Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Transform nursing knowledge and practice through rigorous research and innovative scholarship. The PhD in nursing at Wayne State University prepares you to become an independent scientist, educator and leader committed to advancing health equity, influencing policy and improving care delivery across diverse populations.
With a strong foundation in theory, methodology and interdisciplinary collaboration, the program nurtures the next generation of nurse scholars equipped to shape the future of health care.
Why earn a PhD in nursing from Wayne State?
Emphasizing the development of your skills and competencies to make significant, original contributions to nursing knowledge, the PhD nursing program is uniquely designed to be:
- Community-focused. Located in the heart of Detroit, the College of Nursing is a premier research institution with a deep commitment to health equity.
- Purpose-driven. Our program is driven by the understanding that nursing provides vital services that help individuals, families and communities achieve health.
- Student-centered. Whether entering from a BSN, MSN or DNP background, students receive tailored support to engage in high-impact research with real-world application.
Attend an info session
Learn more about Wayne State’s nursing Phd program at an info session. Meet the Program Director and discover the admissions process, financial aid and more.
Nursing doctorate program curriculum
The PhD in Nursing is a research-focused degree program that prepares nurses to advance their knowledge, influence health policy and lead transformative research initiatives. The curriculum is designed to develop expertise in:
- Theoretical and philosophical foundations of nursing science
- Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
- Advanced statistical analysis for health research
- Development and evaluation of health interventions
- Investigating health disparities and social determinants of health
Wayne State School of Nursing’s PhD program emphasizes interdisciplinary inquiry, scientific rigor and leadership in research that improves health outcomes and promotes equity.
Pathways to a PhD in nursing
Explore Wayne State’s five PhD pathways tailored to your aspirations.
BSN to PhD - Full-time
Accelerate your BSN to PhD and become a nurse scientist shaping the future of health care.
Overview:
- Designed for BSN-prepared nurses seeking rigorous, full-time doctoral research training.
- Emphasizes foundational nursing theory, health disparities, innovation in care interventions and evidence-based practice.
- Builds expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, scientific writing, philosophy of science and advanced statistical analysis.
- Best for: Aspiring nurse scholars seeking immersive, research-intensive doctoral preparation from the earliest stages of their nursing career.
BSN to PhD - Part-time
Pursue your doctorate while maintaining professional balance through part-time study.
Overview:
- Structured for working nurses with a BSN who prefer part-time flexibility while progressing toward research excellence.
- Includes the full doctoral core: theoretical foundations, health policy, quantitative/qualitative research and scholarly writing.
- Strong focus on advanced statistical methods, health disparities and intervention development.
- Best for: Nurses ready to begin PhD study while balancing employment or personal commitments.
MSN to PhD - Full-time
Expand your advanced nursing knowledge into impactful research through full-time PhD and study.
Overview:
- Bridges theory, intervention science, health equity and policy with advanced research skills
- Conduct in-depth original research informed by qualitative, quantitative and statistical analysis techniques.
- Focused electives align with students' research interests, supported by experienced faculty and interdisciplinary mentorship.
- Best for: MSN-prepared nurses who seek to become nurse scholars, health policy leaders or academic faculty.
MSN to PhD - Part-time
Advance your nursing career and research skills in a flexible, part-time PhD model.
Overview:
- Combines coursework in philosophical foundations, health interventions and health disparities with essential research methodology.
- Includes policy electives and concentration coursework tailored to your chosen area of study.
- Designed to support working professionals who want to become future nurse scientists or educators.
- Best for: Experienced nurses ready to take the next step in academic or health care research while maintaining career momentum.
DNP to PhD - Full-Time
Translate clinical leadership into nursing science through full-time PhD study.
Overview:
- Builds on prior work with a focus on advanced nursing inquiry, health interventions, disparities and health policy.
- Courses cover research methods and statistics and prepare students for rigorous scientific investigation and publication.
- Transfer of DNP credits (up to 32 from WSU, 30 external) streamlines the path to the PhD.
- Best for: DNP-prepared nurse leaders aiming to extend their career.
PhD Program Admissions
To apply to the PhD in Nursing program at Wayne State, you must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A transcript evaluation is required for all international degrees, and all transcripts
must be from accredited institutions. Please contact our admissions team for more information.
Applicants must apply through NursingCAS and submit all required supplemental materials, including transcripts, a resume or curriculum vitae (CV), a written statement of research goals, two to three letters of recommendation and proof of current RN licensure.
Applicants will also need to identify one to two potential faculty mentors whose research aligns with their proposed area of study. Finalists will be invited to participate in an admissions interview.
Admissions deadlines
The College of Nursing must receive your application by:
August 1: fall enrollment
What our PhD students say
“I have fallen in love with the process of research and academia. I couldn’t have done any of that without Dr. Choi, Dr. Zimmerman, and other faculty members, and in total, the College of Nursing.”
- Dillon Glenn, PhD student at Wayne State University
Career opportunities with a PhD degree in nursing
Our graduates are prepared to serve as academic faculty, nurse researchers and leaders in health policy and systems innovation. The PhD opens the door to high-impact careers contributing new knowledge that informs best practices and advances the profession of nursing on a national and global scale.
A PhD can lead to career paths such as:
- Nurse Researcher or Scientist
- Tenure-Track Nursing Faculty
- Health Policy Analyst or Advisor
- Director of Nursing Research
- Consultant in Evidence-Based Practice or Program Evaluation
- Interdisciplinary Research Collaborator
PhD-prepared nurses are leaders in academic institutions, research centers, health care organizations and government agencies, anywhere scientific inquiry drives meaningful change in patient care and public health.
Financial aid
Access federal student loans through the FAFSA, or explore eligibility requirements for the Graduate Professional Scholarship, Rumble Fellowships, ANEW Grant and the Impact Grant.
Lead nursing into the future with a PhD from Wayne State
Your research makes a difference. Whether you're just beginning your journey as a nurse scholar or building upon years of clinical experience, our PhD program equips you with the tools to advance the discipline and improve lives.
Contact
Director of Graduate Admissions and Continuous Quality Improvement
Chrissy Seaver MBA, LSSBB
313-577-1363
gradnursing@wayne.edu
PhD Program Director and Associate Professor
Maha Albdour, PhD, RN, APHN-BC
313-577-0151
eg1130@wayne.edu
