certification by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

Financial Aid

Stipends and travel funds are available to support all students enrolled in the PhD specialty program of the University of Utah Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

Additionally, the College of Nursing has financial aid and scholarships available. Most scholarships require full time study (9 credits/semester). Additionally, fellowships that include tuition, health insurance benefit, and a stipend (salary) for TA/RA work for the first two years of full time study are available. We encourage applicants to inquire at the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Services if interested.

The John A. Hartford Foundation provides scholarships of up to $50,000 per annum for two years. Scholarships support full time doctoral education for nurses committed to careers in academic geriatric nursing. The Mayday Fund provides an additional $5,000 award to selected candidates whose research focuses on pain in the older persons.

  • The John. A. Hartford Foundation Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity
Predoctoral Scholarship Program  

There is federal funding to support PhD education, including loans and fellowships. Some of the funding mechanisms are listed below. Application requires faculty sponsorship.

For More Information Contact:

Jan Abramson, MS
jan.abramson@nurs.utah.edu
(801) 587-8390

Melissa Pederson, MEd
melissa.pederson@nurs.utah.edu
PhD Program Manager
Phone: (801) 585-1671