The USF College of Nursing is dedicated to fostering a diverse community of scholars and seeks highly motivated applicants committed to the PhD in Nursing Science objectives. Admission is based on multiple factors that assess potential for doctoral-level success in alignment with our research pillars. Explore our research pillars and meet our team of researchers.

• Submit an application to the University of South Florida
  • Apply for the Fall semester in which you plan to begin classes.
  • Select PhD in Nursing Science as your degree and Tampa as your campus.
  • International applicants must submit by February 15.
• Submit an application to the College of Nursing via NursingCAS
  • Begin your NursingCAS application only after receiving your U Number from USF Admissions.

  • Ensure all supplementary materials are complete before submitting.

• B.S. in Nursing from an accredited program (for BSN-PhD only) 
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s in other fields may also be considered.

• M.S. in Nursing from an accredited program (for MSN-PhD only)
  • Applicants with a master’s in other fields may also be considered.
• DNP Clinical doctorate from an accredited program (for DNP-PhD only)
  • Applicants must have completed the DNP to enter this pathway.

• Statement of Goals and Research Interests
  • Submit a 3-part essay outlining your professional research goals and interests for the PhD in Nursing Science.  View the guidelines here.
  • Identify 1–2 faculty mentors whose research aligns with your interests. View our Nursing Science Without Limits video playlist and contact faculty before including them in your statement.
• Personal Statement
  • Highlight how you will contribute to the USF community of scholars. View the guidelines here.

• Curriculum Vitae

• Florida RN License
  • Required only if your research involves clinical work.
• Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Recommended sources: academic nursing faculty, clinical supervisor, and PhD-prepared nurse or researcher.
  • Competitive letters should be on professional letterhead and signed by the recommender.

Important Information:

All admitted nursing students must complete a background check, immunization verification, and drug screening, and provide proof of current health insurance. Detailed instructions will be provided upon admission.

For full details, please review the Graduate Catalog.

PhD Program Entry Points

1. BS-PhD (4-5 years of full-time study) 80 credit hours
2. MS-PhD (3-4 years of full-time study) 64 credit hours
3. DNP-PhD (2-3 years of full-time study) 52 credit hours

Specific requirements are determined individually by each student’s supervisory committee. Admitted students should meet with their faculty mentor for personalized program planning.

Curriculum Overview

• Core – 40 Credit hours (required for all PhD pathways)
• Content area and additional coursework – 25 credit hours (Post-bachelor’s requirement only)
• Advanced Directed Research – 3 credit hours (Post-bachelor’s and post-master’s requirement only)
• Cognate – 9 credit hours (Post-master’s requirement only)
• Dissertation – 12 credit hours (Required for all PhD pathways)

Format: Classes are offered live on the Tampa campus each semester, complemented by Canvas for online learning. Refer to our PhD Program Plans for detailed course sequencing.

Teaching Certification

PhD students completing the 13-credit Nursing Certificate Program are eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) exam. Eligibility varies by prior degree:

• Master’s degree holders: after completing 9 nursing education credit hours
• Bachelor’s degree holders: after earning the PhD

Applicants who meet the admission requirements should complete the steps below to successfully apply:

• Submit a USF Graduate Admissions Application
  • For questions, contact the USF Admissions Office at (813) 974-3350 or email admissions@usf.edu.
  •  Applicants will receive an eight-digit U Number upon submitting their university application, which is required for the NursingCAS application.
  • Note: Do not upload supplemental materials to the university application—transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and other supporting documents should be submitted only through NursingCAS.
• Submit a NursingCAS Application
  • All documentation, including transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation, and certifications, must be uploaded to NursingCAS, and applications must reach verified status by the deadline to be considered.
  • For technical assistance, contact NursingCAS at 617-612-2880 or nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org. Refer to the Application Deadlines tab if your desired term of entry is not available in NursingCAS.

Applicants must complete a personal interview with faculty from the PhD Admissions, Curriculum, and Academic Affairs Committee in addition to meeting all application requirements.

International Applicants

• Foreign Transcripts: All coursework and degrees completed outside the U.S. must undergo a course-by-course evaluation from an approved agency, which can take three to six months. A list of approved services is available from the USF Office of International Admissions and the Florida Board of Nursing. Evaluated transcripts must be submitted to NursingCAS electronically or in their original sealed envelopes by the application deadline. NursingCAS will not accept transcripts that have not been officially evaluated. Click here for detailed submission instructions.

• English Language: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate English proficiency. Details are available through the USF Office of International Admissions.
• Scholarships/Funding: Students seeking university funds or College of Nursing scholarships must identify and qualify for available funding sources. Additional screening may be required for students from certain countries, and those who do not pass HR screening will not be eligible for university funding. More information is available on the USF HR website.

Attend an Information Session

Priority admission and financial support will be given to applicants who meet the December 15 priority deadline.

At the USF College of Nursing, scholarships and financial aid are available to assist nursing students in achieving their academic goals. In 2024–2025, the College of Nursing awarded over 380 foundation scholarships, distributing $730,000 in private funding alone. Click below for more information.

Scholarships & Financial Aid