The College is committed to recruiting a diverse pool of applicants who are highly motivated to achieve the doctoral program objectives. Admission to the program is based on a number of factors that measure a student's potential for academic success at the doctoral level. 

Important Information:

All admitted nursing students are required to complete a background check, immunization verification, and drug screening. Additionally, students will be required to provide proof of current health insurance. Admitted students will be provided with the steps to complete this process. 

There are three entry points to the PhD program: for those with a BSN, MSN, and clinical doctorate. Learn more about the different requirements by consulting the Graduate Catalog.

Prospective students can also learn more by consulting the PhD Student Handbook.

Flexible Traditional Format: To meet the needs of working professionals, our PhD Program offers a flexible traditional format with intensive on-campus research experiences combined with web-based research and educational activities. Classes are offered every Monday throughout the semester; see our PhD Program Calendar for more information.

Certification: Beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, PhD students are eligible to sit for the certification exam offered by the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) program. Students who have master’s degrees in nursing would be eligible to sit for the certification exam after completing 9 nursing education credit hours. Students who hold bachelor’s degrees would sit for the exam after being awarded their PhDs.

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

1. Submit a Graduate Admissions Application
• USF Graduate Admissions Application
• For all questions, contact the USF Admissions Office at (813) 974-3350 or visit the website
• Note: Do not upload supplemental documentation; please bypass these sections of the application (e.g., test scores, transcripts and personal statements)
  
2. Submit a NursingCAS Application
• NursingCAS Application
• For all questions, contact the USF Nursing Student Affairs Office at (813) 974-2191 or nurstudent@usf.edu
• Submit all required documentation through NursingCAS

Required Documentation: All documentation (e.g., transcripts, resume, certifications, etc.) must be uploaded to NursingCAS by the deadline in order for applications to be considered.

Interview Requirement: In addition to fulfilling the application requirements, a personal interview with faculty will be required. 

Learn more by attending an information session and application workshop.

International Admissions

• Foreign Transcripts: All coursework and degrees completed outside the United States require a course-by-course evaluation from an approved evaluating agency. Foreign transcript evaluation services are approved by the USF Graduate School. Please note that the Florida Board of Nursing maintains its own list of approved evaluating agencies. Transcript evaluations must be received at the College of Nursing in their original sealed envelopes by the deadlines posted.
• English Language: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate English proficiency. Please see USF Graduate Catalog for more information or contact USF Office of International Admissions.

Priority Application Deadlines:

• For Financial Support Consideration - December 15
• For Priority Admission Consideration - February 15

Note: The program will admit students on a space available basis after the deadline to apply.

Priority admission and consideration for financial support will be limited to those meeting the priority deadline.
 
NOTE: Application deadlines for Graduate Student Success fellowships, including the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, are often prior to the priority College of Nursing deadline. Applicants should consult the pertinent funding agency as additional application materials may be required for each fellowship.