Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing and Health Sciences

The post-baccalaureate HSc-to-PhD in Nursing and Health Sciences program at FIU’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a comprehensive, advanced education track designed for students with a background in health sciences who are seeking to pursue doctoral-level education and research.

The program provides students with advanced coursework that builds on their foundational knowledge in health sciences while preparing them to engage in scholarly inquiry and contribute to research that advances health care, education, and health sciences.

The curriculum combines graduate-level coursework with doctoral education, providing students with the knowledge and research skills necessary to conduct rigorous inquiry and address complex challenges across the health sciences.

The program can be completed in four (4) years of full-time study.

Financial Assistance & Scholarships

Make your PhD Education more affordable with a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

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Curriculum & Core Competencies

The HSc-to-PhD in Nursing and Health Sciences program provides a rigorous doctoral curriculum designed to build on students’ health sciences education and prepare them for careers in research, scholarship, academia, and health care leadership. Through advanced coursework in research methods, statistics, grantsmanship, and health sciences, students develop the expertise needed to generate new knowledge and translate evidence into meaningful improvements in health care and health outcomes.

Students build expertise in:

Advanced health sciences research methods and study design
Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research
Statistical analysis and interpretation of empirical evidence
Grant writing, research funding, and grantsmanship
Knowledge development and the translation of evidence into practice
Research focused on diverse, multicultural, and vulnerable populations
Health care systems, leadership, policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration
Scholarly inquiry and the development of innovative solutions to complex health challenges

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Career Opportunities

The HSc-to-PhD in Nursing and Health Sciences prepares graduates to advance health care through research, scholarship, and evidence-based practice. Graduates develop the knowledge and skills to conduct research, generate new knowledge, and guide the application of evidence-based findings to improve health outcomes for underserved populations.

Graduates may pursue careers in:

Nursing and health sciences research
Academic and university faculty positions
Research leadership and program development
Health care and population health research
Evidence-based practice and quality improvement
Health policy and health systems research
Research administration and grant-funded initiatives

Admission Requirements
Requirements and instructions for applicants with domestic credentials:
1. A master’s degree in an appropriate program (AT, CSD, OT, PT) from an accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 or higher.
2. Submission of official transcripts from ALL SCHOOLS attended for college credit (all associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree coursework) - EXCEPTION: Graduates with foreign credentials see section below.
3. Submit three (3) letters of recommendation from academic and professional references.
4. Submit a professional CV
5. Submit a statement of the applicant’s goals for pursuing the Ph.D. degree in the intended program of study. This statement must be typed, double‐spaced, in a narrative format of no more than 500 words.
6. A satisfactory interview by members of the College’s Doctoral Program Admissions Committee. The Committee will examine the credentials of all applicants.

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Have questions about HsC-PhD Program? Join our information sessions and get answers directly from our team.