PhD Degree Admissions

 Complete the online application.

Provide three reference letters: two professional and one academic or three professional letters. You will be asked for these in your application.

Submit the following through your application portal:

• Current curriculum vitae (CV): a complete resume with dated work and practice, honors, awards, publications and presentations
• Copy of current unencumbered RN license
• Document that addresses each of the following two topics. Each statement should be a single page (single spaced, 12-point font). Please ensure your name is on each page.
  • Discuss how you made the decision to pursue the PhD vs the DNP, or if you are a DNP to PhD applicant, discuss your decision to pursue a PhD.
  • In 500 words, briefly describe your research area of interest and why it is relevant to nursing science.
• Scholarly writing sample authored by applicant (as a single author) that shows you are able to develop and present a coherent academic argument with good literature integration. This could include published articles, book chapters or books. The sample need not be new.
• The Request for Consideration for Credit form and supporting documents, if requesting transfer credits
• For DNP to PhD applicants: The course syllabus for your Structure of Knowledge course
• GRE may be submitted as supplemental and is not required.

Arrange for these sealed documents to be sent to:
Duquesne University
School of Nursing - PhD Applications
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

or

Submit via E-script to bostbFREEDUQUESNE.

If you have ever attended Duquesne University, the University Registrar's Office will automatically forward an official transcript for any Duquesne University coursework directly to the School of Nursing on your behalf. This transcript will be provided as a courtesy and free of charge. No transcripts from schools other than Duquesne University will be forwarded from the University Registrar's Office. You will need to request other transcripts from the originating school(s):

• Official BSN transcript
• Official MSN transcript
• For DNP to PhD applicants: Official DNP transcript
• Official transcripts for prerequisite courses, if not included on master's degree program or DNP program transcripts
• Official transcripts of graduate courses, if requesting transfer credits

An interview (via internet) with a PhD Committee member may be required.

Duquesne University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). However, due to State Boards of Nursing regulations, the School of Nursing is unable to accept applications for admission to online programs and courses from students residing in:

• Alabama
• Arizona*
• Louisiana
• New York*
• Oregon*
• Tennessee
• Washington

*Please note if you reside in Arizona, New York or Oregon, Duquesne University is able to accept applications for the PhD in Nursing and the PhD in Nursing Ethics programs.

General Admission Criteria

You can apply to Duquesne University School of Nursing by submitting an online application and your post-secondary education transcripts. All bachelor's and master's degrees must be from an institution of higher learning and recognized as an acceptable equivalent to a U.S. college or university.

Online students who will be practicing only in their native country should hold licensure or professional recognition of a nurse in that country. Online students who will be practicing nursing in the U.S. must have a current nursing license to practice in a state or territory of the U.S. where they will be practicing as students. In both of these situations, the applicant must provide verification of licensure.

Coursework Evaluation

Before you are admitted, your nursing coursework must be evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to determine if your existing coursework is equivalent to the coursework requirements for our program.

Non-nursing coursework must be evaluated by any international credential evaluation organization that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

English Proficiency Requirements

Duquesne University requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo Test scores, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) for all non-native English-speaking applicants.

Students who submit official TOEFL scores of 100 iBT or higher, IELTS scores of 7.5 or higher, Duolingo scores of 125 or higher, current to within one year, are excused from English Language Placement Tests except for the written and spoken English tests. Applicants must also meet the followig minimum sub scores in speaking and writing: