Format
100% online
Time Commitment
Part-time or full-time options
Duration
4 to 5 years
Program Start
Fall
Credits
45

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program will help you develop your ability to conduct research and provide leadership through scientific inquiry. Gain confidence in your role as a nurse researcher and scholar while building a strong foundation in theory development, nursing research methods, and approaches to the development of new knowledge to enhance relationships among clients and colleagues.

Nurses with doctorate degrees are in high demand as our country’s population ages, and increasingly complex global health nursing issues emerge. With our forward-thinking, patient-centered nursing education program, we prepare students to lead the way in nursing practice, research, and academia. 

Program Requirements

Applicants to the doctorate degree in nursing program must have an active registered nurse license. They also must have a bachelor's and master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Curriculum Requirements with optional Education Courses - Total Credits Required: 51

Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 45

Required Curriculum

Year I

  • NUR 701 - Philosophy of Science (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 710 - Approaches to Nursing Knowledge and Theory Development: Deductive Process (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 702 - Research Methods I: Qualitative (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 705 - Knowledge Development in Nursing Science (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 505 - Curriculum Design, Course Development, and Program Evaluation (Cr: 3)
    (Optional)

Year II

  • NUR 735 - Research Methods II: Quantitative (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 712 - Analysis and Evaluation of Theories of Nursing Practice, the Client -Nurse Relationship, and Client Phenomena (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 714 - Measurement in Practice-Based Research (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 752 - Research Methods III - Issues in Research (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 565 - Teaching Methods: Principles of Teaching (Cr: 3)
    (Optional)

Year III

NUR XXX Elective/Cognate course - 3 cr. (Students will need elective approval from the Director of the Ph.D. in Nursing program)

  • NUR 716 - Research Methods II: Qualitative (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 720 - Advanced Statistical Methods (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 750 - Emerging Roles: Nurse Scientist, Scholar and Leader (Cr: 3)
  • NUR 755 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (Cr: 0)

Year III-IV

  • NUR 760 - Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Advisement and Doctoral Seminar (Cr: 12)
  • NUR 782 - Doctoral Dissertation and Review Paper Continuation (Cr: 0)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

  • Incorporate mastery of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to engage in activities that extend disciplinary knowledge as a scholar and researcher.
  • Combine logical, critical and scientific thinking with ethical integrity in the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of nursing research.
  • Integrate the philosophical foundations of knowledge into theory and research development that contributes to improving nursing care and practice.
  • Select theories and research relevant to the care of diverse, ethnic and cultural populations.
  • Collaborate and Communicate as a scholar within nursing and interdisciplinary community in the conduct and application of research.
  • Pursue lifelong learning and ongoing personal development through excellence in scholarly activities within and beyond the discipline.
  • Embraces the diversity of opportunities for career development, professional roles and disciplinary leadership as a nurse scientist, scholar, educator or mentor.

View academic catalog and learning outcomes

Accreditation

Effective January 6, 2025, the clinical doctorate nursing program at Endicott College located in Beverly, Massachusetts is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on December 31, 2026.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000
https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs?status=Candidate

Note: Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation.

Cummings School of Nursing & Health Sciences

Faculty

Endicott’s nursing faculty are highly skilled practitioners who share insights from their real-world experience. They are approachable experts who teach you best practices, essential foundations of classroom theory, and practical applications, so you will gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to make an impact and accelerate your nursing career.

Advance Your Career With Endicott

Endicott is known for its excellence in preparing students for their careers. With a small-school environment and personalized guidance, we are focused on your success and provide the tools you need to accelerate your career.

  • Your Studies, Your Way

    We understand the demands of balancing work, life, and grad school. So we’ve made our graduate programs flexible to meet your needs. Classes are available in-person, 100% online, or hybrid, allowing you to find the right fit for your busy life.

  • Academics & Resources

    Our curriculum grounds you in the essentials of an advanced education, our expert, approachable faculty are real-world practitioners who offer direction and guidance, and our modern, state-of-the-art facilities are available to help you pursue your goals.

  • Career Support & Networking

    The knowledgeable, professional staff at Endicott’s Career Center provides personalized career support to help you meet your goals. From career advising and resume help to sharpening your interview skills and connecting with our extensive alumni network, you will receive a lifetime of support to help you with job search strategies at any stage of your career. Once a Gull, always a Gull!

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had to pursue my PhD in Nursing at Endicott College. The program has provided me with a strong foundation in research and leadership, significantly enhancing my professional growth. The faculty are not only expert in their fields but also deeply dedicated to mentoring students. Endicott's focus on evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration has prepared me to take on leadership roles in both academic and clinical settings. I highly recommend the PhD in Nursing program at Endicott to anyone looking to advance their nursing career."
Molly Regan, Nursing Ph.D.

The Endicott Experiential Edge

At Endicott, learning goes beyond theory. Through real-world case studies, practitioner-led instruction, and applied problem-solving, you’ll gain the skills and experience to make an immediate impact in your field.

Endicott’s cohort model promotes peer interaction and support, and you’ll have individualized advising from highly skilled faculty with real-world experience, as well as mentoring for your nursing doctoral dissertation writing.

Industry Insights

Get a glimpse of the types of careers you can pursue with this degree, along with estimated salaries and projected growth rates, sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Example Job Titles Median Annual Salary Projected Job Growth (2024-2034)
Nurse Scientist/Researcher $117,960 23%
Dean of Nursing $102,410 7%
Nurse Professor $83,980 17%
The Next Generation of Nursing Education
The Next Generation of Nursing Education
The Cummings School of Nursing & Health Sciences is helping to bolster the understaffed nursing profession—one satisfied graduate at a time.
Read About The Next Generation
Program Cost: $50,985
Endicott is committed to fostering lifelong learning, and that includes making all levels of education accessible to students who are motivated to learn and succeed.
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Tuition & Fees
The total cost of attendance reflects the cost-per-credit pricing for the current academic year and depends on how quickly students complete the program. Please visit the link below for more information on tuition and fees, and read our Financial Aid information for ways to fund your education. You may also reach out to one of our helpful graduate school admission staff with any questions.
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Financial Aid
Investing in an advanced education is a significant financial commitment, but it is an investment in your future. At Endicott College, we believe in supporting our students through financial aid to ensure success, while maintaining financial stability. Financial aid available for graduate students includes federal Stafford and Graduate PLUS loans, as well as additional private loan options. Please visit this page for more information about financial aid for our graduate programs.
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