Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Program overview
This doctoral program develops nurse scientists who are expert clinical scholars equipped to provide leadership in nursing practice, research and education. The degree is designed to educate professionals for excellence in nursing scholarship through original research. Our thesis-based degree offers opportunities to become research-intensive, gain core disciplinary knowledge and develop expertise within a substantive field. Before applying, candidates are required to seek out members of our award-winning faculty who they believe would be a good “fit” with their research plans. The University of Calgary is committed to helping new doctoral students get funding support through awards, faculty research programs, teaching assistantships, and research scholarships.
Completing this program
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Courses: Topics include philosophy of science in nursing, contemporary issues, quantitative and qualitative research and others.
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Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
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Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
Outcomes
Healthcare, community health, advanced practice nursing, pediatrics, gerontology, mental health, acute care, ICU, oncology, palliative care, maternal/child health, NICU, pulmonary care, clinical simulation, nursing research, nursing education, critical incident stress, health policy, spiritual care.
A PhD in nursing is usually considered a final degree, but may lead to post-doctoral study.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Four years full-time; six years maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
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Accepting InquiriesParent-Child Relationships, Early Childhood Development, Family Integrated Care, Welcome to Parenthood -
Accepting InquiriesHealth Services Research, Cancer Survivorship, Mixed Methods -
Accepting InquiriesHIV Cascade of Care; Vulnerable Populations; Population Health Promotion; Social Determinants of Health -
Accepting InquiriesHealth services research; Women’s health; Multicultural/Cross-cultural health; Population health, health promotion and disease prevention; Mental health; Cardiovascular health; Cancer prevention; Infectious diseases; Mix-methods (qualitative and quantitative) research -
Accepting InquiriesMental Health/Psychiatric Nursing, Gender, Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, Narrative Inquiry -
Accepting Inquiriescardiovascular health, ethno-culture, gender, access to care, secondary prevention -
Accepting InquiriesPediatric and adolescent oncology; psychosocial oncology -
Accepting Inquiries -
Accepting InquiriesAdolescent/youth health promotion -
Accepting InquiriesMental health; trauma informed practice; humanities; nursing theory; hermeneutic research
Admission Requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units).
Minimum education
Registered nurse holding CPR certification at the Basic Rescuer or Basic Cardiac Life Support or 'C' level. A masters degree with specific graduate-level coursework: One graduate-level course in quantitative methods One graduate-level course in qualitative methods One graduate-level course in statistics Exceptions may be considered.
Work samples
Samples of written scholarly work.
Documents
- A C.V.
- A notice of support from proposed supervisor indicating a willingness to provide supervision throughout the program
- A study plan outlining the areas of proposed concentration, goals in undertaking doctoral work, initial intentions regarding course work, and a statement of the preliminary plans for thesis research
- A security/police clearance letter
Reference letters
Three, one of which must be from the Master's degree supervisor.
Test scores
None
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97 with no section less than 20 (internet-based).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with no section less than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (no less than 70 on reading and writing sections).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in writing courses.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1
Canadians and permanent residents:
- Dec. 1 application deadline (early admission)
- Feb. 1 application deadline
International students:
- Dec. 1 application deadline (early admission)
- Feb. 1 application deadline
For admission on January 1
Canadians and permanent residents:
- Sept. 15 application deadline
International students:
- Sept. 15 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Nursing Graduate Programs
Faculty of Nursing, Professional Faculties, Room 2260
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT 2N 1N4
403.220.6241
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.
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