Admissions

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (BSN-to-PhD) program is designed to meet the educational needs of nurses who are committed to conducting nursing research.  Its purpose is to prepare scholars and researchers who will advance the theoretical and empirical basis for nursing and provide visionary leadership to the profession.


The admission process is selective due to the rigorous nature of the program.  The ideal candidate should desire a career in research and have an interest in the research currently in progress at the School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS).  Faculty scholars provide mentorships in the following areas: Health Disparities, Minority and LGBT Health, HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases, Family and Maternal-Child Health, Intimate Partner Violence, Patient Safety, and Substance Abuse, among others.

The curriculum will focus on the theoretical and empirical basis for a variety of nursing actions.  Students work with leading nurse scientists to create a program of research.  Depth of knowledge in the specialty area is developed through required coursework and electives, related research experiences, independent study, and dissertation research.

Graduates of this program are recognized as cutting-edge researchers and educators in academic, medical, and scientific institutions.

The University of Miami is a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges (COC) and is accredited to offer degrees through the doctoral level.

 

Program Basics and Deadlines

BSN-to-PhD

  • Entry Term: Summer 2025 (June)
  • Length of Program: 10 semesters
  • Application Opens: September 1, 2024
  • Deadlines:
    • Full-funding Priority Decision Deadline = December 1, 2024

Masters to PhD

  • Entry Term: Fall 2025 (August)
  • Length of Program: 10 semesters
  • Application Opens: September 1, 2024
  • Deadlines:
    • Full-funding Priority Decision Deadline = December 1, 2024

 

Application Portal

Applications for this program must be submitted through NursingCAS at http://www.nursingcas.org/.  Simply create an account, search for this program for your intended semester of entry, and complete the required steps to apply online. 

The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies only reviews completed applications.  Be sure to monitor the status of your application by checking the “View My Notifications” and “Check Status” sections of NursingCAS and following up or responding appropriately to ensure all admission materials are submitted by the application deadline.

Questions about the NursingCAS application portal should be directed to NursingCAS.

 

Admission Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution, in nursing
    • Degrees in nursing from NLN or CCNE accredited programs are preferred.
    • Official transcripts for each institution attended must be mailed from the issuing institution’s Registrar directly to NursingCAS. NursingCAS cannot process transcripts that are stamped “Issued to Student.”  To expedite the process be sure to include the Transcript Request Form from the “Colleges Attended” section in “Academic History.”
    • Applicants are required to list all institutions attended in the “Colleges Attended” section under “Academic History” even if no degree was awarded.
    • Applicants with international transcripts should refer to the “Additional Requirements for International Transcripts” section below. International degrees must be equivalent to those in the U.S.
  2. Master’s degrees, preferably in nursing or in a related field, from regionally-accredited institutions.
  3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
  4. Introductory statistics course
  5. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s disposition towards scholarship 
    • Preferably from individuals with doctorates in nursing.
    • At least one reference from an academic source. 
    • Complete the “References” section to request electronic recommendations.
  6. Statement of professional goals
    • Discuss specific research interests and how areas of interest might fit in with the ongoing research activities of the (SONHS) faculty. Reasons for applying to the PhD program at the University of Miami, future professional goals, and related clinical, teaching, and/or research experience should also be addressed. 
    • It is important to match research interests with the research content matter or methodology expertise of the SONHS faculty. It is recommended that applicants review the faculty areas of research listed on the SONHS website, https://www.sonhs.miami.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-directory/index.html, as well as faculty publications before applying (see CINHAL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, or Google Scholar databases to search for research articles).
    • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “Personal Statement.”
  7. Current CV/resume
    • The CV/resume should include work and volunteer activities, licensures and other certifications, awards, professional organizations, and academic experiences.
    • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “CV/Resume.”
  8. Current, unrestricted RN license to practice nursing in the State of Florida or the state/territory of current practice
    • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “License.”
    • International students must have a United States Social Security number to obtain a Florida RN license.

 

Admission Process: Rolling Admission

Applications are processed and reviewed on a continual basis.  Admission personnel start processing applications as soon as they are received and they release decisions as they are made by the admission committee.  Please note this process takes time.  While applications are processed on a rolling basis, we cannot guarantee an immediate admission decision; however, we guarantee that all applicants will receive an admission decision and that all applicants who apply by the specified deadline will be considered for a spot in our program.

 

Interviews

Interviews may be scheduled at the discretion of the faculty.  Interviews may be in person or via telephone or webcam.  Applicants are responsible to cover all associated travel expenses.

 

Additional Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-U.S. Residents

Applicants must upload a copy of their passport in the “Documents” tab under “Other.”

 

Additional Requirements for International Transcripts

Applicants (international and domestic) who have attended a college or university outside of the United States must request a course-by-course degree evaluation, complete with degree equivalency and GPA calculation information, by submitting all international transcripts and diplomas (if applicable) to one of the following approved evaluation services:

Complete evaluations must be sent by the evaluation company directly to NursingCAS.  Copies of all official transcripts and diplomas must be included by the evaluation company when the evaluation is sent to NurisngCAS.

Applicants who use WES can request their completed evaluations be sent electronically to NursingCAS to post to their application.  Students who choose to send their complete evaluation to NursingCAS by mail must request it be sent directly by the evaluation company to NursingCAS, P.O. Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471.

Note: Any foreign documents received by the School of Nursing and Health Studies become the property of the University of Miami and will not be returned to the applicant or sent to a third party, including third party evaluation services.

 

Additional Requirements for Applicants for whom English is not the Native Language

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit passing Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores--click here to view passing score. TOEFL scores should be sent directly to NursingCAS using code #B506. IELTS should be sent directly to the following address: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Office of Student Services, P.O. Box 248153, Coral Gables, FL 33124-3850. 

Note: Students whose native language is not English but who attended and earned a degree from a regionally-accredited higher education institution in the United States are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

 

Additional Application and Admission Guidelines

Applicants are only permitted to apply to 1 program at the SONHS per application cycle (i.e., the same semester).

Admission is contingent upon completion of all requirements outlined in the Certificate of Admission.  This includes a mandatory online pre-immersion course, valid immunizations, a negative drug test, and clearance of an FBI background check, among others.  Clinical rotations are a component of the nursing program and require that students have a background report without any infractions.  If a student’s background report contains any infractions, regardless of how they were resolved or adjudicated, his/her offer of admission will be rescinded.

Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Faculty of the SONHS reserve the right to waive any requirement or request additional information at any time.