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, e-portfolio development, health policy and advocacy, 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.
Virtual Tour
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Accepting InquiriesMental health; trauma informed practice; humanities; nursing theory; hermeneutic research -
Accepting InquiriesTeaching and learning, Professional development, Mentorship, Mixed methods, Knowledge synthesis -
Accepting InquiriesAnticipatory Grief and Bereavement, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care at the End of Life, Advance Care Planning, Hospice Caregiver Wellness, Nurses Grief, -
Accepting InquiriesCompassion, Palliative Care, Palliative Care, Psychosocial Oncology -
Accepting InquiriesCardiovascular health; critical care and emergency; risk factors; health promotion; health assessment. Mixed methods including survey research, focus group 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
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 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.0 in each section).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (70 in some sections – up to the program, 60 in all other).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in one or two courses (up to the program), “B+” on all other courses.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 191.
*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements
Deadlines
For admission on January 1:
Canadian and permanent resident
- Applications open June 1.
- September 1 application deadline. Document deadline September 15.
International Students
- Applications open June 1.
- September 1 application deadline. Document deadline September 15.
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
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.