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MSN to PhD in Nursing and Health Sciences

The MSN to PhD in Nursing and Health Sciences provides master’s-prepared nurses with a pathway to advance their expertise as nurse scientists, researchers, and leaders in health care. Building on your MSN education and professional experience, the program develops the advanced research skills needed to investigate complex health care challenges and generate knowledge that can improve health outcomes.

Graduates are prepared to conduct research in the health care field and translate evidence-based findings into practice, with a focus on improving the health and well-being of diverse cultures and underserved populations. Through rigorous doctoral study, students develop the knowledge and skills to contribute to the advancement of nursing and health sciences through research, scholarship, and innovation.

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

Students build expertise in:

  • Advanced nursing 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
  • Academic, health care, and political systems, leadership, and policy

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Career Opportunities

The MSN-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

  • Admission Requirements

    Applicants to the MSN-to-PhD in Nursing and Health Sciences program must meet FIU Graduate School requirements and the specific admission requirements of the doctoral nursing program.

    Requirements include:

    • MSN from an accredited institution
    • Minimum 3.0/4.0 graduate GPA
    • Current Florida RN or APRN licensure, if applicable
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Professional CV and statement of PhD goals
    • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
    • Satisfactory doctoral program interview

    International applicants with foreign MSN credentials have additional credential evaluation and English-language proficiency requirements.

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  • Program Requirements

    Students in the Post Graduate PhD Program are required to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours:

    • Thirty‐nine (39) credit hours of core coursework
    • A minimum of 3‐9 credit hours of Candidacy Examination
    • 18 hours of Dissertation credits.
    • Complete curriculum components as outlined by the individual plan of study and the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Please see here for more: PhD Handbook
    • Maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
    • Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 will be placed on academic probation for one (1) semester and are subject to dismissal if the 3.0 GPA requirement is not met upon completion of the probationary period.
    • Removal of all conditions, deficiencies and incomplete grades. Students are expected to register for courses with letter grades. Credit hours for courses in which the grade is “B-” or below will not count toward satisfying graduate degree requirements.
    • Demonstrate graduate knowledge in three stages to be awarded a PhD in Nursing and Health Sciences degree:
      • Stage I - Candidacy Examination (written papers and oral defense)
      • Stage II - Proposal Defense
      • Stage III - Dissertation Defense
    • Complete a dissertation five (5) years from the date of advancement to candidacy (i.e., successful completion of written and oral examinations, favorable recommendation of supervisory/guidance committee, and an approved dissertation proposal).

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