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.

To learn more about becoming a PhD prepared nurse, please contact Dr. Alison Davis at ahd0033@auburn.edu.

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.

PhD Program Admission Criteria :

• Have earned a master's degree in nursing OR bachelor’s degree in nursing and non-nursing master's degree, or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from an accredited nursing program from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or international equivalent.

• Minimum Nursing GPA of 3.0 (MSN or DNP nursing courses used to calculate nursing GPA).

• License as a Registered Nurse not Required:

  • *If you plan to take clinical nursing courses, an active, unrestricted United States RN license in the state where clinical hours will be completed is required before enrolling in the course.

• Provide three professional references for the online recommendation form from 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.

• 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).

• Provide a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to produce scholarly writing (ex. scholarly paper or coursework submitted for credit from a previous degree program).

• Provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.

• 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 

*For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 334-844-7105.

For more information please contact Jennifer Edwards at jlr0012@auburn.edu or 334-844-6769

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***

• In order to be eligible for any of our nursing departmental scholarships or any additional federal aid, applicants to our graduate programs must also complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and submit a completed AUCON Departmental Graduate Scholarship Application<https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cHHgFSMNaQb6Nsa> by June 1.

• *International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found at the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions

*For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 334-844-7105.

Download the PhD in Nursing Plan of Study

Thank you for your interest in a Graduate Assistantship with the College of Nursing. Assistantships begin each fall semester and may be renewed annually based on satisfactory performance. Selected candidates are subject to an approved background screening before employment. Applications are due Monday, June 8, 2026. To complete the application, click here https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_etT3NUtw09xlssm.

Applicants must upload a current resume that includes the number of years of nursing practice experience and the specific practice area(s) in which they have worked.

Expectations - Graduate assistants are expected to:

• Complete work primarily on campus at the College of Nursing, with some travel to local clinical sites as needed

• Work approximately 13.3 hours per week

• Assist with instructional and clinical learning activities, including but not limited to:

  • Laboratory instruction

  • Simulation experiences

  • Inpatient and community clinical teaching

  • Interprofessional education activities

  • In-class support

  • Grading assistance

• Benefits - Graduate assistantships include

  •  Paid tuition

  • Monthly stipend

For additional information, please refer to Guidelines for Graduate Tuition Fellowships https://graduate.auburn.edu/admissions/tuition-funding/funding/guidelines-for-graduate-tuition-fellowships.php

Applicants follow the Graduate School Application Instructions

*International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions

*For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 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