The Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) PhD Program reflects a unique Teacher-Scholar Model educating PhD-prepared Nurses as academic educators and nurse scientists. The richness and depth of our faculty support students pursuing a program of research to advance nursing education science, as well as those seeking a career focused on clinically-based research. We educate our graduates with the knowledge and skill to conduct high-quality studies that reflect topics that are significant, timely and support quality patient outcomes among diverse populations.
Based on a college or university’s Carnegie Classification of Institutions®, a PhD-prepared nurse can hold an academic position focused primarily on teaching, while others will dedicate their time and effort to conducting research. All nurses who hold a faculty role are expected to engage in scholarship. Our recently revised curriculum supports the range of responsibilities among doctorly-prepared educators and enhances research and scholarship skill.
Accelerated PhD
Starting in 2023, an annual cohort of five PhD Nursing students will be enrolled in the accelerated PhD option over each of the next five years. This program—the Joanne and William Conway PhD Fellows Program—enables Villanova Nursing to build upon its rich history of developing nursing faculty in the Augustinian teacher-scholar model. It allows the College to launch an accelerated PhD track to decrease the time to graduation, and also reduce the financial barriers that prevent many nurses from pursuing a doctoral degree by providing comprehensive financial support for qualified students. To learn more about the new Accelerated Track, register for our Online Information Session.
Explore the PhD
Doctoral Readiness Survey
This assessment is a guide to evaluate the type of doctoral program that best fits your career goals. Assessments are anonymous and Villanova Nursing will not receive your responses to the survey. *There is no relationship between your responses and the evaluation of your application for admission into the FCN PhD Program.