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Nursing

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

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

  • Courses: Topics include philosophy of science in nursing, contemporary issues, e-portfolio development, health policy and advocacy, quantitative and qualitative research and others.

  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

  • 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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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. Graham McCaffrey

    Graham McCaffrey

    Accepting Inquiries
    Mental health; trauma informed practice; humanities; nursing theory; hermeneutic research
  2. Lorelli Nowell

    Lorelli Nowell

    Accepting Inquiries
    Teaching and learning, Professional development, Mentorship, Mixed methods, Knowledge synthesis
  3. Shelley Raffin Bouchal

    Shelley Raffin Bouchal

    Accepting Inquiries
    Anticipatory Grief and Bereavement, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care at the End of Life, Advance Care Planning, Hospice Caregiver Wellness, Nurses Grief,
  4. Dr. Shane Sinclair

    Shane Sinclair

    Accepting Inquiries
    Compassion, Palliative Care, Palliative Care, Psychosocial Oncology
  5. Profile picture

    Karen Then

    Accepting Inquiries
    Cardiovascular 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:

*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 15 application deadline. Document deadline September 30

International Students

  • Applications open June 1.
  • September 15 application deadline. Document deadline September 30

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

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.