To apply to the online Ph.D. in nursing program, you must meet the following requirements and submit the following items using The Catholic University of America’s online Graduate Application.

To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. in nursing program, you must hold baccalaureate and master's degrees in nursing from an accredited institution with a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Graduates of international programs not accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE must have transcripts evaluated and comparability to an American degrees established.

To apply, submit:

1. A completed graduate nursing application.
2. Curriculum vitae or resume.
3. Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate study that provide evidence of academic ability to complete the program and do original research. A GPA of 3.2 or higher is desired.
4. Three letters of reference (at least one from a former dean, former faculty member or academic adviser and at least one from a current or former supervisor preferably in a clinical practice/research/academic setting).
5. A written statement of career goals and proposed area of research.
6. A copy of a recent scholarly paper, research report or publication related to clinical nursing
7. International applicants should attach copies of all grade reports, certificates, and transcripts at the time of application in both the original language and in English translation. English proficiency and proof of funding documents must be presented to the Office of Graduate Admissions either by postal mail or in person. These documents will not be accepted through the online application.
8. $60 non-refundable application fee
9. International students must meet all University requirements, including TOEFL scores to be considered.

  To verify you are an eligible candidate, please refer to the PhD Program Admissions Requirements page. 

• NURS 903D Philosophy of Science [3cr]

Spring 

• NURS 805D Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Healthcare [3cr]

Summer

Session I 

• Cognate I [3cr]

Year 2

Fall

Session I & II 

Spring

Session I 

Year 3 

Fall 

Session I 

Spring 

Session I 

Summer 

• NURS 996D Dissertation guidance +

Year 4

Fall 

• NURS 996D Dissertation guidance +

Spring 

• NURS 996D Dissertation guidance +

*All plans are for example only. Individual plans are worked out with one’s Academic Advisor. Some students may finish programs in shorter periods than illustrated in the samples. Availability and personal preference for summer courses and the number of credits taken each semester will affect program length.

Spring 

Summer

Session I 

• NURS 922D Practicum [3cr] 

Year 2

Fall

Session I 

Spring

Session I 

*All plans are for example only. Individual plans are worked out with one’s Academic Advisor. Some students may finish programs in shorter periods than illustrated in the samples. Availability, personal preference for summer courses, and the number of credits taken each semester will affect program length.

Year 1

Fall

• Session I
  • NURS 916D Seminar in Nursing Scholarship
  • NURS 671D Healthcare Biostatistics
• Session II
  • NURS 709D Nursing Research and Theoretical Foundations
  • NURS 603D QI Safety
  • NURS 903D Philosophy of Science in Healthcare

Spring

• Session I
  • NURS 907D Theory Development in Nursing
  • NURS 805D Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Healthcare
  • NURS 700 Advanced Population Health and Health Promotion
• Session II
  • NURS 805D Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Healthcare

Year 2

Fall

• Session I & II
  • NURS 923D Clinical Problems I: Theoretical Considerations
  • NURS 806D Multivariate Statistics in Healthcare Research

Spring

• Session I
  • NURS 924D Clinical Problems II: Design Considerations
  • Cognate I
• Session II
  • NURS 924D Clinical Problems II: Design Considerations

Summer

• Session I & II
  • NURS 908D Qualitative Research
  • NURS 909D Quantitative Research in Nursing
• Session I
  • NURS 802D Bioethics
  • NURS 877D Informatics
• Session II
  • NURS 922D Research Practicum

Year 3

Fall

• Session I
  • NURS 911D Advanced Qualitative Methods OR NURS 910D Advanced Quantitative Methods
  • NURS 926D Healthcare Policy
• Session II
  • NURS 911D Advanced Qualitative Methods OR NURS 910D Advanced Quantitative Methods

Spring

• Session I
  • NURS 930D Seminar in Research Proposals
  • Cognate III
• Session II
  • NURS 930D Seminar in Research Proposals
  • Comprehensive Examination

Year 4

Summer

• NURS 996D Dissertation Guidance