Doctor of 
Philosophy (PhD)

Learn from the BEST, Become Your BEST

What Sets Us Apart

The College of Nursing’s PhD in Nursing program is designed for nurses who want to advance health care through science, research, and leadership. Unlike clinical-focused degrees, our PhD prepares you to create new knowledge, influence health policy, and educate future nurses. With flexible options such as the BSN to PhD, MS to PhD, DNP/PhD dual degree, or post-DNP PhD, you can choose a personalized path that fits your career goals and aspirations.

Our program offers the flexibility of online learning, with an annual in-person Resident Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) week. This format enables you to balance your studies with your career while providing meaningful face-to-face opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow with faculty and peers during RISE.

Standard of Excellence

As a highly regarded nursing school nationwide, we provide an education that combines academic rigor with innovation. Here, you’ll gain:

• Extensive knowledge in evidence-based research and scientific inquiry
• Experience with both traditional and emerging research methods
• Mentored opportunities for teaching and publishing
• Strong statistical education and interdisciplinary teamwork

Our faculty are nationally recognized researchers in fields such as aging, women’s health, and cancer, offering you unmatched mentorship and access to groundbreaking scholarship.

Where Learning Becomes Real Impact

This program isn’t just about earning a credential; it’s about promoting equitable care for diverse populations. As a PhD-prepared nurse, you’ll be prepared to:

• Nurse-led care models to enhance health outcomes
• Conduct and publish impactful research
• Secure grants and lead studies
• Influence health policy

From academia to research institutions, government, or industry, our graduates take on leadership roles that influence the future of nursing practice and health care delivery.

Leaders in the Field

At the U of A College of Nursing, you’ll learn directly from faculty who are leaders in the field and dedicated to your success. Their mentorship extends beyond coursework, connecting you with opportunities for research, teaching, publication, and collaboration with scholars across the university. You can also expand your expertise by earning the AI Ready Healthcare Empowerment (CARE) Certificate, a graduate certificate that prepares you to integrate artificial intelligence into research, innovation, and healthcare.

Through these relationships, you’ll build the confidence and expertise to start your own independent research program after graduation, prepared to make a lasting impact in nursing science and health equity.

More Than a Degree, Nursing’s a Calling

Earning your PhD in Nursing is more than just advancing your career; it’s about fulfilling your calling as a scholar, educator, and advocate. You will not only shape the future of nursing education and research but also help eliminate barriers to health care.

With support like the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), which provides up to 85% loan forgiveness for PhD graduates who teach full-time for four years at an accredited nursing school, your path to making an impact is both achievable and sustainable.

Our graduates are innovators, changemakers, and thought leaders. Join them, and lead the future of nursing with purpose, passion, and a dedication to improving health for everyone.