Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science Program Admissions

Create an account and apply through NursingCAS.

Applicants may apply to only one University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies program per application cycle (i.e., within the same semester).

Questions about the NursingCAS application portal should be directed to NursingCAS.

The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies only reviews submitted and complete applications. Be sure to monitor the status of your application by regularly checking the “View My Notifications” and “Check Status” sections of NursingCAS to ensure all materials are submitted by the application deadline.

Applications are processed as they are received and held until the application deadline. The admission committee will review all applications at that time. Applicants who are invited for interviews will receive notification via e-mail or phone. The admission committee will begin to communicate admission decisions once all interviews are complete. In the meantime, applicants will receive updates via e-mail regarding their application status as they become available.

Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally-accredited institution.

Master's degrees, preferably in nursing or in a related field, from regionally-accredited institutions

Check your institution's accreditation: https://www.chea.org/ 

• Degrees in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited programs are preferred.
• Official transcripts for each institution attended must be received from the issuing institution’s Registrar directly to NursingCAS. NursingCAS cannot process transcripts that are stamped “Issued to Student.”  To expedite the process be sure to include the Transcript Request Form from the “Colleges Attended” section in “Academic History.”
• Applicants are required to list all institutions attended in the “Colleges Attended” section under “Academic History” even if no degree was awarded.
• Applicants with international transcripts should refer to the “Additional Requirements for International Transcripts” section below. International degrees must be equivalent to those in the U.S.
   

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Questions about GPA calculation?
NursingCAS Applicant Help Center: https://help.liaisonedu.com/NursingCAS_Applicant_Help_Center

Introductory statistics course

Compare the following University of Miami statistics course description to that of your home institution to ensure your course covers the appropriate material:

Application of descriptive and inferential statistics. Principles and methods of summarizing data including tables, graphs, percentile ranks, central tendency, variability, normal distribution. Basic concepts of probability, hypothesis testing, and analysis of variance. Examples and problems from nursing and health sciences.

Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s disposition towards scholarship 

• Preferably from individuals with doctorates in nursing.
• At least one reference from an academic source. 
• Complete the “References” section to request electronic recommendations.

• Discuss specific research interests and how areas of interest might fit in with the ongoing research activities of the (SONHS) faculty. Reasons for applying to the PhD program at the University of Miami, future professional goals, and related clinical, teaching, and/or research experience should also be addressed. 
• It is important to match research interests with the research content matter or methodology expertise of the SONHS faculty. It is recommended that applicants review the faculty areas of research listed on the SONHS website, https://www.sonhs.miami.edu/academics/doctoral-programs/phd/program-highlights/phd-faculty/index.html, as well as faculty publications before applying (see CINHAL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, or Google Scholar databases to search for research articles).
• Upload in the “Documents” tab under “Personal Statement.”

• The CV/resume should include work and volunteer activities, licensures and other certifications, awards, professional organizations, and academic experiences.
• Upload in the “Documents” tab under “CV/Resume.”

Current, unencumbered RN license to practice nursing in the State of Florida or the state/territory of current practice

• Upload in the “Documents” tab under “License.”
• International students must have a United States Social Security number to obtain a Florida RN license.

Interviews may be scheduled at the discretion of the faculty. Interviews may be in person, or virtual. Applicants are responsible for all associated travel expenses.

Admission is contingent upon completion of all requirements outlined in the Certificate of Admission. This includes a mandatory online pre-immersion course, valid immunizations, a negative drug test, clearance of an FBI background check, among others.

Clinical rotations are a component of the nursing program and require that students have a background report without any infractions. If a student’s background report contains any infractions, regardless of how they were resolved or adjudicated, his/her offer of admission will be rescinded.

Applicants must upload a copy of their passport in the “Documents” tab of NursingCAS under “Other.”

Both domestic and international applicants who have attended an institution outside of the United States must request a course-by-course degree evaluation, complete with degree equivalency and GPA calculation information, by submitting all international transcripts and diplomas (if applicable) to one of the following approved third-party evaluation services:

• World Education Services (WES)
• Josef Silny & Associates (JS&A)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
   

Complete evaluations must be sent directly to NursingCAS by the evaluation company. The evaluation company must include copies of all official transcripts and diplomas with the evaluation.

Applicants who use WES can request their completed evaluations be sent electronically to NursingCAS to post to their application. Students who choose to send their complete evaluation to NursingCAS by mail must request it be sent directly by the evaluation company to NursingCAS, P.O. Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471.

Note: Any documents received by the School of Nursing and Health Studies become the property of the University of Miami and will not be returned to the applicant or sent to a third party, including third party evaluation services.

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit passing scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Click here to view the required passing scores.

TOEFL scores should be sent directly to NursingCAS using institution code B506. IELTS should be sent directly to the following address: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Office of Student Services, P.O. Box 248153, Coral Gables, FL 33124-3850.  

Note: If English is not your native language, the English proficiency requirement may be waived if you hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or from a country listed on the Graduate School’s website here. The English proficiency exam requirement may also be waived if you hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution, regardless of country, where the language of instruction was English. Click here for details.