Potential Careers
- Academic/clinical faculty member
- Nurse researcher
- Academic administrator
- Nurse leader
- Nurse educator
Graduate Studies
PhD in Nursing Science
Become a leader in the field as a nurse scientist that is prepared to advance the profession through scholarship, education, and research.
At a Glance
Click to OpenOffered as
Doctorate
Format
100% In Person or Online + 1 brief residency experience
Credits
48 (+ dissertation advisement)
Avg. Time to Completion
4-5 years
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Nursing Science PhD Program
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.
Nursing PhD Program Information
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.
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Nurses with Doctorate Degrees
Why Study Advanced Nursing at Widener?
Leadership Development
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.
Faculty Mentorship
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.
100% Online or In Person
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.
Student Stories
Nursing Science Doctoral Degree Program Highlights
Our Faculty
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."
Recent News
Nursing Awarded $214,000 to Support Nurse Educators
The School of Nursing secured $214,000 to address the shortage of nurse educators through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program.
A Spotlight on Graduate Research at Virtual Symposium
Graduate students showcased the experience and knowledge gained from hands-on research projects during this year's virtual Graduate Student Research Symposium.
Joining Forces to Reach New Findings
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.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
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:
- A completed online application.
- Transcripts from previously attended higher education institutions.
- A minimum of 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the highest degree obtained.
- A graduate statistics course with a grade of at least B (3.0) is recommended.
- A graduate course in nursing theories and conceptual models with a grade of at least B (3.0) is recommended.
- Two references—one from an educator and one from an employer with a graduate degree. One of these must have a research doctoral degree.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Statement explaining goals for doctoral work in nursing with emphasis on proposed area of specialization.
- Interview with a School of Nursing faculty member (this is arranged after a preliminary review of application materials).
- 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.
View the Loading... for full admissions information.
- August 15—for matriculation in the fall semester
- December 15—for matriculation in the spring semester
- April 15—for matriculation in summer sessions
Financial Aid
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.
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
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.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
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.
Widener Scholarships
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.
Graduate Assistantships
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.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
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.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
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%.
Program Cost
Graduate Admissions Office
-
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Barbara J. Patterson
Interim Dean, School of Nursing
-
Founders Hall
Room 326 - (610) 499-4222
- bjpatterson@widener.edu