Dartmouth University

What you'll study

The PhD in Registered Nursing offers three interrelated pathways — Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing — that share a core doctoral curriculum and specialised modules aligned to each pathway. Core study emphasises research design, advanced statistics, ethics in clinical research, theoretical foundations of nursing science and academic professional development. Research methods cover quantitative and qualitative approaches, mixed methods, systematic review and implementation science.

• Nursing Administration: coursework typically includes healthcare systems leadership, organisational behaviour in healthcare, health policy and finance, quality improvement and strategic management for nursing services.
• Nursing Research: modules focus on advanced biostatistics, longitudinal and multilevel modelling, research grant writing, measurement and instrument development, and translational research methods.
• Clinical Nursing: study emphasises advanced clinical scholarship relevant to a chosen specialty (for example acute care, critical care, community health or gerontology), clinical trial design, outcomes measurement and evidence-based practice implementation.

Doctoral study culminates in an independent research dissertation that contributes original knowledge to nursing practice or policy. Students take part in seminars, teaching practice, grant-writing workshops and collaborative projects with clinical partners. Many students pursue additional specialised electives in areas such as health services research, informatics, population health, and trauma or palliative care, according to their pathway and research focus.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to be registered nurses with a relevant master's-level qualification (for example an MSc, MPhil, MSN or equivalent) or substantial relevant experience that demonstrates research preparation; some programmes may consider exceptional candidates with an honours-level bachelor's plus extensive clinical and research experience. Typical academic requirements include a strong record in prior graduate study and demonstrable coursework in research methods and statistics.

• Current registration as a nurse in the applicant's practising jurisdiction.
• A master's degree in nursing or a related health discipline, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Evidence of research preparedness such as a research proposal, a writing sample, or prior research publications or presentations.
• Professional references (usually at least two) that can speak to clinical competence and academic/research potential.
• An interview with faculty to discuss research fit and supervisory arrangements; applicants should identify potential supervisors and a preliminary research plan in their application.

International applicants must meet English language requirements and provide documentation of comparable qualifications and professional registration. Specific entry criteria and documentation requirements are provided by the university and may vary by pathway.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme move into senior roles across clinical, academic and policy sectors. Common career destinations include:

• Academic posts as tenure-track or clinical faculty, leading teaching programmes and supervising future researchers.
• Leadership roles in healthcare organisations, such as chief nursing officer, director of nursing, or senior management positions responsible for quality and safety.
• Research careers in universities, government agencies, independent research institutes or large healthcare systems, leading funded projects and contributing to evidence synthesis.
• Clinical leadership and advanced practice roles that combine direct patient care with service development and evaluation in specialty areas.
• Policy, consultancy and advisory roles in public health, professional bodies or non-governmental organisations where advanced research skills inform system-level change.

The programme equips graduates with the skills to secure research funding, publish in peer-reviewed journals, lead multidisciplinary teams and influence clinical practice and policy.

Why study at Dartmouth University

Doctoral students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across the university's health sciences network and access to the regional academic medical centre and clinical partners. The learning environment typically emphasises close faculty supervision, mentorship and opportunities to work on practice-focused research projects within clinical settings.

• Opportunities for partnership with clinical sites and health services for applied research and implementation studies.
• Access to research infrastructure, including statistical support, grant development workshops and seminar series.
• A scholarly community that fosters interprofessional education, collaboration with medicine, public health and health services researchers, and pathways into academic careers.

Prospective applicants should review faculty research interests and contact potential supervisors to discuss fit and available resources before applying. The university provides guidance on funding options, professional development and career planning for doctoral students.