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Indiana University

Degree Options

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

How to Apply

Application deadline

  • October 15 for admission the following summer.
  • Qualified applicants will be invited to interview in November.
  • Nominations to the graduate school will be mailed in December.
  • Students will be notified of admission decisions in January for a May (summer) start date.

Admission to the program is competitive and requires School of Nursing Faculty endorsement and Graduate School approval. Admission is based on a completed application that includes, GRE scores, official transcripts, a professional goal statement, personal interview, and references.

Admission Criteria
  • Three references from individuals who can attest to your personal and intellectual traits. One must come from a nurse faculty member who has knowledge of your academic ability from undergraduate or master's work.
  • Competitive scores (recommended scores in the fiftieth percentile and above) on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test, and a minimum score of 3.5 on the analytical writing section. Your GRE scores must be within five years of the date of application. (Note: Applicants are advised to take the GRE at least four to six weeks before the PhD application due date. When you take the test, be sure to indicate that you want your scores sent to institution code 1325, department 0610.)
  • A two- to three-page essay summarizing immediate and long-term professional goals and a proposed area of research.
  • A letter of support from a School of Nursing faculty member who has endorsement to direct dissertations. Solicit a letter of support from an individual whose area of research most closely matches your own and submit this letter with the application materials. If you need help in contacting one of these faculty members and obtaining a letter of support, contact the associate dean of graduate programs (oesgrads [at] iupui [dot] edu) for assistance.
  • Ability to secure current registered nurse licensure in Indiana. Evidence of a current, active, unencumbered license to practice as a registered practitioner of nursing in the state of Indiana or in home state for distance-accesible students. Applicants whose program of study will not require contact with patients may be exempted from licensure requirement by our associate dean of graduate studies.
  • Official college transcripts, in English, from each college or university you have attended since high school. A transcript that shows transfer credits is official only for credits taken at that institution and is not considered an official transcript for the transferred credits.
  • Completion of a 3-credit hour graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B (3.0) or higher within three years of the date of application. It is required that the course be completed prior to the application for the PhD program.
  • An example of original scholarship and research in nursing as demonstrated by a published or unpublished research paper, article, or thesis.
  • A current resumé or curriculum vitae, including descriptions of the position and clinical setting in which you are currently employed, your responsibilities, and your dates of employment. Also include information about your former employment history. Note your involvement in professional and volunteer organizations, along with any awards, honors, publications written and published, presentations given, and continuing educational experiences.
International Students

In addition to the list above, international students must also complete the additional requirements, including an international application through the Office of International Affairs.

There are three ways to meet English proficiency:

Contact Us

All admission information should be sent to the following address, preferably in one packet:

Graduate Recorder
Indiana University School of Nursing
1111 Middle Drive, NU 142D
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107

For more information about the PhD program or the admission criteria, please contact:

Marla Zimmerman
Coordinator of PhD Student Services
marzimme [at] iupui [dot] edu