Potential Careers
- Academic/clinical faculty member
- Nurse researcher
- Academic administrator
- Nurse leader
- Nurse educator
Become a leader in the field as a nurse scientist that is prepared to advance the profession through scholarship, education, and research.
Doctorate
100% In Person or Online + 1 brief residency experience
48 (+ dissertation advisement)
4-5 years
In our nursing science PhD program, you’ll join a tradition of academic excellence that will prepare you to be a nurse scientist. Offered entirely online or in person, with only a brief residency on campus, the program empowers you to choose the learning format that best fits your needs.
For more than three decades, our renowned program has guided nurses to become scholars and leaders in nursing education and to go on to inform the nursing profession. Here, you’ll be engaged in nursing science and develop the skills to conduct research that advances theory and generates the evidence for nursing education and practice.
Led by our expert, full-time faculty, our program offers you the flexibility to meet the course requirements on a full- or part-time basis to support demanding careers and family responsibilities.
View the Loading... for information on coursework and curriculum requirements.
The PhD program offers full- and part-time options. Classes are offered in an evening format to meet the scheduling demands of working educators and practitioners.
Part-time students can progress at their own pace within the established seven-year time limit for degree completion for doctoral students.
Widener's post-doctoral certificate programs provide licensed nursing professionals with a DNP or a research-focused doctoral degree (PhD, DNS, etc.) a fantastic opportunity to enhance their credentials and advance their careers even further.
Average salary for a nurse with a PhD.
Our program emphasizes personal leadership development. Your student experience will be enriched with a specialized leadership course focused on the behaviors required as a leader and the necessary skills to overcome the challenges facing higher education and health care settings.
Thrive in a learning community that provides close mentorship and one-on-one support. Our full-time faculty members bring active clinical and academic research experience to the classroom. Widener provides the opportunity for you to build a professional network that supports you long after graduation.
Widener's Nursing PhD program offers flexibility with both in-person and online options. Students can mix and match formats, taking some classes online and others in person, to tailor their learning experience to their needs. During the second year of the program, a brief residency in which students can socialize and meet students and faculty in person is required.
"My experience at Widener University shaped me into a confident nurse educator. The dedicated faculty prepared me to deliver quality nursing education, and I am proud to carry forward the values and expertise I gained at Widener."
"Widener’s PhD program has provided me with exceptional mentorship, research opportunities, and practical teaching experience. Widener’s faculty have been essential in my academic and professional development."
"Widener transformed my nursing journey and enhanced my research skills and academic perspective. I published an article, collaborated with esteemed faculty, and presented at conferences—shaping my future and my passion for discovery and innovation."
"I’ve had one of the best experiences in education that I could have ever imagined."
1 of 13 schools nationwide to be recognized as a National Center of Nursing Excellence.
Only school nationwide to be named a Center of Excellence for advancing the science of nursing education.
Recognized for top-quality teaching and successful outcomes.
Our School of Nursing was ranked 7th in Pennsylvania among private colleges.
Our School of Nursing is proud to rank #28 out of more than 1,100 private institutions evaluated across the nation.
Source: Nursing Schools Almanac
I oversee the DNP program and teach in both the DNP and PhD programs. My teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing students' interests while guiding their growth in clinical and research excellence. My dual role as a health services researcher and nurse practitioner fuels my passion for exploring how nurses impact care delivery and outcomes, as well as the influence of practice and payment policies within healthcare organizations. I seamlessly integrate these insights into my teaching and mentoring, fostering a deep engagement with evidence-based practice and nursing science.
"I'm devoted to mentoring the next wave of nurse leaders, educators, and scholars. I empower students by continually examining and enhancing their learning methods, guided by the best available evidence. As a mother of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I understand the skills and experiences returning service members can bring to nursing education and found ways to incorporate this untapped leadership resource into my own teaching methods. I have published and presented widely on this topic, as well as research focused on gender diversity in nursing education, evidence-based teaching, and leadership in the field."
The School of Nursing secured $214,000 to address the shortage of nurse educators through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program.
Graduate students showcased the experience and knowledge gained from hands-on research projects during this year's virtual Graduate Student Research Symposium.
A mentoring relationship between a nursing faculty member and her doctoral student – now an alumna – developed into a professional collaboration that is producing applicable research to returning service members.
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Graduates of accredited BSN, MSN, or DNP programs are invited to apply for admission by submitting evidence of:
View the Loading... for full admissions information.
Widener transfer applicants follow the same application process as general applicants. After you apply, our admissions team will work with you to determine whether completed undergraduate and graduate coursework will count towards foundation/core courses that can be waived or substituted.
Up to 2 courses may transfer into a Widener graduate nursing program.
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
Learn more about applying as an international student
Learn more about life at Widener as an international student
English Proficiency Requirements for Nursing Students
International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
View English Proficiency Requirements
International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service.
The School of Nursing requires a passing score on the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Qualifying Examination. The CGFNS Qualifying Examination is a prerequisite for taking the Registered Nurse Licensing Examination in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Application materials are available from the CGFNS website.
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it.
You might be surprised how much we are able to offer.
Getting started is easy. Simply apply to Widener and submit your FAFSA to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources. Our school code is 003313.
In order to receive a financial aid offer, students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Here are the general eligibility requirements for most financial aid programs:
Learn more about applying for financial aid as a graduate student
Nursing PhD students who aim to become full-time nurse educators are eligible to apply for the nurse faculty loan program, made possible by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program is an exceptional way to make affording a graduate education within reach for nursing professionals who wish to become educators.
If accepted into the loan program, 85% of the monies borrowed over the course of the loan will be forgiven after 4 years of full-time academic nursing employment (or 2 half-time positions). Students are eligible to borrow up to $35,000 per academic year for up to 5 years. A small stipend may also be awarded to assist with the cost of books.
Students who participate in the program agree that they will secure a full-time (or two half-time) positions in academic nursing. Students may be eligible to take up to two years to find employment in your designated field.
How and When to Apply
If you have been admitted and choose to attend Widener University, you will receive information about the application program directly from the School of Nursing. Students apply to the program once a year.
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Tuition rates are subject to change. Official costs for your first year will be determined at time of enrollment.
To visit Widener is, often, to fall in love with the place. To fit your timeline and schedule, we offer a variety of ways to get to know us.
We offer a variety of virtual events to get to know Widener and meet with faculty and admissions staff.
Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!
Visit our online application system to complete your app and share supplemental materials. There is a $35 application fee to apply to Widener.
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013
Founders Hall
Room 326