Southeastern Louisiana University

What you'll study

The programme emphasises preparation for independent research and scholarly leadership across administration, research and advanced clinical practice. Core doctoral content typically covers advanced nursing theory, research design and methods (qualitative and quantitative), advanced biostatistics, ethics in research, and grant writing. Students then specialise through concentration-specific coursework and practice:

• Nursing Administration: advanced organisational theory, health systems leadership, finance and budgeting for healthcare, quality improvement, strategic planning and implementation science.
• Nursing Research: advanced research methodology, longitudinal and experimental designs, mixed-methods approaches, measurement and psychometrics, and the conduct of independent studies leading to peer-reviewed dissemination.
• Clinical Nursing: advanced clinical scholarship, translation of evidence into practice, clinical outcome evaluation, clinical trials methodology and supervised clinical scholarship or practicum experiences (where applicable to the focus).

The doctoral trajectory culminates in a sustained independent research project (dissertation) under faculty supervision. Typical programme elements include seminars in pedagogy for those pursuing academic careers, opportunities to teach under supervision, practicum or clinical scholarship experiences for clinically focused students, and structured preparation for funding acquisition and academic publication.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to be registered nurses with relevant graduate preparation. Typical requirements include:

• A master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or an equivalent graduate nursing degree from an accredited institution; some applicants with a bachelor’s degree plus substantial graduate coursework and research experience may be considered depending on prior preparation.
• An active, unencumbered RN licence in the relevant jurisdiction.
• A record of academic achievement (transcripts showing competitive graduate GPA), a curriculum vitae or résumé demonstrating clinical and/or research experience, and a personal statement outlining research interests and career goals.
• Letters of recommendation (usually two or three), at least one of which addresses academic or research potential.
• A writing sample or research proposal may be requested; some applicants may be invited to interview with faculty to discuss fit with available mentors and research focus.
• Standardised test requirements (such as the GRE) may be waived or required depending on programme policy and candidate background; international applicants will need to meet English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD programme typically move into careers that emphasise research, scholarship and leadership. Common roles include:

• University faculty positions teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels and leading independent research programmes.
• Clinical nurse scientist or research lead roles within hospitals, health systems and clinical research organisations, designing and overseeing studies that inform practice.
• Senior administrative and leadership posts such as chief nursing officer, director of quality or director of evidence-based practice where research informs policy and organisational change.
• Positions in health policy, public health agencies, non-profit organisations and industry that require rigorous research skills and the ability to translate evidence into practice and policy.

Why study at Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern offers a collegiate learning environment with strong ties to regional health systems and community partners, which supports applied research and opportunities for practicum and collaborative projects. Small cohort sizes enable close mentorship from faculty with expertise in nursing research, administration and clinical scholarship, and students benefit from a curriculum designed to prepare scholars for academic and clinical leadership.

The university’s location provides access to diverse clinical settings across urban and rural healthcare providers, supporting research that addresses regional health priorities. Additionally, students can expect structured support for dissertation development, opportunities to gain teaching experience, and guidance in preparing grant applications and publishing their work.