Felician University

What you'll study

This doctoral programme emphasises research, theory development and advanced scholarship across three focal areas: Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Study combines core doctoral seminars, advanced research methods, specialty seminars, and sustained independent research leading to a doctoral dissertation.

• Core doctoral courses: nursing theory and philosophy, ethics in nursing scholarship, health systems and policy, leadership and organisational behaviour in healthcare.
• Research methods and statistics: advanced quantitative methods, multivariate analysis, longitudinal methods, advanced qualitative methods, mixed-methods design and grant-writing for research funding.
• Specialist tracks: Administration (strategic leadership, healthcare finance, quality and safety); Research (research design, measurement, data management, dissemination); Clinical Nursing (advanced clinical scholarship, evidence-based practice implementation, clinical outcomes evaluation).
• Seminars and electives: pedagogy for nurse educators, interprofessional research, implementation science, global and community health topics.
• Qualifying assessment and comprehensive exams: demonstration of readiness for dissertation research through examinations or portfolio review, depending on progression route.
• Doctoral dissertation: an original, supervised research project that contributes to nursing knowledge and is suitable for peer-reviewed publication; includes proposal defence, data collection/analysis and final oral defence.

Programme delivery commonly blends seminars, independent study and research mentorship; many students pursue the degree part time while maintaining clinical or administrative roles.

Entry requirements

• Current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) licence in the country or state of practice.
• Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or a closely related health discipline from an accredited institution. Applicants with exceptional preparation and substantial research experience who hold a bachelor’s degree may be considered in line with programme policy.
• A competitive graduate grade point average in prior graduate study; some programmes specify a minimum but applicants should consult the school for current thresholds.
• Evidence of research interest and potential, such as a statement of research goals, academic writing samples or prior publications.
• Professional CV or résumé indicating clinical, educational or administrative experience.
• Letters of recommendation (typically two to three) from academic or professional referees who can speak to the applicant’s research potential and professional maturity.
• Interview with faculty and completion of any additional admissions materials required by the programme (for example, a research proposal outline).

Career prospects

• Academic positions: tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty roles in nursing schools, teaching and leading research programmes.
• Research careers: nurse scientist roles in university research centres, hospitals, health systems, government agencies and independent research institutes.
• Leadership and policy roles: director-level positions in nursing administration, quality and safety leadership, health services management and health policy advisory roles.
• Clinical scholarship: advanced clinical specialist roles that combine practice with research, evidence implementation leads, and programme directors for clinical initiatives.
• Industry and non-profit: research and development, clinical research coordination, policy analysis and programme evaluation roles in healthcare-focused organisations and industry partners.

Why study at Felician University

Felician University provides a student-centred doctoral experience with an emphasis on personalised faculty mentorship and community-engaged scholarship. The University’s nursing programmes are informed by a commitment to service and holistic care, encouraging research that addresses health disparities and improves community health outcomes.

Students benefit from close collaboration with faculty who have active research programmes, opportunities to work with regional healthcare providers and agencies, and a learning environment that supports interprofessional collaboration. The programme is structured to accommodate practising nurses, enabling a balance of advanced study, research activity and ongoing professional responsibilities.