University of Tulsa

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced coursework in nursing theory and research methods with mentored, independent research leading to a doctoral dissertation. Core study areas typically include qualitative and quantitative research design, advanced statistics, health systems and policy, leadership and organisational theory, and ethics in clinical research. Students choose a specialist pathway—Nursing Administration, Nursing Research or Clinical Nursing—which shapes elective options and practicum experiences.

• Research methods and statistics: advanced quantitative methods, multivariate statistics, longitudinal analysis, and qualitative approaches such as grounded theory and phenomenology.
• Nursing theory and philosophy: development and critique of mid-range and grand nursing theories, theoretical model construction and application to practice and research.
• Health systems and policy: health services research, economics of healthcare, policy analysis and organisational leadership relevant to nursing administration.
• Clinical scholarship: evidence-based practice, outcomes measurement, translational research and advanced clinical interventions for the Clinical Nursing pathway.
• Dissertation research: identification of an original research problem, proposal development, data collection/analysis and dissertation writing under faculty supervision.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to be registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Typical entry requirements include a strong academic record in prior degree programmes, current unrestricted RN licensure, a substantive clinical and/or leadership track record, and evidence of research interest or experience.

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or equivalent; some exceptional applicants with a relevant healthcare master’s degree plus significant nursing experience may be considered.
• Current, active RN licence appropriate to practice in the student’s jurisdiction.
• Academic transcripts demonstrating preparedness for doctoral-level study; a competitive GPA is expected.
• Research statement or personal statement outlining scholarly interests and proposed area of dissertation research.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé documenting clinical, administrative or research experience.
• Letters of recommendation (usually two to three) from academic and/or professional referees familiar with the applicant’s capacity for doctoral work.
• Some applicants may be asked to participate in an interview; a record of prior research or scholarly publications strengthens an application. Standardised test requirements (e.g. GRE) vary; consult the school for current policy.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Nursing follow diverse career paths in academia, research, clinical leadership and policy. The degree prepares nurses to hold tenure-track faculty positions, lead funded research projects, direct nursing research centres, and occupy executive nursing and healthcare leadership roles.

• University faculty member or academic researcher teaching undergraduate and graduate nursing programmes and supervising student research.
• Principal investigator or research scientist in health services, clinical trials, outcomes research and implementation science.
• Senior nursing executive or director of nursing practice and quality, shaping service delivery and organisational policy.
• Clinical scholar or advanced practice leader implementing evidence-based interventions and leading clinical improvement initiatives.
• Policy analyst or consultant working with government, non-profit or private sector organisations on health policy and system redesign.

Why study at University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa offers a doctoral environment characterised by small cohorts, close faculty mentorship and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across health, social science and policy fields. Students benefit from one-to-one supervision during dissertation work and are supported by a research-active faculty with experience in clinical, health services and policy research.

• Close supervision and mentoring: small doctoral cohorts enable personalised guidance through coursework and dissertation stages.
• Research linkages: access to collaborative research projects and partnerships with regional healthcare providers and systems for applied research and practicum experiences.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: ability to engage with related departments for methodology training, population health, informatics and leadership studies.
• Professional preparation: curriculum designed to develop skills for securing research funding, publishing in peer-reviewed journals and leading teams in academic or clinical settings.