PhD in Nursing

The PhD in Nursing is a joint program between The University of Akron School of Nursing and Kent State University College of Nursing.  

Mission Statement

Like a shooting star, aim high, and strike a star-bright path.

The focus of the Ph.D. program is to prepare nurse scholars with expertise in discovery and integration, and it provides opportunities for the development of scholarship in application and teaching.

As a nursing scholar, you gain the ability and the opportunity to develop nursing knowledge, shape health care policy and advance new avenues of patient care.

Throughout the Ph.D. program, you will be involved in a vibrant exchange of ideas on many levels addressing important health care issues. After graduation with the doctorate, you will be able to shape the vision of nursing in research, advocacy, service and education.

*The design of the objet d'art was donated by our local artist, Don Drumm, of Akron, Ohio, exclusively for graduates of the PhD in Nursing Program.

The University of Akron Ph.D. in Nursing Model

The program is built upon the foundation of the Boyer Model of Scholarship. Within this model, four types of scholarship are described:

• DISCOVERY - generates new knowledge
• INTEGRATION - expands knowledge through interpretations and connections across disciplines that bring new insights into original research
• APPLICATION - advances new knowledge to improve practice

• TEACHING - advances new knowledge to improve the educational process

Admission

The Ph.D. can be completed in as little as three years as a full-time student and longer for part-time studies. Candidates should have a Master of Science in Nursing with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for graduate school. An accelerated BSN to Ph.D. track is available for qualified candidates with the BSN only. Please contact us for specific admission requirements.  

Tuition and Cost

The University of Akron provides an affordable tuition and fee schedule. Scholarships as well as part-time and full-time graduate assistantships, including both tuition and a stipend, are available.