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Ph.D. in Nursing Science Admission Requirements

Regulations governing admission to graduate study are established by the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina.

State Authorization Information

Please review important state authorization information found here.

Applicants to the Ph.D. in Nursing Science program meeting the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

  • A baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) or master of science in nursing (MSN) from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, or a non-nursing baccalaureate or master’s degree with related healthcare work experience
  • A preferred cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (A=4.0) from the undergraduate and graduate degree-granting institutions. (Transcripts from institutions only awarding pass/fail grades will not be accepted.)
  • Note:  GRE scores are not required

The following are required of all applicants:

  • A current Curriculum Vita
  • A personal statement summarizing immediate and long-term professional goals, motivation for doctoral study including the applicant’s rationale for pursuing a PhD, and a proposed area of research (2 pages maximum, double spaced, 12-point font, 0.5” margins). The applicant should identify a potential mentor from our research faculty who shares a similar research interest.
  • Three reference forms that address research and scholarly potential and academic motivation. One must be from an academic source, preferably a PhD-prepared nurse.
  • Interviews with two PhD program faculty, scheduled via videoconference or telephone after the complete application package is received and reviewed.
  • A signed validation form. Applicants who are currently or previously enrolled in a doctoral program must have the form completed by the director of the program from which they wish to transfer.
  • Completion of an undergraduate or graduate statistics course within the past 5 years. Otherwise, the applicant will be required to complete and pass an undergraduate or graduate statistics course approved by the PhD program director prior to starting the PhD program.
  • Applicants may submit other credentials they believe reflect their abilities.

Admissions

Completed applications must be received by February 10th of each year to be considered for the following fall semester cohort. Acceptance decisions are made in April of each year.  Upon acceptance, all matriculated students are required to attend a 4-day on-campus orientation learning intensive held in July.

International Applicants: Due to the distance education nature of this program, MUSC is unable to issue I-20 forms to allow students to obtain F-1 student visas. Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and those holding other valid U.S. visas will be accepted.

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