Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Our PhD program provides personalized education in a rigorous yet supportive environment, fostering the growth and development of future nurse scientists, educators, and health care leaders. We offer three routes to the PhD-for BSN, MSN and DNP prepared nurses to become part of an exciting community of scholars engaged in nursing research and scholarly writing. Students must have a BSN to pursue our PhD program.
Program overview
Our program offers flexible full-time or part-time enrollment with a blended curriculum delivered through advanced distance technology, complemented by two on-campus sessions per semester. Students participate in synchronous online course meetings for discussions, content review, and presentations. As part of one of the nation’s top research institutions, students have access to exceptional resources, including a state-of-the-art simulation lab designed for instructional technology and innovative clinical education and research.
Why a PhD?
The PhD program provides unique opportunities to learn from and collaborate with nationally and internationally renowned researchers across nursing, public health, education, and other disciplines. Students engage in a 3-manuscript dissertation model, allowing scholarly work to be disseminated throughout the program rather than solely at its conclusion. The final paper presents the findings of the student’s dissertation research. The program emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with key research foci in technology, symptom science, caregiving, and translation science. Our distinguished faculty, representing fields of research, are committed to quality, innovation, accessibility, and mentorship.
Pathways
BSN-PhD
The BSN–PhD pathway allows nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to move directly into doctoral research training, preparing them to become nurse scientists who generate new knowledge and advance health care.
MSN-PhD
The MSN–PhD pathway is designed for nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing who want to expand their clinical expertise into research, preparing them to lead scientific inquiry that improves patient outcomes and health care systems.
DNP-PhD
The DNP–PhD pathway enables doctorally prepared clinical leaders to transition into research-focused careers, leveraging their practice expertise to drive evidence generation and innovation in nursing and health care.
Intensives
Intensive requirements provide opportunities for networking with peers, formative learning, and summative assessments of advanced clinical skills within the College of Nursing’s high-fidelity simulation center. These days cannot be missed, made up, or substituted with other types of assignments.
Doctoral Intensives
The core courses in the PhD program are offered in a flexible blended format. The blended format consists of one required on-site, face-to-face visit per term complemented with live online group and collaborative discussions and activities; structured asynchronous individual, group, and self-directed work; and individual guidance, mentoring, and advising.
Our programs include a colloquium where DNP and PhD students collaborate with faculty to share and discuss their research topics and areas of interest. Students benefit from the guidance of our dedicated faculty, which includes expert clinicians, educators, and nurse executives who are committed to supporting them throughout the project development and implementation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Admissions and Aid
Learn more about eligibility and applying for graduate school at UT Knoxville and the specific admission requirements for the DNP program.
Learn more about admissions and aid
Tuition and Aid
Investing in your future through graduate education is a valuable step toward achieving your career goals.
Learn more about our tuition and fees for the program
Learn more about what scholarships and financial aid we offer
Contact Us
Should you have any questions about the application process or how our blended curriculum works, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We offer information sessions and cover frequently asked questions to ensure you learn everything you need to know about advancing your nursing career!