The PhD Program in Nursing is research intensive:
- Students are matched with and mentored by internationally recognized faculty researchers.
See our Research Areas & Faculty Research. - Students learn research methodology through hands-on immersion experiences in collaboration with faculty research teams. See our Current PhD Students.
- Full-time students will receive full funding to cover tuition, fees, health insurance and monthly stipend.
- Part-time students are eligible for federal funding through Nurse Faculty Loan that can be used to pay tuition, fees and other reasonable educational expenses.
- Opportunities for interprofessional education and research experiences.
Talk with our faculty and staff.
Next Open House: August 14, 2025
From 6 to 7 PM Central Time (CT)
Program Information
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Admission Requirements
Prospective students must:
- Prospective students should have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in nursing or its equivalent (e.g. Master’s Entry to Nursing) from a U.S. regionally accredited educational institution or an international equivalent. Applicants holding a degree in a non-nursing health-related discipline with a comparable level of education and professional certification will be considered on an individual basis.
- Prospective international students must demonstrate English language proficiency.
- Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete and submit a formal application to the PhD Program to include*:
- Applicants should submit an official transcript from every college or university they have ever attended (even if for only one semester). Transcripts may be emailed electronically by the issuing institution to the UAB Graduate School at gradschool@uab.edu or mailed to:
- UAB Graduate School
LHL G03
1720 2nd Ave. S.
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013
- UAB Graduate School
- Three (3) letters of recommendation: Letters should be from previous faculty (preferably within the past 5 years), supervisors, or healthcare professionals (excluding family members). It is highly preferred that at least one letter is from an individual with a research-focused doctoral degree.
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume).
- A written personal statement/essay and/or completed essay questions as directed in the application process.
- Applicants should submit an official transcript from every college or university they have ever attended (even if for only one semester). Transcripts may be emailed electronically by the issuing institution to the UAB Graduate School at gradschool@uab.edu or mailed to:
- Applicants will be invited to an interview if chosen by the admissions committee.
* Previous UABSON students that completed in the BSN Honors program within the last 3 years may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Please contact the UAB Office of Student Success at sonadmissions@uab.edu.
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Application for Admission/Application Deadlines
Application Deadline
Entry Date: Fall 2025
Application Opens: Mid-August 2024
Priority Admission Deadline: January 1, 2025
(Domestic and International Applicants)
International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of January 1st. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be considered on a space available basis up to April 1, 2025.
Application Process
Click here to apply for admission to the PhD Program.
Click here for detailed application instructions.
Previous UABSON students that completed in the BSN Honors program within the last 3 years may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Please contact the UAB Office of Student Success at sonadmissions@uab.edu.
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Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the PhD program, students will be able to:
Develop nursing science:
- Mastery of a body of knowledge and the nursing discipline.
- Critiquing and integrating difference science perspective and generating new ideas.
- Conducting culturally competent, ethical, and original research.
- Disseminating research findings to drive policy and nursing practice.
Steward the Discipline:
- Disseminate science via publications and presentations.
- Weave theoretical/scientific underpinnings into all efforts to integrate research, teaching and service.
- Practice knowledge and culture of nursing.
Educate the Next Generation:
- Participate in the global scholars’ community.
- Participate in team science.
- Provide mentorship and education to others.
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Sample Full-Time Program of Study**
Full-time students are required to be registered for a minimum of 9 hours each semester.
Year 1 Fall NUR 751Q Philosophical Foundations of Science 3 NUR 753Q Nursing as a Scientific Discipline 2 NRM 752Q Responsible Conduct of Research 3 NST 778Q Data Management 2 Spring NRM 750Q Foundations of Quantitative Research 3 NUR 755Q Critical Analyses of Theories, Models and Frameworks 3 NUR 759Q Writing a Career Development Grant Proposal 1 NST 758Q Inferential Statistics I 3 Summer NRM 798QL Research Immersion 3-6 NRM 780Q Application of Research Design Principles I 3 NUR 760Q Scientific Dissemination 1 Elective Substantive Core 3 Qualifying Exam Credit Hours 30-33
Year 2 Fall NRM 781Q Quantitative Measurement 3 NST 779Q Statistical Modeling I – Linear Models 3 NRM 783Q Foundations of Qualitative Research 3 Spring NRM 782Q Application of Research Design Principles II 3 NUR 758Q Research & Health Policy 3 Elective Substantive Core 3 Summer NRM 798QL Research Immersion 3-6 NST 780Q Statistical Modelling II – Topics in Multivariate Analysis 3 NUR 797Q Writing the Dissertation 3 Credit Hours 27-30
Year 3+ Fall Independent Study with Mentor Comprehensive Exam 9 Dissertation Proposal & Defense IRB Application Spring NUR 799Q Dissertation Research 9 Summer NUR 799Q Dissertation Research 9 Credit Hours 27 *Minimum of 87 credit hours required * All students are required to attend an annual Summer Intensive.
** The Program of Study is subject to change.
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Sample Part-Time Program of Study
Part-time students must be registered for at least six hours each semester.
Year 1 Fall NUR 751Q Philosophical Foundations of Science 3 NUR 753Q Nursing as a Scientific Discipline 2 Elective or Independent Study – consider NTC 650 or NTC 658 1-3 Spring NRM 750Q Foundations of Quantitative Research 3 NRM 755Q Critical Analyses of Theories, Models and Frameworks 3 Summer NRM 798QL Research Immersion 3-6 NRM 780Q Application of Research Design Principles I 3 Credit Hours 18-23
Year 2 Fall NRM 752Q Responsible Conduct of Research 3 NUR 778Q Data Management 2 Elective Substantive Core 1-3 Spring NUR 759Q Writing a Career Development Grant Proposal 1 NUR 758Q Inferential Statistics I 3 Summer NRM 798QL Research Immersion 3-6 NRM 760Q Scientific Dissemination 1 Qualifying Exam Credit Hours 16-19
Year 3 Fall NRM 781Q Quantitative Measurement 3 NST 779Q Statistical Modeling I – Linear Models 3 Spring NRM 782Q Application of Research Design Principles I 3 NUR 758Q Research & Health Policy 3 Summer NRM 783Q Foundations of Qualitative Research 3 NST 780Q Statistical Modelling II – Topics in Multivariate Analysis 3 Credit Hours 18
Year 4 Fall NUR 797Q Writing the Dissertation 3 Elective Substantive Core 3 Spring Independent Study with Mentor Comprehensive Exam
Dissertation proposal & defense
IRB application9 Summer Elective Substantive Core 3 NUR 799Q Dissertation Research 3 Credit Hours 21
Year 5 Fall NUR 799Q Dissertation Research 9 Credit Hours 9 *Minimum of 87 credit hours required * All students are required to attend an annual Summer Intensive.
** The Program of Study is subject to change.
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Tuition and Fees
The following tuition and fees are valid for the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition and fees and are SUBJECT TO CHANGE annually based on approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and/or University.
The estimates below are based on the costs listed at the UAB Office of Planning and Analysis website.
Each student’s costs will vary depending upon a number of factors including state of residence, the number of credits taken in a semester, or whether the student attends class live or through a distance-accessible format. Fees vary by program and course.
Tuition and Fees
UAB School of Nursing 2024-2025Resident
Charge ($)Non-resident
Charge ($)International
Charge ($)PhD coursework (in classroom per semester hour) 610 1,505 1,587 PhD coursework (distance-accessible format per semester hour) 702 702 785 Fees - UAB School of Nursing Cost ($) Educational Support and Technology Fee (per course) 235 Other Related Expenses (Estimated) Cost ($) Books and supplies (estimate per term) 600 Student Hospitalization Insurance Fee (per month) 1 200 Background Check (annual estimate) 92 1 May be waived with documented proof of equal or greater coverage. -
Funding Your Education
Fellowship, Traineeship, and Loan Programs
There are a limited number of Graduate Fellowships and Traineeships that are awarded through the UAB School of Nursing that require students to meet specific requirements, and are only awarded when funds are available. When such funds are available in a particular program, students enrolled in the program will be notified and provided information on how to apply.
Contact Katrina Staffney (email: KatrinaStaffney@uab.edu), for more information.Nurse Faculty Loan
Federal Nurse Faculty Loan Funds are available to all doctoral students or MSN students who intend to assume a faculty position in a school of nursing upon completion of the degree. These funds are limited to payment of tuition and fees and other reasonable educational expenses.
Contact JoeAnn Kennedy (email: joeann@uab.edu), for more information.NIOSH Training Grant
Work-related injuries have a significant cost to employers and to public health. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) training grants support UAB School of Nursing PhD students as they prepare for a career in teaching, research, consulting or administration by completing theory, research, and occupational health courses and dissertation research on an occupational health topic. The grant provides tuition, fees, and stipend support for full-time on-campus PhD studies for students holding U.S. citizenship or permanent visas. The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing is part of the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, which offers students rigorous studies to prepare interprofessional occupational health and safety leaders in planning and implementing occupational health and safety programs.
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Information for International Students
NOTE: Prospective International students must first contact UAB International Admissions to determine eligibility to study in the U.S. and/or submit an application for admission to UAB.
The table below provides information on eligibility requirements for the PhD Program.
PhD F1 or J1 Visa Acceptable Required College Degree (BSN Equivalent or higher) Required Foreign Transcripts Evaluated Required English Proficiency Required Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the U.S. Not Required The School of Nursing PhD Program works closely with INTO UAB to provide international applicants with admissions support, academic preparation, English language training, and other supportive services designed to facilitate student success.
All applicants must meet the PhD Program Admission Requirements. The following are additional requirements for International applicants.
International Application Requirements
- Prospective students should have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in nursing or its equivalent (e.g. Master’s Entry to Nursing) from a U.S. regionally accredited educational institution or an international equivalent. Applicants holding a degree in a non-nursing health-related discipline with a comparable level of education and professional certification will be considered on an individual basis.
- Official foreign transcripts must be submitted directly from the higher education institution to UAB International Admissions for evaluation and equivalency of educational credentials. If you already have a WES or ECE we will accept it in lieu of sending your official transcript to UAB International Admissions. Please have WES or ECE send directly to UAB International Admissions.
- Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on prior college/university course work.
- Completion of a formal admission interview, if selected.
- Meet English language requirements. Scores on Tests of English Language (TOEFL or IELTS) must be submitted and are used to determine student placement in a one or two-semester pathway that includes English language coursework. A English Proficiency Exam waiver is available for eligible applicants. For more information about the English Proficiency Exam waiver click here and then make sure to click on the English Proficiency Exams section.
- Requirements for Direct Admission:
- TOEFL iBT 90 and minimum of 20 in each of the 4 test sections, or
- IELTS 7.0 and minimum of 7.0 in at least 2 of the 4 test sections.
- Requirements for 1-Semester Pathway:
- TOEFL iBT 80 and minimum of 18 in each of the 4 test sections, or
- IELTS 6.5 and minimum of 6.0 in at least 2 of the 4 test sections.
- Requirements for 2-Semester Pathway:
- TOEFL iBT 70 and minimum of 16 in each of the 4 test sections, or
- IELTS 6.0 and minimum of 5.0 in at least 2 of the 4 test sessions
- Requirements for Direct Admission:
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Applications of Mixed Methods Research Certificate
The Applications of Mixed Methods Research Certificate is designed to equip students with applied knowledge and skills necessary to plan, conduct, and evaluate mixed methods research within the context of a research topic of interest. The certificate may be completed post-doctorally as a non-degree student, or the certificate may be completed by students enrolled in the PhD program in nursing.
To achieve the graduate certificate, students must complete a minimum of 15 credits of coursework that includes: 1) the four required mixed methods courses; and 2) one elective courses.
Click here for more program information and instructions on how to apply to the Mixed Methods Research Certificate. The Certificate is awarded through the School of Health Professions.
Mixed Methods Certificate Courses and Offerings
Course Credit Hours Semester Offered Fall Spring Summer AH/NRM 777 Mixed Methods Research I: Introduction to the Field (R) 3 X AH/NRM 778 Mixed Methods Research II: Designing/Conducting a Mixed Methods Study (R) 3 X AH/NRM 779 Mixed Methods Applications in Community-Based Action Research (R) 3 X AH/NRM 785 Qualitative Research; Analysis and Interpretation (E) 3 X NRM 783 Foundations of Qualitative Research (E) 3 X AH 783 Writing Effective Mixed Methods Grant Proposals* (R) 3 X (E) Elective Course. Students must take one of the three elective courses for the certificate. (R) Required Course. Students must complete all four required courses for the certificate.
For more information, contact:
Contact
