Ph.D. Nursing Programs in North Carolina

Ph.D. Nursing Programs in North Carolina

By EveryNurse Staff on January 18, 2023

The PhD is the terminal degree for nurses with an interest in intellectual pursuits that involve nursing science. The nursing industry is undergoing phenomenal growth and this is impossible without change. Graduates of these programs are responsible for the discovery and translation of scientific evidence that will improve all health care outcomes; including systems analysis, health policy revision, curriculum adaptation, population health dynamics, advanced practice knowledge, pharmaceutical development and the control, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. The aim is to ensure that all peoples have access to the best quality advanced patient care available and these leaders work tirelessly to ensure that they will receive it. Such expertise is in huge demand and there are no shortages of opportunities available to those with these qualifications. The research has been done and these are the schools offering PhD programs in North Carolina.

North Carolina Schools With Ph.D. Nursing Programs

  • A CCNE accredited PhD program is available through the School of Nursing at Duke University. The goal of the program is to prepare scholars for leadership roles in interdisciplinary research initiatives, with an emphasis on the connection between acute illnesses and care facilities. This is a full-time program that is attended on campus. Advanced specialty nurses will take five years to complete the necessary requirements. Please do not hesitate to enquire about their deadline dates through the school directly.
  • East Carolina University has a PhD program on offer at their College of Nursing. Nursing scholars and researchers are prepared to discover, initiate and develop the science of advanced practice, administration, health policy and education. Options for part-time and full-time study are available and classes are attended in a traditional classroom setting. Part-time students will complete the program in four years, while those studying full-time will obtain their degree in three years. It will take students without an advanced practice degree longer to graduate from the program. March 1st is the final deadline for MSN graduates enrolling into the annual Fall start. Those entering at the BSN level should submit their applications at the earliest convenience as they are reviewed as they are received.
  • The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and their School of Nursing offer a flexible PhD program. Those with an interest in nursing science are prepared for careers as nursing scholars. While campus attendance forms the main part of the curriculum format, online technology is used to deliver much of the coursework as well. Students are able to study according to a prearranged schedule. This is a four-year program for full-time students. The length for part-time students will be determined by their study plan. Deadline dates for applications change yearly. Please obtain this information from the school itself.
  • The PhD program at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro is available through their School of Nursing. The focus is on increasing the number of qualified nurse scientists who will use methods of inquiry to lead the advancement of all academic and healthcare initiatives, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations. While some courses are offered online, onsite attendance is compulsory and classes meet on Fridays. Study plans include six-hour or nine-hour options. There is a seven-year time limit for students to complete all the degree requirements. A minimum of fifty-seven semester credits must be accrued and this takes the average student three or four years to achieve. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but the final deadline date is July 1st every year.

North Carolina Ph.D. Nurse Checklist

Before applying to these programs, we recommend contacting each school individually. It is of paramount importance that you understand their requirements in full prior to sending in applications. Limited space is available and only a select few are admitted each year. Know the deadline dates and be prompt with your application materials. Ensure that you have all the necessary prerequisites and are able to prove it. Graduate-level qualifications are compulsory and the MSN must be complete if you are to be considered. This also applies to those in bridge programs, who have an advantage for doctoral admission if they have achieved the required scores. These are the requirements that you will need when applying to a Ph.D. program in North Carolina:

  • Highlight your academic history, professional pursuits and voluntary experiences in your latest Curriculum Vitae.
  • Your creative writing skills must be evidenced through examples or scholarly papers.
  • A personal interview is compulsory when requested by the school. Do not set appointments afterward that will force you to leave early and do not be late.
  • An essay will need to be well written on your reasons for requiring the doctorate. Special emphasis should be placed on your career goals and the necessity of these qualifications in achieving them.
  • The BSN and MSN degrees must have been completed in their entirety. Prove that they were obtained through nationally accredited programs.
  • Certain core courses in statistics, research and nursing theory are imperative and must have been completed in the last five years with at least a C grade.
  • Evidence must be provided proving the total number of clinical hours that you have accumulated during your Advanced Nursing career and graduate studies.
  • Certain vaccinations must be proven and the results of your latest medical checkup included. Be aware that your criminal history will be investigated and a background check performed.
  • The minimum accepted overall Grade Point Average accumulated must be no less than 3.5, or 3.0 for some schools. This is on a scale of 4.0.
  • Three reference letters will need to be professionally sourced. They will attest to your ability to be a successful doctorate student and should be from authorities such as supervisors, employers and doctors, nursing colleagues or previous academic advisors.
  • Licensure as a registered Advanced Specialty Nurse is compulsory and must enable unhindered practice throughout North Carolina.
  • Official transcripts must be requested from each post-secondary school where the academic study was pursued.

Additional North Carolina Program Rankings

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