ETSU Online

Ph.D. Nursing

Mostly Online Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing Program

Program Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) degree program at East Tennessee State University is to prepare expert practitioners and nurse scientists who are capable of conducting research that will improve health and provide leadership in the health care delivery system. Graduates of the program will meet an escalating need for nurse educators and researchers in schools of nursing, health agencies, and complex health care delivery systems across the state and nation.

The Ph.D. program prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in the science of nursing, with an emphasis on the application of knowledge to improve the health of rural and/or underserved population groups. The student is expected to demonstrate a sound knowledge of research methods and techniques of data analysis, and acquire analytical and leadership skills for dealing with social, ethical, cultural, economic, and political issues related to nursing, health care education, and research.

This mostly online Nursing Ph.D. program was designed with working professionals in mind, offering the flexibility and convenience of online coursework and a limited number of on-campus meetings. Mostly online means that a limited number of on-campus meetings or on-campus coursework are required. Please contact us for more detailed information about this program.

Program

"Mostly Online" means that all coursework will be completed online with one required intensive session on campus per semester.

The curriculum is designed to provide the student with coursework in the philosophy of science, ethics, statistical procedures, research methods, nursing science, and selected in-depth study in a selected cognate area.

The curriculum is also designed to accommodate working professionals and delivered in a blended online format with required on-campus intensive sessions once each semester. 

Information including the curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the Nursing, Ph.D., entry of the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

Cost

Credits to complete this program: 60 credit hours

TN Residents eRate (Out of State, 100% online) Out of State
$601 per credit hour $751 per credit hour $1442 per credit hour

*Note, tuition discounts are available for border county students.
*This amount may not include program-specific fees

Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid.

Steps to Apply

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Doctorate," term, then choose  Ph.D. Nursing and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

Program Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should a student pursue this program at ETSU? What makes it unique?
    The ETSU College of Nursing has been ranked #11 in online education by Learn.org, #16 among the “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Administration Programs”, and #75 among the “Best Online Master’s in Nursing” programs. These rankings reveal ETSU College of Nursing’s commitment to innovation and excellence in addition to a commitment to their students. As the largest nursing program in the state of Tennessee, ETSU College of Nursing is also invested in the health of the rural Appalachian community, providing students unique experiences serving those afflicted by the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic; experiences that students can receive nowhere else due to the College of Nursing’s longstanding relationships with public health agencies and community partners. 
  • What is the most exciting aspect of this program?

    I am proud to be a Buccaneer Nurse because ETSU provides me with the education I need to have an impact on the lives of my patients and the health of my community. The Center for Nursing Research provides me with exciting opportunities to expand knowledge and receive support and mentorship from incredible faculty within the College of Nursing. Projects involving the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic are especially relevant to our communities and I am excited to be a part of their solutions.

    Bridget Seelinger, Nursing Ph.D. Student
  • What accreditations apply to this program?
    The Baccalaureate degree in nursing program, MSN Program, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, ETSU-TTU Joint DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at East Tennessee State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 
  • What are the job prospects with this degree?
    Doctoral prepared nurses, both DNP and PhD, work to advance the nursing profession and improve the work that nurses do every day. DNP graduates are focused on translating research to practice while PhD graduates are focused on nursing research and building the science of the discipline. Alumni have secured positions at universities and hospital systems across the nation.  
  • Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? What are the prerequisites?
    Applicants to the PhD in Nursing must have a BSN from an accredited program.
  • Does this program require the GRE (and/or GMAT)?
    No, neither the GRE nor the GMAT are required for admittance to this program. 
  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?
    Doctoral students are required to participate in intensives which last one week prior to the beginning of every semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Prior to COVID-19 these were held on campus in Johnson City. Currently they are being held via Zoom. These intensives allow for valuable networking between students and faculty and provide for a more rounded educational experience. The majority of all classwork in the PhD program is online asynchronous, but the program does require in-person intensive sessions a few times a month.  
  • Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations? 

    The PhD program is delivered on-line and is designed to meet the needs of adults who are working full-time and/or have familial obligations. 

  • What is the time to completion for full-time students?

    Full-time students typically complete this program in 3 years.

  • What is the time to completion for part-time students?
    Part-time students typically complete this program in 4 years.
  • Is there a plan of study/course schedule available to review the full-time and part-time options?

    All programs are designed to be completed for working adults and the completion timeline varies between students. Programs of study are outlined on the College of Nursing website



  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?
    The PhD program admits a cohort of 5 to 7 students each Fall
  • Does the college/department offer scholarships?

    Yes! Please visit the Nursing Scholarships page for more details. 

    Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.

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