Nursing PhD Program

General Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the PhD program, the applicant will meet the admission standards of the
Graduate School as well as other standards established by the graduate faculty in the School of
Nursing. Additional School of Nursing admission criteria include:

• A degree in nursing
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Eligibility for a Connecticut RN license
• A cumulative master's grade point average of 3.25 or higher
• A B or better in graduate-level statistics
• Submission of three recommendation letters that address your scholarly contributions to the discipline, your potential for completion of a PhD, and your potential for a research career
• An interview
• Submission of three essays detailing your desire to enter the program (Be sure to include in your answers why you wish to study at UConn and mention your research interest and commitment to a research career)

Application Process

In order to be considered for funding (including graduate assistantships and scholarships), the application is due January 15 of each year for admission beginning the
following fall semester. Applications received after that date will be reviewed monthly. All applications must be received by June 15.

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Important information about Graduate School fellowships

In order for an applicant to be considered for one of the following fellowships, the applicant must select that they wish to be considered in SLATE. Recipients of these fellowships will be the most academically promising members of the entering class of graduate students at the University of Connecticut. The criteria used to select recipients include the following:

• Evidence of scholarly or creative achievement highlighted by the department or program in their nomination and evidence that the department or program provides the environment necessary for success in the areas of interest highlighted by the applicant.
• Evidence of any prior scholarly or creative achievement by the nominee, e.g., publications, presentations, exhibits, performances.
• Evidence that the nominee has been successful at previous academic institutions, e.g., letters of recommendation.
• Quantitative evidence of academic accomplishment, e.g., undergraduate grade point average, GRE/GMAT (when available).

The Jorgensen Fellowship (JF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years.

In addition, to be eligible for either the fellowships below, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education and/or a commitment to enhancing diversity in their field of study.

• The Harriott Fellowship (HF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years.
• The Crandall Fellowship (CF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to master’s programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for two years (MFA is for three years).

For HF and CF fellowships students must submit a diversity statement through the SLATE application system. Students can demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education through participation in organizations or activities that (a) directly relate to increasing access to higher education and retention in higher education of individuals, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs or (b) that help to ensure that individuals are welcomed and included in higher education environments regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs. Such organization and activities might include participation/affiliation with TRIO programs, cultural/affinity organizations/centers, volunteer experiences, and college or university committees focused on these goals. Students provide evidence of this commitment through research and educational experience reflected on their CV/resume (articles, presentations, internship, and research experience), in their personal statement, or in letters of recommendations.