PhD graduates will provide leadership to the nursing profession: preparing new generations of professionals, expanding healthcare excellence in their communities and globally, driving innovative research and scientific advancement, and exploring new technologies and programs to create lasting health and wellness. PhD students are admitted in fall semester only. We offer two pathways, MSN-PhD or DNP-PhD. Full-time PhD students can complete their plan of study in nine semesters.

Role of Doctoral Student Being a doctoral student differs from being an undergraduate or master's student in many important ways. The doctoral student pursues a terminal degree. As you plan, navigate, and revisit your personal objectives for the doctoral study, you must keep in mind the word professionalism. You are now in a PhD program preparing you to be a leader in nursing. Your doctoral education will provide you with the ability to demonstrate ethical choices based on high moral and ethical principles, as well as the values and professional practices that are implicit in nursing decisions. Your doctoral education will also prepare you to consider community stewardship, equity, social justice, and accountability in all your professional actions and require you to commit to personal, institutional, and professional development. You will be expected to actively invest your time in the pursuit of research and scholarly products while being an involved member of the academic community. Taking the initiative is extremely important and how much you gain from your doctoral education will depend largely on how much you invest in it. The faculty will teach, guide, mentor, and coach you to support your success in the PhD program, but much of the transition will be up to you. Continuation Requirements: All PhD students must take and pass a comprehensive examination before commencing their dissertation research. The PhD comprehensive examination can be taken once the student has completed at least 28 credit hours of PhD course work. The program will have an established pathway to degree completion.

Admission Criteria: • Applicants must provide proof of current, unencumbered RN license from your state of residence within the United States (must show name, license number, expiration date; may upload screenshot from BON website). • Applicants must have earned a Master of Science degree in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from an accredited nursing program with a minimum Nursing GPA of 3.0 (MSN or DNP nursing courses used to calculate nursing GPA). • Applicants must provide three professional references in the application. References should be individuals familiar with your capabilities for doctoral study and for future performance as a nurse scholar and researcher. Generally, two references from former professors are expected. References should follow the email submission instructions. • Applicants must submit a Professional Goal Statement of approximately 750-1000 words indicating your present research interests and career goals, including how the PhD in Nursing will prepare you to achieve those goals. Describe any prior experiences that have prepared you for doctoral study (previous research presentations and leadership roles in practice, education, or professional organizations). • Applicants must provide a writing sample (e.g., published paper, or coursework from previous degree program is acceptable). • Applicants must submit all official transcripts directly to the Graduate School. • Applicants must provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. • Applicants must complete an interview via telephone, on campus, or videoconference, if requested.  All application materials should be submitted via the online application system. Materials sent directly to the College of Nursing will not be reviewed. *International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: Graduate School International Instructions (https://graduate.auburn.edu/admissions/international-instructions.php) *For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu (mailto:pzc0003@auburn.edu)o(http://pzc0003@auburn.edu/)r 334-844-7105. Admission Statuses

Applications must be submitted and complete no later than the following deadlines: • Fall Semester Admission: June 1 deadline - ***International applicants should submit all required materials by March 1***   • *International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found at the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions(https://graduate.auburn.edu/admissions/international-instructions.php) *For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu (mailto:pzc0003@auburn.edu)o(http://pzc0003@auburn.edu/)r 334-844-7105.

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Applicants follow the Graduate School Application Instructions(https://graduate.auburn.edu/admissions/apply.php) *International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions(https://graduate.auburn.edu/admissions/international-instructions.php) *For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu (mailto:pzc0003@auburn.edu)o(http://pzc0003@auburn.edu/)r 334-844-7105.

Tuition is the same for Alabama residents and out of state residents. The AU College of Nursing Graduate Program Tuition is currently $630 per credit hour. Other fees may be incurred prior to enrollment and/or as you progress through the program such as, but not limited to, background check, drug screen, liability insurance, and course specific requirements. Tuition and Fees are subject to change by the Board of Trustees at the beginning of any term. **Please note: The Auburn University Tuition Calculator does not accurately reflect out of state tuition for distance education. Please refer to the above information for tuition and fees for the AUCON distance programs. For questions, contact Jennifer Edwards at jlr0012@auburn.edu(mailto:jlr0012@auburn.edu)