On average, a doctoral degree in nursing can take four to six years to complete. Doctoral degrees are often required for nursing executives. They help prepare nurses for a variety of nursing careers, including those in administration and education. Ph.D. programs in nursing require training in a variety of areas, including leadership skills, data analysis and statistics, and the philosophy of nursing science.
Many universities offer online Ph.D. programs in nursing, including the Capella University-School of Human Services, the University of Phoenix and The University of Arizona. Other universities that offer Ph.D. programs in nursing include Breyer State University, the University of Kansas, the Medical University of South Carolina, Duquesne University, Rutgers College of Nursing and the University of North Dakota. Most online nursing programs offer financial assistance and access to campus libraries and facility through online pathways.
The University of Phoenix offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program for students interested in careers as leaders, researchers, administrators and educators in the nursing field. Classes are taken online (or, in some cases, in-class at one of the school's 200 locations nationwide, if you choose). The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. Students are required to log on to the University of Phoenix system at least four days a week for class. Lectures and assignments are downloaded online.
Capella University offers a Ph.D. in nursing education. The degree is designed for nurses seeking a nursing faculty position and for practicing nurses who want to increase their knowledge. The course includes classes in teaching strategies, curriculum design and nursing theory and concepts. Students spend an average of 10 hours a week on each course. Capella University, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Nurses must have a master's degree to qualify for the program.
The University of Arizona offers three different methods for obtaining a Ph.D. in nursing: BSN-DNP; MS-DNP with Nurse Practitioner Specialty. and MS-DNP. Each of the three courses can be completed in three to four years of full-time study. The price differs depending on semester and the number of classes taken. (as of 2011, 6 units cost around $5,500). The University of Arizona is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
To qualify for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, students must have a bachelor's degree in nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate coursework. Students seeking an MS-PhD in Nursing must have a master's degree in nursing and have earned at least a 3.5 GPA in their graduate studies. MS-PhD degrees are for nursing students who wish to pursue a career in research. Although the degrees are offered as distance and online learning programs, students must go to the campus located in Tucson for orientation and for a five- to 10-day intensive hands-on program in the summer.