Best Part-Time PhD in Nursing Programs, Ranked for 2026
The dataset contains 87 part-time PhD in nursing programs with an explicit part-time option.
The 50 campus and hybrid programs keep their campus-model scores;
the 37 online programs keep their online-model scores. The two lists
restart at number one because their scores answer different questions.
Last updated
Part-time programs
87
Campus or hybrid
50
Online
37
BSN entry routes
66
How to Read Part-Time PhD in Nursing Programs
Part-time is an enrollment option, not a promise that every semester is light. Nursing research
doctorates still include methods, theory, qualifying milestones, faculty mentoring, and a
dissertation. The useful question is whether the university publishes a sequence that fits your
work schedule and keeps required courses available when you need them.
Start with delivery. A hybrid program can work well for a nurse who lives within driving distance,
while an online program may be the practical choice for someone who cannot relocate. Then ask about
synchronous classes and residencies. A fixed seminar during a clinical shift creates a harder conflict
than an asynchronous course, even when both appear under the same online label.
Finally, put the dissertation on the calendar. Course loads can be planned term by term, but research
moves at the pace of approvals, recruitment, analysis, writing, and committee review. Ask current
part-time students how the program handles those stages and what support continues after coursework.
How We Ranked Part-Time PhD in Nursing Programs
Eligibility is binary: the program record must explicitly mark part-time study as available. After
that filter, each program keeps the score already calculated for its delivery group. Campus and hybrid
programs use the campus model, which emphasizes research environment, student funding, doctoral output,
structure, time, and access. Online programs use the online model, which emphasizes delivery burden,
cost, flexibility, research context, structure, and time.
We preserve those models because a working nurse comparing online programs needs different information
from a student choosing a funded research campus. We reset ranks inside each section and never merge the
scores. Read the full weights and source rules on the ranking methodology page.
Campus model
50 Campus and Hybrid Part-Time PhD in Nursing Programs
This section contains 24 on-campus and 26 hybrid options. Rank one is the
highest campus-model score among programs that explicitly allow part-time enrollment.
Campus and hybrid part-time PhD in nursing programs
UW School of Nursing's own PhD page describes the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science requiring a minimum of 96 quarter credits, general examinations and a dissertation defense.
Research areas. Symptom science, Laboratory sciences, Health promotion and disease management across the lifespan, Policy analysis and advancement of cost-effective health care systems, Health equity, Innovative methodologies.
Penn Nursing's 'Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)' page describes a four-year in-person research doctorate with an original dissertation and four years of funding for full-time students.
Program facts for University of Pennsylvania
Nursing school
Penn Nursing (University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing)
Florence S. Downs PhD Program in Nursing Research and Theory Development
New York, NY · On campus · Private nonprofit
Part-time study
BSN-to-PhD
No GRE
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing's Florence S. Downs PhD Program in Nursing Research and Theory Development page details a 46-credit (post-MS) / 72-credit (post-BS) research doctorate with preliminary exam, proposal defense and dissertation.
Research areas. Aging and Serious Illness, Health Services Research, Maternal, Reproductive, and Child Health, Population Precision Health and Chronic Conditions.
The IU School of Nursing's 'PhD in Nursing Science' page and the IU Indianapolis bulletin curriculum together describe a 90-credit research doctorate with a 16-credit dissertation.
Research areas. Clinical Nursing Science, Health Systems, Behavioral oncology across the cancer continuum, Family caregiving across the lifespan, Nursing informatics, Health policy and public policy analysis.
The Ohio State College of Nursing's 'PhD in Nursing' page states the delivery format is "On campus only," 60-81 credit hours over 3-5 years, with candidacy examination and dissertation, explicitly contrasted with the DNP.
Research areas. Center for Healthy Aging, Self-Management and Complex Care, Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children and Youth, Translational Biosciences Laboratory, Stress Science Laboratory.
University of Utah College of Nursing's PhD page describes a 69-credit Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing delivered by hybrid distance technologies with required campus immersions and a dissertation.
The UC College of Nursing PhD page describes a research doctorate with two years of coursework, a candidacy portfolio and a dissertation, listed separately from the college's DNP.
University of Rochester School of Nursing's own program page presents the PhD in Nursing & Health Science with post-BS and post-MS pathways, a tuition waiver plus stipend, and a dissertation defense.
Research areas. Sexual Health & HIV, Oncology & Palliative Care, Healthy Aging, Cardiac Care, Parent-Child & Adolescent Health.
The UIC College of Nursing PhD page and its program-requirements page describe a 96-semester-hour research doctorate including 24 hours of NURS 599 PhD Thesis Research, separate from the college's DNP.
The University of Maryland School of Nursing's own PhD page describes a 60-credit research doctorate initiated in 1979 as 'the 16th doctoral nursing program in the nation', with dissertation credits and a Dec. 1 deadline.
Research areas. Aging Populations, Cardiovascular Health, Health Systems Outcomes, Implementation Science, Pain and Symptom Science, Palliative and End-of-Life Care.
Program facts for University of Maryland, Baltimore
The UAB School of Nursing 'Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)' page gives full-time and part-time programs of study totalling a minimum of 87 credit hours, a qualifying exam, comprehensive exam and dissertation research, plus its own PhD tuition rates.
Research areas. Clinical Trials and Precision Health, Emerging Technology, Health Science, Implementation Science, Social Determinants of Health.
The UT Knoxville College of Nursing's own 'Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)' page describes BSN-PhD, MSN-PhD and DNP-PhD pathways with a three-manuscript dissertation, and the BSN-PhD page gives an 83-credit four-year plan.
Research areas. technology, symptom science, caregiving, translation science.
The UT Austin School of Nursing's own PhD page states 'Program Delivery: On-campus', a four-year full-time length, a November 1 deadline and PhD fellowship amounts.
The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing PhD page states "The PhD in nursing is a research doctorate" and the school's PhD program-requirements page specifies a minimum of 57 semester hours plus dissertation research.
Research areas. Symptom Science, Family/Community Care, Aging Across the Lifespan, Self-Management of Health and Illness, Neuroscience.
Villanova's Fitzpatrick College of Nursing PhD page describes a 46-credit "PHD IN NURSING" following a teacher-scholar model that trains "PhD-prepared nurses to become academic educators and nurse scientists"; the GRE is required only for BSN-to-PhD entrants and waived for master's-prepared applicants.
Research areas. nursing education science, clinically based research.
The Washington University bulletin page "PhD in Nursing Science" sets out a 62-unit research doctorate with four core areas, a required minor/cognate and a dissertation, run by the Department of Nursing Science in the School of Medicine in collaboration with Goldfarb School of Nursing.
Research areas. sleep health and metabolic disease, nurse well-being and moral resilience, veterans' health and loneliness, pain management in palliative care, global health, clinical informatics and health technology.
Program facts for WashU
Nursing school
Department of Nursing Science, WashU School of Medicine (in collaboration with Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College)
Cizik School of Nursing's PhD program page describes a research-focused Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with BSN, master's and DNP entry points, and the school's DNP-to-PhD announcement gives the 66-hour curriculum and hybrid class schedule.
URI College of Nursing's Doctor of Philosophy page describes a Ph.D. in nursing with 49 credits beyond the M.S., comprehensive exams and dissertation research.
Research areas. Health equity and disparities, Health promotion, Infants and families, Adolescent and emerging adult health and risk behaviors, Telehealth, Implementation science.
UMass Lowell's own doctoral page describes a 'Ph.D. in Nursing' of 48 credits beyond the master's including 12 dissertation credits, plus BSN-to-PhD pathways.
Research areas. health promotion, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences.
Program facts for University of Massachusetts-Lowell
The UTHSC College of Nursing's PhD page lays out the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science curriculum (72 post-BSN credits), candidacy exam and dissertation, and distinguishes it from the college's DNP.
Research areas. bio-behavioral interactions and interventions, improving patient outcomes.
The MSU College of Nursing's graduate section carries a dedicated PhD in Nursing page listing a 66-credit doctoral curriculum, three research focus areas and NUR 999 Nursing Dissertation, separate from its post-master's DNP.
Research areas. Health Promotion and Illness Prevention, Symptom Science and Management, Health Services Research.
Rutgers School of Nursing's own PhD in Nursing page (nursing.rutgers.edu) describes a research doctorate that 'prepares nurse scholars to advance the science of nursing through innovative research'; the school serves Rutgers' Newark and New Brunswick campuses and the degree is conferred through the Graduate School-Newark.
UW-Madison School of Nursing's PhD page and the university Guide entry for Nursing, PhD describe a 58-credit, in-person research doctorate with a dissertation and a December 1 deadline.
Research areas. Aging & Care for Older Adults, Health Systems & Public Health, Children, Families & Reproductive Health, Mental Health & Substance Use, Health Equity, Symptom Science & Palliative Care.
UNMC Graduate Studies hosts a 'PhD in Nursing' page describing a research-focused doctorate, and the UNMC catalog lists BSN-to-PhD and master's-to-PhD plans of study with required dissertation credits.
Research areas. Cardiovascular health, Symptom science, Cancer survivorship, Social determinants of health, Health systems and quality, Nursing education.
UWM's own PhD in Nursing page describes a research-intense on-campus doctoral program with 3-year, 4-year and part-time 5-year plans of study ending in dissertator credits.
Program facts for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing's own 'PhD in Nursing' page describes a research doctorate completed in 4-5 years with a HyFlex delivery option and annual on-campus immersions.
Research areas. Health Promotion among Vulnerable Populations, Prevention and Management of Chronic Health Conditions, Symptom Management, Health/Nursing Informatics and Systems Improvement.
SLU's own program page for 'Nursing, Ph.D.' states the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing's Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing 'prepares nurses as scholars and beginning nurse scientists', with full 46-credit and 63-credit course lists and a dissertation requirement.
Research areas. cancer prevention, end-of-life and palliative care issues, health promotion, chronic disease and symptom management, caregiving, population health.
The UAMS College of Nursing 'Ph.D. in Nursing' page describes a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with BSN, MNSc and DNP entry tracks, doctoral comprehensive examinations and a dissertation, and calls itself 'the only program in Arkansas offering a research doctorate in Nursing.'
The college's own doctoral programs index at barnesjewishcollege.edu/doctoral-degree lists 'PhD: Nursing Science' alongside its six DNP concentrations, and the program page itself shows a currently open Jan. 12 application deadline for a fall start with a 62-credit dissertation curriculum in full-time and part-time sequences.
Research areas. Symptom science and precision health care (omics and big data), Dissemination and implementation science, Outcomes and clinical research design, Psychometrics and biobehavioral measurement, Genomics or informatics minor/cognate, Palliative and end-of-life care.
Program facts for Goldfarb School of Nursing
Nursing school
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
The UK College of Nursing PhD in Nursing page describes a research doctorate with post-BSN, post-MSN and post-DNP entry options, and UK Online lists the same 52-credit PhD in Nursing.
Research areas. Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Behavioral Health and Wellness, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Health Services and Policy Research, Substance Use Harm Reduction, Community Engaged Research.
The UD School of Nursing page for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Science lays out core, research-methods and dissertation coursework and is listed separately from UD's Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Research areas. Aging / Healthy Aging, Symptom Science / Self-Management, Health Services, Community Based Research / Health Disparities.
Kent State's own university catalog index for the College of Nursing lists three graduate degrees - 'Nursing - M.S.N.', 'Nursing - D.N.P.' and 'Nursing - Ph.D.' - and the catalog's Nursing Ph.D. page plus the college's live program page describe a currently admitting, dissertation-based research doctorate with a March 1 domestic deadline for fall entry.
Research areas. Self-management across the lifespan, Social and cultural health disparities, Health systems, leadership and quality, Serious illness and end of life, Mental health and trauma, Nursing education and transition to practice.
Rutgers School of Nursing's own PhD in Nursing page describes the research doctorate, and the program's student handbook confirms the degree is administered through the Rutgers Graduate School-Newark; this is the same single Rutgers School of Nursing program reported under both the Newark and New Brunswick unit IDs.
Augusta University College of Nursing's own PhD page and the Graduate School's 'Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Admission Requirements' page both describe a research doctorate with dissertation, distinct from the college's DNP.
Research areas. cardiovascular health, community-based participatory interventions, health promotion.
Mason's School of Nursing program page for 'The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing' describes a 78-credit research doctorate with a dissertation and mentored research practicum.
The School of Nursing's own degree-programs index lists two doctorates and both are PhDs - 'Nursing Education and Administration' and 'Nursing Education - DNP to PhD' - each program page headed 'DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, PH.D.', with the 2025-2026 Graduate Student Handbook confirming 60 credit hours, a written comprehensive examination and a required dissertation for each, and no DNP offered.
Research areas. Nursing education and curriculum development, Academic nurse educator role development, Teaching strategies and evaluation of student learning, Program evaluation, Online educational environments.
The School of Nursing's own degree-programs index lists two doctorates and both are PhDs - 'Nursing Education and Administration' and 'Nursing Education - DNP to PhD' - each program page headed 'DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, PH.D.', with the 2025-2026 Graduate Student Handbook confirming 60 credit hours, a written comprehensive examination and a required dissertation for each, and no DNP offered.
Research areas. Nursing education and curriculum development, Nursing program administration and academic leadership, Program evaluation and student assessment, Health policy, healthcare economics and health systems administration, Quality and safety in healthcare.
UConn runs a dedicated PhD site (phd.nursing.uconn.edu) for the Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing PhD Program in Nursing, with published BS-to-PhD and post-master's plans of study ending in dissertation credits.
Research areas. health equity, symptoms, including pain and sleep disturbance, maternal child health, support for diverse individuals, families, and communities with acute and chronic conditions.
The UT Health San Antonio catalog page 'Nursing Science' and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences program page both describe a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing Science, a research-based doctoral degree with a dissertation, offered by the School of Nursing.
The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene PhD page describes a 43-credit PhD in Nursing with required dissertation research (NURS 800) and a named PhD Program Director, distinct from the school's DNP.
Research areas. culturally relevant scientific research, community-driven questions to improve health and health care, health of culturally diverse populations in Hawai'i and the Pacific Basin.
APU's own program page 'Nursing, PhD' describes a 55-unit doctoral program with qualifying exam, dissertation proposal defense and original dissertation research, plus a separate DNP-to-PhD pathway.
Research areas. Health of the Family and Community, International Health, Nursing Historical Research.
Decker School of Nursing's own page 'Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing' lays out a 46-48 credit curriculum ending in NURS 699 Dissertation, separate from the school's DNP.
Research areas. rural and other vulnerable populations, health disparities across populations, health promotion, chronic illness, health policy formulation.
The Loewenberg College of Nursing's own PhD page describes a 'Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Program' with a written and oral comprehensive examination and a required dissertation, at 80 hours beyond the BSN / 60 beyond the master's / 54 beyond the DNP.
Research areas. health equity, nursing and interdisciplinary research, nursing education research.
The University of Louisville School of Nursing PhD page sets out a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with BSN, MSN and DNP entry points, a residency requirement and a dissertation, separate from UofL's DNP.
Wayne State College of Nursing's own page for the "Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)" describes a research-focused degree with five pathways (BSN, MSN and DNP entry, full- and part-time) and dissertation research credits in each plan of study.
Research areas. Theoretical and philosophical foundations of nursing science, Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, Advanced statistical analysis for health research, Development and evaluation of health interventions, Investigating health disparities and social determinants of health.
Jefferson College of Nursing's own Degrees & Programs index lists 'PhD in Nursing' as a separate doctorate alongside the DNP, and the program's Application Requirements Portal is open for Fall 2027 entry with a February 1, 2027 priority deadline.
Research areas. Social justice and health equity, Determinants of human health, Health behavior methods and measurement, Evaluation and outcomes research, Interprofessional and interdisciplinary health research.
The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing runs a dedicated PhD section on its own site with admission criteria, three entry pathways, full-time and part-time curriculum plans, dissertation information and PhD-specific financial aid.
Seton Hall's own Ph.D. in Nursing page describes a 42-credit post-master's research doctorate 'leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing', and the College of Nursing curriculum page lays out the dissertation seminar sequence.
Research areas. nursing education, clinical practice, healthcare administration.
These programs are ranked only against the other qualifying online options. Check each residency
line and live-class schedule before treating online delivery as travel-free or self-paced.
The UB School of Nursing PhD page describes the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Program with Post-BS, Post-MS and Post-DNP tracks preparing nurse scientists, and the graduate admissions page gives its application window and GPA minimum.
The UTMB School of Nursing 'Doctor of Philosophy Program' page describes a research-focused PhD in nursing with BSN-to-PhD and MSN-to-PhD pathways, a comprehensive qualifying exam and a dissertation, and explicitly contrasts it with the DNP.
Research areas. integrative health, population health, precision healthcare, education, advocacy/policy, border lands/global health.
The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing 'PhD in Nursing' page describes a 90-post-baccalaureate-hour Doctor of Philosophy with dissertation, listed separately from the college's DNP programs.
Research areas. Nursing Science Core, Research Methods Core, substantive focus area coursework in physiology, psychology, nutrition or education.
TWU's own program page for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD) describes admission, formats and a PhD program director, and the graduate catalog gives the 60-credit degree plan with dissertation hours.
UCF's own degree page (ucf.edu/degree/nursing-phd/) and the College of Nursing's 'Online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)' page both describe a research PhD with dissertation and candidacy exam, separate from UCF's DNP.
SDSU's own Graduate Nursing programs index lists four offerings - Master of Science, Postgraduate Certificate, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Philosophy - and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing page describes an actively admitting program established in 2005 with published Dec. 1 / March 1 / April 15 deadlines for an August start.
Research areas. Health promotion and disease prevention in underserved and rural populations, Health outcomes, Nursing education.
UNLV's own degree page 'Doctor of Philosophy - Nursing' describes the School of Nursing PhD with four tracks including a Post-DNP to PhD pathway, and the School of Nursing site calls it the only PhD in nursing degree in Nevada.
The University of Arizona College of Nursing 'Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)' page and its PhD Curriculum & Tracks page describe a research doctorate with BSN-to-PhD, MS-to-PhD, post-DNP and PhD/DNP dual pathways, a comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
The CU Anschutz College of Nursing graduate programs page lists three PhD focal areas (Biobehavioral Sciences, Caring Science, Health Care Systems Research), each with 42 classroom credits plus 18 dissertation credits, alongside its separate DNP programs.
Research areas. Biobehavioral Sciences, Caring Science, Health Care Systems Research.
ECU College of Nursing's "PhD in Nursing" page and its PhD Program Paths page describe a fully online research doctorate with BSN-to-PhD, MSN-to-PhD and DNP-to-PhD entry paths, separate from ECU's DNP.
Barry's own School of Nursing page 'Nursing, PhD' describes a research-oriented doctorate with dissertation seminars, explicitly contrasted with the DNP, and separate MSN-to-PhD and DNP-to-PhD plans of study.
VCU School of Nursing's own page describes a "Ph.D. in nursing [that] prepares graduates with advanced research skills and expertise to become nurse scientists or policymakers" in two concentrations, and the VCU graduate bulletin sets 58 credit hours including 12 dissertation hours.
Research areas. biobehavioral research, health care quality research.
UNC Extended Campus's 'Nursing Education PhD' page describes a 66-credit online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Education with a dissertation, applied for through NursingCAS as 'Ph.D. in Nursing Education'.
Research areas. research to generate new knowledge that advances nursing science, leadership to advance the professional discipline of nursing, education promoting innovative, evidence-based teaching.
The UNM College of Nursing PhD program pages describe a Doctor of Philosophy with 69-70 credits including 18 dissertation credits and concentrations in Health Policy and in Health Equity and Preparedness.
Research areas. Health Policy concentration, Health Equity and Preparedness concentration, individualized plan of study.
The KU academic catalog page for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing details a 65-credit research doctorate (50 coursework + 15 dissertation) with qualifying exam and dissertation defense, and KU markets it separately from its DNP.
Research areas. oncology, cardiovascular, health equity, chronic conditions, nursing workforce, children and elderly populations.
Georgia State's own 'Nursing, Ph.D.' program page describes a 60-credit post-master's / 72-credit post-BSN research doctorate with a dissertation proposal and implementation sequence.
Research areas. health disparities, urban health, cardiovascular health, intervention research, child, adolescent and young adult health, gerontology and health of older adults.
Program facts for Georgia State University
Nursing school
Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions
Walden's own program page markets an "online PhD in Nursing", "a research-focused terminal degree", with a dissertation, four academic residencies and a published tuition table at $820 per quarter hour.
Research areas. Healthcare Administration, Interdisciplinary Health, Leadership, Nursing Education, Population Health.
UMSL's own degree page 'PhD in Nursing' describes a traditional research doctorate with 66 credits including 12 dissertation hours and BSN-to-PhD and MSN-to-PhD options.
Research areas. health promotion, optimizing health outcomes for chronic illnesses, maternal and infant health, healthcare system design, trauma and mental health, machine learning for treatment and health outcomes.
ETSU College of Nursing's PhD page and ETSU Online's Ph.D. Nursing page both describe a 60-credit Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with a required doctoral dissertation, distinct from ETSU's DNP.
Research areas. Rural Health, Nursing Education and Simulation.
The WSU Graduate School degree page for "Doctor of Philosophy Nursing" links to the College of Nursing PhD program page, which describes a fully online research doctorate producing "nurse scholars who can develop the science, steward the profession, and educate new nurse researchers."
Research areas. Health Access & Outcomes, Symptom Management & Behavioral Health, Environmental Health & Resilience, Workforce Science, Education & Policy.
The MUSC College of Nursing publishes a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science program page with a 67-credit curriculum, transition to candidacy and dissertation courses, and an FAQ that explicitly contrasts its research PhD with its practice DNP.
Research areas. health systems, patient outcomes, health equity, interdisciplinary inquiry, behavioral health, implementation science.
The Loma Linda University catalog carries a full Ph.D. in nursing entry describing a research-oriented degree with dissertation, comprehensive examination and candidacy, and the School of Nursing runs BS-to-PhD and MS-to-PhD entry points.
Research areas. vulnerable populations, health/wellness/wholeness, health systems research.
The UA graduate catalog entry for the Joint Nursing Science Ph.D. (UA with UA-Huntsville) lays out a 63-hour curriculum with 18 dissertation hours, comprehensive exams and candidacy, and the Capstone College of Nursing program page repeats the residency and admission requirements.
Research areas. rural and medically underserved populations, interprofessional research initiatives.
UAH's College of Nursing has a 'Ph.D. in Nursing Science' program page requiring a successfully defended dissertation, and the partner page at The University of Alabama describes the same degree as the 'Joint Nursing Science Ph.D. program' run by UA and UAH with 60-63 credit hours.
Research areas. rural and medically underserved populations, interprofessional research initiatives.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing, Nursing Education
Lynchburg, VA · Online · Private nonprofit
Part-time study
No GRE
Liberty's own online-nursing pages and its graduate course catalog both carry a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with two cognates (Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership), each 60 credits with a required 90-hour research experience and a dissertation, alongside the separate DNP.
Research areas. nursing education, curriculum development, program evaluation, learning theories, teaching methods.
Liberty's own online-nursing pages and its graduate course catalog both carry a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with two cognates (Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership), each 60 credits with a required 90-hour research experience and a dissertation, alongside the separate DNP.
Research areas. nursing leadership, healthcare transformation, nursing informatics, health policy, quantitative and qualitative research methods.
ISU's graduate academic catalog carries a full 59-credit 'Ph.D. in Nursing' program of study through NURS 8890 Dissertation, though the same catalog page states the program is not accepting applications for 2026-2027.
Research areas. rural and vulnerable individuals, families, and communities, interprofessional research, research and practice in rural and global communities, health policy in advanced nursing practice, ethics in nursing research.
Endicott's "Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing" page lists a 45-credit, 100% online PhD curriculum ending in NUR 760 Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Advisement and Doctoral Seminar; the ACEN candidacy note on that page applies to Endicott's clinical doctorate, not the PhD.
Mercer's Georgia Baptist College of Nursing publishes a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program page with BSN-Ph.D. and Post-Master's Ph.D. tracks, a dissertation-research curriculum plan and a list of completed dissertation titles.
WVU School of Nursing's own PhD page states "The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to educate nurse scholar-scientists for research-intensive roles" over 55 credits of post-master's coursework, and the WVU graduate catalog confirms a qualifying examination and written/oral dissertation defense.
Wilkes' own online nursing site describes an "online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD in Nursing)" that is "focused on research," listing the full 17-course sequence through NSG 631 Dissertation Implementation II.
Research areas. Leadership, Cultural competency, Practice, Disease Management, Policy, Nursing Education.
Rush University College of Nursing's own program page for the Nursing Science PhD describes a research doctorate that 'prepares you to be a researcher who advances nursing and health care through scientific discovery', with its own admissions and curriculum pages.
Research areas. Health behavior research (e.g., physical activity/exercise, medication adherence), Aging, Parenting programs, Intimate partner violence, Metabolomics.
Both the UNCG degree page and the School of Nursing's own PhD page describe a research-focused 'Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)' delivered online with BSN-to-PhD and DNP-to-PhD pathways and 12 dissertation hours.
Research areas. health promotion, treatment, health systems research, optimal health for ethnic minorities, women, children and older adults.
Program facts for University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Duquesne School of Nursing's "Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing" page describes a 56-credit online research doctorate with proposal and final dissertation defenses, separate from its DNP.
Widener's own graduate program page for the "PhD in Nursing Science" lists a 48-credit doctorate (plus dissertation advisement) in the Dwyer School of Nursing at $1,090 per credit, with a 4-5 year average time to completion.
Research areas. nursing education science, evidence-based teaching, leadership in nursing education, gender diversity in nursing education.
UND's own 'Ph.D. in Nursing' program page describes a 90-credit online research doctorate producing nurse scientists, with dissertation, grant-writing and publication requirements.
Research areas. rural health, rural and underserved populations, rural programs and policies, healthcare ethics for rural and underserved populations.
Program facts for University of North Dakota
Nursing school
College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines, Department of Nursing
The Marquette University Bulletin carries a 'Nursing, PHD' program in the College of Nursing requiring a qualifying examination and a successfully defended dissertation, and the Graduate School runs a separate Nursing Ph.D. program page.
Research areas. community-engaged research, person-centered research, pedagogical research.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Part-Time Nursing PhD
Ask for the exact part-time plan of study from your entry credential. Confirm how often required
courses run, whether any milestone changes your enrollment status, and which semesters require travel.
If you intend to keep working, show the schedule to your manager before accepting an offer.
Funding deserves a separate written answer. A university may fund full-time doctoral students while
offering part-time admission on a self-funded basis. Ask which assistantships accept part-time students,
how benefits change below full-time enrollment, and whether dissertation credits carry the same rate.
Research fit still decides whether the degree works. Identify faculty whose active work matches your
question, then ask how often part-time advisees meet with them and how long recent part-time students
took from proposal approval to defense.
Yes. The dataset contains 87 nursing PhD records that explicitly allow part-time study: 50 campus or hybrid programs and 37 online programs. A program qualifies here only when its current record affirmatively identifies a part-time route.
Are part-time PhD in nursing programs fully online?
Some are. This page separates 37 online choices from 50 campus or hybrid choices. Read each program's format and residency details because online delivery can still include scheduled campus visits.
Why are there two part-time nursing PhD rankings?
Campus and online programs solve different problems and use different score models. Campus and hybrid programs retain the campus model, which weighs research environment and funding more heavily. Online programs retain the online model, which gives more weight to delivery burden, cost, and flexibility. Scores never cross between the two lists.
Can you keep working during a part-time nursing PhD?
Part-time enrollment can make continued employment possible, but it does not make the research workload small. Ask for the expected weekly course load, fixed class times, assistantship rules, dissertation milestones, and any periods that require full-time enrollment before deciding how many clinical shifts to keep.
How long does a part-time PhD in nursing take?
The calendar depends on transfer credit, course sequencing, dissertation progress, leaves, and the university time limit. Use each card's published length as a planning input, then ask the program for a part-time plan of study rather than applying a full-time timeline to a slower course load.
Does part-time enrollment qualify for doctoral funding?
Funding terms are program-specific. Assistantships and full tuition packages often carry enrollment and work requirements, so confirm whether a published award remains available at your intended pace. Compare the written offer, covered fees, duration, and service obligation.