Elevate Your Expertise: Embrace the Tradition of Trailblazing Nursing Research

Badge for Best Online Programs- Grad Nursing

Embark on a transformative journey with Catholic University's Ph.D. in Nursing, a pioneer since the 1960s. Our Conway School of Nursing, rooted in excellence, features renowned faculty and a legacy of competitive federal grants, highlighting our commitment to cutting-edge research.

Our research-intensive online program is designed for flexibility so you can craft a dissertation tailored to your passion, guided by dedicated faculty mentors, preparing you to lead in academia and clinical settings. With a focus on philosophy, statistics, qualitative and quantitative methods, bioethics, and health care policy, our curriculum shapes the next generation of nurse researchers. Elevate your role as a nurse scientist, contributing expertise and compassion to address critical healthcare needs. Join us to make a lasting impact on nursing science and patient care.

 

  • Admissions Requirement

    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.
  • Program Plan

    Year 1

    Fall

    Session I

    • NURS 916DSeminar in Nursing Scholarship [1cr]
    • NURS 671D Healthcare Biostatistics [3cr]
    Session II
    • NURS 903D Philosophy of Science [3cr]

    Spring 

    Session I

    • NURS 907D TheoryDevelopment [3cr]
    • NURS 805D Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Healthcare [3cr]
    Session II
    • NURS 805D Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Healthcare [3cr]

    Summer

    Session I 

    • NURS 908D Qualitative research [3cr]
    • NURS 909D Quantitative Research in Nursing [3cr]
    Session II
    • Cognate I [3cr]

    Year 2

    Fall

    Session I & II 

    •  NURS 923D Clinical Problems I: Theoretical Considerations [3cr]
    • NURS 806DMultivariate Statistics in Healthcare Research [3cr]

    Spring

    Session I 

    • NURS 924D Clinical Problems II: Design Considerations [3cr]
    Session II
    • NURS 924D Clinical Problems II: Design Considerations [3cr]
    • NURS 926D Health Policy [3cr]

    Summer 

    Session I 

    • NURS 802D/PHIL 505 Bioethics [3cr]
    • Cognate II [3cr]
    Session II
    • 922D Research practicum [3cr]

    Year 3 

    Fall 

    Session I 

    •  NURS 911D Advanced Qualitative Methods [3cr] OR NURS 910D Advanced Quantitative Methods [3cr]

    Session II 

    • NURS 911D Advanced Qualitative Methods [3cr] OR NURS 910D Advanced Quantitative Methods [3cr]

    Spring 

    Session I 

    •  NURS 930D Seminar in Research Proposals [3cr]
    • Cognate III

    Session II

    • NURS 930D Seminar in Research Proposals [3cr]
    • Comprehensive Examination

    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.

    + Dissertation guidance ongoing until completion.

    Sessions are 7-8 weeks in length. Some courses are conducted throughout two sessions.

     

  • DNP to PhD Program Plan

    Year 1

    Fall

    Session I

    • NURS 916D Seminar in Nursing Scholarship [1cr]
    • NURS 671D Healthcare Biostatistics [3cr]
    • NURS 907D Theory Development [3cr]
    • NURS 923D Clinical Problems I: Theoretical Considerations [3cr]

    Session II

    • NURS 903D Philosophy of Science [3cr]
    • NURS 923D Clinical Problems I: Theoretical Considerations [3cr]

    Spring 

    Session I

    • NURS 924D Clinical Problems II: Design Considerations [3cr]
    • NURS 805D Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Healthcare [3cr] 
    Session II
    • NURS 805D Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Healthcare [3cr]
    • Congate I [3cr]

    Summer

    Session I 

    • NURS 908D Qualitative research [3cr]
    • NURS 909D Quantitative Research in Nursing [3cr]
    • NURS 802D Bioethics [3cr]
    Session II
    • NURS 922D Practicum [3cr] 

    Year 2

    Fall

    Session I 

    • NURS 911D Adv Qualitative or NURS 910 Adv Quantitative [3cr]
    • NURS 806DMultivariate Statistics in Healthcare Research [3cr]

    Session II 

    • NURS 806DMultivariate Statistics in Healthcare Research [3cr]
    • NURS 926D Health Policy [3cr]

    Spring

    Session I 

    • NURS 930D Seminar in Research Proposals [3cr]
    • Cognate II [3cr]
    • Cognate III [3cr]
    Session II
    • NURS 930D Seminar in Research Proposals [3cr]
    • Comprehensive Exams

    Summer 

    Session I 

    • NURS 996D Dissertation Guidance [3cr]+
    Session II
    • NURS 996D Dissertation Guidance [3cr]+

     

     

    *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.

    + Dissertation guidance ongoing until completion.

    Sessions are 7-8 weeks in length. Some courses are conducted throughout two sessions.

     

Program Highlights

  • Personalized Guidance: Faculty commitment and personal guidance are the cornerstones of our Ph.D. program, ensuring a supportive journey throughout your time in our program.
  • Diverse Expertise: Our faculty, representing various nursing backgrounds, bring a wealth of clinical practice, research, education, and healthcare leadership experiences, fostering a rich learning environment.
  • Online Flexibility with Personal Touch:  Our online Ph.D. program offers flexibility without compromising personal interaction, featuring small classrooms, live sessions, and faculty support.
  • Innovative Program Design: The program's innovative structure enables swift completion of coursework, allowing students to promptly engage in meaningful dissertation research experiences.
  • Excellence in Research:  Faculty expertise and commitment to the pursuit of excellence in research are showcased through support of a range of dissertation topics advancing the nursing profession.
  • Faith-Based Nursing Practice: Grounded in Catholic values, our program emphasizes the spiritual nature of nursing practice, providing a purposeful foundation for Ph.D.-prepared graduates.