Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing / Healthcare Quality (MSN to PhD)
Virginia Commonwealth University

Program Details

Aspiring nurse researchers and teacher-scholars can gain valuable research experience and skills with the online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Master’s-prepared nurses can pursue the Healthcare Quality track to specialize in research related to health outcomes at the individual, organizational, and population levels.

Students gain an advanced understanding of research methods and practices through experimental studies and a dissertation. Courses explain Healthcare Quality research priority areas, current quality and safety measures, and data sources. The program can be completed primarily online through synchronous and asynchronous courses, with campus visits completed once per semester.

% Online

Mostly Online

School Accreditation & Licensing

Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Program Requirements & Restrictions

Minimum Education

Master Degree

Recommended GPA

3.0 or above (4.0 scale)

Admission Tests

Proof of English Language Proficiency (International Students)

Application Requirements

Essay/Writing Sample, Occupational License, Official College Transcript(s), Recommendation/Reference Letter(s), Resume/CV

Additional Info

  • Students are required to come to campus for 2-3 days at the beginning of each semester. 
  • Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in nursing from an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited program.
  • Applicants must have a current, unrestricted RN license or authorization to practice as an RN in the US.