The field of nursing is one of the most in-demand disciplines in the job market today. However, the high competition for nursing jobs has left many job-seekers with little chance of finding suitable nursing jobs. Luckily, advancing your studies can greatly improve chances of securing your dream career in nursing. And while there are a number of phd nursing online programs that can help you get the education and experience you need to compete for the best nursing jobs, picking the very best online nursing phd programs can be a challenge. That’s why we have compiled this list of the top programs to assist you.
Each school has been evaluated on their curriculum, faculty, reputation, and student support services. So whether you are looking to become a nurse educator or researcher, this list will help you find the perfect program for you!
1. Vanderbilt University
The Vanderbilt University online PhD Program in Nursing is a highly interactive program that prepares nurses for leadership roles in the field of nursing. Students have the opportunity to work with accomplished nurse educators and researchers who are committed to preparing the next generation of nursing leaders.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead change, manage complexity, and improve patient outcomes. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems thinking, and health policy. Graduates of the program are equipped to assume leadership roles in hospitals, clinics, government agencies, schools of nursing, and other healthcare organizations.
The online PhD Program in Nursing at Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
2. Washington State University
Washington State University offers an online PhD Program in Nursing that prepares nurses for leadership and advanced scholarship roles. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to improve nursing care, advance nursing science, and serve as change agents in their field.
The program is open to registered nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing or a related field. Applicants must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be able to demonstrate strong writing skills. In addition, students must complete a dissertation proposal during their first year of study.
3. Indiana University
The Indiana University online PhD program in nursing is a rigorous, evidence-based doctoral degree program that prepares nurses for advanced practice and leadership roles in nursing and related health care fields. The program is designed for nurses who hold a master’s degree in nursing and are interested in pursuing a career in academia or research. The curriculum is based on the latest advances in nursing knowledge and practice, and is taught by nationally recognized faculty experts.
The program offers several areas of focus, including nursing education, nursing administration and leadership, and nursing research. Students can also choose an area of specialization in one of five key practice areas: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse researcher.
The program is offered entirely online, making it convenient for working professionals. Students can access course materials 24/7 and complete their course work at their own pace. It’s open to registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing or a related field. Applicants must also have current licensure as a registered nurse in the United States and three years of post-master’s clinical experience.
4. University of Central Florida
The PhD in Nursing from the University of Central Florida offers a flexible, convenient way for you to earn your degree while continuing to work.
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
- A validated bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution
- A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent
- Official transcripts for each University included in your application as having attended.
- A valid license to demonstrate that you are a nurse registered in the United States
- Minimum of two years of current full-time clinical practice as a registered nurse
The application process for the online PhD program in nursing at UCF includes the submission of the following items:
- Completed online application form
- Nonrefundable application fee
- Transcripts from each and every college you have listed in your application documents
- Current registered nurse license in the United States
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Goal statement or essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
The program is designed for nurses who wish to pursue a career in academia or research. Students in the program also have the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas: community health, health promotion and wellness, leadership in nursing, or simulation and innovation. The program is offered entirely online, making it convenient for students who wish to continue working while they pursue their degree.
5. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona offers an online PhD program in nursing designed for experienced nurses who want to take their career to the next level. The curriculum of the program is rigorous and covers topics such as: health policy and management, leadership and innovation, evidence-based practice, human trafficking, and bedside nursing. Students in the program will also have the opportunity to complete a research project and defend their dissertation.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in their most recent 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of coursework from an accredited institution. Applicants must also have a current RN license in the United States and a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
Applicants must submit the following items:
- A completed online application form
- Official transcripts validated by all the universities attended
- A current resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement essay
- Application fee as determined by the school.
6. Clarion University
The Clarion University Online Nursing PhD Program is one of the most highly respected phd nursing programs online, and is consistently ranked among the top online nursing PhD programs. You’ll learn from some of the most experienced and renowned nursing researchers and educators, and will have the opportunity to specialize in one area of nursing.
The PhD nursing online program can be completed in as little as three years, and students have the option to complete coursework online or on-campus. Admission requirements for the online PhD program include a master’s degree in nursing or a related field, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a resume or CV. The online PhD program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Coursework for the online PhD program covers topics such as advanced nursing practice, research methods, and statistics. The campus is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania.
7. Hampton University
Hampton University offers one of the best nursing online phd programs, designed to provide ex-presence-based learning for students who need to continue their education without being away from their families and jobs. The program allows students to gain admission to the traditional, on-site PhD program, while still being able to pursue a career in education, or be closer to their family and roots. The flexible, online format is the ideal platform for students who need to balance their education with their jobs, families, and other commitments.
The program offers the following subjects: Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, Nursing Clinical Practice, Nursing Education, Nursing Management, Nursing Informatics, Nursing Health Informatics, Nursing Health Policy and Economics.
8. University of Mississippi Medical Center
The nursing phd online program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center is one of the first to accept doctorate students with a social work or psychology background. The program is ranked among the top phd in nursing online programs.
The University requires students to take four core nursing courses in the first term of their program. These courses are: Foundations of Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Clinical Nursing, and Pathophysiology and Sickness. When accepted into the program, students enter a rigorous and fast-paced course of study that teaches the fundamentals of nursing and prepares them for the rigors of the profession.
To apply to this nursing online PhD program, students must be in good academic standing in their nursing program, have earned a relevant degree in nursing, have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and commit to the full length of studies. The PhD nursing program at the University of Mississippi is a collaborative effort among students, nurses, nursing faculty, and alumni to ensure that its students can achieve their goals.
Nursing Online PhD Programs: Conclusion
The average annual salary for a PhD nurse is about $100,000. Positions for PhD nurses are typically research based in universities, though there is also some growth in the area of pharmaceuticals. The job market for nursing as a whole is projected to grow at a rate of 19%. So, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in nursing, the job market looks good!
The flexibility of PhD online nursing programs allows you to pursue a PhD while raising a family or working full-time, which is not possible with a traditional program. Some universities also offer fully funded nursing phd programs online for deserving students. Whether you are looking for fall start online phd nursing programs or nursing and healthcare phd online schedules that allow you to start when it’s most convenient for you, this list will help you get started.
PHD in Economics, Associate Professor, Department of Business Process Management, Faculty of Market Technologies IOM