Where are they now? Double Jag graduate carries a piece of Augusta with her
“I think Augusta really taught me how to be a good faculty member, one who gives back and contributes to the holistic mission of the university and the community.”
This Doctor of Nursing (PhD) program is a research-focused degree that prepares nurse scientists for research-intensive academic careers.
The curriculum delves into the evaluation of both behavioral and biological theories related to health and illness. You'll gain the expertise to design and conduct rigorous clinical nursing studies that investigate the effectiveness of healthcare interventions within specific communities.
By choosing Augusta University's College of Nursing for your doctoral studies, you'll be joining a program renowned for its groundbreaking research in critical areas such as health disparities, cardiovascular risk reduction, and cancer prevention and control.
Nursing is for you if you consider yourself
A Calling
like no
other.
Want to learn more about the Nursing program at Augusta University?
Request InfoWhat You'll Study
Students in Augusta University’s Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Nursing program will complete 81 credit hours, including a minimum of 18 dissertation credit hours.
A minimum of three years of full-time attendance, or four years of part-time attendance, is required.
Curriculum | Admissions Criteria | Tuition and Fees | Application Deadlines
EXPLORE. EXCEL. EXPAND.
Augusta University's graduate programs are among the best in the nation – and the world – and our graduate students are our most valuable assets. To ensure that our students earn more than a degree, the Graduate School offers a range of opportunities so they can develop the leadership, communication and personal skills needed for a rewarding life and academic, research or professional career.
See what the Graduate School has to offer »
About the Graduate SchoolExperience-based Education
Augusta University is home to several research centers and institutes, including the Center for Nursing Research, the Georgia Cancer Center, the Center for Healthy Aging and the Georgia Prevention Institute.
Graduate assistantships, including research and teaching assistantships, provide financial assistance while providing valuable teaching or research experience.
Community partnerships like the Costa-Layman Health Fair and the Healthy Grandparents Program give students opportunities to participate in health-oriented community service.
The Center for Nursing Research helps facilitate faculty and student efforts to obtain external funding to support research or educational and service demonstration projects.
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program helps students cover educational costs, and eligible students can have up to 85% of this loan forgiven while serving as a full-time nurse faculty member at an accredited nursing school.
The program is designed with a research focus and emphasizes interdisciplinary knowledge development through collaboration with faculty mentors in nursing and related disciplines.
State-of-the-art technology abounds on the Health Sciences Campus, including at the Interdisciplinary Simulation Center, where students can advance their research interests in exciting ways.
Your Future
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for medical scientists is projected to rise much faster than average through 2031.
In 2021, the median pay for a medical scientist was $95,310 per year.
Profiles
As the healthcare environment rapidly changes, PhD prepared nurses are uniquely prepared to generate knowledge leading to vital clinical change.
Steven Waldrop
I believe every day I have a purpose, and completing this degree increases my capabilities to serve, impact positive outcomes, and increase success for individuals at our University and the community at large.
Shelli Larkin
GPA: A minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 a 4.0 scale and a minimum overall graduate GPA of a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
Degree Requirement: Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program and an accredited college or university. A Master’s degree or higher with a major in nursing (MSN, MN, DNP) alone may fulfill the minimum degree requirement.
Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges ever attended. Unofficial transcripts from US colleges and universities can be used in the admissions review process in lieu of official transcripts for this program.
Standardized Test Requirements: None are required for this program.
Prerequisite Coursework: 3 credit hours in statistics or biostatistics with a "B" or higher.
Letters of Recommendation: Recommendations from three individuals must be submitted through the application portal.
Resume or CV: Applicants must submit a resume or curriculum vitae within the application portal.
Writing Samples: An essay addressing experience and autobiographical information as well as an original paper reflecting research ability must be submitted within the application portal.
Licensure: Nurse applicants must currently hold an unrestricted RN license and be eligible for an unrestricted RN license in the state of Georgia.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen: Completion of criminal background check (CBC) and drug screen with results deemed satisfactory.
International Students: Please review the verification process for international transcripts and the english proficiency requirement.
$4,801*
Estimated total
Full-time / In-State / Per Semester
$401
Tuition Per Hour
$675
Mandatory Fees
View Detailed Program Tuition
*Tuition & Fees listed here are for in-state students enrolling in the university for Fall 2024 semester.
Detailed Program Tuition InformationEarly submission of all application materials is strongly advised.
All required application materials and documents must be received in order for an application to be considered complete and before an admission decision can be made. The program does not accept applications after the published application deadline, however the program will continue to accept application materials up to 2 weeks after the application deadline.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Form I-20 for F-1 student status or Form DS-2019 for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status cannot be issued by Augusta University for enrollment in this hybrid program per U.S. immigration regulations. Questions? Please email International & Postdoctoral Services Office at ipso@augusta.edu.
Learning Like No Other
Opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research in areas like cancer, health disparities and diabetes and epigenetics prepare you for research-intensive careers in academia.
Scholarships, assistantships and loan programs make the program financially accessible.
Community partnerships provide valuable experience while giving you the chance to improve health outcomes for a variety of communities.
“I think Augusta really taught me how to be a good faculty member, one who gives back and contributes to the holistic mission of the university and the community.”
“This scholarship will assist in covering my daily expenses and enable me to continue my volunteer work, both locally and internationally,” says Evan Boland.
“Learning to communicate and advocate for your research effectively is such an important tool as a researcher and can lead to valuable change,” says Quentin Davis, PhD.
"Giving back to your profession is a lifetime commitment and responsibility,” said Cynthia Chernecky, PhD.