PhD Admission
Successful applicants will meet the following admission criteria and submit the application materials prior to the application deadline. The application deadline is November 15th of each year, and admitted students will enter the PhD Program the following Summer semester (May).
PhD Admission Criteria
- Successful completion of a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a BSN and a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) from programs within regionally accredited institutions of higher education.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required, for the BSN degree and for the MSN if applicable. Similar equivalency will be required for graduates of international programs.
- Applicants to the MSN-PhD track only will have successfully completed a 3 credit hour, graduate level Statistics course with a grade of B- or higher before the program start date.
PhD Application Packet Materials
All applicants will submit the online PhD application and provide the following supporting materials
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework
- Evidence of the capacity for success, professional focus, and summary of immediate and long range goals in the PhD program by completing focused essays within the online application.
- Three references indicating ability to succeed in PhD program, preferably including at least one from a nurse faculty member who has direct knowledge of the applicant's academic ability.
- Current resume or CV
- An admission interview with IUSON faculty members that indicates the candidate’s ability to succeed in PhD program.
- Evidence of research focus congruency with a School of Nursing faculty member with the capacity and willingness to potentially serve as the applicant’s research mentor.
- The language of instruction at Indiana University is English, proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English is essential. If an applicant’s native language is not English, submission of proof of English proficiency is required. Proof of proficiency can be met by passing the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) with a minimum total score of at least 79, by passing IELTS with a minimum overall band score of 6.5, or by successfully completing the IUPUI Program for Intensive English (PIE) level 7.
All qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a formal admission interview with PhD faculty.
Application materials should be uploaded to the online application or submitted electronically to the Graduate Advisor for Doctoral Programs by the application deadline. Official transcripts should be submitted to the Graduate Advisor electronically, or by mail to the address below; copies of transcripts uploaded into the online application will not be accepted.
Graduate Advisor for Doctoral Programs
Indiana University School of Nursing
Center for Academic Affairs
600 Barnhill Drive, Room NU147
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107
For more information about the PhD program or the admission criteria, please contact:
Graduate Advisor for Doctoral Programs
Phone: (317) 274-2806
Last updated April 2022
