The goal of the PhD Program is to prepare students to conduct clinical research that generates new knowledge applicable to nursing practice. A foundation of research and scholarship gained at the bachelor’s, master's, or DNP level is further enhanced at the PhD level. Our students are prepared to assume roles in a variety of research settings, from private industry and hospitals to top research-intensive nursing schools affiliated with major academic health centers. 

The PhD program has a hybrid delivery model.  Applicants to the program have the option to participate either in-person on campus (traditional format) or remotely via zoom (on-line format). Individuals select one format upon admission, but they are free to change formats each semester.  Students enrolled in the on-line format will participate in synchronous course offerings via zoom with the in-person students.

You can work with faculty who have a wide variety of research interests.  Invaluable mentoring by faculty members and collegial interactions among doctoral students support the development of nurse researchers. Click each researchers' name at the bottom of this page for a video from them about their research program.  Doctoral students have the opportunity to participate in faculty members' research programs, such as psychosocial and biobehavioral interventions for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, promoting self-management of chronic illnesses, mental health, rural health, genomics, peri-operative nursing, substance abuse, health services research, tobacco policy and smoking cessation, occupational health and safety, health disparities, health risks in pregnant women, and more.