About PhD Program,
Preparing students for careers as scholars, nurse scientists, and academics ready to contribute to nursing science, knowledge, theory, and practice through systematic inquiry.
PhD in nursing students will, by graduation, demonstrate advanced knowledge of nursing, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry, expand the research base of nursing theory and practice, and work with others to serve the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world by addressing major nursing and healthcare issues through research and in a scholarly manner. Every year, UVA’s PhD nursing students earn grants to support their doctoral studies, and many publish and present around Virginia, the U.S., and internationally.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
All international transcripts need to be evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. This will provide a report about the education system of the host country and ‘translate’ the grading system to the 4.0 American-style GPA.
The minimum internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score requirement is 90 (including sectional minimums of 22 in speaking, 22 in writing, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening). The minimum paper-based TOEFL score requirement is 600. Applicants may submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as an alternative to the TOEFL exam. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 7.0 in each section. In any case, the date of the reported test must fall within two years of the application deadline. Admissions committees will consider applications with scores that do not meet the minimum requirements.
PhD Funding Coverage,
All students admitted to the PhD program are eligible for four years of scholarship to cover tuition, insurance, and fees, in exchange for serving as a graduate teaching assistant for 10 hours per week.
The School also offers financial support programs to students considering full-time faculty positions through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program and the Virginia Nurse Faculty Loan. Through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, an arm of the federal government, doctoral students may borrow funds for their academic expenses (tuition and books). If they become a full-time faculty member at any accredited institution, up to 85% of the loan (principal and interest) is forgiven.
Doctoral students enrolled in UVA’s PhD or DNP programs who are planning on teaching full-time in Virginia can apply to the Virginia Nurse Faculty Loan program. Students may be eligible to borrow up to $25,000 per year during the coursework phase of their programs. This loans is eligible for cancelation if graduates go on to teach full-time at any public or private nursing education program in Virginia for four years.
Application Requirement,
Submit a completed application to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (not the School of Nursing) and pay an $85 application fee
Have at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program and a minimum “B” average
Submit transcripts for all post-secondary work
Submit three letters of reference that speak to the applicant’s ability to pursue doctoral studies (two must be from doctorally-prepared nurse educators and one may be from a current or recent employer)
Submit a CV reflecting professional achievements and productivity
Submit an essay (1,000 words or fewer) describing the applicant’s educational, research, and professional goals, including a specific description of the planned focus of study and a researchable topic for development
Have completed a recent course in statistics (with software applications) and a statistics prerequisite (one option is to complete courses 1 to 3 of this series and submit a certificate of completion)
Be available for an interview with one or more faculty members (conducted in Charlottesville or via Zoom as needed)
International applicants have additional requirements
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is no longer required to apply to the PhD program but applicants may provide scores if they choose (UVA’s institutional code is R-5820)
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
Submit a completed application to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (not the School of Nursing) and pay an $85 application fee
