Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

1. Master in-depth knowledge in a substantive area of study.
2. Ethically conduct original research to advance nursing knowledge and practice. 
3. Demonstrate distinguished expertise in scholarly writing and intellectual critique.
4. Demonstrate leadership in academic nursing through research, education, and professional practice.
5. Demonstrate the ability to influence policy by integrating nursing knowledge within social, cultural, political, and economic contexts.
6. Contribute to a global community of scholars through continued professional development and scholarly dissemination.

The 54-credit curriculum is designed for master’s-prepared nurses who aspire to research and academic roles within healthcare and educational settings. It will build on the foundation of research and scholarship gained at the master’s level.

The full-time, cohort-based program, offered on-site (one day/week) with web-enhanced technologies, contains three phases: coursework, proposal development, and dissertation.

Coursework and proposal development will take two and one-half years to complete, with an additional minimum of one year for dissertation completion. The PhD candidate will select an area of research congruent with interdisciplinary faculty expertise.

The SBU-intensive research environment provides opportunities for mentorship by faculty within and outside the SON. Our Office of Nursing Research assists faculty and doctoral students in meeting research goals by providing administrative support, grant preparation support and management, statistical consultation, and dissemination of research findings through poster/podium presentation and manuscript preparation.

• Applicants must hold a Master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program or its international equivalent. Students with a master's degree in a related discipline (e.g., MPH) and a Bachelor’s in Nursing may also be considered.
• A current unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse.
• One official copy of any transcript from any undergraduate college or university attended, from which a degree was conferred. Applicants must submit one official copy of any transcript relating to any graduate-level work undertaken, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned. Note: Educational systems that cannot be compared to the United States must be evaluated by a U.S. credentials evaluation service before admission can be finalized.
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Three letters of recommendation attesting to your academic ability.
• Curriculum vitae including education and employment history, honors and awards, publications, and grantsmanship. Must demonstrate a progressive record of professional development in nursing.
• A personal interview with PhD program faculty.

Admissions FAQ

• An exemplar of scholarly writing (e.g., an individually authored paper from your master's program work-related project or a professional publication).
• A statement of professional goals and research interests, including reference to Stony Brook University School of Nursing PhD faculty whose current research is aligned with your areas of interest and expertise.
• Documented proficiency in English for international students (see the English Proficiency Requirements for Non-Native Speakers of English in the Graduate Bulletin).
• International Applicants: Each person planning to study in the United States is required to have the appropriate immigration status. The immigration documents for F-1 and J-1 student status are issued by the Visa and Immigration Services at Stony Brook University based on receipt of required supporting documentation, including evidence of admission, English language proficiency, and proof of financial support for the program of study (see the International Students section in the Graduate Bulletin).

These admission requirements constitute the minimum expectations for applicants. Applicants should be aware that students selected for admission generally exceed these requirements.