Nursing Education PhD
Online Program (+ Greeley Orientation)

Nursing Education PhD—Academic Program Coordinator

Janice Hayes
janice.hayes@unco.edu
(970) 351-1690

This Post-Master's Nursing Education PhD is a 65 credit hour program which can be completed online in 4 years, fitting around your schedule. You will contribute work toward your dissertation during each semester in the program, and in the 4th year all of your coursework will center on your dissertation. For more information about the course of study, contact the Academic Program Coordinator or visit the School of Nursing–Nursing Education PhD web page.

On-Campus Orientation
There is a required 6-day orientation in July the summer before you start the program. You will spend three days in orientation on campus and three days at the Nurse Educator Conference in Breckenridge, Colorado. Additional on-campus events include a proposal hearing, dissertation defense and oral comprehensive exams.

Planned Course of Study

	Fall	Spring	Summer
Year 1	NURS 797 Doctoral Proposal Research (1)	NURS 700 Advanced Research Methods (3)	SRM 603 Statistical Methods II (3)
	NURS 790 Research Colloquium (2)	SRM 602 Statistical Methods I (3)
	PSY 681 Cognition and Instruction (3)
Year 2	SRM 680 Introduction to Qualitative Research (3)	NURS 760 Advanced Nursing Curriculum Design (3)	NURS 740 Intensive Teaching Practicum (3)
	NURS 702 Advanced Concepts of Vulnerable Underserved Populations (3)	Elective (3)	ET 604 Computer Graphics and Visual Literacy (3)
Year 3	SRM 700 Advanced Research Methods (3)	NURS 730 The Scholarship of Teaching and Practice in Nursing Education (2)	NURS 707 Leadership in Health Policy (3)
	NURS 710 Evaluation in Nursing Education (3)	NURS 780 The Professorial Role in Nursing Education (3)
	Elective (3)	NURS 797 Doctoral Proposal Research (3)
Year 4	NURS 799 Doctoral Dissertation (3)	NURS 799 Doctoral Dissertation (6)	NURS 799 Doctoral Dissertation (3)

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor's of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program and a master’s degree from an accredited program in nursing or related field, with a GPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale).
• GRE scores must have been taken within 5 years of application date: i). Verbal and quantitative scores (800 possible on each) must add up to at least 1000 total, and no less than a 400 on either; ii.) Analytical writing skills (6.0 possible) must be at least 3.5.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Two years teaching experience recommended
• Proof of or eligibility for current Colorado licensure as a registered nurse
• Personal statement of future goals/interest in nursing education (2 page maximum; 12 font, 1 inch paper margins); (send to the School of Nursing)
• A resume or curriculum vitae (send to the School of Nursing)
• Example of a scholarly work or project.

Eligibility by State

UNC has secured approval from almost every state, as required by new federal regulations, so that students are eligible to apply to online programs at UNC. However we are unable to accept applications at this time for our online programs from students residing in a few select states because their requirements, particularly application fees, for such approval are prohibitive. Please verify your Eligibility by State before applying.

Note: All international students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Students attending online while residing outside of the United States do not need student visas for admission.

Transferring Credit

In order for credits to be accepted toward a degree they must be graduate level credits, be approved by the Academic Advisor, and have a grade of A or B.  Once approved by the advisor, students must complete a Petition to Count Work in a Degree Program to have the credit approved by the Grad School.  The timeframe for doctoral degree work is eight years and the time limit is calculated on the basis of calendar years from the beginning of the first class to be counted in the degree program.

Tuition

This program is offered through the UNC Office of Extended Studies, which means a flat per-credit tuition rate for all students in the program. There are no student fees. Certain courses may carry specific course fees for additional services and materials.

Tuition rates are set each academic year (which begin each Fall semester). The tuition rate for the 2012-13 school year for this program is $545 per credit hour.

Financial Aid

Scholarships for School of Nursing Students
Explore all of the School of Nursing Scholarship Opportunities.

Federal Financial Aid
Students who cannot pay for tuition alone are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA priority filing date for each academic year (which begins each August) is March 1. Late submissions of the FAFSA are still accepted but may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.

Doctoral degree students require a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full time enrollment is based on 9 credits.

To apply for federal financial aid assistance
Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Extended Studies degree seeking students may contact Aimee Rogers in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.

Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

Students will be admitted once a year each Fall via a competitive admission process. Class size is limited. Applications must be received by Feb 1 each year for consideration for Fall entry.

To begin the application process, you will submit the free online application to the School of Nursing (see below). You will then also apply to the UNC Graduate School. Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, admission to this program is a two-stage process. Your application will be reviewed by the graduate school then sent to the faculty/program for an admission decision. A completed application typically takes four to six weeks to process.

Take the Next Step—Begin the Application Process

Apply Now to the School of Nursing

Then Apply to the Graduate School