Nursing, Ph.D.
Expert Practitioners
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) degree prepares expert practitioners and nurse scientists who will conduct research and provide leadership in the healthcare delivery system. Graduates of the program will meet an increasing need for nurse educators and researchers in schools of nursing, health agencies, and complex healthcare delivery systems across the state and nation.
Students will gain advanced knowledge and skills in the science of nursing, with an emphasis on improving the health of rural and/or underserved population groups. Students will demonstrate a sound knowledge of research methods and techniques of data analysis. They will also earn analytical and leadership skills for dealing with social, ethical, cultural, economic, and political issues related to nursing, healthcare education, and research.
Focus Your Training
Students will take coursework in the philosophy of science, ethics, statistical procedures, research methods, nursing science, and selected in-depth study in a selected cognate area. The curriculum is designed to accommodate working professionals and is delivered in a blended online format with online coursework and required intensive sessions once each semester. These intensives may be completed on-campus or via Zoom.
Additional program details:
- Full- and part-time options available.
- All students take core courses in addition to selecting courses related to their focus.
- Focus your training: Rural Health or Nursing Education and Simulation.
Program information including the curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
Professional Licensure Information: ETSU offers programs that meet Tennessee’s professional licensure or certification requirements; however, these may not meet the requirements in other states or territories. Students who plan to work outside of Tennessee should review ETSU's professional licensure information for details on whether this program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in your state.
Expand Your Knowledge
Quality
Online classes with in-person, practical experiences.
Impact
Outstanding and relevant curriculum with a rural focus.
Guidance
Talented and dedicated faculty to mentor you.
Steps to Apply
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Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account
Step 1 Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option
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Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal
Step 2 Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"
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Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields
Step 3 Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Master's," term, then choose Nursing, Ph.D. and complete the remainder of the form.
Cost
Credits to complete this program: 60 credit hours
| TN Residents | *eRate | Out of State |
|---|---|---|
| $672 per credit hour | $835.50 per credit hour | $1,513 per credit hour |
| - The *eRate applies to students living out of state and taking all web-based courses. - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details. |
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"I am proud to be a Buccaneer Nurse because ETSU provides me with the education I need to have an impact on the lives of my patients and the health of my community. The Center for Nursing Research provides me with exciting opportunities to expand my knowledge and receive support and mentorship from incredible faculty within the College of Nursing. Projects involving the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic are especially relevant to our communities and I am excited to be a part of their solutions." Bridget Seelinger, Nursing Ph.D. Student
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why should a student pursue this program at ETSU?
The ETSU College of Nursing has been ranked:
- #11 in online education by Learn.org
- #16 among the “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Administration Programs”
- #75 among the “Best Online Master’s in Nursing” programs.
These rankings reveal ETSU College of Nursing’s commitment to innovation and excellence in addition to a commitment to their students. As the largest nursing program in the state of Tennessee, ETSU College of Nursing is also invested in the health of the rural Appalachian community, providing students unique experiences serving those afflicted by the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic; experiences that students can receive nowhere else due to the College of Nursing’s longstanding relationships with public health agencies and community partners.
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What accreditations apply to this program?
The BSN, MSN, DNP, ETSU-TTU Joint DNP, and all post-graduate APRN certificate programs at East Tennessee State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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What are the job prospects with this degree?
Doctoral-prepared nurses, both DNP and Ph.D., work to advance the nursing profession and improve the work that nurses do every day. DNP graduates are focused on translating research into practice while Ph.D. graduates are focused on nursing research and building the science of the discipline. Alumni have secured positions at universities and hospital systems across the nation.
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What are the application requirements?
Applicants to the Nursing, Ph.D., program can find the application requirements in the ETSU Graduate catalog.
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Does this program require the GRE?
The GRE is not required for admittance to this program.
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Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?
Coursework is delivered in an online asynchronous format. However, a 2-3 day intensive will be held at the beginning of each semester. These intensives may be completed in-person or via Zoom. Also, since nursing is a practice profession, there are clinical requirements.
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What is the time to completion?
Full-time students typically complete this program in 3 years.
Part-time students typically complete this program in 4 years.
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Is there a plan of study/course schedule available to review the full-time and part-time options?
All programs are designed to be completed for working adults and the completion timeline varies between students. Programs of study are outlined on the College of Nursing website.
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How many spaces are available for each cohort?
The Ph.D. program admits 5 to 7 students each Fall.
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Are scholarships available?
Please visit the Nursing Scholarships page for more details. Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.