Oakland University developed its nursing Ph.D. program to help meet the nationwide shortage of university faculty in nursing. Introduced in 2019, our nursing doctorate equips you with the academic and scientific expertise to address systemic health care needs. The nursing Ph.D. qualifies you to educate nurses in classroom and clinical settings, as well as to conduct research involving health care practices, outcomes, access and equity. Oakland’s nursing doctoral program features convenient online courses, using a high-touch digital platform that fosters strong interpersonal relationships. Open to students who hold a BSN, MSN or DNP, our nursing Ph.D. program equips you to educate the next generation of nurses while promoting diversity and excellence in the profession.
Oakland University developed its nursing Ph.D. program to help meet the nationwide shortage of university faculty in nursing. Introduced in 2019, our nursing doctorate equips you with the academic and scientific expertise to address systemic health care needs. The nursing Ph.D. qualifies you to educate nurses in classroom and clinical settings, as well as to conduct research involving health care practices, outcomes, access and equity. Oakland’s nursing doctoral program features convenient online courses, using a high-touch digital platform that fosters strong interpersonal relationships. Open to students who hold a BSN, MSN or DNP, our nursing Ph.D. program equips you to educate the next generation of nurses while promoting diversity and excellence in the profession.
Through its history, the School of Nursing at Oakland University has helped create transformational change in nursing education, training and professional development. We created Michigan’s first Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and first forensic nursing program, and our high standards and commitment to innovation have brought us national recognition.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a shortage of Ph.D. nursing faculty forced U.S. nursing schools to deny admission to more than 75,000 qualified applicants in the 2018-19 academic year. Persistent faculty shortages pose a serious challenge for the health care system, which faces growing demand for nursing care as the U.S. population ages.
Our nursing Ph.D. qualifies you for faculty positions in university and college nursing programs. In addition to training the next generation of nurses, you’ll be equipped to conduct research that improves nursing practices and overall health care quality.
A nursing Ph.D. can also lead to non-academic career opportunities in the health care system. You may find high-level jobs with employers such as:
Oakland’s nursing doctorate program offers separate plans of study for students who enter with a BSN (80 credits), MSN (60 credits) or DNP (48 credits).
Students entering with a BSN begin the nursing Ph.D. program with foundational courses in theory, research and professional practice. Courses in health care economics and mentored research are required of both BSN and MSN students.
The remaining courses are common to all three plans of study. They include:
Two additional courses form the cognate minor for all three plans of study.
Not sure if the nursing Ph.D. is right for you? Check out these other graduate degree programs at Oakland, and contact our admissions team to discuss your options.