Please review these instructions and application checklist requirements prior to completion of the online application.
Dates
Students begin this program in cohort groups, in Summer Session I. Complete applications for admission must be received by the annual deadline of December 1.
Interview
An interview should be scheduled with the Doctoral Program Assistant. Applicants will be interviewed using an on-line platform once their application has been submitted.
Application packet
The following items comprise the complete application packet.
- Completed Online Application
- Curriculum vitae
- Application fee (see below)
- Letter of Recommendation from three professional contacts - PhD prepared individuals preferred (see below)
- Interview with program faculty (best before November 15). Please complete the PhD Interview Questionnaire before your Interview and upload it on the Application site.
- Essay (described below)
- Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher education
- GRE scores, within last 5 years required only for BSN-PhD entry
- Copy of RN License for US citizens/residents
- Evidence of scholarly writing (e.g. publication, grant, thesis, report, term paper or equivalent)
- International students:
- TOEFL or IELTS scores
- Official transcripts for degrees earned outside the United States must be credentialed by WES
Recommendations
Letter of Recommendation forms should be submitted on your behalf from three (3) doctorally prepared contacts who are able to speak to your potential as a nurse educator and/or scholar. Letters of Recommendation are submitted electronically using our online application process.
Essay
A personal reflection should be submitted that addresses the following: rationale for selecting this particular doctoral program; description of your role aspirations; what you expect to derive from doctoral study; how you envision yourself as a scholar; your experience to date with research and scholarship; identification of your areas of scholarly interest that could lead to the development of a doctoral dissertation; and discussion of which Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Faculty member(s) you would like to study with and why. The essay should be a maximum of three typed, double spaced pages using 12 point Arial or Times New Roman font. The essay is submitted electronically as part of the online application process.
GRE
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is only required for applicants applying for BSN-PhD entry to the program. Applicants who have a Masters level degree (MSN, MPH) will be waived from the GRE requirement. Graduate Record Exam information can be accessed through www.gre.org. GRE results are to be sent directly to the Office of University Admission.
Official Transcripts
An official transcript from every previous college and school attended is to be sent directly to the PhD in Nursing Office using the address listed below. Transcripts from schools outside of the United States must be evaluated by WES https://www.wes.org/ and an official evaluation from WES must be received prior to the application deadline. Official transcripts can also be sent electronically to the Doctoral Program Assistant.
Additional Information for International Applicants
All transcripts from institutions outside the U. S. must be evaluated WES https://www.wes.org/ and an official evaluation from WES must be received prior to the application deadline.
Each applicant must document the ability to speak, read and write English as evidenced by satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Test information can be obtained at: www.toefl.org and www.ielts.org Students whose native language is English are exempt. For those whose native language is not English, the minimum acceptable scores are:
Internet-based TOEFL - 83 overall and 26 in Speaking and 25 in Writing
IELTS – 6.5 overall and 7.0 in speaking
International students must present evidence of adequate financial resources to meet the expenses of full-time study, living and travel expenses to and from the Villanova campus.
Application fee (non-refundable)
The application requires a fee of seventy dollars ($70.00) payable in U.S. funds when application is submitted.
Mailing
All correspondence concerning application to the PhD Program in Nursing should be mailed to the following address:
Doctoral Program - PhD in Nursing
Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
319 Driscoll Hall
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085-1690
Contact us if you have questions about the program or the application process.
PhD in Nursing Program Director
Mary Ann Cantrell, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN
610.519.6829
Doctoral Programs Assistant
Rachel N'Diaye
610.519.4914