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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing

The goal of the PhD (Nursing) program is to prepare nurse scholars who will provide leadership in the advancement of nursing knowledge, nursing theory and practice, and health policy through scholarly research and the dissemination of research findings. The program consists of 15 credit hours, plus successful completion of Comprehensive examination and thesis聽

Quick fact:

  • 91短视频鈥檚 PhD in Nursing is the only nursing doctorate degree offered in Nova Scotia.
  • PhD in Nursing students have been successful applicants for national funding (CIHR, Killam, Vanier).

Note: This is a full-time program of study. Students are expected to complete the program in four years.

Admission Requirements

Candidates are accepted under the general regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Meeting minimal requirements does not ensure admission.

All materials must be received by the deadline date. Applicants are encouraged to develop their application package in consultation with the supervisor with whom they will be working.

Candidates for the program must hold a first-class master鈥檚 degree in nursing or a relevant discipline, or its equivalent, from a recognized university. The identification of a first-class research or non-thesis master鈥檚 degree is based on grades in class work and evidence of a well-written, high-quality thesis or evidence of research work as demonstrated by a major research paper. Other indicators include publications in refereed journals, presentations at scholarly conferences, and grant applications.

In addition to the general regulations above, candidates for admission to the PhD in Nursing must be licensed to practice as a registered nurse (active practitioner) in a province in Canada or a foreign country.

Applicants normally have a minimum GPA of 3.7 in their previous graduate degree. *Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.7 are still encouraged to apply as we consider all aspects of the application equally.

Program Description & Handbook

The PhD (Nursing) program offered by 91短视频鈥檚 School of Nursing prepares nurse scientists and scholars. Our graduates advance nursing knowledge, theory and practice, as well as health policy, through scholarly research.

Our doctoral program is geared toward the study of short and long-term impacts of nursing practice at the individualfamilycommunity and population levels, with a particular emphasis on nursing-sensitive and/or women's health outcomes.

Each PhD student organizes the program around his or her investigation of a particular research question relevant to nursing. In required classes and doctoral seminars, students analyze and critique health concepts and social policies from a nursing perspective.

Graduates leave with an advanced understanding of research methodology, ready to contribute to the development of nursing theory and practice.

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Sequencing

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Submission of Application Material

Deadline for Applications

Effective for the 2026/2027 academic year (ie. September 2026/January 2027 entry and moving forward)

  • Deadline for receipt of the complete application package for September admission to all graduate nursing programs (MN, MScN, PhD Nursing): February 1

Applicants send the documentation outlined below directly to the School of Nursing, Graduate Programs Office:

  • 91短视频 Plan:
    • 4-5 pages in length: A plan of study outlining the applicant鈥檚 area of research interest, how this interest fits with the School of Nursing research foci, a statement of the preliminary plans for thesis research, goals in undertaking doctoral work, initial intentions regarding course work, and future career plans.
  • Scholarly Work:  Examples of applicant鈥檚 scholarly written work:
    • Required
      • One First-authored peer-reviewed manuscript under review or published in a recognized journal
    • Two other required works, for example
      • One co-authored peer-reviewed manuscript under review or published in a recognized journal
      • Evidence of grantsmanship, e.g., submitted scholarship application (provincial, health research funding organization)
      • Accepted peer-reviewed poster abstract
      • Research report (to health care organization, NGO, government)
      • Evidence of knowledge translation, e.g., clinical workshops
  • Funding Information:
    • A copy of the applicant鈥檚 completed and submitted Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Graduate Scholarship application OR
    • Letter of sponsorship from the international applicant鈥檚 agency/government AND
    • Other funding already applied for/potential sources of funding (for example, Harmonized Scholarship application) Harmonized Scholarship Process | Faculty of Graduate Studies | 91短视频
    • Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral
  • Curriculum Vitae (suggested format is as follows):
    • Education (post secondary)
    • Certification (e.g., CNA certification)
    • Registration (e.g., College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia)
    • Awards and Honours (practice awards from employers, bursaries, scholarships)
    • Professional Employment
    • Committees (e.g., work-related, professional)
    • Presentations and Publications (e.g., workshops, conferences, journal references)
    • Clinical/Administrative/Practice Innovations - please provide brief description or examples
    • Professional Affiliations and Activities - please specify role
    • Relevant Volunteer Activities - please specify role
  • Thesis Supervisor Form:
    • Have obtained an agreement for supervision from a faculty member whose research aligns with the applicant鈥檚 interests and who has been approved to supervise PhD students.
  • Official Transcripts:  
    • This includes transcripts of all postsecondary course work (i.e.. university credits transferred into a degree).
  • Three Letters of Reference:
    • Academic references from two professors familiar with the candidate鈥檚 earlier graduate work.
    • Where appropriate, one letter must be from a thesis or practicum supervisor.
    •  One reference from an employer.
  • Official English Proficiency Test Score Results:
    • For international applicants whose first language is not English, minimum scores for English proficiency are:
      • IELTS 7
      • MELAB 85
      • PTEA 65 overall, with no band score lower than 54
      • TOEFL 92 (internet based)
      • CanTest 4.5 overall, with no band score lower than 4.0
      • MET C1-level and 4-skills test required 64 (with no skills area below 53)
      • CAEL 70 overall, with no band score lower than 60
    • English proficiency test scores are to be sent directly to the School of Nursing.
  • Copy of current active nursing College/Association membership in Canada or another country.
  • A Personal Interview with the Associate Director Graduate Studies is required.