PhD Admission Requirements, Application and Fees

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD program occurs annually with students beginning their program of study in the 11-week summer session. Completed applications for each summer cohort are due February 15.

General Requirements

  1. Written essay describing the impetus for pursuing a PhD in nursing, and a discussion of research and scholarship goals (400-word limit).
  2. Two written professional references from individuals with expertise to comment on the applicant’s capacity for research and scholarship (for example, university professors or employers). At least one of the references must be from a doctoral-prepared nurse.
  3. Satisfactory performance on Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) when English is not the applicant’s native language.
  4. Computer competency, with proficiency in basic software. The University requires that all students use e-mail and internet access for communication and course work.
  5. A graduate statistics course which included inferential statistics or another statistical refresher course approved by the PhD Program Director.
  6. A current curriculum vita.
  7. An interview with faculty who may serve as research mentors or dissertation committee members.

BSN to PhD

  1. Minimum GPA of 3.3 and no grade below B on all previous coursework.
  2. BSN from an accredited nursing program.
  3. Evidence of current unrestricted license to practice as a nurse in North Carolina or a NCSBN compact state. Students on foreign student visas must present evidence of professional standing in their respective countries. BSN to PhD students must gain an unrestricted license by the end of the fall semester of the year of admission to continue in the program.

MSN/DNP to PhD

  1. A master’s degree in nursing from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredited school.
  2. Minimum grade-point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale on all graduate work.
  3. Evidence of current unrestricted license to practice as a nurse in North Carolina or a NCSBN compact state. Students on foreign student visas must present evidence of professional standing in their respective countries.

Visit the ECU Online Graduate Catalog to see admission requirements and complete program details.

Tuition and Fees

A schedule of university fees is available at the ECU Financial Services website. Note that there are additional costs for uniforms, books, clinical testing and supplies, and liability insurance. You can find resources for financial aid at the ECU Office of Student Financial Aid.

Application

All applications to the PhD program in nursing are made through the ECU Graduate School. Once on the Graduate School website, you will need to set up an account and submit an online application by using the link provided on their website.

Visit the ECU Graduate School to apply to the PhD in Nursing Program