doctorate for nursing education

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Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE)

Pursue your passion as a nurse educator and help shape the future of nursing..

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The online Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE) is the first program of its kind in the country. Its launch comes at just the right time as we face an urgent national need for doctorally-educated nursing educators. This novel professional doctoral degree program is designed for master’s-prepared nurses who are passionate about educating nursing students and nurses and seek to become expert educators specifically in the clinical discipline of nursing.

This unique program emphasizes best practices in teaching and learning in nursing, curriculum design and development related to nursing education and clinical practice and nursing education assessment and evaluation—a combination not offered anywhere else in the country. 

You will choose from two specialization tracks to meet your specific goals:

• Academic nursing education
• Nursing professional development.

Whether you want to become an expert nurse educational leader in academia or healthcare, this program will prepare you to plan, implement and evaluate best evidence for nursing-specific instruction.

As a DNE student, you can expect to complete the program in five semesters (2 years) of full-time study or eight semesters (3 years) of part-time study, including summer semester coursework. The online DNE program consists of synchronous coursework, field experience/immersion hours to build competencies and a culminating final project.

Hear from current DNE student Rob Patton about how the program’s Nursing Professional Development specialization is helping him pursue his passion and shape the future of nursing.

Specializations

Academic Nursing Education

The academic nursing education track is developed for nurses with earned master’s degrees who seek to teach in college or university level academic nursing programs to prepare nurses for clinical practice at all levels.

Nursing Professional Development

The nursing professional development track is targeted to masters-level nursing professional development practitioners (NPDs) who seek doctoral preparation to educate nurses in healthcare settings to enhance healthcare outcomes.

Director, Doctor of Nursing Education Program

Assistant Director, Doctor of Nursing Education Program

What you'll learn.

As a graduate of the DNE program, you will gain the skills and competence to excel as a nursing educator. The following are expected outcomes for graduates of the DNE program.

• Translates and evaluates evidence-based principles of teaching and learning into the development, design, implementation, and evaluation of nursing education and practice for a diverse student population to transform the healthcare system 
• Demonstrates excellence in leadership roles for the development of practice models, policy, ethical principles, and competencies for nursing education and nursing professional development (NPD) 
• Applies evidence-based practice and translational science methodologies into educational scholarship to prepare graduates to be innovative and creative nurse educators prepared to drive change in nursing education and healthcare environments 
• Collaborates with interprofessional teams to implement and evaluate evidence-based teaching strategies to promote critical thinking and clinical decision-making in nursing 
• Demonstrates inclusion of wellness across multiple educational and practice settings for nursing students, faculty, NPD specialists, and organizations for improved health outcomes

Distance Education

State authorization for distance education can change. Please see this resource for the most accurate and up-to-date state authorization status for the DNE Program .

At this time, The Ohio State University College of Nursing is authorized to enroll distance learning students in many U.S. states. However, due to varying state laws and regulations, there are also many states in which we are not currently permitted to offer distance learning programs. Residents of these states are not able to participate in the programs. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the University’s Online Programs State Authorization webpage or email us at [email protected] to find out whether their program of interest is available in their home state. Please check back often, as the College and University are aggressively pursuing authorization in all 50 states. Residents outside of the U.S. are not able to participate in distance learning programs. Admission into a program is granted at the time of initial acceptance into the program and is dependent on program availability in the state where the student is physically located at the time of admission. If a student moves to a state other than the state where the student was physically present when admitted into the program, continuation within the program will depend on the availability of the program within the new state where the student is physically present. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the institution of a change in physical presence.

Accreditation Status

The Ohio State University Doctor of Nursing Education Program (delivered via distance education) holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 202-909-2487. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.

Application Deadline

• Autumn 2025 Opens: August 1 Deadline: March 1, 2025*

*Students interested in being considered for a fellowship or other available funding opportunities should have their completed application submitted by October 31.

Email [email protected]

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Online doctor of nursing education.

Ohio State's online Doctor of Nursing Education program qualifies master’s-prepared nurses to become expert nurse educational leaders in academia or healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, home care, or communities.

Students in this flexible, yet rigorous program take courses in clinical instruction, assessment, and evaluation, as well as instructional design for nursing education. The program culminates in a hands-on final project demonstrating the achievement of doctoral-level outcomes. 

Choose between the Academic Nursing Education specialization or the Nursing Professional Development specialization to customize your program to match your career goals. Whether you want to become an expert nurse educational leader in academia or healthcare, this program will prepare you to plan, implement, and evaluate the best evidence for nursing-specific instruction.

Campus Requirements: NONE – 100% online.

Class Format:  Most classes are offered in a synchronous format, meaning you have a scheduled date and time you must log in to attend.

Credit Hours Required:  50

Cost Per Credit Hour:  $1,158.58 (includes instructional, general, and program fees).  See the full cost breakdown here.

Admission Requirements:  Completed master's degree in nursing, an active RN license or APRN certification, and a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last degree earned relevant to the program of study.

Time to Completion:  Five semesters (2 years) of full-time study or eight semesters (3 years) of part-time study.

Can You Really Get a Nursing Degree Online?

Trauma nurse advances career with online dnp program, program tracks, academic nursing education.

The academic nursing education track is developed for nurses with earned master’s degrees who seek to teach in college or university level academic nursing programs to prepare nurses for clinical practice at all levels.  

Nursing Professional Development

The nursing professional development track is targeted to masters-level nursing professional development practitioners (NDPs) who seek doctoral preparation to educate nurses in healthcare settings to enhance healthcare outcomes.

Sample Courses

Principles of instructional design for nurses, policy, ethics, and legal considerations in nursing education, innovation in nursing practice and education, publication and grant writing in nursing education, featured faculty.

Alice Teall MS, CRNP, FAANP

Tara Spalla King PhD, RN

Tara O'Brien PhD, RN, CNE

Carolyn Schubert, MS, DNP, CNE

Is this program offered in my state, the selected program is available in the following states.

If you live outside Ohio and are planning to earn a professional license via this program, click on the state where you plan to seek licensure for important information.

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An Online Nursing Education Doctoral Degree from Renowned Faculty

The Nursing Education Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is a post-master's program designed to prepare scholars for academic settings or health care organizations. You will develop excellence in teaching the discipline of nursing and engage in a research trajectory specific to nursing education. This doctoral program extends content acquired at the baccalaureate or master’s levels to emphasize knowledge development, education strategies, leadership and research.

In this program, you will draw upon the educational expertise of the university at large by utilizing curricular and research resources of other disciplines as well as those of nursing. The program requirements are distributed across three major focus areas:

• Research (generate new knowledge to advanced nursing science)
• Leadership (advance the professional discipline of nursing)
• Education (promote innovative and evidence based approaches in education)

This online program, offered by the UNC School of Nursing through Extended Campus, begins each Fall via a competitive admission process.

Preparing Nurse Educators

The Nursing Education PhD program is committed to increasing the number of doctoral-level nurse educators. Graduates of the program are qualified to fill nursing faculty positions in educational institutions and health care agencies.

The fully accredited UNC School of Nursing is widely recognized for preparing excellent nurses and teachers.

Nurse Educators are Critically Needed

According to AACN's Special Survey on Vacant Faculty Positions , as of October 2022 there were more than 2,166 faculty vacancies just among the 909 nursing schools who responded to the survey. This is up from 1,500 vacancies identified in 2016.

Institutions need qualified faculty to meet growing student demand.

I'm Ready to Apply

Credits Required: 66

Time to Completion: 4+ years

Tuition: $734/credit hour

Delivery Option & Start Term: Online + Colorado Visits: starts each Fall term

Get Started/Apply

Program coordinator.

Darcy Copeland, PhD, RN [email protected] 970-351-1930

Course of Study

Eligibility & transfer credit, costs & aid, delivered mostly online.

The Nursing Education PhD is a 66 credit hour post-master's program that can be completed mostly online in as little as four years, though many students choose to spend additional semesters on their dissertation.

• Program coursework is fully online.
• You will contribute work toward your dissertation during each semester in the program, and in the fourth year all of your coursework will center on your dissertation.

Short Colorado Visits

• There is a required 5-day orientation in July the summer before you start the program. You will spend two days in orientation on campus in Greeley and three days at the Nurse Educator Conference in the Rocky Mountains.
• Some students choose to come to campus for their dissertation proposal hearing, dissertation defense and oral comprehensive exams.

Coursework (66 Credit Hours)

For an example of upcoming courses, visit the Current Students page for this program.

For full program requirement details, see the official program listing in the UNC Graduate Catalog .

Nursing Education PhD students have the option to expand their elective coursework via NEXus (The Nursing Education Xchange) .

Admission Requirements

Possess a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Nursing from accredited (NLN/ACEN or CCNE) programs in nursing, with a cumulative master's GPA of 3.00 or better (4.00 scale).

If you are still completing your master's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional academic stipulations to remain enrolled at UNC.

Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for this program.

Licensure as a registered nurse.

One to two years of teaching experience recommended, but not required, prior to program enrollment.

Eligibility by State

At this time, UNC can provide distance education to students from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. UNC cannot provide distance education in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

Certain distance education activities that occur outside of Colorado may have additional state approval processes or requirements. This most commonly occurs for experiential learning placement activities such as practica, internships, student teaching, and healthcare clinicals. Please review the State Authorization (SARA) page for additional information on UNC’s ability to offer distance education across state lines and a list of activities and states where approval may be required. For additional information or questions, please contact [email protected] .

International Student Eligibility

International students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Applicants for online programs must demonstrate English proficiency, or enroll in the UNC Intensive English Program , in order to be considered.

This program requires occasional visits to the United States. You will need to submit financial documentation before you plan to arrive in the U.S. (and again each time you travel to the U.S.). The financial documentation needs to demonstrate that you can pay for the cost of tuition and living expenses for the days that you will be in the U.S.

Please visit the International Students Admission Requirements page for details about English proficiency requirements, financial documentation and applying as an international student.

Transferring Credit

UNC graduate school accepts applicable graduate credit with a grade of C or higher from accredited institutions. Please note that if your chosen program has a higher grade minimum for any program coursework, that minimum would apply to transfer requests for those courses. Graduate program faculty are responsible for reviewing any proposed transfer credit to ensure that course content and objectives match program content.

• Students must complete at least 50% of their graduate program credits at UNC, not including research, capstone, seminar, internship/externship/practicum, thesis, dissertation proposal, dissertation and any credits graded with S/U (P/F).
• Courses requested for transfer must not be more than eight years old for doctoral degree credit; will not be used to meet any residency requirements; are not used in calculation of the grade point average; and cannot have been used to fulfill requirements for a previously awarded degree. See the full Graduate Transfer Credit Policy .

This is an Extended Campus program, which means:

• We charge a flat per-credit tuition rate for all students (in-state or out-of-state).
• There are no added student fees or technology fees. However, certain courses may carry specific course fees to support additional services and materials.

Program tuition for the 2024-25 academic year (which runs Fall, Spring, and Summer terms) is $734 per credit hour. Tuition for the 2025-26 academic year will be determined mid-June 2025.

Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC's official Cost of Attendance/ Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.

Financial Aid

Degree-seeking students who cannot pay for tuition alone are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC FAFSA/financial aid page for graduate students has key dates and support, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).

Late submissions of the FAFSA are still accepted throughout the school year but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid. If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.

Doctoral degree students must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.

To apply for federal financial aid assistance

Fill out the FAFSA form at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

For more specific help, contact the Office of Financial Aid:  [email protected] , 970-351-4862  or via the UNC Financial Aid website .

Students can also find helpful information such as the Guide to Federal Student Aid at https://studentaid.gov/resources . Most of the resources are available in English, Spanish and Braille.

Student Health Insurance

The University of Northern Colorado offers a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to all degree-seeking students who enroll in courses on our main UNC Campus, an Extended Campus Center, or Online.

Degree-seeking graduate students enrolled in 6 or more credit hours will automatically receive this benefit each term. SHIP premiums will appear on your semester bill. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you must opt out of this plan each Fall via an online waiver process .

Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information about the insurance plan.

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Additional Resources

• Learn more about the School of Nursing Faculty .

Other Related Programs

• Nursing DNP (Post-Master's Doctoral)
• Nursing Education (Post-Master's Certificate)

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The Doctorate in Nursing Education is for master’s degree nurses who want to help address the growing need for more RNs in today’s ever-expanding healthcare system. The American College of Education Ed.D in Nursing Education program is a fully online curriculum to prepare nurses as educators in either an academic or professional development setting. The program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to focus on the science of teaching and learning. Students will engage in scholarly research to support their dissertation while developing the competencies to create and evaluate curriculum, develop effective teaching strategies, use innovative technology to promote learning and much more as they prepare to educate the next generation of nurses.

Quality You Expect

Our accredited programs are designed for working professionals who want a quality education. We’re committed to delivering high-quality, affordable and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content and relevant application.

Low Cost You Deserve

Because we’re 100% online, you only pay for the cost of delivering your education, not infrastructure like buildings or dorms. In fact, our affordability allows most of our students to graduate with no debt. We also offer over $2.5 million in scholarships and grants every year.

Flexibility You Need

Complete your coursework any time and anywhere there’s an internet connection. You’ll have access to academic resources 24/7, and highly responsive faculty and librarians. You decide how we fit into your life, not the other way around.

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Find a plan that fits your budget.

When We Say Low Cost, We Mean It

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Program Details

Focus of study.

Curriculum and Instruction

General Track

Higher Education

Health and Wellness

Instructional Technology

Start Dates

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it’s best for you.

September 09, 2024 Term

Sep 06, 2024

Application Due

Payment Due

Sep 13, 2024

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Oct 20, 2024

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Here are just some of the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

Featured Faculty

Our real-world coursework is taught by experienced faculty.

Lisa Hawthorne

Melissa Bennett

Robin Murray

Kimya Nance

Alice Martanegara

Admission requirements, ace general admission requirements.

• Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement and payment agreement.
• Submit the nonrefundable application fee.*
• Provide official transcripts from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program.**

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.

**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

• Transcript showing Masters’ or doctoral level
• Minimum grade point average 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for full admission
• Provisional admission is not permitted
• Must provide evidence of active unencumbered registered nursing (RN) license
• Applicants must achieve and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.

• Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through a NACES -recommended agency.
• Texas applicants may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency .
• International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

• Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.
• Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
• The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening and Writing.
• The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.
• The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
• Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit a minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C) .

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Doctor of Education (EdD) in Nursing Education

Courses start every monday, take the first step in your national university journey, 240k+ alumni worldwide, doctorate of education (edd) with a specialization in nursing education.

Just as teachers are now in greater demand than ever before, educational leaders are needed to manage and assist schools, school districts, state educational boards, and institutes of higher learning as they work to improve their instructional capabilities. The Doctor of Education program (EdD) uses an applied, project-based approach to prepare professionals who seek to lead improvements in the strategy, practice, policy, and outcomes of educational practice. EdD research focuses on solving a problem in the workplace or in the professional field of education.

Why Earn Your Doctorate in Nursing Education with National University?

The Nursing Education specialization prepares educators and leaders for professional roles in nursing education. Recent shortages in nurses and nursing faculty have led to a growing demand for educators in the field. In this interdisciplinary program, you’ll take courses in the School of Education and the School of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing. The foundational coursework provides an in-depth understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on instructional theory, evidence-based practices, evaluation methods, and the use of technology in nursing education.

Admission Requirements 

A conferred post-baccalaureate master’s degree or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution or an international institution determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service. Examples of acceptable doctoral degrees include Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Education (EdD).

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the EdD program, Nursing Education specialization applicants must provide a copy of the following:

• A valid and active RN license from the United States
• A master’s degree in nursing (MSN)

Dissertation Process

In addition to the foundational and specialization courses, each doctoral student is required to complete a high-quality dissertation through a systematic process assisted by faculty. An EdD dissertation is a scholarly documentation of research that makes an original contribution to the field of educational study. The step-by-step process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of your dissertation.

Courses and Sequence

The EdD in Nursing Education specialization requires 54 credits for degree completion. All foundation competency courses, specialization courses, and method coursework must be completed before beginning the Doctoral Comprehensive Assessment course (CMP-9601E). Upon successful completion of the comprehensive assessment, you’ll become an official doctoral candidate and may move onward to the sequential dissertation coursework. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete your dissertation research. If granted, additional courses will be added to your degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. The estimated time needed to complete this program is 33 months.

Course Details

Course listings.

Your communication abilities have a big influence on your professional reputation. In this course, you’ll develop skills to establish yourself as a competent professional with strong communication skills. You’ll learn competencies related to written, oral, and visual forms of communication appropriate to specific media and audiences. You’ll also explore how the iterative nature of preparing communications and integrating feedback into your work products can support your development and advancement as a professional.

Leadership during times of change can be challenging. This course supports your professional development as an effective leader of educational organizations during periods of change. You’ll explore strategies and techniques for self-reflection, evaluating culture, integrating stakeholder feedback, and incorporating data as part of improvement processes. To conclude the course, you’ll synthesize these skills to design a comprehensive improvement plan that addresses a specific problem within an educational organization.

• Specialization Course 1
• Specialization Course 2
• Specialization Course 3
• Specialization Course 4
• Specialization Course 5  (Nursing Education specialization only)
• Specialization Course 6  (Nursing Education specialization only)

In this course, you’ll develop effective search and writing strategies to create a scholarly review of literature. The course emphasizes how to: (a) use effective literature search strategies; (b) develop a scholarly synthesis of research literature; (c) organize research literature around identified themes, including a study problem, purpose, and theoretical perspectives; and (d) focus on developing a scholarly exposition that reflects divergent viewpoints and contrasting perspectives. The overarching goal is for you to understand strategies for surveying scholarly literature that avoid bias, focus on educational practice-based research problems, and address the requirements of a scholarly literature review.

This course introduces you to the research process by exploring its underpinnings, examining its paradigms, and investigating the foundations of qualitative and quantitative methodologies used in educational studies. You’ll identify criteria for the development of quality research studies that are ethical, accurate, comprehensive, cohesive, and aligned. Specific course topics involve the ethics of conducting research; data collection and analysis techniques; and issues of feasibility, trustworthiness, validity, reliability, transferability, and rigor. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the concepts and skills associated with conducting theoretical and applied research.

This course provides the foundational knowledge to become a critical consumer of statistical-based research and a skilled analyst of non-inferential quantitative data. Coursework focuses on understanding multivariate data, non-inferential and inferential statistical concepts, the conventions of quantitative data analysis, and interpretations and critical inferences in statistical results. You’ll use software applications to complete statistical computations and perform quantitative data analysis. The course culminates in a synthesis project to demonstrate your statistical skills and present your results using APA guidelines. 

Select One of the Following Two Research Courses:

A focus on qualitative research methodology and the designs and methods used to collect and analyze data in educational research. You’ll examine the principles of qualitative research and explore commonly used designs (also referred to as qualitative traditions or genres) with a focus on application and feasibility. Qualitative data collection and analysis methods will be examined for their suitability with regard to the research design selected. Alignment between qualitative designs and research methods, issues of trustworthiness, and the responsibilities of the qualitative researcher will also be explored.

Select One of the Following Two Data Analysis Courses:

This course builds on a foundational understanding of qualitative designs and measurements to focus on analyses of the data. Coursework takes you deeper into the skills and techniques necessary to ensure the appropriate analyses of qualitative data, including integrating relevant frameworks, verifying trustworthiness of the findings, and selecting suitable methods for presenting analyses and findings.

An exploration of advanced statistical principles and how to apply them to quantitative research. This course provides an overview of advanced statistical concepts used in empirical research, including inferential analyses. You’ll use SPSS software to perform advanced computations as you build independent, scholarly statistical skills. Coursework will emphasize multivariate data; the use, comprehension, and evaluation of sophisticated statistical concepts; and the proper presentation of statistical results.

The doctoral comprehensive assessment is your opportunity to demonstrate your preparation for entering the dissertation phase as a doctoral candidate. You’ll synthesize discipline-specific content with research designs and methods to create a prospectus for a problem of applied practice within an educational context. This prospectus will likely become the foundation of your dissertation. This course is begun only after all your foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed.

In this 12-week course, you’ll complete all relevant subsections of Section 1: Foundation. You’ll use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. Section 1 must be completed and approved by your committee in order to pass the course and move forward. If you do not receive committee approval of Section 1, you’ll be able to take up to three supplemental eight-week courses to finalize and gain approval.

In this course, you’ll compose all relevant subsections of Section 2: Methodology and Design, and complete your proposal. Both of these components must be approved by your committee in order to pass the course and move forward. You’ll use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. If you do not receive approval of Section 2 and the completed proposal by the conclusion of this 12-week course, you’ll be able to take up to three eight-week supplementary courses to finalize and gain approval.

In this course, you’ll prepare, submit, and obtain approval of your Institutional Review Board (IRB) application before collecting data and, if applicable, executing your project modeling. You’ll also submit a final study closure form to the IRB. If you’re still collecting data at the end of the 12-week course, you’ll be able to take up to three supplementary eight-week courses to complete the required components.

In this 12-week course, you’ll complete the relevant subsections of Section 3: Findings, Implications, and Recommendations, finalize your manuscript, and disseminate your findings. You’ll use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. The final manuscript, including Section 3 and the dissemination of findings, must be approved by your committee in order to pass the course and be eligible to graduate. If you do not receive committee approval on all components, you’ll be able to take up to three supplemental eight-week courses to finalize these requirements and be eligible to graduate.

Specialization Courses

NUR-7000 Nursing Education Theories and Concepts

An exploration of theories and concepts that provide the foundation for nursing education and adult learning. You’ll conduct analysis of theory development and examine multidisciplinary concepts applicable to nursing education and research. You’ll also review the current and seminal literature regarding nursing practice, education, and research, as well as the social sciences.

NUR-7001 Future of Nursing Education: Challenges for the Educational Leader

In this course, you’ll learn the future opportunities and challenges in nursing education from the perspective of a reflective practitioner. You’ll discuss the regulatory, ethical, and political challenges faced by instructional and supervisory leaders in nursing education. In addition, you’ll focus on how educational leaders explore and act upon the variety of challenges and opportunities in the field.

NUR-7002 Nurse as Educator

This course examines the evolving roles of the nurse educator within the ever-changing healthcare system and educational environment. You’ll focus on the educator as a teacher, leader, collaborator, mentor, and change agent. Principles underlying the teaching of adult learners will be examined and applied to classroom and clinical settings. By the end of the course, you’ll have formulated a personal working philosophy of nursing education.

NUR-7003 Evidence-Based Teaching in Nursing

A study of the foundational knowledge in nursing science, skills, and education for contemporary nursing education practice and scholarship. This course explores current, evidence-based andragogic practices to develop a basis for studying and applying nursing education disciplines.

NUR-7004 Teaching with Technology in Nursing Education 

In this course, you’ll learn the importance of utilizing technology in nursing education in the classroom and clinical settings. The goal is to provide an understanding of technology tools that can create diverse and meaningful learning experiences. You’ll examine current technology trends, including simulation, online learning, learning management systems, instructional design, Web 2.0 tools, computer-assisted learning, presentation software, EHRs, and videos. Through discussion and practice, you’ll refine your instructional skills in applying these tools as an educator.

NUR-7005 Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education

This course explores evaluation methods used in nursing education curricula. Coursework will include norm-referenced and criterion-referenced evaluation methods. You’ll identify criteria used to develop reliable evaluation measures and explore techniques for identifying cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains as they relate to education and nursing. Finally, you’ll examine current issues and research related to educational testing instruments, alternatives to standardized evaluation methods, and outcome measurement in education.

Program Outcomes

The Doctor of Education (EdD) program develops your abilities to lead improvements in practice within educational organizations. EdD learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Recommend policies advancing equity and social justice in educational organizations
• Select ethical and regulatory compliant actions supporting the mission and vision of organizations
• Develop leadership skills through the integration of theoretical constructs with professional practice
• Create strategic and tactical plans to improve organizations
• Construct theory-informed decisions for addressing complex problems of practice

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We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.

“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”

-Francisco R., Class of 2016

Program Disclosure

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.

All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

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Home / Online Nursing Education Degrees and Programs / Ph.D. Nursing Education Programs

Ph.D. Nursing Education Programs

What is a ph.d. nursing education degree, 2024 - best phd in nursing education programs, are online ph.d. nursing education programs available, nursing education ph.d. vs. other doctorate degree types, list of ph.d. nursing education degree programs.

If your career goals include research and advanced practice nursing, earning a degree beyond a bachelor’s is essential. You have the option of earning either a Master of Science (MSN) in nursing education or a doctorate degree, such as the Ph.D in Nursing Education. Your career goals and the length of time it takes to complete each program are the top considerations when determining which option is right for you. Luckily, online Ph.D. Nurse Educator programs are available for those who don't think they have the time for a doctorate degree of this caliber.

A Ph.D. nurse educator degree is a doctorate, meaning it's the highest degree level a Nurse Educator can obtain (with equal standing given to other doctorate types, as discussed below). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing endorsed changing the minimum entry-level requirement for nurse educators from a master's to a doctorate in 2004. Since then, it has been more challenging for people with an MSN to secure a nurse educator job due to high competition. Schools in all 50 states now offer nurse educator doctorates.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurse educators with the most experience and education earn approximately $125,000 annually. Examples of coursework you will complete at the doctorate level include:

• Care Systems and Chronic Illness
• Quantitative and Qualitative Research
• Research and Development
• Scientific Inquiry

All Ph.D. candidates prepare a dissertation they research, write, and defend. The process takes one to three years, depending on your interests and chosen topic.

NurseEducator.com's PhD in Nursing Education rankings are based on a methodology that takes into account a variety of important factors, including the completion rates, affordability, competitiveness, variety of programs offered, and the level of faculty experience. The rankings are designed to provide an objective and comprehensive look at the best nursing education programs in the world. We believe that the criteria used in our methodology accurately reflect the quality of the programs, and that our rankings give prospective students the best information available for making an informed decision. To learn more about our methodology, please visit our methodology page .

Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is an accredited private university with over 20,000 students. It offers a wide range of degree programs, including a PhD in Nursing Education. It is one of the largest independent universities in the United States, and its diverse student body is composed of students from over 100 countries.

Liberty University

Liberty University is a private university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Founded in 1971, Liberty is now the largest Christian university in the world, with over 110,000 students enrolled globally. Liberty offers a wide range of degree programs, including a PhD in Nursing Education. With an emphasis on Christian values, Liberty provides students with an education rooted in faith.

University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, Colorado and is a public university. With 14,902 students, it offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, including a PhD in Nursing Education. UNC has a strong commitment to student success and a tradition of excellence.

You have plenty of online enrollment options from the University of Alabama to the University of Wyoming. The hundreds of schools across the United States that offer this degree option typically do so either entirely online or as a hybrid program.

Before enrolling at a school, reflect on how you learn best and your preferences regarding whether to complete courses online or in person. If you work, have a family to care for, or both, you will probably find the online option most convenient due to the flexibility. You can watch lectures and complete assignments whenever it is convenient for you.

A mix between online and traditional on-campus delivery could be ideal if you value face-to-face interactions with professors and other students. Regardless of your chosen option, you should be aware that you must complete your clinical requirements in person.

Nurse Educator Ph.D. Prerequisites

Admissions requirements are usually the same for campus-based and online Nurse Educator Ph.D. programs. Typical prerequisites include:

• Completion of a BSN or MSN degree from an accredited institution
• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in all previous college coursework
• GRE exam score
• Official transcripts from all previous schools attended
• Personal statement describing your career goals
• Unrestricted U.S.RN license
• Up to three letters of recommendation

Obtaining certification as a nurse educator can give you a competitive advantage. The National League for Nursing offers certification options for nurse educators and clinical nurse educators.

Below is the admissions process at Grand Canyon University , which is typical of schools offering this degree program. The process is the same for online and on-campus students, except for the requirement that students attending in-person classes schedule a campus visit before courses begin.

The first step at any college or university is to submit a request form that indicates the degree you prefer, whether you're interested in the online or hybrid option, and your timeline for starting your studies. Next, you should complete the school's application and attach all the above information. If you need financial aid, researching your options is the next step. It would help if you waited to hear from the school about your official acceptance.

According to the BLS, the demand for nurse educators is higher than average. Thanks to an aging population and increasingly complex health conditions, the agency does not expect the demand to lower anytime soon.

Students sometimes confuse this degree option with the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The focus of the Ph.D. nurse educator degree is scholarly research and inquiry, with the purpose of expanding knowledge about nursing. In contrast, students pursue the DNP degree to improve patient outcomes. The primary focus is obtaining higher-level skills in nursing.

Regarding coursework, DNP candidates focus on advanced practice nursing, evidence-based nursing, and developing leadership skills. Typical courses in DNP programs include:

• Administration and Budget Planning
• Clinical Diagnosis
• Disease Management
• Healthcare Policy
• Healthcare System Transformation

Besides the Ph.D. and nursing education DNP , students have the option of one other doctorate degree as well: the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in nursing education . This degree type is suited for academia, advocacy, and policy, and is not as widely available as the other doctorate degree pathways.

Earning a Nurse Educator Ph.D. doesn't limit you to working only in the field of education. The whole purpose of obtaining the doctorate in the first place is to widen your career options. Here are some popular job titles for people with this advanced credential:

• Clinical Nurse Educator
• Nursing Curriculum Coordinator
• Nursing Education Consultant
• Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Nurse Educator Ph.D., DNP, and Ed.D. programs offer a terminal degree, meaning you have earned the highest degree available.

Nurse Educator Degree Type Comparison

In search of an online or campus-based Ph.D. Nurse Educator program near you? Explore our state-by-state listings below.

Jump to Your State Listings

• Nursing Education Ph.D. Online
• Ph.D. Nursing Education Online

University of Las Vegas, Nevada

• Ph.D. Nursing Education Track & Post-MSN Accelerated Nursing Education Track Online
• Ph.D. in Nursing Education Online

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

Ph.D. in Nursing – Nursing Education The Science of Teaching Care

Credit Hours

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Advance the Nursing Profession with our Ph.D. in Nursing Education

Are you interested in influencing the field of nursing and taking the discipline even further? Nurses who are prepared with a Ph.D. are needed to steward the discipline and educate the next generation of nurses. Prepare to conduct original research, generate new ideas, design, implement, and communicate findings to lay audience programs for nurses — including formal academic programs that lead to a degree — with Liberty’s Ph.D. in Nursing – Nursing Education degree.

Our doctorate in nursing education is a great credential to have to advance or alter your career path. It can provide both the knowledge and research experience that is important to become a faculty member at a university or educator in a medical facility. You could become a professor of nursing or pursue other educational opportunities within healthcare — or go into hospital administration, health policy advocacy, or nursing research.

Nursing education is a growing field that needs educators who are passionate about patient advocacy and the advancement of excellent healthcare policies and processes. Apply your current experience to your studies and gain the knowledge you need to lead in advancing the nursing profession with a Ph.D. in Nursing.

Licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements .

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s Ph.D. in Nursing Education Online Degree?

By choosing Liberty to pursue your doctoral degree, you’re choosing a university that is accredited, Christ-centered, and flexible with course scheduling. When you choose any of our online degree programs, you’re choosing excellence that is grounded in integrity.

Liberty University is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ). This means that you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education that has met rigorous education standards.

We understand that you may have family, career, and community obligations — so our program is designed to work around your busy life and schedule. You can complete your doctorate in nursing 100% online, in a flexible 8-week course format. Optional synchronous online sessions are delivered most weeks of the semester to allow you to maximize engagement with faculty, classmates, and the program.

At Liberty, our mission is to Train Champions for Christ . All of our programs are taught by Christian faculty who are not only nationally recognized educational leaders but also professors committed to your personal and professional success.

What Will You Study in Our Ph.D. in Nursing Education Online Degree?

In this program, you’ll learn to design and lead effective nursing education programs for the next generation of medical professionals. Your coursework can help you become a confident leader, equipped to implement change and improvements to nursing education. Through multi-disciplinary courses and interactions with your professors, you can develop the skills you need to lead and collaborate with healthcare teams and create positive change.

Upon successful completion of our program, you can be more prepared to:

• Act as a professional nursing leader, role model, and mentor for those who wish to pursue advancement in nursing.
• Advocate for policies and programs that improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.
• Apply ethical decision-making and values to the nursing profession based upon a biblical worldview.
• Contribute to the science of nursing by creating original research and scholarship.
• Educate the next generation of nurse scholars to add to the global community of nursing professionals.
• Synthesize the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing in the practice of research

Potential Career Opportunities

• Health policy advocate
• Hospital administrator
• Nurse scientist
• Nursing professor/faculty member
• Nursing researcher

Featured Courses

• NURS 764 – Learning Theories and Teaching Methods for Nurse Educators
• NURS 765 – Curriculum Development and Program Evaluation for Nurse Educators
• NURS 766 – Advanced Evaluation Strategies for Nurse Educators
• NURS 784 – Assessment and Accreditation for Nursing Programs

Course guides available upon request

Degree Information

• This program falls under the School of Nursing .
• View the Graduate Nursing Course Guides (login required) .

Degree Completion Plan

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

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Admission Information for our Ph.D. in Nursing – Nursing Education

Admission requirements.

At this time, our Ph.D. in Nursing Education degree is limited in certain states. Please view the licensure/certification requirements for your state. International students can contact the School of Nursing related to their degree interest.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Contact information for one recommender
• Statement of Purpose
• One year minimum experience as a Registered Nurse (RN). Registered Nurse Licensure verification will be conducted annually until the curriculum for the online Ph.D. in Nursing: Nursing Education is completed. As the student, you are responsible to notify the School of nursing should any restrictions be placed on your license.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sets this program apart from other similar offerings.

Our nursing faculty are nationally recognized educational leaders.

What does the career potential look like for this field?

With the growing demand for nurses, nurse educators are also in demand at all levels, and with a doctorate in nursing, you may find many employment doors opening.

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• Student Experience
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• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

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Our doctoral programs prepare students to lead health care innovations and influence policy—founded on the science and theory of nursing, analytic principles, evidence-based practice, and strong leadership —at the highest organizational level. With access to world-renowned nursing faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration throughout the Johns Hopkins network, you’ll build the skills to develop and implement your research and clinical goals to change the future of healthcare.

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DNP Advanced Practice

Become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist in the DNP Advanced Practice track at Johns Hopkins Schoolof Nursing. Unlock the unlimited potential of an advanced nursing career and build close relationships with our world-renowned faculty. You will network with other emerging nurse leaders in your cohort and graduate ready to change the health care system and advance the nursing profession.

• Adult-Gerontological acute care np
• Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP
• Family Primary Care NP
• PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE NP
• PEDIATRIC DUAL PRIMARY/ACUTE CARE NP
• Psychiatric Mental Health NP
• Nurse Anesthesia
• DNP ADvanced Practice/PHD

DNP Executive

Get the analytic skills and evidence-based practice principles you need in the DNP Executive track at Johns Hopkins. You’ll address significant healthcare problems-defined by your interests and based on your experience-in real time and in your practice setting. You will forge your own intellectual path and wrap up your curriculum with an intense final project experience.

• DNP EXECUTIVE
• DNP Executive/MBA Dual Degre e

Advance the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and healthcare delivery with a Johns Hopkins PhD in nursing. With access to world-renowned faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with noted researchers throughout Johns Hopkins, you’ll build the skills to develop and implement a scientific research program. By graduation, most scholars have been awarded grants that continue their research and set them well on their way to a successful career.

• DNP Advanced Practice/PHD

Dual Degree Options

The dual degree programs offered through the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing integrate cutting-edge nursing in collaboration with schools from across the university. The programs will position you to take on executive roles that employ systems-level thinking to improve population health or lead patient care at corporate levels.

• DNP ADVANCED PRACTICE/PHD
• DNP Executive/MBA
• DNP Executive/MPH

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The Difference?

“Prior to joining the PhD program, I felt like I was spinning my wheels. Now I feel empowered to advocate for what I know will help patients and have the tools and soon will have the credentials to do that.” Emily Hoppe

Doctoral – PhD in Nursing

About the Program

Georgetown’s PhD in Nursing Program is designed to be a full-time, campus-based, premier doctoral program for individuals who want to be leaders for change by seeking to advance the discipline and those they serve in academic, community health, health care, policy, global, and research settings. The Fall 2025 entry application cycle is open now here with an application submission deadline of December 1, 2024.

Georgetown’s PhD program will lead in creating nurse scientists who generate knowledge with ethics and health equity as its core compass, to advance health, appreciating our shared humanity. Roberta Waite , Dean of Georgetown University School of Nursin g

Program Features

• Draws upon the interdisciplinary and intellectual richness of the campus community
• Develops leaders for change in nursing
• Focus in ethics and health equity
• Intellectual vibrancy with renowned faculty across multiple disciplines
• Globally known, values-based academic community
• Intellectual vibrancy across complimentary academic disciplines such as ethics, law, philosophy, medicine, and policy.
• Full-time, campus-based program

Program Virtual Information Sessions

Register below to attend a virtual information session featuring a formal presentation by the Program Director, Admissions Director and a School of Nursing faculty member. During the online information session webinar presentation, we will give a detailed overview of the Ph.D. in Nursing program features, curriculum and application procedure. The Fall 2025 entry application cycle is open now here with an application submission deadline of December 1, 2024.

• Thursday, August 22, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. , featuring Dr. Intima Alrimawi and Dr. Edilma Yearwood. Register here to attend .
• Tuesday, September 10, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. , featuring Dr. Liz Stokes and Dr. Edilma Yearwood. Register here to attend .
• Wednesday, October 16, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. , featuring Dr. Carol Taylor and Dr. Edilma Yearwood. Register here to attend .
• Thursday, November 7, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. , featuring Dr. Ella Heitzler and Dr. Edilma Yearwood. Register here to attend .

Program Admissions

Application deadlines.

Submission Deadline – December 1, 2024

Decision Deadline – Mid-January 2025

Program Questions

Please direct questions about the PhD in Nursing program to [email protected] .

Program Leadership

Edilma L. Yearwood, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN Interim Program Director, PhD in Nursing Program

Program Faculty

Nursing PhD students work with faculty who have expertise in multidimensional and complementary areas, including ethics, health equity, health disparities, mental health, women’s health, cardiovascular science and physiology.

Intima Alrimawi, PhD, MSN, MPH, BSN

Dr. Alrimawi’s research focuses on improving the quality of care for vulnerable families and children with complex health concerns or chronic diseases. Her secondary research interest is the development of nursing education to promote optimal outcomes in nursing education.

Ella Heitzler, PhD, WHNP, FNP, RNC-OB

Dr. Heitzler’s research seeks to support healing and increase the health equity of cisgender women and transgender persons who have experienced gender-based violence. Her current work explores the sexual violence screening practices (screening rates, questions utilized to screen, barriers to screening, and facilitators of screening) of nurse practitioners, midwives, and physicians who specialize in reproductive health care.

Roxanne Mirabal-Beltran, PhD

Dr. Mirabal-Beltran studies women’s health inequities and patient-provider communication. She is particularly interested in the use of Community-Based Participatory Research to facilitate access to health and health education. Her current work partners with the Wash and Spin to Health / Washington Avanzando la Salud Hispana (W.A.S.H.) Community Advisory Board to develop a reproductive health educational intervention to roll out in DC laundromats.

Carol Taylor, PhD, RN

Dr. Taylor’s passion is making health care “work” for everyone — equity. She studies pedagogical strategies to prepare the next generation of frontline caregivers to address ethical challenges. Her research interests include clinical and organizational ethics and spiritual care. She is the primary author of all 10 editions of WolterKluwer’s “Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care.”

Sarah Vittone, DBe, MSN, MA, RN

Dr. Vittone has more than 25 years of experience in clinical ethics consultation and is a primary consultant with the ethics consultation service of the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics. Her clinical ethics interests are in complex decision-making, surrogate decision-makers, and issues at the interface of vulnerable populations and health systems.

Krista White, PhD, RN, CCRN-K, CNE

Dr. White’s research focuses on nursing education science, mentorship, compassionate teaching, equity within education, and an inclusive learning environment that fosters student outcomes. Dr. White is an instrument developer. The “Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence with Clinical Decision Making” scale and has been used in approximately 250 empirical studies worldwide, and has been translated and validated in Korean and Turkish.

Edilma Yearwood, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN

Dr. Yearwood, a qualitative researcher, uses community-based participatory action, ethnography and grounded theory methodologies in her research grounded in promoting and advocating for health equity. Her current grant is titled “Nurturing Child Well-Being: Educating Communities on Social Determinants of Health.” The project examines family and community dynamics and social determinants (FCDSD) — all of which impact the health and well-being of children and may result in poor health outcomes.

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PhD and DNP Degrees

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Why Earn a PhD or DNP?

The two most common types of doctoral nursing degrees are the doctor of philosophy in nursing, or PhD in nursing, and the doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Nurses with a doctorate in nursing can teach and conduct research and have more opportunities for advancement. For nurses looking for a fulfilling career as a leader in the nursing profession, a PhD in Nursing or DNP degree are exciting options.

PhD and DNP Articles

What You Need to Know

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Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of philosophy (phd), ignite your future with a columbia nursing phd.

The Columbia University School of Nursing PhD program is a full-time, research-intensive curriculum that prepares nurses for careers as nurse scientists who will conduct research across a broad range of populations and health conditions. Importantly, much of our research is focused on health disparity populations with the long-term goal of informing health policy and clinical practice across the lifespan.

Columbia Nursing provides three years (eight semesters) of funding for tuition, related fees, health insurance, and a stipend for full-time PhD students.

Program Design

Our PhD program provides students with an understanding of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing science and a strong foundation in research methods (design, statistics, measurement, quantitative and qualitative methods) for clinical, translational and health services research. All students are mentored by research advisors with active programs of research as they move toward independent research and assume the roles of doctorally prepared nurse scientists.  

As a Columbia Nursing PhD student, you will learn to:

• Design, conduct, and report multidisciplinary research studies that increase knowledge to improve the health and well-being of patients and families across the lifespan
• Advance the state of the science in a substantive area of research through application of innovative and rigorous methods
• Promote health and well-being for individuals and families in the context of their communities
• Provide leadership in improving the health care delivery system at local, national, and international levels
• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate and develop policies for delivery of health service
• Translate evidence accumulated through research into practice and policy at multiple levels

As part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), Columbia Nursing enjoys a unique collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the College of Dental Medicine. CUIMC provides myriad opportunities for interprofessional collaboration in research . 

The PhD curriculum builds on the foundation of nursing science by bringing together practice, policy, translational research, and leadership. The core courses provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct relevant and well-designed research studies. Electives strengthen an area of clinical interest or intensify understanding of a specific research or analytic method. 

Both post-master's and post-BSN students admitted to the program will complete a minimum of 57 credits. The curriculum plan is designed to make it possible to complete the program in three years for those students with clearly defined plans for their dissertation research.

PhD courses are offered in three major areas:

• Theoretical foundations of nursing science
• Analytical foundations of nursing science
• Electives and application

Students must be registered as full-time for the duration of the program (typically three to four years). The minimum number of semester credits in required coursework is 37 (four semesters) for eligibility to progress to the qualifying exam. Six of the 37 credits required to be completed prior to the qualifying examination are elective courses tailored to the student’s dissertation topic and/or dissertation methods. The PhD program requires nine credits of elective courses. A minimum of 57 total credits is required for program completion. 

Concurrent with Coursework

• Research Experience (participating in faculty research projects and/or a research practicum)
• Research Faculty Training

Request a Sample Academic Program Plan

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination helped me to combine the content I learned in my courses and my research interests so I could further articulate my research question. Performing a scoping review on my topic of interest immersed me in the current literature and was crucial to the development of my dissertation. This experience prepared me to successfully work independently through the rest of my Ph.D.

 Kylie Dougherty, BSN, RN, M.Phil.

In addition to coursework, students must successfully complete a qualifying examination with written and oral components. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is awarded after successful completion of the qualifying examination and the student enters doctoral candidacy status.

Dissertation

Students are expected to successfully defend a dissertation reporting original research. Four dissertation credits are required each semester during the dissertation phase of study. 

Scholarship Expectations

My advisor and the Columbia Nursing faculty provided me exceptional guidance throughout the PhD program to extend my learning beyond the classroom with the goal of becoming an independent nurse scientist. I learned valuable skills and knowledge to successfully obtain a NIH-funded predoctoral training award, present research findings at local, regional, and national conferences, and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals with good impact factors.

Joseph Belloir, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC

• Publication: At least one manuscript published in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.
• Grantsmanship: At least one grant application submitted to an appropriate funding agency or organization.
• Presentation: At least one abstract submitted for presentation as a poster or oral presentation at an appropriate professional meeting.
• Networking: Student will attend at least one regional or national research meeting.

Preparation for Postdoctoral Fellowship: Research Career Next Step 

The coursework and research mentoring at Columbia Nursing helped prepare me for the next steps in my education and career post-PhD. In addition to structured coursework and educational seminars, the school provided beneficial informal support and resources. Feedback sessions with both peers and faculty were very helpful in preparing me to present posters and presentations at research conferences. The school also provided funds for travel to conferences where I presented my research. The grant writing workshop and mock reviews of grant applications provided me with tools and feedback needed to successfully apply for additional funding for my research. Finally, interdisciplinary research collaborations with faculty provided me with opportunities to work with researchers from several disciplines to complete my dissertation.

Melissa Beauchemin, PhD '19, MS '10, RN

PhD Student Handbook

The Columbia Nursing PhD student handbook provides information to aid doctoral students in planning coursework and proceeding through all phases of the program.

Request a PhD Student Handbook

What is it like to be a PhD student at Columbia Nursing?

Required courses (excluding electives).

Building upon the foundations provided in the quantitative and qualitative research method courses, in this course students examine advanced methods and frameworks frequently used in studying health policy, health services research problems and comparative effectiveness research. In addition to a critical review of the methods, the course examines the relationship among science, policy and healthcare delivery, and identifies critical questions shaping the future policy research agenda.

Interdisciplinary research is an approach to advancing scientific knowledge in which researchers from different disciplines work at the borders of those disciplines in order to address complex questions and problems. Successful interdisciplinary efforts require mastery of specific competencies. This seminar will introduce students to competencies in interdisciplinary research through a combination of readings, case studies, and lectures in each necessary aspect, chosen from fields essential to successful interdisciplinary research. It is intended to assist learners to understand why and how different professional disciplines must work together to generate and disseminate knowledge. We will examine: different conceptualizations of interdisciplinary; barriers to and facilitators of interdisciplinary research; approaches, benefits, and limitations of collaboration and team science; methods for measuring interdisciplinary collaboration; the intersection of translational and interdisciplinary scientific strategies; and individual researchers' experiences with and evaluations of their own interdisciplinary scientific projects. Learners will develop a set of skills to be effective members and leaders of interdisciplinary research teams.

The student works with a faculty member or other scientist who is conducting a research project. The specific nature of the experience depends on the nature and stage of the research, but might include search and review of relevant literature, data collection, data analysis and/or grant preparation.

This course is intended for PhD students who are engaged in relevant scholarly activities that are associated with dissertation research.

This foundational course will examine the philosophy of nursing knowledge including foundations of nursing theory, concept development, and its application to research. Students will explore approaches to the analysis and development of concepts and the application of nursing concepts and frameworks to clinical practice and research. Ideas, assumptions, events, people, and writings are examined for their influence, inter-relationships, and significance to nursing. Types of reasoning will be evaluated within the context of nursing and health. Major theories, frameworks, and concepts of nursing and health and their implication for research will be discussed. The focus of the course will be on development of critical thinking skills in analyzing key elements of philosophies, concepts, and conceptual frameworks.

In this foundational course students will study the links between theory and the psychosocial and biophysical measures used in nursing research.  Students will employ the principles of classical test theory and item response theory to evaluate the reliability and validity of measurement.  Application of computational techniques will be covered in the lab portion of the course.  Course topics include types and uses of measures, item/scale development and validation, survey methods, reporting for publication, and the relationships between measurement and research ethics, cultural competency, and health disparities.

This course provides a foundation for quantitative research methods and design. Research process topics examined include: appraisal of the quality of existing evidence; identification of gaps in the literature; formulation of researchable questions and testable hypotheses; types of research variables; sampling designs and power analyses; and the uses, strengths, and weaknesses of various experimental and quasi-experimental research designs.

This course provides an in-depth examination of qualitative study designs and methods through a combination of theoretical discussion and hands-on practical experience. Topics include paradigm distinctions, theoretical perspectives, designs and methods, critique of research reports, and ethical issues in qualitative research.

The course is intended for PhD students who are engaged in relevant scholarly activities that are not associated with the required course sequence. Such activities must accrue more than 20 hours/week.

This course is intended to provide a hands-on introduction to delivering data visualizations to serve as a critical lens through which individual and population level health can be examined. The proposed course will combine concepts and theory in data visualization and exploration and practice to enable the student to gain the necessary knowledge to use graphics and statistics to explore the data, find and construct a narrative, and share findings in ways colleagues and decision-makes can readily understand and act upon.

This course is designed to provide the tools for the doctorally prepared nurse to evaluate, translate and integrate published research results into clinical practice. During the course, students will learn how to conceptualize clinical practice problems and transform them into answerable clinical research questions, how to search for the best clinical evidence, and how to assess clinical evidence using basic epidemiological, biostatistical and scientific principles. The course will culminate in a systematic review or meta-analysis of a body of research relevant to advanced practice nursing.

Total Credits:

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Doctoral education for the nurse educator

Langevin, Kerri M. EdD, APRN, PC-PNP

Kerri M. Langevin is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn.

The author has disclosed no financial relationships related to this article.

Which degree is for me?

Nurses comprise the largest number of healthcare providers in the US, yet there's a current and growing nursing shortage reaching a critical level. The shortage presents potentially grave ramifications and threatens the profession's ability to provide the necessary care to the nation. The reasons for the mounting shortage are numerous; however, one of the most significant challenges is the dearth of nursing faculty required to educate the next generation of nurses. This is evidenced by the fact that in 2019, 80,407 qualified applicants to baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs weren't accepted due, in part, to a lack of qualified faculty.

Nurses with baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees can teach in a variety of settings; however, the need for doctorally-prepared nurse educators is crucial. Doctorally-prepared academic nurse educators (ANEs) are needed to educate future nurses, NPs, and nursing faculty. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) 2019 Special Survey on Vacant Faculty Positions, the largest gap in faculty positions (requiring or preferring a doctorate) was for doctorally-prepared nursing faculty at 89.7%.

An examination of the history and evolution of numerous academic paths and credentials for entry into the profession reveals a lack of consensus on which path is most effective and, in many cases, minimally acceptable at almost all levels. This ambiguity spans the numerous roles of the nursing profession, including what academic path is most effective for the role of the clinical nurse, NP, and ANE, among others. The lack of uniformity and consensus continues to negatively impact the profession.

Today, the uncertainty regarding the most appropriate doctoral degree for the ANE has come to the forefront as the profession seeks to mitigate the faculty shortage. There's debate between three primary doctoral degrees in terms of which is the preeminent preparation for ANEs: the Doctor of Education (EdD), the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The variation of the content in the three doctoral programs is significant both in terms of curricula and pedagogy. As a result, nurses who plan to enter or advance in nursing education are faced with the important and considerably confusing decision of which degree to pursue.

This article is intended to assist potential ANEs seeking to pursue doctoral study by providing the pertinent information regarding the various degrees through a brief review of the history of doctoral education in nursing; a summary of the three primary nursing doctorates for academia, including program length, dissertation requirements, and cost; and an author-designed algorithm.

History of nursing doctoral education

Doctoral education in nursing began toward the end of the 20th century, which was much later than in other professions. Some theorize that the late onset of nursing doctoral education was due to the nursing profession being initiated in hospitals and not in mainstream higher education. The fact that nursing was primarily a female profession also likely contributed to the delay. In the following years, there has been a proliferation of different types of doctoral degrees, which has resulted in ambiguity. Debate about the correct or most appropriate degree both within the nursing profession and outside of the profession continues to the present day.

Stevenson and Woods described four phases, or generations, of doctoral programs in nursing. The initial phase took place between 1900 and 1940 when the EdD or a similar functional degree became available to prepare nurses as teachers. The second phase, 1940 to 1960, included non-nursing doctorates in basic or related fields, such as social science. The third phase, between 1960 and 1970, included the social science or basic PhD with a minor in nursing. The fourth phase, which began in 1970, resulted in rapid growth in Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS/DNSc) and PhD programs in nursing.

Between the 1970s and 1990s, the most common degree offered was the PhD, although many schools continued to offer the DNS/DNSc. As a result of the various options for doctoral study, nursing doctoral education became more available during this time. There was continued growth of these doctoral programs, as well as the emergence of a new clinical doctorate, the Doctor of Nursing (ND), in 1979. The ND was considered a practice degree and was created at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. This degree offered college graduates without nursing degrees entrance into the nursing profession similar to schools of dentistry and optometry. However, the inception of the degree came at a time when the profession was struggling to build and sustain solid and scientific nursing research doctorates. There was a great deal of controversy about the difference between the ND and the DNS/DNSc, and the ND degree wasn't widely accepted by the profession.

The most recent doctorate, the DNP, was endorsed by the AACN in 2004 as the preferred terminal degree for NPs. Originally, the degree was aimed at preparing NPs for clinical practice at the highest level. In its 2004 position paper, the AACN stated that by 2015, all NPs should have a DNP to practice. However, this didn't come to fruition for several reasons that extend beyond the focus of this article. Moreover, in the years since its inception, the DNP has shifted from being a strictly practice or clinical degree for NPs to an alternative terminal degree for entrance or advancement in academia. The fact that the DNP has evolved this way despite the lack of uniformity of the major elements of traditional nursing doctorates, such as pedagogic and research components, is an issue that needs further study and discussion.

Comparative analysis of the three doctoral degrees

Due to the evolution of the doctorates and the proliferation of various pathways to obtain a doctorate, degree comparison is challenging. The programs are numerous; have different curricula and entry requirements; and varying timelines, costs, and credit requirements. Other variations include the required clinical practice hours, the ability to take courses online, and the potential for obtaining a stipend while in doctoral study. However, based on available data from multiple searches, the following general information about the three primary doctoral degrees can be used as a guide. Specific program information should be investigated by the potential student.

With a program length of 3 to 5 years and an average cost of $11,120 to $44,020, the EdD may be focused on general education, educational leadership, and/or nursing education. There are a small number of EdD in nursing education programs in the US that are specifically aimed at preparing nurse educators and nursing education leaders; however, there are many more EdD degrees with a nursing education focus/concentration. The EdD in nursing education includes both pedagogic and research components specific to the nursing profession. A dissertation is required, but rather than a clinical component, the EdD in nursing education is geared toward scholarly study and pedagogy and may have a practicum in the classroom setting with a doctorally-prepared nurse educator. Online options are offered, as well as federal nurse faculty loan programs, which include loan forgiveness for faculty who continue in academia after obtaining a doctorate. Many ANEs seek the EdD degree, but data on these educators aren't included on many program websites, making it difficult to track the number of EdD-prepared ANEs.

PhD programs last 4 to 8 years, with an average cost of $11,000 to $90,000. There's no clinical component, but a dissertation is required. These programs also offer online courses and loan options. In contrast, DNP programs last 1 to 5 years, cost an average of $12,000 to $60,000, and most don't require a dissertation; instead, a final Capstone project is completed. The DNP does have a clinical component. Online courses are an option, but loan programs may or may not be available.

See Proposed tracks for ANEs to assist you if you're contemplating doctoral education as an entrance to academia.

A big decision

The decision to pursue a doctoral degree for entrance or advancement in nursing education is profound, requiring personal, professional, and financial considerations. This decision is affected by ongoing ambiguity regarding what the minimal or even the ideal preparation is for the nurse educator. Potential doctoral students who wish to enter or advance in nursing education have three primary degrees to consider: the EdD, PhD, or DNP. As stated previously, the newest doctorate, the DNP, was originally intended as a practice degree for NPs but has now shifted to be acceptable preparation for the educator role. Although DNP graduates will surely assist the profession in mitigating the nursing faculty shortage, the variation of nursing educational content between programs is significant and must be considered by potential students and the profession. When deciding which degree to pursue, explore your reasons for pursuing a doctorate, the differences between the three primary doctoral degrees, employer or potential employer requirements, and the time and cost of each.

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Everything You Need To Know About D.N.P. Degrees

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 8:06am

Key Takeaways

• A Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) is a terminal degree that prepares nurses to pursue advanced roles in their field.
• Candidates for this degree can pursue specializations in several areas, including executive leadership and administration, health policy, informatics and various patient care specialties.
• Bridge programs serve D.N.P. students from varying educational backgrounds.

From nursing assistants, who need only a high school diploma and professional certification, to doctoral-level nurse practitioners, nursing careers exist at all levels of education. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree caters to motivated nursing professionals looking to enter leadership roles in patient care or organizational change.

This article explores everything you should know about doctorates in nursing, including degree requirements and potential career paths.

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What Is a D.N.P.?

The D.N.P. degree is the highest level of education for nursing professionals. Most nurses who obtain a doctorate in nursing are interested in either managing nursing staff or affecting change for the nursing profession at the organizational, local, state or national level. Nurses with D.N.P.s may work in clinical or non-clinical roles.

Students enrolling in a D.N.P. program must hold a B.S.N. or M.S.N. degree. Generally speaking, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who want to conduct research or work on research teams must also hold a doctoral degree.

D.N.P.-level nursing professionals might examine hospitals’ standards of patient care, manage teams of nursing staff, determine best practices for healthcare organizations’ policies and standards, or provide nursing education to others.

Accreditation for D.N.P. Degrees

Two organizations accredit D.N.P. programs: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation verifies that a degree program offers effective, high-quality education.

Earning a D.N.P. accredited by CCNE or ACEN demonstrates that an education sufficiently prepares individuals for high-level practice and leadership roles.

D.N.P. Admission Requirements

D.N.P. admission requirements vary among schools. ACEN and CCNE do not stipulate admission requirements for their accredited D.N.P. programs; these standards are each school’s prerogative. Still, certain admission requirements are common among most D.N.P. programs, including the following:

• A master’s in nursing diploma
• Official transcripts from the completed master’s program
• GPA of 3.0 or above from a master’s degree in nursing
• A certain number of clinical hours completed
• Résumé with documentable work history
• Letters of recommendation
• A letter of intent, personal statement or essay

Many D.N.P.s specialize in particular areas of nursing and go on to become specialized nurse practitioners. Check out our breakdown of common types of NPs below, and for more information, see our guide on how to become a nurse practitioner .

Common D.N.P. Specialties

Adult-gerontology.

D.N.P. students who specialize in the field of gerontology go on to work with elderly patients. During their doctoral education, these nurses learn about specific health conditions associated with advanced age and how to help elderly patients maintain good health for as long as possible. Adult-gerontology nurses may further specialize their skills in areas like diabetes, palliative care and memory disorders.

Executive Leadership

Nursing professionals looking to take on leadership roles might focus their doctoral studies in executive leadership. D.N.P. students who concentrate in executive leadership learn the skills needed to lead and manage staff and implement initiatives and strategies at the organizational level.

Family Nurse Practitioner

The most common credential for NPs is the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners . FNPs commonly earn D.N.P. degrees. In this specialty, FNPs can see patients of all ages for various conditions, often serving as primary care providers.

Health Policy

Nursing professionals seeking D.N.P. degrees who don’t desire to work in clinical practice might instead opt for a health policy specialization. With this specialization, nurses can learn about how health policies are created, regulated and governed in the United States. This includes exposure to judicial processes, economic forces and political decisions that affect and influence the nursing profession.

D.N.P. students specializing in health policy also learn about patient advocacy.

Informatics Leadership

This is a more tech-focused specialty for nursing professionals seeking D.N.P. degrees. Informatics leadership students work with healthcare information systems, learning how to select the best system, how healthcare information systems work and how to manipulate and maintain patient data.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Students with this concentration plan to work primarily with patients with mental health issues. They may screen patients for psychiatric disorders, diagnose conditions and prescribe medications.

Women’s Health

Nursing students who desire to work in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology or reproductive health may pursue this specialty. D.N.P.s in women’s health often work in women’s clinics, private practices or hospitals.

D.N.P. Bridge Programs

Bridge programs were created to provide accelerated paths between nursing degrees. Completing a bridge program allows students to easily advance from one level of education to another.

There are two popular D.N.P. bridge pathways: B.S.N.-to-D.N.P. and M.S.N.-to-D.N.P. programs. Specific requirements for D.N.P. bridge programs vary; we’ve highlighted the details of Georgetown University’s online D.N.P. bridge programs to provide an example and help explain the differences between these two types of bridge pathways.

B.S.N.-to-D.N.P. Program

• For nurses with B.S.N. degrees
• Comprises 69 to 74 credits, depending on area of specialization
• Requires 1,000 to 1,200 clinical hours
• Takes 33 months to complete

M.S.N.-to-D.N.P. Program:

• For advanced nursing professionals who hold master’s degrees
• Comprises 30 credits
• Requires 250+ practice hours
• Takes 20 months to complete

Careers for D.N.P. Graduates

We sourced the below career data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Median Annual Salary: $125,900 Projected Job Growth (2022–32): +38% Job Description: These roles suit registered nurses with advanced degrees such as M.S.N.s or D.N.P.s. These professionals may lead teams of healthcare providers or work at the organizational level to set and implement policies and procedures.

Healthcare Executive

Median Annual Salary: $100,000 Projected Job Growth (2022–32): +7.8% Job Description: Healthcare executives work in the fields of healthcare and social services. They are often at the intersection of medicine and business, representing medical professionals but also examining and setting policies, tracking trends and financials, and managing insurance-related situations for hospitals and organizations.

Medical Scientist

Median Annual Salary: $99,930 Projected Job Growth (2022–32): +10% Job Description: These professionals often possess Ph.D. or advanced medical degrees such as D.N.P.s. Medical scientists work on research projects aimed at advancing medical practices.

Nursing Professor

Median Annual Salary: $80,780 Projected Job Growth (2022–32): +8% Job Description: Nursing professors teach nursing curricula to students at the college level. They might also conduct and publish their own research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About D.N.P. Degrees

What does a nursing doctorate do.

D.N.P. graduates often work in nursing leadership roles in clinical or nonclinical settings. They may manage teams of nursing professionals or work to effect change at the organizational level, whether by setting policies, advancing the needs of healthcare professionals or lobbying for change.

Can a D.N.P. be called a doctor?

Anyone who earns a doctoral degree can technically be referred to as “doctor,” but this can be a misleading practice in the medical profession. Because there is a vast difference between a medical doctor and a D.N.P., it is not usually appropriate for a D.N.P. degree holder to refer to themself as a doctor.

Is a D.N.P. higher than a Ph.D.?

No. Both degrees exist at the doctoral level. Nurses can earn either credential as a terminal degree, but a Ph.D. is more research-oriented while a D.N.P. is more practice-oriented.

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Christin Perry is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets, including WeddingWire, The Knot, Parents and Verywell Family. When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young kids. She also loves to do small home improvement projects any chance she gets.

Everything You Need to Know About the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree

Career outlook.

• Online Programs
• Requirements
• Considerations
• Financial Aid
• Is It Right For Me?

When you first made the decision to become a nurse, you chose a career rooted in caring and compassion. As your focus on the health and wellbeing of your patients and the community at large has grown, so too has your dedication to the profession. Pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) represents the highest level of commitment and will place you at the pinnacle of your field. 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree , or DNP, is referred to as a terminal degree in nursing because there is no higher level of education available for practice-based training in nursing. Nurses who have their DNP are sought after for positions in nursing leadership focused on clinical applications and are considered key players in the future of healthcare in the United States. 

Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

Enrollment: Nationwide

• DNP - Educational Leadership

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.

• DNP - Family NP
• DNP - Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP
• DNP - Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP
• DNP - Women's Health NP

• DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health (Post-MSN)
• DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-BSN)

RNs with an associate degree: Advance your nursing career with a supportive online RN to BSN program for women. Simmons University has been empowering nursing leaders for more than 100 years and offering innovative online degree programs since 2013. Up to 96 transfer credits accepted. Request information now.

As a working RN, you need a flexible, transfer-friendly program to help you save time and money as you take the next step in your nursing career. In our CCNE-accredited4 RN to BSN program, you can transfer in up to 134 credits—which is nearly 75% of program requirements. Your transfer credits can be reviewed in one business day (on average).

Enrollment: FL

As a DNP, you will have much more than advanced clinical skills. Your education will provide you with expertise in areas such as statistics and data analysis and decision making, evidence-based practice, systems management, and quality improvement. You will have greater responsibilities and be looked to as an esteemed authority for input on critical strategies and problem-solving.  DNPs are rightly viewed as having higher-level skills and valued for making invaluable contributions to healthcare policy. 

Importantly, the recent emphasis on higher level learning for nursing is leading to a shift in requirements for advanced practice nurse specialties such as Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Practitioners, and Certified Nurse Midwives. Nurses who wish to practice in these areas will eventually need a DNP rather than the current credentialing requirement of MSN.

In this comprehensive guide, we have collected what you need to know in order to pursue your DNP, as well as why a DNP degree is a smart choice. You will also find helpful information on how to find the best programs and how to pay for your education.

>> Related: CRNA vs DNP & DNAP -- What's the Difference?

Advantages of a DNP Degree

Nursing is one of the most rewarding career choices available, and for those who want to truly elevate their career to the highest level, pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is the ultimate answer. According to the Medscape Nurse Career Satisfaction Report 2016 , nurses who pursued Doctoral levels of education have the highest level of satisfaction with their educational preparation, despite the significant investment of time that the degree represents. There are several reasons for this, including:

• Higher earnings potential. Having a DNP degree adds significantly to earning potential. According to a 2018 survey conducted by Lippincott Solutions , the DNP salary was $7,000 more than nurses with an MSN and had an average annual salary of $94,000, while  Medscape reported an average annual salary of $97,000. 
• More choices in both position and specialization. Nurses who have earned their Doctor of Nursing Practice degree are eligible for the most in-demand positions and have greater opportunities to improve patient outcomes. Some of the most popular positions chosen by nurses who have earned their DNP include Nurse Educator, Chief Nursing Officer, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Advanced Practice Nurse. 
• Greater job security. Because employers value the contributions that nurses with DNPs can offer, the demand for their services has grown, and so has their job security. Where the demand for nurses at all levels is growing overall, the positions that graduates of DNP programs are being recruited into are seeing even greater levels of need, and continue to grow. There is increased recognition of the importance of advanced-degreed nurses’ enhanced knowledge in advanced nursing practice, organizational leadership, healthcare policy and more.
• More opportunity for advancement. By pursuing a DNP degree, you are establishing yourself as a dedicated professional and giving yourself a far greater opportunity to advance your career. More and more healthcare systems are actively seeking DNP-degreed nurses to fill positions as nurse managers and nurse leaders in order to qualify for Magnet Hospital status.
• DNP is rapidly replacing the MSN degree as the required preparation for Advanced Practice Nurse positions. In 2004, the member schools affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing voted to transition the requirements for advanced nursing practice from an MSN to a DNP. Though MSN prepared nurses are still acceptable in most instances, the transition to DNP requirements is a certainty, and those who already hold a DNP degree will be in even greater demand.
• DNPs are able to practice independently. There are 23 states that permit DNPs to run private practices independently. If you are interested in operating a medical practice with complete autonomy, a DNP degree may be the right choice for you.

Find Nursing Programs

About the doctor of nursing practice degree (dnp).

Earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree opens the door to the top levels of leadership and organizational roles within healthcare settings. DNP nurses can pursue roles in shaping policy or can continue to work hands-on in clinical practice with a higher degree of evidence-based expertise and managerial skills. 

The doctoral-level degree endows you with both the training and credentials to work in clinical and non-clinical settings, bringing with you the ability to participate in all levels of decision making and helping to shape the future of healthcare. The duties fulfilled by DNP-degreed nurses are as varied as their titles, which can include:

• Clinical nurse leaders
• Nurse practitioners
• Certified nurse midwives
• Clinical nurse specialists
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
• Nurse administrators
• Nurse educators

DNP-degreed nurses can work in any environment in which hands-on healthcare is needed, as well as in healthcare leadership and policy roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected 31 percent change in employment for advanced-degreed nurses in a clinical setting, while in careers outside of a patient care setting, growth is expected to be even greater. 

>> Related: Top Online DNP Programs

There are many different routes that nurses can follow to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Students can enter the program with either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree, and there are even programs that have been created to allow those holding ADN degrees to “bridge” to a DNP degree. These programs are available as traditional brick and mortar academic programs that are offered on a full-time basis, as well as in more flexible part-time, accelerated and online formats that allow those who want to continue working to do so while also pursuing their studies.  All programs have the same goal: to provide 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 the quality of care.

• RN-to-DNP Programs – These programs generally take between four and six years. Though most require students to have earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, some programs do provide extra coursework to allow ADN candidates to fill in missing nursing and bachelor’s degree curriculum requirements.  These bridge programs consist of highly concentrated on-campus sessions combined with extensive clinical hours and online instruction.
• BSN-to-DNP Programs – These programs generally take three to four years to complete, allowing nurses who have already fulfilled the basic Bachelor of Science in Nursing requirements and who have at least one year of working experience to fulfill the more extensive clinical hour requirements at an approved site close to their home, while also pursuing extensive credit hour and research requirements online.

>> Related: Top BSN to DNP Programs

• MSN-to-DNP Programs – These programs generally take one-and-a-half to two years to complete and are specifically designed for those who have already completed the rigorous Master of Science in Nursing degree. They build on the already strenuous graduate coursework that the student has completed, frequently offering advanced training in a specific field of study while furthering their focus on systems leadership, evidence-based practice and quality improvement. 

>> Show Me DNP Programs

Coursework and Curriculum

Though every DNP curriculum is different, accredited nursing programs follow the framework provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing. This outlines the curriculum and foundational outcome competencies expected of DNP programs, and the goal of elevating nursing practice to the same levels as is found in other areas of healthcare, including doctor of medicine (MD), doctor of physical therapy (DPT) and doctor of pharmacy (PharmD). The framework outlines the need for DNP-degreed nurses to be prepared to lead change, promote health, and elevate care in every setting in which they serve. The core of a Doctor of Nursing Practice program stresses eight key elements aligned with foundational outcome competencies, as well as specialty competencies in particular areas of interest and practice. The eight foundational outcome competencies are:

• Scientific Underpinnings for Practice (human biology, the science of therapeutics, psychosocial sciences, the science of complex organizational structures, philosophical, ethical and historical issues inherent in the development of science)
• Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
• Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
• Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Healthcare
• Healthcare Policy for Advocacy in Healthcare
• Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
• Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health
• Advanced Nursing Practice

The specialty competencies focus of the DNP degree will either emphasize a direct care focus such as nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse midwife (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or an organizational focus such as organizational and professional leadership, management health policy or nursing/health informatics. 

Every DNP program will be different, but the AACN suggests that all programs consist of a minimum of 1,000 hours of post-baccalaureate practice that provides students with opportunities for feedback from experts in nursing and other disciplines within the practice environment, as well as a final project designed to demonstrate their mastery of an advanced specialty within nursing practice. 

Depending upon whether DNP candidates are pursuing an Advanced Practice Nursing Direct Care Focus or an Aggregate/Systems/Organizational focus, they are likely to pursue courses in the following content areas:

• Advanced physiology/pathophysiology
• Health/physical assessment
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Populations
• Systems (including information systems)
• Organizations
• State and national policies

No matter the focus chosen by an individual student or emphasized by the program that they select, all DNP programs aim to address changing healthcare needs and to meet those needs by providing DNP-degreed nurses with the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to raise the levels of care and improve patient outcomes.

>> Related: Top Direct-Entry DNP Programs

Salary and Pay

Where the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicated that registered nurses earned an average salary of $86,070 in 2023, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and DNP-degreed nurses in non-clinical settings earned substantially more: the median pay for Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Anesthetists was $129,480  during the same period. 

DNP-degreed nurses earned a national average of $117,859, according to ZipRecruiter .

DNPs have demonstrated a personal commitment to their profession and to leadership, and as a result, they are in high demand. Employers offer them a wide range of executive benefits and enticements, including vacation pay, bonuses, tuition reimbursement, onsite childcare, sick leave, and more. 

While the career outlook for all nurses is extremely high, the need for nurses with DNP degrees is expected to grow even more. The  BLS reports a need for 123,600 more APRNs in the next decade, a projected growth of 38%.

• It is notable that in its publication “The Future of Nursing: Focus on Education,” the Institute of Medicine set a goal of having 80% of the nation’s Registered Nurses holding a BSN or higher by the year 2020. Currently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that number is only 55%. 
• The Association of American Medical Colleges has warned of a growing shortage of physicians across the United States , and both that organization and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing have indicated that DNP-degreed Advanced Practice Nurses degree can provide services where care is most needed.  This will lead to even more demand for the skills that DNP-degreed nurses bring.

DNPs have a wide range of environments where they can work, including all of the traditional and non-traditional settings where you will find registered nurses. However, their advanced education makes it most likely that you will find DNP-degreed nurses in high-level positions in settings including:

• Internal medicine practices
• Specialty practices
• Autonomous practices
• Universities or colleges
• Healthcare administration settings
• Healthcare policy advocacy settings

DNP-degreed nurses who choose to focus on advanced practice direct care have the opportunity to work in every healthcare specialty, including:

• Family medicine
• Home Health
• Substance abuse
• Geriatric care
• Rehabilitation
• Labor and Delivery
• Public health

Key Differences Between RN and DNP Degrees

Both RNs and those who pursue the more rigorous DNP degree are Registered Nurses who can work closely with patients, treat illness and monitor health, but pursuing an advanced degree will make a significant and immediate difference in compensation, responsibilities, and ability to work in a specialized area, as well as in the opportunity to assume a leadership position. 

DNP-degreed nurses are not only provided with the education they need to provide an advanced level of patient care: they can also do research, teach, impact public policy, consult with corporations and lead health systems. They will play an integral role in the future of healthcare in the United States.

The differences between an RN and a DNP include:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, such as NPs, CNMs, and CRNAs, earned an average of $129,480 in 2023, compared to $86,070 per year earned by RNs
• Potential for leadership and executive positions
• DNP-degreed nurses often take on the responsibilities traditionally assigned to physicians. They can diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses, prescribe medications, create patient treatment plans, and work autonomously in their own practice in 30 states nationwide .

Types of DNP Programs

Deciding to pursue a DNP degree represents a significant commitment. There are a few different options on how to achieve this goal and much of your decision on which program is best for you will depend upon your current situation. The approaches available include:

• RN-to-DNP Program:  These programs are most frequently designed for those who already have earned their BSN degree, though there are a few that offer the opportunity for registered nurses who have earned their ADN to take additional coursework to make up for the education they lack. These students may be required to complete an additional year of hands-on nursing and a statistics course. These programs generally take four to six years to complete.
• BSN-to-DNP Program: This type of program is for nurses who have earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  It acknowledges their clinical experience and education and provides them with all of the coursework that would provide an MSN, as well as the more advanced DNP level of education. These programs allow them to pursue a specific area of focus, which may be organizational or direct practice. BSN-to-DNP programs take between three and four years to complete.
• MSN-to-DNP Program: Nurses who already have earned their Master of Science in Nursing degree provide students with a higher level of academic and clinical training they need to facilitate change in today’s healthcare environment. Students select either an advanced practice nursing direct care focus, an aggregate/systems/organizational focus, or both. These programs can be taken in a traditional, campus-based setting on a full-time basis that takes two years, on a part-time basis that takes about three years, or on a one-year accelerated basis. 

Online DNP Programs

Many individuals who are interested in earning their Doctor of Nursing Practice degree are already in the workforce and would prefer to continue working while pursuing their studies. There are numerous high-quality programs available to facilitate this goal. If you are a working professional, an online program will allow you to achieve your goals in less time than a traditional educational environment, while still supporting your career and/or your family. As long as an online program is accredited by The Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) , it meets all of the required curriculum criteria.

Online programs are available for at least a portion of each of the various types of DNP degrees and offer distinct advantages, including:

• Flexibility. They offer the ability to learn while accommodating existing work schedules and busy lifestyles
• They are eligible for federal financial aid
• Efficiency. They offer you the ability to earn your DNP degree in less time
• No waiting for online DNP programs , as admissions are “rolling” throughout the year
• Full and part-time programs are available
• Accessible no matter where you live
• Less expensive than degrees earned in traditional educational settings

There are a number of factors for you to consider when choosing a program that is right for you. In addition to the program’s reputation and cost, you need to determine whether a program will work for your individual needs and convenience. An online DNP program that requires you to attend a percentage of classes in person may not make sense: likewise, a program that is not in your immediate area and that requires you to participate in clinical hours at a specific facility may also pose a challenge. 

It is also very important when searching for an online DNP program that you select one that has been accredited. Accreditation assures both you and future employers that the program from which you graduated meets current, evidence-based standards. 

There are two accrediting bodies for RN programs: 

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) , which accredits all levels of nursing degrees
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) , which provides accreditation for programs offering Bachelors’ degrees and higher

Classes and Clinicals

DNP coursework moves far beyond basic nursing and clinical education, providing a comprehensive, higher-level education specific to the student’s chosen course of study. Though each program is different and has its own emphasis, priorities, and philosophies, all accredited programs are a reflection of the national standards set forth under AACN recommendations these includes,

• A program structure consisting of 36 months of full-time study: for those who have already attained their MSN, this generally means an additional 12 months of full-time study. 
• Post-baccalaureate practice experiences of at least 1,000 hours are also suggested. 
• DNP degrees are considered complete when these requirements have been met, as well as a final project that demonstrates what the student has learned and achieved during the course of their studies. 

Some examples of what a final project might consist of include,

• A pilot study
• A research project
• A quality improvement project
• A practice portfolio

DNP Program Requirements 

DNP programs vary based on the individual school and the focus of the program, but prospective students should be aware that acceptance into DNP programs is extremely competitive as a result of the growing number of positions requiring an advanced degree. Those considering pursuing a degree should do everything they can to ensure that they meet the basic general requirements for admission of the schools to which they are applying. 

For direct-entry DNP programs, applicants should expect to meet the following requirements,

• Current U.S Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing in the state that you will be doing your clinical practice in
• Minimum of one year of nursing experience, with many programs requiring a minimum of two years
• Completed application with all appropriate fees and required document, which may include a resume, a personal statement, and official transcripts
• Completion of prerequisite courses
• Minimum GPA
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interviews

What to Consider Before Enrolling in a DNP Program

Choosing to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice is a big decision and one that should only be pursued after careful consideration. Here are some things for you to keep in mind:

A DNP program represents a significant time commitment. 

Pursuing your DNP is a big commitment of both time and money, but it is also a life-changing investment in your future. The additional years of education you pursue will make a substantial difference in your knowledge and skill, and this will not only show up in the level of care you provide to your patients, but also in your earnings potential, your upward mobility within the field, and the respect accord to you as the holder of a doctoral degree.

DNP programs can be challenging to get into.

Like all nursing programs, DNP programs are growing increasingly competitive . Doing the work that is needed to qualify for acceptance requires dedication, but the rewards for doing so are very real and will continue to expand as the need for advanced placement nursing and nurse executives become greater. Nursing is a profession that is highly respected, and those who have worked to ensure that they have the highest level of training and education are viewed as extremely favorably.

DNP programs are more expensive.

Though DNP programs cost more to attend, there are many organizations and resources to help students with financial aid. Additionally, those who earn their DNP will find that upon graduation they are quickly able to earn back the difference in tuition: the more advanced degree brings more high-level job opportunities that offer significantly higher salaries.

How Much Does a DNP Degree Cost?

There are many factors that contribute to the cost of a DNP degree including, 

• Where the school is located
• Whether you choose an online program on an in-person program
• Whether you choose to enroll at a private college or a state school, and if the latter, whether you are attending as an in-state student or an out-of-state student.

There are currently 348 DNP programs available across the country , with another 98 in the planning stages: this means that applicants have choices available across all 50 states that can fit their budgets and needs. Costs per credit hour or for full-time tuition also depends upon the reputation of the program. 

The average total cost of an in-state, online, accredited DNP program is $27,745, with the most affordable costing under $12,000 and the costliest adding up to over $60,000 in 2017. 

Though cost is always an important consideration, it is also important that you remember the significant benefits and increased earnings that follow earning your DNP degree, as well as that you can lower your costs significantly by attending public institutions, seeking financial aid, and applying for governmental grants. 

Paying for the DNP Degree – Financial Aid, Scholarships, Grants, Loans

The cost of education is high, and a DNP degree represents a substantial investment.  Many organizations offer tuition reimbursement for advanced degree programs, and there are many other options available to help defray costs, including grants, scholarships, and loans.

Here are just a few:

Scholarships. A number of organizations offer scholarships that are specifically dedicated to encouraging students to pursue advanced degrees in nursing. Searching online reveals numerous options, but a few notable examples can be found below: 

• A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship – $2,000 for the academic year for graduate students pursuing a STEM-related degree, is of Native American background, has at least a 3.0 GPA and is a member of AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society).
• AfterCollege/AACN $10,000 Scholarship Fund - $10,000 in support of students seeking a baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. Special, consideration is given to students in a graduate program with the goal of becoming a nurse educator; students completing an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN program, and those enrolled in an accelerated program.
• AORN Foundation Scholarships – The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses foundation offers scholarships to registered nurses who are continuing their education in perioperative nursing by pursuing a bachelor’s, masters or doctoral degree.
• Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholars Program – Johnson & Johnson has partnered with the AACN to expand diversity among the nurse faculty population and address faculty shortages by offering $18,000 in scholarship funds per year to five qualifying scholars as they complete a doctoral or master’s degree program in nursing.

Grants. A variety of grants are given out to students who demonstrate financial need. These are offered by the federal government, as well as by states and individual colleges. There are also numerous organizations, including charitable foundations, professional associations, corporations and others that disburse grants to doctoral candidates. Like scholarships, grants do not require that you repay them. 

Student loans. Though student loans will eventually need to be repaid, students who enroll in DNP programs do so with the knowledge that once they’ve earned their degree, they are likely to earn a significant salary. The best source of a student loan is the federal government, which provides both more protection and lower interest rates. Applying for these loans requires filling out the same form that you use to apply for a grant — the FAFSA. Students who have significant need may qualify for loans that do not accrue interest until after they have earned their degree. Private loans are also available through banks, credit unions, and other sources. Make sure that you read all terms carefully, as there are unethical organizations that can include misleading terms, hidden fees, and high-interest rates.

Payment plans. If you are going to pay cash for your tuition, the DNP program that you enroll in may allow you to set up a payment plan. Many schools also offer financial aid, so contact the school directly to ask what options are available.

Next Steps to Enroll in a DNP Degree Program

Once you’ve made the decision to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, there are a number of important steps that are either required or recommended to help you achieve your goal. 

• Investigate the programs that are available to you. Just as in choosing any educational program, you want to determine the type of campus and program that you want to apply to. Considerations include your specific educational and career background, the role you want to fill, the program location, the program reputation, how competitive the program is, and cost. Once you’ve identified those that are of interest, make a checklist for each one’s application requirements and deadlines. 
• Collect all appropriate documentation. Collect all pertinent transcripts, proof of graduation, resume, letters of recommendation and other requirements. 
• Apply to the accredited DNP programs that you have identified.
• Apply for financial aid if needed

Is a DNP Degree Right for Me?

Choosing to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is a big decision that should be based on your own personal goals, dreams, and needs. If your long-term goals including earning significantly more income, earning the respect of your colleagues and community, and playing a key role in the quality of the healthcare that people receive, then pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is the right choice for you. 

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Online Nursing Programs

• I Hold an MSN

Programs for Bachelor's Degree Holders

•   Online Coursework
•   Placement Support
•   CCNE Accredited
• Earn your Bachelor of Nursing degree from the Louise Herrington School of Nursing, ranked #25 for Most Innovative Schools
• Main coursework is online with 2 on-campus visits, followed by clinicals in the field
• Practicum requirement total: 720 hours 
• Courses range from 3 to 10 weeks in length, with 2 admission intakes per year
• Students learn from nationally recognized faculty
• Clinical Placement Support for students
• Total credits: 62
• Completed bachelor's degree in any non-nursing discipline
• 52 pre-req credits must be completed before start
• 3.0 GPA on pre-req courses, 2.75 GPA on science pre-req courses

Now Accepting Applications. Seating is limited.

Next Start Date:  September 2024

Programs for MSN Holders

•   No GRE/GMAT Required
• Stand out at your organization as a proven nurse leader and practice scholar.
• Develop advanced business acumen and leadership skills to transform hospitals and/or healthcare systems.
• 100 percent online program with no required campus visits.
• Gain advanced knowledge while creating a network of colleagues and mentors.
• Earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Louise Herrington School of Nursing , ranked 60th in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Graduate Schools.
• Master of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited school of nursing, or any master’s in business/health-related degree
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing
• GPA: 3.0 or above (BSN)
• Current unencumbered RN license
• Two years of supervisory/management experience at Director level or above, with strategic planning, budgetary, and financial responsibilities within the past five years
• CCNE-accredited**  and  U.S.  N ews & World Report  ranked program
• Main coursework is online with on-campus immersions throughout the program
• Practicum requirement total: 1,125 hours for BSN pathway and 1,000 hours minimum for MSN pathway
• Courses are 15 weeks, with three terms per year
• Clinical placement support 
• Total credits: 75 for BSN pathway and 38-75 for MSN pathway
• BSN or MSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing
• 3.0 cumulative GPA
• One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse by the first day of class (additional work experience may be required by faculty)
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement 
• Three letters of recommendation 
• No GRE or MAT Required 

Now accepting applications. Seating is limited

• Practicum requirement total: 1,125 hours for BSN pathway and 1.000 hours minimum for MSN pathway
• The equivalent of a minimum (1) year of full-time Level 3 NICU neo-natal clinical practice experience (by the first day of class). Experience MUST be current and required within the last five years as a registered nurse in the care of critically ill neonates or infant in critical care inpatient settings. Students may participate in the pre-clinical portion of the program while obtaining the necessary practice experience.
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD prepared nurse
• No GRE or MAT Required
• ACME-accredited* ,  CCNE-accredited**  and  U.S. News & World Report  ranked program
• Courses are 15 weeks, with three terms per year
• Clinical placement support

See all pass and graduation rates  here

• BSN or MSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing
• At least one year of full-time experience as a professional nurse in labor and delivery, on the mother-baby unit, or in an outpatient OB/GYN setting at time of application. Extensive observational experiences of birth, or education and practice as a doula will be considered. Applicants with other experiences in the maternal-child health specialty will be considered individually.

Programs for BSN Holders

• Earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON), ranked No. 60 (Top 10%)  in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022  Best Graduate Schools: DNP
• Practicum requirement total: 1,125 hours for Primary Care, with an additional 600 hours for Acute Care track
• Courses are 15 weeks long, with three terms per year
• Students learn from a nationally recognized faculty
• Clinical placement support provided
• Total credits: 75 for Primary Care track; 14 for the additional Acute Care track
• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing
• One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse caring for pediatric patients by the first day of class
• CCNE-accredited** and U.S. News & World Report ranked program
• Online main coursework with on-campus immersions throughout the program
• Practicum requirement total: 1,125 hours
• 15-week courses with three terms per year
•  Nationally recognized faculty for students to learn from
•   Clinical Placement Support 
• Total credits: 75 
• Three letters of recommendation
• CCNE-accredited ** and ranked by  U.S. News & World Report   
• Online main coursework with on-campus immersions throughout the program 
• Practicum requirement total: 1,125 hours 
• 15-week courses with three terms per year 
• Nationally recognized faculty for students to learn from 
• Clinical Placement Support   
• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing 
• 3.0 cumulative GPA 
• One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse by the first day of class 
• Current unencumbered RN license 
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse 

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NLN Foundation for Nursing Education Announces 2024 Scholarship Awards

17 graduate students in nursing share over $100,000.

Washington, DC —  Seventeen advanced degree nursing students have been awarded a total of $114,645 in financial support through the annual competitive scholarship program run by the National League for Nursing Foundation for Nursing Education . These include the 2024 winner of the new NLN Steve Cerame Nurse Educator Scholarship Award of up to $8,000, honoring the former chief financial officer for his 26 years of dedicated service to the League.

In addition, there are a dozen recipients of foundation scholarships of up to $8,000 each; the winner of the Health Carousel Foundation Nurse Educator Scholarship Award of $8,000 to an international student pursing an advanced degree in nursing education in the U.S.; the winner of the Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo Scholarship of up to $5,000 for graduate study in informatics and innovation in the use of data analysis and health information technology; and the Cecelia Lou Vriheas Scholarship Award  winner of $8,000. The presentation to the scholarship winners will take place during the 2024 NLN Education Summit in San Antonio, Texas, September 18-20.

“We are proud to sponsor another year of scholarship support to deserving students enrolled in advanced degree programs who are committed to pursuing careers in nursing education. Thanks to the generosity of our dedicated donors to the NLN Foundation, the total available funds have increased every year, now over $100,000, which enables us to expand the number and size of scholarship awards and also focus on some specialized areas of study within nursing education,” said NLN Foundation Chair Patrick Robinson, PhD, RN, ACRN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, vice president of nursing at Pacific College of Health and Science.

NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, said, “Expanding the ranks of nurse faculty remains an urgent priority, helping the National League for Nursing to fulfill its mission to prepare a diverse nursing workforce to deliver outstanding and equitable care to advance the health of the nation and global community.”

2024 NLN Foundation for Nursing Education Faculty Scholarship Awards

The NLN Foundation Scholarship Awards Program seeks to support diverse nurses committed to careers in academic nursing education. Awards of up to $8,000 are made to nurses enrolled in accredited master’s or doctoral programs and have completed at least one year of advanced academic study toward their degrees. 

• Arienne Patano, BSN, RN, CHPN, Michigan State University College of Nursing 
• Fotini Katsipoutis, BSN, RN, CNOR, Chamberlain University
• Elicia Egozcue-Ochoa, MSN, APRN, CNRN, SCRN, CVRN, NPD, Grand Canyon University
• Adejoke Felicia Ogidan, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNE, University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation 
• Katherine Kreis, MSN, RN, CHSE, University of Texas at Arlington 
• Jasline Moreno, MSN, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, MGH Institute of Health Professions
• Courtney Taylor, MSN, RN, University of South Alabama
• Jennifer Remick, MSN, RN, CPN, Bryan College of Health Sciences 
• Courtney Klink, EdD(c), MSN, MBA, RN, University of West Georgia 
• Pauline Hwang, DNP, AGACNP-BC, RN, Penn State University
• Kellie Ashburn, MSN, RN, CNE, Post University 
• Tracy Scaletti, MSN, RN, CEN, CNE, Widener University
• Dorothy Addo-Mensah, MN, Bsc, RN, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

NLN Steve Cerame Nurse Educator Scholarship Award  

The NLN Steve Cerame Nurse Educator Scholarship honors the National League for Nursing’s former chief financial officer and his 26 years of service, providing funds up to $8,000 annually to a future nurse educator in a master's or doctoral program. This scholarship is awarded to nurses pursuing advanced degrees to advance their career as a full-time nurse educator. 

• Jennifer Roye, MSN, RN, CHSE, CNE, EdD (c) School: University of Alabama 

Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo Health Informatics and Innovation Scholarship Award: $5,000

With a focus on informatics and innovation in the use of data analysis and health information technology, the Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo scholarship opens a new avenue of scholarship to support the National League for Nursing and its members. Multiple real-world applications of these research studies are urgently needed. A scholarship of up to $5,000 is offered annually to support an applicant enrolled in an accredited graduate-level program in this growing field of nursing education.

• Clarissa Afable, PhD(c), MSN-NI, RN School: Nova Southeastern University 

Cecelia Lou Vriheas Scholarship Award: $8,000

The Cecelia Lou Scholarship is a single $8,000 scholarship awarded to nurses pursuing advanced degrees to advance their career as a full-time nurse educator who are the first in their family to pursue higher education and belong to an historically marginalized/excluded group, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, Native American, Pacific Islander, immigrant populations, and those from rural areas. 

• Vera Bratnichenko, MSN, RN, University of South Carolina 

2024 NLN Health Carousel Foundation Nurse Educator Scholarship Award: $8,000  

The Health Carousel Foundation Nurse Educator Scholarship is a single $8,000 scholarship awarded to a nurse who received an initial nursing degree outside of the United States but are now registered in the United States and pursuing an advanced degree to further a career as a full-time nurse educator. 

• Hannah Durowaa Odei-Opoku, MPhil Nursing, BSc. Nursing, Dip Edu, University of Massachusetts  

  For information about the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education, visit  NLN.org/Foundation .

About the National League for Nursing

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual and 1,000 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Learn more at  NLN.org.

August 22, 2024

Michael Keaton, Deputy Chief Communications Officer

Road closure on Marquam Hill: Part of S.W. Campus Drive is closed until March 2025.

School of Nursing

Nursing scholarships.

On this page you’ll find information about:

OHSU nursing scholarships

Outside nursing scholarships.

• Loan forgiveness and repayment program

Nearly $3 million

in grants and scholarships awarded in 2023-2024

grants and scholarships awarded in 2023-2024

OHSU scholarships for nursing students

Award amount: $1,000 to $12,000 

Who is considered: Current and incoming nursing students 

Deadline: While the priority deadline was April 1, 2024, we are still considering applications on a rolling basis. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed for second priority and awarded if funding allows. 

How to apply: Apply for OHSU scholarships for nursing students

OHSU President's Fund Scholarship

Award amount: Full tuition and fees throughout the length of your program. 

Who is considered: Students from diverse communities entering specific degree programs in health care. 

How to apply:  All applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship. You don’t need to apply. 

Qualifying programs:  

• B.S. in Nursing 
• M.S. in Nursing Education 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice 
• Ph.D. in Nursing 

Quick links

• Nursing program costs
• OHSU tuition and fees
• Financial aid
• OHSU scholarships and grants

Nursing degree programs

We offer undergraduate, masters and doctorate degree programs at six locations across Oregon, and online degree options.  

Have questions?

• Request information  
• Attend an information session  
• Schedule an appointment  with an admissions counselor 
• Contact our admissions team  

OHSU Provost Excellence Scholarship

Award amount: Half of your tuition and fees for the length of your program. 

How to apply: All applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship. You don’t need to apply.  

Qualifying programs:     

Provost Workforce Development Scholarship

Award amount: $2,000 toward your tuition and fees to use during the 2024-25 academic year (summer 2024, fall 2024, winter 2025 and spring 2025).  Students starting in spring 2025 must enroll in six OHSU credits that term to receive the full $2,000 scholarship.   

Who receives this: New RN to B.S. students starting in the 2024-25 academic year. Students awarded the Provost Excellence Scholarship or the President’s Fund Scholarship are not eligible to receive this scholarship.  

How to apply: New RN to B.S. students will automatically receive this scholarship. You do not need to apply.  

The scholarship must be used in the 2024-25 academic year.   

Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative

Who is considered: Students from Oregon entering specific clinical degree programs. In return, students agree to practice in a rural or underserved community for the first few years of their career. 

Qualifying programs: 

Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) in: 

• Nurse Anesthesia 
• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Nurse Midwifery 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner 
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner   

How to apply: Learn more about the Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative

Street Nursing Team Scholarship

Award amount: Up to $5,000 

To be considered, enroll in one of the following programs: 

• OCNE 3-year program on the Ashland campus (only available to students graduating in 2025) 
• OCNE 3-year program on the Klamath Falls campus (only available to students graduating in 2025) 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (D.N.P.) on the Ashland campus 

Application closed. Estimated to reopen for Accelerated Bachelor of Science students in November 2024 and in summer 2025 for OCNE and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students. 

Oregon Nursing Education Academy Scholarship

Who is considered: Students who are residents of Oregon, Washington, Idaho or Alaska and enrolled in the M.S. in Nursing Education program. 

Application closed. Estimated to reopen spring 2025. 

OHSU 30-30-30 Workforce Initiative

Award amount: Full tuition and fees throughout the length of your program with a two-year commitment to teach full-time. 

To be considered, you must: 

• Be in your first or second year of the M.S. in Nursing Education program. 
• Be nominated by the director of an OCNE partner community college. 
• Be a full-time faculty member at a nominating OCNE partner community college. 
• Be an Oregon resident and eligible for in-state tuition. 

OHSU Nurse Faculty M.N.E. Scholarship

Award amount: Full tuition and fees throughout the length of your program with a two-year commitment to teach full-time at OHSU School of Nursing after graduation.  

• Be nominated by the campus associate dean or the undergraduate Portland assistant dean. 
• Be a full-time OHSU faculty member. 
• Be a resident of Oregon and eligible for in-state tuition. 
• Be in and remain in good academic standing. 

Application closed. Estimated to reopen late summer or early fall 2024. 

OHSU Nurse Faculty D.N.P. and Ph.D. Scholarship

Award Amount: Full tuition and fees throughout the length of your program with a two-year commitment to teach full-time at OHSU School of Nursing after graduation. 

• Be an OHSU faculty member admitted into an eligible program at the University of Arizona, University of Colorado, University of Utah or Washington State University for D.N.P. or Ph.D. or Portland State University for Ed.D. 
• Be nominated by the campus associate dean, the undergraduate Portland assistant dean or the graduate program director. 
• Be a full-time faculty member of the nominating OHSU School of Nursing program. 

Application closed. Estimated to reopen summer 2025. 

Health Equity Grant ANEW Scholarship

Award amount: Up to $21,700. 

Who is considered: Family nurse practitioner students, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students, pediatric nurse practitioner students and nurse-midwifery students can apply. Applicants must commit to working with rural, urban and tribal populations in Oregon after graduation. 

Learn more about Health Equity Oregon

Award amount: Up to $34,304 each year of your program, plus a stipend for living expenses. 

Who is considered: Nurse-midwifery students who are committed to working in rural and/or underserved communities after graduation. 

Application closed. Estimated to reopen early fall 2024.  

Scholarships are awarded to 18 students. Students receive funding for the time remaining in their program, up to three years. You do not need to re-apply once awarded. 

The Michaelson Gerontological Nursing Scholarship

Award amount: Up to $3,000. 

Who is considered: M.S. in Nursing Education students in their second year of the program whose focus is gerontological nursing. 

The Hearst Endowed Scholarship

Award amount: Up to $15,000 

Who is considered: Doctor of Nursing Practice students in their final year of the program whose focus is on gerontological advanced practice nursing. 

School of Nursing Ph.D. Student Scholarship

Award amount: Full tuition and fees and a monthly stipend for the first four years of your program. 

Who is considered: Applicants of the Ph.D. program. 

How to apply: Ph.D. applicants will automatically be considered. You don’t need to apply.  

$500 to $5,000 

Explore American Association of Colleges Nursing scholarships .

$2,500 to $5,000 

Explore American Academy of Nurse Practitioners scholarships .

$3,000 

Explore Army Nurse Corps Association scholarships .

$1,000 

Explore Barbara Rhomberg nursing scholarships .

$1,000 to $5,000 

Explore Caring.com’s caregiver scholarships .

$5,000 

Explore DiversityNursing.com’s education awards .

Explore F.A. David’s undergraduate scholarships .

up to $40,000 

Explore the Ford Scholars Program .

Explore the Ford Opportunity Program .

Explore the Ford Transfers Program .

$500 to $10,000 

Explore the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association scholarship .

Amount varies 

Explore HRSA Nursing scholarships .

$1,200 to $4,500 

Explore the Leo Adler Scholarship .

$1,000 to $7,000 

Explore the National Student Nurses Association Foundation scholarship .

$250 to $10,000 

Explore Nurses Education Funds, Inc. scholarships .

$1,500 to $5,000 

Explore Oregon Nurses Foundation scholarships .

Amount varies  

Explore the William G. and Ruth T. Evans Nursing Scholarship .

Harding Loan

Amount: $850 per term 

Interest rate: 5% fixed interest rate 

Requirements: For current students who need additional assistance beyond their existing financial aid package. Only available to students who are not fully funded. 

Loans come due three months after graduation. 

Deadline: Rolling if funding allows 

How to apply: Harding Loan Application 

Emergency Loan

Amount: Varies  

Interest rate: 0%  

Requirements: For undergraduate students. 

Deadline: Rolling 

Application information: Contact the financial aid office at 503-494-7800 or [email protected] . 

Evalee C. Schwarz Charitable Trust for Education Loan

Amount: $5,000 to $15,000 

Requirements: Undergraduate or graduate students with strong academic performance and high financial need. 

Deadline: Visit their website for the most up-to-date deadline.

How to apply: Evalee C. Schwarz Charitable Trust for Education application

Loan forgiveness and repayment programs

Nurse faculty loan program (nflp).

Amount: Partial loan cancellation (up to 85%) 

Requirements: For Ph.D., D.N.P. and M.N.E. students. Students must complete specific nursing education courses. After graduation, the NFLP cancels part of the loan for graduates who work full-time as faculty at an accredited nursing school. 

D.N.P. graduates will have their loans forgiven if they work in their specialty and serve as a full-time preceptor for one student per term at OHSU’s School of Nursing or another accredited nursing school. 

How to apply: The financial aid office will email eligible students about when and how to apply. 

Primary Care Loan Forgiveness (PCLF)

Amount: One or more years of tuition and fees 

Requirements: Students must commit to practice at an approved rural Oregon site after graduation. 

Deadline: Visit their website for the most up-to-date deadline. 

How to apply: Primary Care Loan Forgiveness application

Federal Loan Forgiveness

Amount: Cost of eligible loans minus 120 monthly payments 

Requirements: Available only to students not fully funded through financial aid.  

How to apply: Federal Loan Forgiveness application

Faculty Loan Repayment Program

Amount: Up to $40,000 loan repayment 

Requirements: Two-year commitment to work as faculty at an accredited health professions college or university. 

How to apply: Faculty Loan Repayment Program application

National Health Service Corps

Amount: Up to $170,000 loan repayment 

Requirements: Minimum of two years full-time commitment to work at a National Health Service Corps approved site. 

Application link: National Health Service Corps application

• School of Nursing >
• Academics >
• Graduate Nursing Programs >
• DNP Program >
• Howett’s Nursing Curriculum Revision Work Published in the Journal of Professional Nursing

Preceptor Opportunities

Precepting opportunities available for the following DNP program specialties: FNP, AGNP and PMHNP. Preceptors must be two or more years post-graduation from a board-certifying program.

Interested? Contact our program directors:

• FNP: Molli Oldenburg
• PMHNP: Alyssa Hamel
• AGNP: Gail Markowski

Joining Forces - UB

Joining Forces - UB is a collaborative effort between the Schools of Nursing and Social Work to educate graduate nurses and social workers about the physical and mental health needs of military veterans and their families.

The DNP project provides opportunities for students to integrate newly learned skills into practice and to demonstrate how to apply principles of nursing practice scholarship. Learn more about recent UB SON projects published in scholarly peer-reviewed journals.

DNP Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program at the University at Buffalo educates students for an expanded comprehensive nurse practitioner role that includes critical thinking and independent decision making in clinical practice, leadership, education, policy and consultation. The CCNE accredited program prepares nurse practitioners to apply the latest evidence-based science to improve clinical practice outcomes.

Why pursue a DNP?

Howett’s Nursing Curriculum Revision Work Published in the Journal of Professional Nursing

Maeve Howett, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, FAAN, is the associate dean for strategic initiatives in the School of Nursing.

By Sarah Goldthrite

Published August 1, 2024

Maeve Howett, associate dean for strategic initiatives at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, has been published in the  Journal of Professional Nursing . The article, "Innovating to Meet AACN Essentials in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program," showcases a comprehensive curriculum redesign aimed at enhancing nursing education.

Howett and co-authors Hannah Murphy, Amy Daniels, Jana Goodwin, Katie McElroy, Nicole Smith and Mary Pat Ulicny, all from the University of Maryland, detail their approach to revising the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum at the University of Maryland to align with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. This revision responds to the evolving needs of contemporary nursing education and aims to produce practice-ready nurses equipped with essential competencies.

“New standards for nursing education are transforming the way we educate nurses today and hopefully that translates to a transformation for the profession”, says Howett, who was a professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Nursing before joining UB in 2023. “Nurses need additional education in wellness, population health, telehealth, and disaster management, among other new competencies.”

Key Features of the Curriculum Redesign:

• Expanded Electives and Specialized Courses: Introduction of new elective choices and specialized courses on wellness, resiliency and palliative care.
• Enhanced Clinical Experience: Increase in clinical hours, including simulations and community/public health experiences, providing students with a broad range of practical experiences.
• Competency-Based Education: Development of a new Clinical Evaluation Tool to assess students' skills and competencies in various healthcare settings.
• Focus on Social Determinants of Health: Integration of content and strategies addressing social determinants of health and structural racism, preparing students to handle diverse and complex patient needs.

The faculty's collaborative effort involved extensive data collection, analysis of national standards and active engagement with stakeholders, including clinical partners and advisory boards.

The curriculum redesign process was guided by Patricia Benner’s theory of Novice to Expert and Tanner’s model of clinical judgment, ensuring a robust and progressive learning framework. The Curriculum Revision Task Force worked through an extensive timeline, employing backward design principles to ensure the revised program outcomes and course structures were meticulously aligned with the AACN Essentials.

The first cohort of students under the new curriculum began their studies in August 2022 and graduated in May 2024.

Media Contact Information

Sarah Goldthrite Director of Marketing, Communications & Alumni Engagement School of Nursing 105 Beck Hall (South Campus) Email: [email protected] Tel: 716-829-3209

Graduate Programs Information Sessions

Tanner Gelatt Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment 202 Beck Hall 716-829-3765 [email protected] Schedule a meeting with Tanner.

The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal access to its programs and activities. View UB's Notice of Discrimination here.

Nursing School in Nation’s Top 25 in Graduate School Rankings

• by Julia Ann Easley
• April 09, 2024

The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing tied for 24th place in the nation for master’s degree nursing programs in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent rankings of professional and graduate programs. 

The news outlet released updated rankings Monday, April 8, for four disciplines and 11 specialties in its 2024 edition of the Best Graduate Schools .

It is the fourth consecutive year that the UC Davis nursing school has been ranked in the top 25 in the nation for its master’s degree nursing programs.

On Monday before its scheduled publication of the rankings, U.S. News announced it would be delaying publication of its rankings for medical and engineering schools, as well as for clinical psychology programs.

After sharing its rankings with schools for their confidential review last week U.S. News said it was reviewing questions from some graduate schools concerning  the extent to which data from affiliated institutions were considered and which accrediting body was used as a source of reference for the clinical psychology programs.

Last year, an unprecedented number of inquiries from schools led the media company to first delay all rankings by a week and further delay release of medical and law school rankings.

Also among this year’s rankings, the School of Education tied for 42nd among the 255 schools that qualified.

The Graduate School of Management ’s Full-Time MBA continues to be ranked among the top programs in the nation with a tie for 57th. U.S. News surveyed more than 500 institutions with master’s-level business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The UC Davis Part-Time MBA, offered in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, was tied for 28th among the 269 that qualified.

Among specialties considered this year, public health was tied for 29th  among 213 ranked, and computer science was tied for 36th among 205 programs ranked.

About U.S News rankings

U.S. News ranks some disciplines annually and others periodically. Each set of rankings is based on different types of data, including expert opinions relating to a program’s academic excellence and statistical indicators that assess students and faculty achievements. The rankings are available on the  U.S. News and World Report website . Visit the  UC Davis rankings page  for highlights from earlier rankings, and see UC Davis’ stories about rankings since 2016 .

UC Davis and rankings

A world-class university, UC Davis is highly ranked for how it transforms students’ lives, the impact of its research, the excellence of its academic programs, its sustainability and more. The university performs self-evaluations and also appreciates the value of third-party assessments. However, ranking methods vary, change over time and can be subjective. UC Davis focuses on those rankings that most closely align with its mission and values — including serving the public good, inclusiveness and equity, and social mobility — and in national rankings looks most closely at its standing among public universities. UC Davis encourages prospective students and their families to weigh rankings among other factors in their college decision, talk with counselors and UC Davis admissions advisors, and, if possible, visit the campus.

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