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Contribute to the future of nursing and health care by earning a PhD from the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies. Our faculty will guide your experience as you develop a plan of study and begin your research career. The program offers you a chance to explore a subject you're passionate about while contributing to the overall health care industry. Our curriculum is designed to prepare you for a career in academia or health care leadership.
The BSN-PhD option enables select, highly motivated students who have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to enroll directly into the PhD program after completing 12 credit hours of MSN course work. The post-baccalaureate entry option is for highly-qualified BSN graduates with an unencumbered license as a registered nurse and whose career goals are research-oriented to progress as rapidly as possible toward the doctorate degree in nursing.
Quick facts
Official name
Doctor of philosophy in nursingCampus
Program type
DoctorateAcademic home
School of Nursing and Health StudiesDelivery mode
Blended, some campus visits requiredAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionBS to PhD credit hours
73BS to PhD estimated cost
$55,560.30MS to PhD credit hours
61MS to PhD estimated cost
$46,373.00*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Potential careers for PhD nursing graduates:
- Faculty in colleges or universities
- Researcher
- Hospital administrator
Recent graduates who retained their positions have had opportunities for advanced positions in their current institutions.
Program structure
Delivery of this program is blended: You will complete most course work online, but on-campus visits are required. Courses are semester-based. Students choose full or part-time plans of study and take two or three courses per semester. Full-time students can finish in five years and part-time students in six years.
Course work includes
- Responsible conduct of research
- State of the science
- Quantitative methods
- Qualitative methods
- Research design
Delivery
Blended, some campus visits requiredCalendar system
SemesterTypical program length
5-6 yearsTypical course load
2-3 courses per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Lasiter presents locally, nationally, and internationally on topics related to her program of research focused on delirium and health system support for recovery of ICU Survivors. She has promoted student success by mentoring undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students to complete research projects and disseminate findings in multi-disciplinary journals and conference presentations.