Florida State University

What you'll study

The PhD programme emphasises rigorous scientific inquiry into nursing practice, health outcomes and systems of care. Core study areas include advanced research methods (quantitative and qualitative), biostatistics, nursing theory, health services research, and ethics in research. Students choose a concentration in Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, or Clinical Nursing and take specialised seminars that address leadership, implementation science, translational research, and population health.

• Research methods and statistics: advanced quantitative methods, longitudinal analysis, multilevel modelling, qualitative designs and mixed methods.
• Nursing theory and conceptual frameworks: development and application of theoretical models to guide research and practice.
• Health policy and systems: organisational behaviour, healthcare delivery systems, finance and policy implications for nursing leadership.
• Concentration-specific topics: for Nursing Administration — executive leadership, change management and quality improvement; for Nursing Research — grant writing, clinical trials, measurement development; for Clinical Nursing — translational science, symptom management and advanced clinical intervention research.
• Professional development: academic pedagogy, grant writing, manuscript preparation and ethical conduct of research.
• Doctoral dissertation: an independent, original research project supervised by faculty mentors culminating in a written dissertation and oral defence.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold an accredited master’s degree in nursing (MSN or equivalent) or a related field, and to have a current licence to practise as a registered nurse. Typical admissions materials include academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a personal statement describing research interests and career goals, and letters of recommendation. Candidates should identify potential faculty mentors whose research aligns with their interests.

• Academic preparation: a graduate degree with a strong academic record in nursing or a closely related discipline.
• Professional credentials: active RN licence and relevant clinical or administrative experience.
• Research potential: evidence of scholarly experience or potential, such as publications, presentations, a research practicum, or coursework in research methods.
• English language: international applicants must meet the university’s English proficiency requirements.
• Additional materials: some applicants may be asked to participate in an interview; GRE requirements vary and applicants should check the College of Nursing admissions page for current testing policies.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Nursing pursue careers as nurse scientists, university faculty, principal investigators, and leaders in healthcare research and policy. Common roles include tenure‑track faculty positions teaching and conducting research, directors of research in academic medical centres or health systems, research scientists in government or industry, and senior policy analysts or consultants focused on improving care delivery and patient outcomes.

• Academic faculty and researchers at universities and teaching hospitals
• Principal investigators for clinical and health services research
• Research directors or programme leaders in hospitals, public health agencies and non‑profit organisations
• Consultants in healthcare quality, implementation science and policy

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University’s College of Nursing offers a research‑focused environment with experienced faculty mentors across a range of nursing science areas. Doctoral students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration with neighbouring colleges such as Public Health, Medicine and Social Sciences, access to clinical partners in the Tallahassee region, and resources that support research development including statistical consultation, grant support and advanced simulation facilities.

The programme emphasises mentorship and professional development, with opportunities to gain teaching experience and to build a competitive research portfolio through pilot funding, collaborative projects and conference dissemination. Prospective students choose FSU for its combination of focused doctoral training, active research programmes and connections to regional health systems that support the translation of research into practice.