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Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) in
Nursing

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Next ArrowFORMAT
Fully Online
Next ArrowTOTAL CREDITS 52
Next ArrowCREDENTIALS Ph.D. Degree
Next Arrow COST PER CREDIT $753.00
NEXT APPLICATION DATE:
February 15, 2025

About this Program


Earn your PhD from the UK College of Nursing, which is ranked among the top eight programs in the U.S. by the National Research Council. This doctoral program prepares students to conduct clinical research that generates new knowledge applicable to nursing practice.

Dive into the forefront of healthcare innovation with our online PhD program in Nursing, where your expertise in clinical research will shape the future of patient care! This program is crafted for passionate nursing professionals eager to advance their careers by mastering the intricacies of clinical research. Through a rigorous curriculum that blends cutting-edge research methods with real-world application, you’ll gain the skills to design groundbreaking studies, analyze critical data, and translate findings into transformative clinical practices. Engage with distinguished faculty, collaborate with fellow researchers, and make a profound impact on healthcare outcomes—all while enjoying the flexibility of an online format. Seize this opportunity to become a leader in clinical research and elevate your nursing career to new heights.

Designed For

This program is appropriate for registered nurses with significant clinical experience who aim to advance their careers in advanced clinical practice, leadership, research, or academia. It is also suitable for healthcare professionals interested in driving innovation, policy development, and improving healthcare outcomes through rigorous research and evidence-based practice in nursing.

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Doctorate Degree in Nursing

Offered by the College of Nursing

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What You’ll Learn


Graduates of the PhD program will be able to:

  • Establish a pattern of productive scholarship and participation in team science that results in the dissemination of scholarly work to lay and professional audiences.
  • Contribute to the development of science and the discipline of nursing through the ethical conduct of culturally competent, original clinical and translational research.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the evolving roles and professional responsibilities of a nurse scholar through participation in professional and interprofessional teams and organizations and the provision of professional and research leadership and mentorship.
  • Use different science perspectives and an in-depth knowledge of a substantive area to develop and apply a conceptual knowledge base that enhances the link between theoretical advances, research and practice to improve health outcomes.

Course Examples

  • NUR 770 Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Science
  • NUR 765 Research Design & Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research
  • NUR 771 Research Experience
  • NUR 763 Foundations of Science and Knowledge Development in Nursing
  • NUR 772 Dissemination of Scholarship and Scientific Findings
  • NUR 794 Analysis, Interpretation and Presentation of Quantitative Data
  • NUR 779 PhD Seminars-Becoming a Scientist; Roles for the Nurse Scientist and Career Planning

GOT QUESTIONS?

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How to Apply

Admissions Criteria

  •  Undergraduate grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 grading scale from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics. 
  •  A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an NLN- or CCNE-accredited program
  •  Licensure as a registered nurse in the state where research will take place. 
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.

Application Requirements

  • Three references attesting to the potential of the student for a scholarly career; at least one should be from a doctorally-prepared nurse (only email addresses required, the system will request the reference be submitted)
  • Example of scholarly written work that demonstrates excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly and logically; examples could include a publication or class paper.
  • Goal statement that addresses short- and long-term academic, research and career goals; a self-evaluation of motivation, initiative and the potential for independent learning with specific examples of each; and examples of leadership experiences where initiative and self-motivation were important to success.
  • Two faculty interviews arranged as part of the admission process.
  • Official transcripts
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Program Contact

Jean Edward
Program Director

Deadlines

Fall 2025

Application Due Date:
02/15/2025
Start Date:
08/25/2025

Spring 2025

Application Due Date:
10/15/2024
Start Date:
01/13/2025

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Why UK Online

Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success. 

No GRE Icon No test scores required.
Grad tuition cap Icon Save money by paying for only 9 standard credit hours per semester, even if you take more.
Flexible schedule Icon Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.

Tuition

For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.

The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.

Graduate students should review the Student Funding information available through the Graduate School. Specific programs may offer additional funding that is unique to that program. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the department in which you wish to enroll with questions about the availability of assistantships and the application process.

Online Learning

No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.

No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.

No, there is no on-campus requirement.

Students should consult with their licensure board to verify if this program will meet licensure requirements for the state in which they will practice. UK has assembled a database of licensure information for different states. However, the ultimate responsibility for verifying this information prior to enrollment lies with the student.

Ready to Take Your Next Step?

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Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure

Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.

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University of Kentucky has been approved to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

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