Ph.D. Nursing Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing prepares students for careers as clinical nurse scientists and faculty. Admission into the program is only offered once a year, with an application deadline of April 1st for students to begin classes in Fall. Admission can occur at the Post-BSN or Post-MSN levels. The Ph.D. program is rooted in foundations of theory and research with the expectation of students to become teachers and disseminators of knowledge in the field of Nursing.

Students may enter the Ph.D. program post baccalaureate degree in nursing or post master’s degree in nursing.

Full Time/Part-Time Options

Full-time and part-time study options are available. Part-time study for doctoral students is defined as six semester credit hours or two courses in the Fall and Spring semesters and one course in the Summer semester. Full-time study for doctoral students is defined as nine semester credit hours or three courses in the Fall and Spring semesters and two courses in the Summer semester.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements and Graduation

Students complete a minimum of 81 semester credit hours (which includes previous graduate course work) in three to six years.

Courses and Plan of Study

See a sample plan of study and course information. 

Additional Information

The Ph.D. in Nursing program is offered by UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing (SON). The Ph.D. degree is awarded by UT Health San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.