Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Application Open: August 15, 2025
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026



International Students

MUSC College of Nursing Ph.D. in Nursing Science is able to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applications will be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States.

SC Better Outcomes, Less Debt (BOLD) Nursing Faculty Program

The SC BOLD Nursing Faculty Program offers tuition reimbursement to graduate-level nursing students and current nursing faculty in South Carolina who commit to teaching at a public institution within the state. MUSC College of Nursing is part of this program.

Program Overview

Our online Ph.D. in Nursing Science program prepares graduates to pursue a career of scientific inquiry, scholarship, and professional leadership. We recruit talented applicants who possess a research interest that matches our faculty’s research expertise, and a commitment to accomplishing the program milestones.

Motivated individuals without a nursing background, who have health-related work experience, may also benefit from this terminal degree and should seek advice from the program director about eligibility.

Why MUSC's Ph.D. Program

  • Stipends for Financial Support: Available stipends and scholarships to help support your academic journey and research endeavors.
  • Pilot Funding for Individual Research Projects: Access to pilot funding to support and advance your own research projects, helping to build the foundation for impactful work in nursing science.
  • Technology Applications Center for Healthful Lifestyles (TACHL): Collaboration opportunities with TACHL, which specializes in the development, testing, and dissemination of digital innovations designed to promote health, prevent disease, and manage health care effectively.
  • The Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization: Leverage resources from the Zucker Institute to support the commercialization of innovative research, bringing your ideas to life and maximizing their impact.
  • Expert Research Mentorship: Receive guidance from nationally and internationally recognized scientists and mentors in the behavioral health space, ensuring that you are supported by leaders who are shaping the future of health and nursing science.
  • Collaborative Research Opportunities: Engage in mentored research opportunities as you collaborate with faculty members who are at the forefront of behavioral health, program development, and implementation science.
  • Cutting-Edge Research Infrastructure: Take advantage of state-of-the-art resources and facilities designed to enhance your research capabilities and foster innovation in nursing science.

Ph.D. Faculty

Meet the College of Nursing Ph.D. Faculty. Learn more about the faculty's research interests and achievements.

Faculty Profiles

Ph.D. Student Profiles

Meet the College of Nursing Ph.D. students. Learn more about students' research interests and achievements.

Curriculum

Year 1, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRPHD811 Philosophical & Theoretical Underpinnings of Nursing Science 3
NRPHD813 Foundations of Scholarship in Nursing Science 3
NRPHD815 Design & Methods of Scientific Inquiry 3
Semester Total 9

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD801 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods 3
NRPHD819 Qualitative Research Methods 3
NRPHD848 Mentored Res. & Scholarship 2

Elective 3
Semester Total 11

Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRPHD823 Analysis & Application of Theories, Frameworks, & Models 3
NRPHD825 Measurement & Instrumentation 3
NRPHD846 Mentored Research Practicum 1 1

Elective 3
Semester Total 10

Year 2, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRPHD738 Applied Statistical Methods for Nursing Research 3
NRPHD833 Scholarly Synthesis of Scientific Literature 3
NRPHD847 Mentored Research Practicum 2 1

Elective 3
Semester Total 10

Year 2, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD807 Advanced Applied Statistical Methods for Nursing Research 3
NRPHD839 Applied Study Design & Methods 3
NRPHD736 Research Ethics 3
Semester Total 9

Year 2, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRPHD726 Transition to Candidacy 4
Semester Total 4

Year 3, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRPHD990 Dissertation (Proposal Defense)* 5
Semester Total 5

Year 3, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD990 Dissertation* 5
Semester Total 5

Year 3, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRPHD990 Dissertation* 4
Semester Total 4
Curriculum Total 67

Year 1, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRPHD813 Foundations of Scholarship in Nursing Science 3
NRPHD815 Design & Methods of Scientific Inquiry 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD801 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods 3
NRPHD819 Qualitative Research Methods 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRPHD825 Measurement & Instrumentation 3

Elective 3
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRPHD811 Philosophical & Theoretical Underpinnings of Nursing Science 3
NRPHD738 Applied Statistical Methods for Nursing Research 3
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD848 Mentored Research 2
NRPHD807 Advanced Applied Statistical Methods for Nursing Research 3

Elective 3
Semester Total 8

Year 2, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRPHD823 Analysis & Application of Theories, Frameworks, & Models 3
NRPHD846 Mentored Research Practicum 1 1
Semester Total 4

Year 3, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRPHD847 Mentored Research Practicum 2 1
NRPHD833 3 Scholarly Synthesis of Scientific Literature 3

Elective 3
Semester Total 7

Year 3, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD839 Applied Study Design & Methods 3
NRPHD736 Research Ethics 3
Semester Total 6

Year 3, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRPHD726 Transition to Candidacy & Career Development 4
Semester Total 4

Year 4, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRPHD990 Dissertation* 5
Semester Total 5

Year 4, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD990 Dissertation* 5
Semester Total 5

Year 4, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRPHD990 Dissertation* 4
Semester Total 4
Curriculum Total 67

* A minimum of fourteen (14) credit hours of NRPHD 990 are required. Credits above that amount maybe required, at 3 credits per semester, until the dissertation work is completed.

Minimum of 9 credit hours of Research of Content Focused Electives:

  • NRPHD708, Advanced Health Policy & Advocacy, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD829, Mixed Methods Research, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD840, Nursing Workforce Research, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD842, Intervention Development, Dissemination, & Implementation, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD843, Palliative Care Research, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD844, Community Engaged Research, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD845, Trends in Technology Science, 3 credit hours

Additional courses may be taken as research or content electives with permission of the course faculty, research mentor, and Ph.D. Assistant Dean.

  • NRPHD800 Mentored Teaching, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD 841 Mentored Special Topics. 1-9 variable credit hours
  • Nurse Educator Courses required for NFLP recipients if not already CNE:
    • NURSM 615, Methodology of Online Teaching, 3 credit hours
    • NURSM 703, Instructional Process, 3 credit hours
    • NURSM 713, Curriculum Design & Development, 3 credit hours

Learning Intensives

photo of PhD Learning Intensives Summer

Learning Intensives provide opportunities for collaborative learning and evaluation of expected competencies. The Learning Intensives are synchronized with the program of study to provide additional support for building scholarly scientific knowledge and skills over time, peer engagement, and socialization to the nurse scientist role. The Intensives integrate and expand on coursework through activities such as student presentations, scholarly discussions, interactive workshops, and review of work with faculty.

Admissions

Prepare to empower patients and promote evidence-based care. Look toward the next stage by applying to one of the College of Nursing’s degree or certificate programs.

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Learn more about Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), loans, and financial aid resources.

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FAQs

Discover answers to commonly asked questions about the College of Nursing, admissions, and academic programs.