Admission to the PhD Program

After approval from the Columbia University Academic Senate and registration by New York State, we are pleased to announce the establishment of a PhD program. The first group of PhD students will begin in the Fall 2008 semester. This is an exciting new milestone in Columbia University School of Nursing's academic history. We invite you to join our family of health policy experts, nurse researchers, clinical scholars and accomplished and exceptional students at Columbia University School of Nursing.

The PhD program is a research-intensive curriculum that prepares nurse scholars to conduct research independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams. To accomplish this, the program provides students with an understanding of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing science, and a strong foundation in research methods (design, statistics, measurement) for clinical, translational and health services research. In addition, all students are mentored by research advisors as they move toward independent research and assuming the roles of doctorally prepared scholars.

Graduates of the PhD program will have the research skills necessary to make a major impact on health care nationwide and to further nursing knowledge at the local, national and international level. Specifically, graduates will be prepared to:

Design, conduct, direct, and report research studies that increase knowledge about the outcomes of nursing and other healthcare practice.
Provide leadership in improving the health care delivery system.
Translate evidence accumulated through research into practice and policy at multiple levels.
Lead and participate in interdisciplinary research teams.

Admission Requirements: A complete application must be submitted by the first Monday in February of each academic year for consideration for admission the following September. Applications are reviewed and applicants may be invited to interview with at least two members of the Doctoral Program faculty. Admission decisions are generally sent by early April. Doctoral students are admitted for Fall entry only and, if accepted, students must be full time in the program.

NOTE: We are no longer enrolling students in the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) program.

Admission criteria include:

Master's degree in nursing from an accredited program. Well-qualified applicants who are nearing completion of the master's degree, may be considered for admission and, if accepted, may take doctoral courses concurrently while completing the master's program.
or
Master's degrees in related disciplines who are otherwise well-qualified. If admitted, additional nursing credits to ensure an adequate background may be required and do not count toward the doctoral degree.
or
Post-baccalaureate pathway: Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program. Applicants for post-BSN entry must have career goals that are consistent with the purposes of the PhD program and demonstrated aptitude for research.

And for all applicants:

Current New York State nursing license or eligibility.
For post-MS admission, GPA of at least 3.0 for undergraduate and 3.5 for graduate work; for post-BSN admission, GPA of at least 3.5 for undergraduate work.
Satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Three references attesting to applicant's academic ability and potential (at least two should be from doctorally-prepared faculty who have taught the applicant).
Personal goal statement that is congruent with program goals. In preparing the goal statement, applicants should include their anticipated program of research and explore the faculty webpage HERE to identify a potential research advisor with similar interests.
Graduate course work in health and social policy.
Introduction to Biostatistics at Columbia (Student may either take this course during the first year of study or take the Columbia waiver exam.)
Computer and information literacy

Last updated 6/18/08.