Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Overview
- For more than 30 years, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has prepared scholars and researchers who advance nursing science
- Students conduct research that provides a foundation for their careers
- Students are mentored by faculty from UMSON’s designated and developing centers of excellence
- Location on a health sciences center campus fosters unique opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and research
PhD Program Outcomes
Graduates from the PhD program will be prepared to:
- Design, conduct, analyze, and disseminate research findings to expand knowledge in nursing and related disciplines
- Initiate, facilitate, and participate in interdisciplinary research with nurses and scholars from related disciplines
- Assume leadership roles in academic and health care settings
Who Should Apply?
Ideal candidates for the PhD program are master’s prepared nurses who are interested in a research career focused on:
- Aging Populations
- Basic Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Health Systems Outcomes
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Oncology
- Palliative and End-of-Life Care
- Translation Science
- Translational Pain
Learn more about UMSON's Centers of Excellence.
Why Choose UMSON?
- Highly accomplished, diverse faculty with broad practice and research interests
- Ranked 21st among nursing programs receiving research funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health
- First PhD nursing program in Maryland
- Students carefully chosen to complement faculty mentors
- Full- and part-time programs available
- Scholarships and fellowships available
- Graduates hold key leadership positions in academia, research, and administration
- Location in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region allows unique research opportunities
Sample Plans of Study
Post-Master's Entry Option
This option allows students to focus on clinical practice, nursing education, nursing administration, and/or nursing-related policy. Students choose a research area based on their individual interests and career goals. They develop a depth of knowledge through required coursework and related clinical laboratory experience, selection of supporting electives, independent study, and dissertation research.
Post-Baccalaurate Entry Option
Students entering the doctoral program through the post-baccalaureate (BSN-PhD) program option complete a minimum of 93 graduate credits. Students earn a Master of Science degree upon completion of 31-72 credits, depending on the master’s specialty they choose. Students whose master’s specialty requires more than 30 credits may use up to 15 credits (over the 30 credits required for their master’s degree) as elective credits toward their requirement, with approval from the student’s advisor and the assistant dean for the PhD program. The program can be completed in four to five years of full-time study and involves fewer credits than if a master’s degree and PhD degree are completed separately.
The applicant must identify, apply, and be admitted to a master’s specialty at the time of application. A doctoral-level emphasis area is identified at the end of the first year of full-time study, at which time students are assessed to determine eligibility for proceeding with PhD study.
Learn more about the Master of Science degree program.
PHD/MBA
The University of Maryland School of Nursing and the Robert G. Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore offer a joint PhD and MBA program to students seeking advanced research-and practice-based study in the fields of nursing and business administration. The curriculum combines the elements of the PhD and MBA programs and can be completed in four years of full-time study. Students may apply to both programs concurrently or to the nursing program first and then apply to the MBA program later when it is appropriate to begin joint-degree coursework. Individuals must meet each school’s admission requirements.
In addition to course requirements, each student must pass the comprehensive and final oral examinations required of the PhD program. In accordance with the policies of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate School policy, students must be admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree within four years of matriculation and at least one year prior to graduation.
View a sample plan of study for the PhD/MBA program.
Admissions Requirements
Post Master's Admission Requirements
Applicants to the PhD program are required to have/provide:
- A master’s degree with a major in nursing from an accredited nursing program, a Master’s in Public Health, or an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 or a 4.0 scale for all previous coursework (baccalaureate, master’s, and any subsequent coursework)
- Statement of goals or objectives
- Professional vitae or current resume
- Evidence of personal and professional qualifications from three professionals familiar with applicant’s ability, work experience, contributions to nursing, and potential to succeed in the PhD program
- Verification of an active licensure for the practice of nursing in at least one state in the U.S. or in a foreign country
- Official scores on the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test must have been taken within five years of application date. Minimum score of 1,000 (verbal and quantitative combined)
BSN-PhD Admission Requirements
- Must be currently enrolled in UMSON’s master’s program
- Baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from a regionally-accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 or a 4.0 scale for all previous coursework
- Statement of goals or objectives
- Professional vitae or current resume
- Evidence of personal and professional qualifications from three professionals familiar with applicant’s ability, work experience, contributions to nursing, and potential to succeed in the PhD program
- Verification of an active licensure for the practice of nursing in at least one state in the U.S. or in a foreign country
- Official scores on the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test must have been taken within five years of application date. Minimum score of 1,000 (verbal and quantitative combined)
Apply Now
Applicants to the PhD program, must submit the following items to:
University of Maryland
Admissions and Enrollment Affairs
620 W. Lexington St., 5th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
- UM Graduate School application, including application fee
- Official transcripts for all prior undergraduate and graduate study
- Official scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
In addition, international applicants must submit:
- Official TOEFL or IELTS scores taken within two years of application date
- Official evaluation of all non-U.S. coursework
Submit the following items to:
University of Maryland School of Nursing
655 W. Lombard Street, Room 516
Baltimore, MD 21201-1579
- Professional vitae or current resume
- A typewritten statement of goals and objectives. This should be a concise (not to exceed three pages), well written essay addressing the applicant’s background and reasons for pursuing a PhD degree. The applicant’s motivation for pursuing graduate study in nursing, career goals, and specific research interests should also be addressed.
- Verification of current licensure for the practice of nursing in at least one state in the U.S. or in a foreign country.
- Three letters of recommendation from professionals who can assess the applicant’s professional abilities and/or academic potential for doctoral study. Recommendations should include at least one educator with a PhD degree under whose guidance the applicant has studied.
PDF recommendation form: http://www.graduate.umaryland.edu/documents/recommendation_form.pdf
Online recommendation form: http://cf.umaryland.edu/graduate/letter_of_recommendation
PhD Program Inquires
University of Maryland School of Nursing
PhD Program
655 W. Lombard Street, Room 516
Baltimore, MD 21201-1579
410-706-3147
Send an e-mail: NursePhD@son.umaryland.edu
