PhD in Nursing
Preparing students for careers as scholars, nurse scientists, and academics ready to contribute to nursing science, knowledge, theory, and practice through systematic inquiry.
PhD in nursing students will, by graduation, demonstrate advanced knowledge of nursing, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry, expand the research base of nursing theory and practice, and work with others to serve the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world by addressing major nursing and healthcare issues through research and in a scholarly manner. Every year, UVA's PhD nursing students earn grants to support their doctoral studies, and many publish and present around Virginia, the U.S., and internationally.
wide-ranging professional opportunities for PhDs
$108,306 average nurse faculty salary
PhD program is fully-funded
ranked among the nation's best
UVA's PhD in nursing program is focused on research, and the curriculum includes courses in qualitative, quantitative, and historical research. Over the course of the program, all PhD students submit a research proposal for peer review, and many submit proposals to the NIHNR's annual service awards competition.
Because research is a critical element of the PhD program, we seek to admit students whose scholarly interests are congruent with those of our faculty who pursue nursing science across topics in aging, health disparities and health equity, and healthcare technology. A list of faculty eligible to chair PhD student committees is available on the School's Faculty Directory page.
- World-class scholar-mentors exploring topics across three focus areas: Aging, health equity and health disparities, and healthcare technology
- 4 years' tuition + generous annual stipends for graduate teaching assistantships for ALL admitted students
- Powerful development of students' grant and scholarly writing, and ample opportunities and funding to present at major conferences
- Loan forgiveness programs if pursuing full-time careers in academia
- Deadline to apply: December 1 (for entry the following fall)
PhD Zoom Info Sessions
PhD Zoom Info Session on April 15 at 12:00 pm
A DNP degree is a doctorate of nursing practice. A PhD is a research doctorate.
Graduates of PhD programs are prepared to conduct independent research and disseminate their findings. PhD graduates are preferred for academic faculty positions, but DNP graduates are also recruited for academic and leadership positions emphasizing evidence-based clinical practice and teaching.
A DNP will provide graduates with the skills and tools necessary to assess the evidence gained through nursing research, evaluate the impact of that research on their practice and, as necessary, make changes to enhance quality of care.
Scholarship is an integral part of both doctoral degrees.
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Focus: Nursing practice |
Focus: Nursing research |
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Goal: To perform at the highest level of nursing practice; assume leadership roles in healthcare delivery systems; critically appraise existing literature and evidence to determine and implement best practices; and improve patient outcomes by expanding knowledge of evidence-based practice. |
Goal: To prepare scholars with expertise in selected substantive areas to contribute to nursing theory and practice through systematic inquiry. |
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Focus of courses:
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Focus of courses:
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Point of entry:
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Point of entry:
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Length of program: 3 to 7 years |
Length of program: 3 to 7 years |
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Clinical requirements: 500 clinical hours post-MSN (1,000 post-BSN) |
Clinical requirements: none |
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Scholarship opportunities:
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Scholarship opportunities:
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Job prospects after graduation:
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Job prospects after graduation:
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All applicants for the PhD must possess at least a BSN. Many also possess an MSN and are nurse practitioners. Nurses who have earned other graduate degrees, including master's of public health, MBAs, or MS in health administration degrees, are also encouraged to apply.
To be considered for the PhD program, applicants must:
- Submit a completed application to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (not the School of Nursing) and pay an $85 application fee
- Have at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program and a minimum "B" average
- Submit transcripts for all post-secondary work
- Submit three letters of reference that speak to the applicant's ability to pursue doctoral studies (two must be from doctorally-prepared nurse educators and one may be from a current or recent employer)
- Submit a CV reflecting professional achievements and productivity
- Submit an essay (1,000 words or fewer) describing the applicant's educational, research, and professional goals, including a specific description of the planned focus of study and a researchable topic for development
- Have completed a recent course in statistics (with software applications) and a statistics prerequisite (one option is to complete courses 1 to 3 of this series and submit a certificate of completion)
- Be available for an interview with one or more faculty members (conducted in Charlottesville or via Zoom as needed)
- International applicants have additional requirements
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is no longer required to apply to the PhD program but applicants may provide scores if they choose (UVA's institutional code is R-5820)
Required courses (32-33 credits)
- GNUR 8000: Seminar in Nursing Science (2 credits)
- GNUR 8110: Quantitative Research Methods (3 credits)
- GNUR 8120: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)
- GNUR 8130: Statistical Methods for Health Care Research I (3 credits)
- GNUR 8140: Statistical Methods for Health Care Research II (3 credits)
- GNUR 8210: Scholarly Writing for Nursing Science (3 credits)
- GNUR 8220: Philosophy of Science and Development of Nursing Knowledge (3 credits)
- GNUR 8230: Historical Inquiry in Nursing (3 credits)
- GNUR 8410: Grant Writing Seminar (3 credits)
- GNUR 8435: Scholarship in Research Ethics (1 creditGNUR 9110: Research Practicum (1-4 credits; total of 4 credits are required)
- GNUR 9890: Dissertation Seminar (enroll post-comprehensive exam; 1 credit)
- GNUR 9998: Doctoral Research (enroll pre-dissertation proposal defense; 1-12 credits)
- GNUR 9998: Dissertation Research (enroll post-dissertation proposal defense; 3-12 credits. A total of 12 credit hours of GNUR 9999 are required.)
Cognates (9-12 credits)
Requirement includes course work in a single field or combination of fields outside of nursing that complement the student’s major scholarly focus. Cognates plus electives must total at least 15 credits.
Electives (3-6 credits)
Electives are selected on the basis of individual interest and should complement the total program of study. Cognates plus electives must total at least 15 credits.
Research Practicum (4 credits)
Requirement includes a total of 4 credit hours in GNUR 9110. All 4 credits do not need to be completed in the same semester.
Dissertation (12 credits)
Dissertation is a culminating experience that requires the student to plan and implement a research study of significance to nursing.
GNUR 9998: Dissertation Research (enroll post-dissertation proposal defense; 3-12 credits. A total of 12 credit hours of GNUR 9999 are required.)
All students admitted to the PhD program are eligible for four years of scholarship to cover tuition, insurance, and fees, in exchange for serving as a graduate teaching assistant for 10 hours per week.
The School also offers financial support programs to students considering full-time faculty positions through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program and the Virginia Nurse Faculty Loan. Through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, an arm of the federal government, doctoral students may borrow funds for their academic expenses (tuition and books). If they become a full-time faculty member at any accredited institution, up to 85% of the loan (principal and interest) is forgiven.
Doctoral students enrolled in UVA’s PhD or DNP programs who are planning on teaching full-time in Virginia can apply to the Virginia Nurse Faculty Loan program. Students may be eligible to borrow up to $25,000 per year during the coursework phase of their programs. This loans is eligible for cancelation if graduates go on to teach full-time at any public or private nursing education program in Virginia for four years.
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