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Prospective Students

PhD

Section Contents

Congratulations on your decision to pursue your PhD in Nursing Science at Vanderbilt. We recommend you review the requirements below before starting an application. Once you begin your application, you can pause and come back to it after you have gathered the required information.

Basic Admissions Information for PhD Applicants

  • Application period starts August 1 for the following fall semester.
  • Full-time students start in the fall semester.
  • Early application deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST October 15. All application materials must be received by this date.
  • Standard application deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST December 1. All application materials must be received by this date.

Tuition and Fees

PhD in Nursing Science student tuition is fully funded, covering up to four years of required didactic and research coursework. Additionally, admitted students receive annual stipends for the same period while enrolled in the PhD in Nursing Science program. Mandatory student fees and student health insurance are not covered by the PhD in Nursing Science program. Additional financial information, including estimated fees and other charges, can be found at https://gradschool.vanderbilt.edu/costandfunding/ 

For comparison, current tuition rates for graduate study are $2,486* per credit. 

* Tuition fees are set by the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust annually and the most current rates can be found HERE.

Admissions Requirements

  • Commitment to full-time study and active engagement in the PhD in Nursing Science program.
  • Research interests that demonstrate alignment with the research expertise of an identified VUSN PhD faculty mentor.
  • COMPLETION of a course of study equivalent to that required for the bachelor's degree in nursing at an accredited institution, with a minimum B average in undergraduate work.
  • COMPLETION of a course of study equivalent to that required for the master's degree in nursing or a related field, with a minimum B average in graduate work.
  • An active nursing license in good standing, issued by a U.S. state or territory.

Application Checklist

  • Attend an Information Webinar
    • Webinars outline the PhD in Nursing Science Program, program format, application process and components of funding, etc. Webinars are conducted throughout the year, and particularly ahead of the new application cycle beginning August 1.
    • Contact the PhD Program to request information on upcoming live webinars.
    • View a previously recorded information session
    • Your admissions decision is heavily influenced by the components of your application. Because of the importance of a scholarly fit between our students and faculty, we strongly recommend you explore our PhD program faculty members’ research focus.
    • You are welcome to make personal contact with faculty to help determine common scholarly interests. Contact them via email or by mail.
  • Start Your Application
    • Application fee is $95.00 and paid online after you submit your application. You may be eligible for an application fee waiver. See details. 
    • Answer all application questions. Your writing style and content will be evaluated.
    • All application information must be your work.
    • Start the application before sending transcripts or recommendations.

    Application Components 

    • Online application form
    • A minimum of three (maximum of 5) letters of recommendation describing your aptitude for doctoral study from doctorally prepared
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Unofficial copy of transcripts from undergraduate and all graduate coursework. Official transcripts are required only after an offer of admission is made and accepted. Please DO NOT send your transcripts by mail. This will delay the review of your application. Unofficial transcripts must be part of your application even if you are a former VUSN graduate or applied to another VU program.
      • Potential Transfer Credit Review: If you have completed graduate-level coursework that you believe may be eligible for transfer credit, identify up to 15 credit hours for faculty review as part of your application. Any transfer credit is evaluated after admission and is subject to Vanderbilt University Graduate School approval and PhD in Nursing Science program policies.
      • Approved transfer credit may be applied toward the 72-credit degree requirement but does not replace or satisfy any required PhD in Nursing Science coursework or program requirements.
    • Statement of purpose essay describing your professional career goals, research interests and how they evolved, research experiences, how research factors into your career plans, the VUSN faculty nurse researcher(s) you are interested in having as a mentor(s), and your plan to reduce professional and personal commitments to support full-time engagement in the PhD in Nursing Science program.
    • Writing samples are recommended but not required. Upload one or two samples of your academic writing (e.g., scientific paper, book/chapter; or unpublished scholarly class assignment, poster, abstract, case report).
    •  After faculty review your completed application, you may be asked to interview. Interviews are required and will be conducted via Zoom. In the event an applicant is unable to use Zoom, a telephone interview will be scheduled.
  • Check the Application Status Page Frequently  
    • Please check your application in Vanderbilt's Admissions portal for updates, information on missing materials and other communications.
    • The PhD Nursing Science Admissions Committee reviews applications after the deadline(s) for submission and only those applications that are complete. 

International Students

  • Information for International Students

    Note: Unfortunately, the PhD in Nursing Science program cannot host international students in F or J visa status at this time.

    If you have another type of visa status, and require immigration or visa-related support contact the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) Office to confirm eligibility to enroll as a student in our program. If approved, please send written, official confirmation of your approved visa status to VUSNPhD@vanderbilt.edu before you begin an application.

    International applicants whose visa eligibility has been confirmed by ISSS and provided to the PhD program director, must submit all the components above as well as the following additional application requirements.

    Additional Application Requirements for International/Foreign Students

    In addition to completing items #1-7 in the "Start Your Application" section listed above, the following must also be completed in order to consider your application complete:

    English Language Proficiency

    1. Applicants who do not have a degree from an English-speaking university are required to submit scores from either TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Scores must be less than two years old. Our program will also accept Duolingo English Test examination results for the current application cycle as an alternative to TOEFL and IELTS examinations.

      For more information, go to:
      TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl/
      IELTS: www.ielts.org/usa
      The Vanderbilt ETS code is 1871

    2. International student applicants who have completed college or university coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees and other relevant documents. In all instances, the evaluating agency will require original, official documentation.

      Evaluating agencies include:

      World Education Services
      Post Office Box 745
      Old Chelsea Station New York, NY 10113-0745
      Phone: 212-966-6311
      Website: www.wes.org

      Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
      Post Office Box 514070
      Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203-3470
      Phone: 414-289-3400
      Website: www.ece.org

      Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
      International Education Consultants
      701 SW 102 Ave, Miami, FL, 33173
      Phone: 305-273-1616
      Website: www.jsilny.com