The application to our PhD program is on-line. Follow this link to find the application

MS-PhD Track Qualifications

Applicants to the traditional PhD (MS-PhD) track should have the following qualifications:

• Master's degree with a major in nursing. Individuals with a Master's degree in other fields will be considered.
• Recommended Graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Graduate Record Examination scores taken within 5 years are required. Recommended scores greater than 50th percentile on verbal and quantitative tests and greater than 4.0/6.0 on the analytic writing score.
• Extraordinary potential for a research career with a positive impact on health care.

BS-PhD Track Qualifications

Applicants to the BS-PhD track should have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (BSN, BS) from an accredited nursing program with a major in nursing.
• Recommended Undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• Graduate Record Examination examination scores taken within 5 years. Recommended greater than 50th percentile on verbal and quantitative tests and greater than 4.0/6.0 on the analytic writing score.
• Extraordinary potential for a research career with a positive impact on health care.

Admission Process

Completed applications for the Doctor of Philosophy program will be reviewed beginning December 1 for the following academic year. Admission to the doctoral program is limited and selective. Admission cannot be guaranteed for all individuals meeting criteria for admission.

Admission to the University of Utah is consistent with policy of the Graduate School. Students must be admitted to both the Graduate School of the university and the College of Nursing. Application to the University Graduate School should be completed preferably two (2) months prior to College of Nursing application deadlines.

Applicants to the College of Nursing graduate programs must submit documentation of the following:

• Completed University of Utah application to graduate school.
• Completed College of Nursing application form.
• Three professional references (instructions for on-line submission is on the College of Nursing Application)
• An original written statement of research goals and interests for doctoral study which evidence of a match with research expertise and interests of faculty mentor.
• Current copy of resume that documents experience and professional activities.
• Sample of professional writing (i.e., manuscript, report, or thesis, preferably published writing, but employment related writing can be submitted).
• Transcripts of credits verifying previous academic degrees. Transcripts must also verify completion of a statistics course.

Follow this link to find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the application process.

Click here for our Application Checklist

Post-Admission Requirements

A physical examination, documentation of current immunization (including hepatitis B vaccine series and second MMR booster), TB test, and proof of cardiopulmonary resuscitation/basic life support (CPR/BLS) certification are required after admission to the college and prior to enrollment in any course with a clinical component. Students will not be allowed to progress into any clinical activities without providing written documentation of current licensure as a Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Nurse in the state of Utah, appropriate immunization, current TB Test, and CPR/BLS certification.

International Applicants

In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants must:

• File an International Student Application for Admission obtained from the International Admissions Office, 250 Student Services Building, (801) 581-3091.
• If English is a second language, the applicant must submit evidence of:


• Completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a required score of 550 ( score of 600 is recommended) or the computerized version (TOEFLC) with a score of 213 or above.
• Completion of a standardized test of spoken English (PAS, TSE, or comparable test).


• Provide evidence of certification by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

Financial Aid

The College of Nursing has financial aid and scholarships available. Most scholarships require full time study (9 credits/semester). Additionally, fellowships that include tuition, health insurance benefit, and a stipend (salary) for TA/RA work for the first two years of full time study are available. We encourage applicants to inquire at the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Services if interested.

There is federal funding to support PhD education, including loans and fellowships. Some of the funding mechanisms are listed below. Application requires faculty sponsorship.

• The University of Utah has one of six PhD programs nationally eligible for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Graduate Partnership Program (GPP). Information on this program can be found at http://www.ninr.nih.gov/Training/
  TrainingOpportunitiesIntramural/GraduatepartnershipprogFile/.



• National Research Service Awards (NRSA) from NIH are another mechanism to support doctoral education as described at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/par-05-091.html

For More Information Contact:
phdprogram@nurs.utah.edu:
Program Administrator
Phone: 801-585-1671
or
Lauren Clark, RN, PhD, FAAN
Professor and PhD Program Director
Phone: 801-581-8576

Page updated: 08.22.2007

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