PhD Admissions

Application Deadline

March 1
for fall admission

Program Eligibility

a. Post-BSN to PhD pathway

For this pathway, students complete accelerated coursework for the MSN – Nursing Leadership program in the first year and progress into the PhD program in the second year. This requires a two-step application process, in which an initial application is submitted to the MSN – Nursing Leadership program followed by an application to the PhD program submitted during the Spring semester of the first year.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited nursing program.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an accredited Bachelor of Science Nursing Program
The ability to demonstrate professional interests and future contributions to nursing science through the completion of three essays focused on your background, qualifications for the program, and research interests.
Proof of English language proficiency if your native language is not English.
Meeting the admission criteria for the Nursing Leadership MSN program.
In-person or virtual interview
The GRE is not required for admission to our PhD program
A previous statistics course in the past five years is desired but not required

For this pathway, applicants must submit: 1) an Interest Declaration Form AND 2) an application to the MSN – Nursing Leadership program.

Interest Declaration Form

Apply to the MSN – Nursing Leadership

b. For the Post-MS/DNP to PhD pathway

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and one of the following: DNP, Master of Science in Nursing, Masters in a related field
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale from all previous post-secondary academic programs
The ability to demonstrate professional interests and future contributions to nursing science through the completion of three essays focused on your background/qualifications, PhD program interest and goals, and research interests.
Proof of English language proficiency if your native language is not English.
Current RN license
In-person or virtual interview
The GRE is not required for admission to our program
A previous statistics course in the past five years is desired but not required

Apply to the Post-MS/DNP to
PhD in Nursing Program Here

Application Requirements

Completed online application
Non-refundable application fee
Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary academic programs and coursework
Completion of three essays
CV/resume
Three letters of reference, preferably two of which are from PhD-prepared individuals
Official TOEFL scores if English is not your native language
Proof of RN licensure

If you are an international student, learn more about your application process here.

Supporting Documents

Mail your official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Proctor Hall, Suite 308
65 Davidson Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
They can also be sent electronically (by the institution) to:
e-transcripts@gradadm.rutgers.edu

General Questions: grad_help@gradadm.rutgers.edu
or call (848) 932-7711

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