PhD in Nursing - Walden University

Start date

11/25/2024: Course-Based

Tuition Savings

Speak with an enrollment specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.

HLC Accreditation

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Gain the expertise to conduct research and develop healthcare policies, systems, and services for tomorrow’s nursing professionals. By earning your PhD at Walden, a pioneer in distance learning, you’ll benefit from our more than 50 years of experience educating doctoral students.

Walden’s research-focused PhD in Nursing program prepares you to play a key role in leading advancements in settings such as:

Hospitals
Educational institutions
Public policy organizations
Pharmaceutical companies

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Academic Interests

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Contact Information

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Specializations

Bridge Option for Students With a DNP

Recognizing your previous academic progress, we will apply up to 26 credits toward your doctoral program, potentially significantly reducing the number of credits to completion. The bridge option builds on your current knowledge and experience with scholarly research and relevant coursework that will further prepare you for leadership positions in nursing administration, policy, or academia.

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Education

Healthcare Administration

Through the Healthcare Administration focus area, you can prepare to manage and implement healthcare programs and services by applying best practices in leadership, ethics, and strategic planning. Explore principles that impact healthcare decisions and practice as well as the theoretical foundations of governance and public policy.

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Interdisciplinary Health

Design an interdisciplinary focus area that reflects your professional goals and interests, broadens your perspectives, or enables you to work more effectively with diverse populations and teams. Choose courses from the four other PhD in Nursing focus areas: Education, Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Population Health.

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Leadership

Population Health

Learn to design and influence population health at the local, regional, and global levels by analyzing risk factors of disease and how to initiate preventive measures by conducting research to improve the healthcare needs of communities and populations. Explore how data is used to form policy recommendations and to draft legislation that promotes the equal distribution of health resources and reductions in health risks.

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Curriculum

This research-focused program offers interdisciplinary coursework that prepares you to lead and collaborate with diverse healthcare professionals in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, universities, and health-related industries. Our program can prepare you to:

Conduct scientific research at the highest levels in your field
Shape healthcare policies and procedures
Educate the next generation of nurses

Additionally, this program offers virtual and face-to-face residencies that allow you to network with expert faculty members and other doctoral students while you hone your research, writing, and critical-thinking skills.

Reduce your time to completion and total costs if you have already earned a DNP degree.

Doctoral Degree Coach™

Earning your online PhD in Nursing requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.

Map and Track Milestones

Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.

Connect With Faculty

Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.

Meet Weekly Targets

No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.

Access Helpful Resources

Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.

Partnerships With Purpose

Walden partners with more than 650 leading healthcare employers and professional organizations, with a goal of bringing higher education to more nursing changemakers. See if you qualify for additional tuition savings for our online nursing degree programs. Find a partner organization.

Learn more about our PhD in Nursing program

Career Options

Demand for nursing faculty is especially high. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for postsecondary nurse instructors are expected to grow by nearly 21% through 2031.* The nursing field needs educators, leaders, and innovators who are committed to transforming the profession.

Your career options may include a role as a:^†

Nursing instructor or teacher in postsecondary education settings
Nurse scientist
Nursing executive (e.g., chief nursing officer, clinical director, nursing manager, nursing director)

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Occupational Projections Data (Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary; SOC code 25-1072; Employment percent change 2019–2029: 17.6%). Retrieved September 2020. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.

†Sources: American Nurse, Trending Jobs | Nurse Scientist; O*Net Online. Summary Report for SOC Code 11-1011 Chief Executives. Sample of reported job titles include Chief Nursing Officer. September 2022; O*Net Online. Summary Report for SOC Code 11-9111 Medical and Health Services Managers. Sample of reported job titles include Clinical Director, Nursing Manager, Nursing Director. Retrieved September 2022.

Entry Requirements

(BSN-PhD): To be considered for this doctoral program track, you must have a current, active RN license, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent from an accredited school, and meet the general admission requirements.

(MSN-PhD): To be considered for this doctoral program track, you must have a current, active RN license, a Master of Science in Nursing or higher from an accredited school, and meet the general admission requirements.

The Bridge Option offers students who hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree a shorter path to a PhD in Nursing.

You will also be required to submit a completed online application, employment history, and official transcripts.

Your Enrollment Specialist will help you gather all of the required materials starting with your application all the way through your first day of classes.

Funding Your Education

Limited-Time Offer

Speak with an enrollment specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.

Ongoing Military Offer

A 15% tuition reduction for servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and their spouses.*

Request Information

Our Enrollment Specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding this program. Fill out the form on this page to be contacted or call 888-970-0584

How to Apply

Why earn your PhD in Nursing at Walden?

Research Your Passion

Prepare with confidence when you earn your online PhD in Nursing from Walden, the leading research doctoral nursing education provider in the U.S.*

Follow Your Passion

In our online PhD program in nursing, you have the flexibility to focus your coursework and learning in your chosen area of expertise.

Doctoral Degree Coach™

Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. Keep track of where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished.

“I teach first-year nursing students at a small college and have clinical days at a large hospital. I was able to use what I was learning at Walden to help guide my students.”

Kristina McCall | PhD in Nursing Graduate

*Source: 2021 IPEDS data.

Enrollment Restrictions by State

Walden currently cannot enroll residents of the following states/districts into the PhD in Nursing program: Wisconsin.