Preparing Students for Research Careers
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program prepares students for research careers. The distance PhD nursing program admits students who have earned a bachelor's degree with a major in nursing (BSN, BS) or a master's degree in nursing or related disciplines. The traditional BS-PhD and MS-PhD tracks share a common program of study with the exception of nine (9) additional MS cognate credits required for BS-PhD students.
PhD Overview
The PhD graduate is prepared with:
- Mastery of Knowledge: Graduates will attain comprehensive expertise in a specific area of nursing, demonstrating a deep understanding of its intricacies and complexities.
- Research Proficiency: Graduates will be adept at conducting original research, integrating diverse scientific perspectives, and generating innovative ideas through critical evaluation.
- Ethical Leadership: Graduates will exhibit leadership grounded in professional and research ethics, fostering culturally competent scholarship to enhance nursing practice.
- Effective Communication: Graduates will effectively communicate research findings to both professional and lay audiences, identifying implications for policy, practice, and the nursing profession.
- Scholarly Integration: Graduates will integrate scholarship components such as research, teaching, mentoring, and service, while also adapting to evolving roles and responsibilities as nurse scholars, advancing the profession through interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship.
PhD Information
Fall 2025
NURS 7150 – Foundations and Context in Science
NURS 7151 – Research Inquiry and Discovery
NURS 7871 – Scholarly Integration Seminar I
NURS 7971 – Experiential Learning I
Spring 2026
NURS 7252 – Research Design Thinking and Approaches
NURS 7253 – Integrating Theory in Research
NURS 7872 – Scholarly Integration Seminar II
NURS 7972 – Experiential Learning II
Summer 2026
NURS 7260 – Grant Writing Fundamentals
NURS 7873 – Scholarly Integration Seminar III
NURS 7973 – Experiential Learning III
Fall 2026
NURS 7354 – Applied Data Management
NURS 7355 – Diverse Approaches to Methods and Data
NURS 7874 – Scholarly Integration Seminar IV
NURS 7974 – Experiential Learning IV
Spring 2027
NURS 7456 – Ethical Leadership and Advocacy in Health Policy
NURS 7457 – Advanced Approaches to Methods and Data
NURS 7875 – Scholarly Integration Seminar V
NURS 7975 – Experiential Learning V
Summer 2027
NURS — Approved Elective
NURS 7876 – Scholarly Integration Seminar VI
NURS 7970 – Thesis Research: PhD
NURS 7979 – Dissertation Proposal Development
Summer 2027
NURS — Approved Elective
NURS 7660 – Leadership & Professional Role Development
NURS 7970 – Thesis Research: PhD
Remaining Credits
NURS 7970 – Thesis Research: PhD (10 credits)
View the University of Utah Catalog.
All PhD students, regardless of the state or country of residence, are required to attend three (3) week-long campus immersion experiences as a cohort. Week-long immersions are held at the University of Utah campus annually during the coursework phase of the program (the first three years of study).
The initial week-long campus immersion takes place during the first week of classes and serves as an orientation to the University of Utah and PhD program (typically in late August for fall admission). Exact dates for subsequent week-long immersions vary each year. Each of the three visits has distinct objectives that align with program progression.
All PhD students, regardless of the state or country of residence, are required to attend a research conference as a cohort annually during the coursework phase of the program (the first three years of study). The research conference is chosen by PhD program faculty (exact semester, location and dates may vary depending on which conference is chosen). Each of the three conference attendance experiences is typically tied to current coursework and provides rich faculty/student mentoring and networking opportunities.
The PhD program can generally be split into two parts: the coursework phase and the dissertation phase. The coursework phase of the program is seven (7) semesters year-round, which includes one to two core courses per semester. Students have the option of taking additional electives or area of specialization courses to reach full-time status (9+ credits per semester).
BS-PhD students have additional MS cognate work. A student's faculty advisor or dissertation committee may require additional coursework to address identified academic deficiencies and identify inter-departmental and College of Nursing courses in the student's area of specialization.
The program requires successful completion of written and oral qualifying examinations at the conclusion of formal coursework prior to admission to PhD candidacy and initiation of the dissertation. The length of time to complete the dissertation phase is variable. All coursework and the dissertation must be completed within seven (7) years.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
Opens: August 1
Closes: December 1, 11:59PM MT