PhD Nursing Applicant Requirements

Application Deadlines

The Regular Deadline for applying to the UCSF Doctoral Program in Nursing is December 15th.  

Applications received after the regular deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis up until the Final Deadline which is Feb. 1st.  Students are not admitted mid-year; each class begins their studies in the Fall Quarter. 

To be reviewed, application fees must be paid, and required transcripts and test scores must be received at UCSF prior to the deadlines.

Doctoral Admission Requirements for US Applicants

See below for International Applicant Requirements.  Requirements for admission to the doctoral program (for US domestic applicants with either BSN or MS degrees) are:

1. Official transcripts verifying an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2.
2. If a graduate (master's) degree has been earned, a Grade Point Average of 3.5 is expected, verified by official transcripts. All non-English transcripts must be translated into English by a certified translator. Non-US transcripts must be submitted for evaluation, see below.
3. Completion of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test within the last five years prior to application. The GRE score should indicate strong verbal, quantitative, and analytical potential.
4. Proficiency in English is mandatory.  
   All applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, http://www.toefl.org). The minimum overall TOEFL score is 84 (internet-based test); 24 is the minimum score in the speaking section, and 24 is the writing section minimum score. Consult with Nursing Student Affairs for any questions on TOEFL examinations and scoring.
5. Comprehension of basic statistics is essential. Completion of a prior statistics course (within five years of entry) is required; a recent course is desirable.
6. Completion of a research course equivalent to the N 262A "Research Methods" course at UCSF.
7. Evidence of capacity for original scholarship and research in nursing.
8. Congruence of applicant's goals with the program's goals and the resources of the School and University.
9. Evidence of the ability to communicate in a scholarly manner, both orally and in writing.
10. Evidence of licensure as a registered nurse.
11. Preferred:  one year of professional nursing experience.
12. Computer literacy is highly recommended (especially competence in word processing skills and the internet).

Doctoral Admission Requirements for International ("Foreign") Applicants

International applicants to the doctoral program are encouraged to write to the Nursing Student Affairs Office asking for an informal evaluation before filing a formal application. A statement of goals of study, past educational experience, and professional work experience should accompany the request for informal evaluation. Requirements for admission are:

1. Completion of college or university work equal to the unit requirement for a baccalaureate degree and a scholastic record comparable to that reflected by a 3.2 GPA, as verified by official transcripts. All non-English transcripts must be translated into English by a certified translator. Non-US transcripts must be submitted for evaluation, see below.
2. If a graduate (master's) degree has been earned, a GPA of 3.5 is expected. One prior degree must be in nursing. All non-English transcripts must be translated into English by a certified translator. Non-US transcripts must be submitted for evaluation, see below.
3. Proficiency in English is mandatory.  
   All applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, http://www.toefl.org). The minimum overall TOEFL score is 84 (internet-based test); 24 is the minimum score in the speaking section, and 24 is the writing section minimum score. Consult with Nursing Student Affairs for any questions on TOEFL examinations and scoring.
4. Completion of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test within the last five years.
5. Comprehension of basic statistics is essential. Completion of a prior statistics course (within five years of entry) is required; a recent course is desirable.
6. Completion of a research course equivalent to the N262A course at UCSF.
7. Evidence of capacity for original scholarship and research in nursing.
8. Congruence of applicant's goals with the program's goals and the resources of the School and University.
9. Evidence of the ability to communicate in a scholarly manner, both orally and in writing.
10. International students need to be licensed as registered nurses in their country of origin, if licensure is available. Caution:  if students will be involved in any direct patient care activities while in the U.S., they must obtain California Registered Nurse licensure prior to December of their first year of study. California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) regulations 2729 and 2732 require licenses for all practicing nurses in the State of California. Information regarding recognition of licensure in other states, or other matters related to licensure may be obtained from the BRN at the following address:
         Ca. Board of Registered Nursing
         P.O. Box 944210
         Sacramento, CA  94244-2100
         http://www.rn.ca.gov
11. Computer literacy is required.
12. A minimum of one year of professional nursing experience is preferred.

Note:  It is mandatory that all admitted international students attend the Orientation for Incoming International Students. Detail information regarding this program will be sent from the Director of International Academic Services.

Prospective international doctoral students should also review the following information:

• Information for Prospective Students from Other Countries
• International Students and Scholars Office

Entry with Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The criteria for admission to the doctoral program for persons with BSNs will be the same as for applicants with MSNs. The usually shorter career trajectory and lack of previous graduate training will be taken into account in evaluating past accomplishments. A personal interview may be required to assess (1) vision for and commitment to nursing, (2) attitudes toward learning, knowledge, and science, and (3) clarity of focus of study. The applicant must have been in professional practice a minimum of one year at the time of enrollment.

Should the student enrolled in the doctoral program wish to earn a master's degree, it will be awarded after the student has successfully completed 36 units of academic work, 8 units of postgraduate professional work, and the master's comprehensive examination. The completed academic units must meet the faculty requirement for specialization in the student's area.

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

Please see http://registrar.ucsf.edu/student-records/nondisc

Ready to Apply?

Create and update your application on-line at:
    https://gdapply.ucsf.edu

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  http://nursing.ucsf.edu/programs/phd-nursing