Conduct original research as a nurse scientist to inform policy and improve the health
of rural and underserved populations.
The development of a scholar requires immersion into research. The Ph.D. in Nursing
program at UND will educate you to synthesize in-depth knowledge of rural health and
underserved populations, integrate philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of
science to guide research, conduct ethical and rigorous research, and contribute to
a global community of scholars.
Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
3 years (part-time), plus dissertation
Credit hours:
90
Why earn an online doctorate in nursing at UND?
Application Deadline
Priority:
April 1, 2025
Fall/Final:
June 1, 2025
You'll join a highly collaborative environment at the University of North Dakota with
unique resources to study rural health in behavioral and environmental contexts. To
actualize the focus of becoming a nurse scientist, you will gain skills in:
Rural health, rural and underserved populations, and rural programs and policies.
Conduct original research as a nurse scientist, which includes rural and underserved
populations.
Disseminating new knowledge through publications and presentations.
Obtaining grant funding to support your research.
Ph.D. in Nursing Online Research Opportunities
UND has a variety of research opportunities for our online Nursing Ph.D. students.
You'll get the opportunity to collaborate on active research withthe:
The MPATTC and MPMHTTC are both located within UND's College of Nursing & Professional
Disciplines and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
to serve Region 8 in the U.S.
Before graduation you'll be required to:
Develop and submit a nationally competitive grant to support your doctoral research.
Submit an article for publication to a refereed journal.
Present dissertation progress or results to a regional or national audience.
Online Nursing Ph.D. Program at UND
Connect 1-on-1 with doctoral faculty who share your passion for nursing research.
Engage in annual face-to-face intensive experiences (on campus or at the Midwest Nursing
Research Society Conference) that supplement your online learning and immerse you
into a community of scholars.
Participate in the UND chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the national nursing honor society.
Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students
are an integral part of UND research.
Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with
the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.
Transfer up to 30 master's level credits with approval.
What can you do with an online doctorate in nursing?
Most Ph.D. in Nursing students go on to teach in academic or clinical settings or
conduct research on topics designed to improve patient health, health care services
and health care outcomes. UND alumni of the Ph.D. program have gone on to hold a wide
variety of positions, some of which include:
Assistant professor of nursing at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio
Associate professor of nursing at Bethel University in St Paul, Minn.
Associate professor at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn.
Chair/director of nursing at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn.
Dean of Health Sciences at Rappahannock Community College in Glenns, Va.
State representative in North Dakota House of Representatives
Postdoctoral Fellows at Virginia Commonwealth University, Yale University and Mayo
Clinic
Ph.D. in Nursing Online Courses You Could Take
NURS 558. Research Design. 3 Credits.
This course prepares the doctoral student to understand the link between research design and the study purpose. Prerequisite: Admission to PhD program or consent of instructor. F.
NURS 573. Research Funding. 3 Credits.
This course integrates the scientific and practical aspects of professional writing and grant proposal development to obtain funds for research. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate nursing program or approval of instructor. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS 574 and/or NURS 575; Non-nursing programs: Graduate level quantitative and/or qualitative research methods coursework required. F.
This course is directed toward the development of critical dialogue and leadership strategies for dealing with ethical issues related to nursing, health care and research. Commitment to discussion, understanding and acceptance of the rights of others in dilemmas is emphasized. Reflexive nursing, which brings attention to one's own position and objectivity, is encouraged. The ethical challenges associated with serving rural and underserved populations are included in the discourse. Prerequisite: Admission to the Nursing doctoral Program or consent of the instructor. SS.
NURS 586. Rural and Underserved Health Programs, Policies, and Research. 3 Credits.
This course focuses on policies, programs and research related to rural and underserved population health. Prerequisite: NURS 565 or consent of instructor. F.
NURS 565. Rural and Underserved Population Health. 3 Credits.
This course provides an overview of characteristics of rural and underserved population health. Factors that contribute to health, morbidity, and mortality are examined, and the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities and disparities is analyzed. Prerequisite: A graduate level Epidemiology course or permission of instructor. SS.
NURS 581. The Nurse Scientist. 3 Credits.
This course prepares the doctoral student to actively engage in doctoral study with knowledge of the discipline of nursing and skills that facilitate success as an emerging nurse scientist. Prerequisite: Admission to PhD program. F.
How are the Ph.D. in nursing online courses offered?
UND is a top choice for an online Nursing Ph.D. We’ve designed the online Nursing
Ph.D. to incorporate 100% online coursework and yearly face-to-face intensive experience
visits on campus or at a regional research conference.
You must attend a face-to-face intensive experience each year during the spring semester
while you are enrolled as a student. You are able to claim 4 credits (1 credit per
year for four years) toward program requirements.
The Ph.D. Nursing courses are all offered online with synchronous and asynchronous
delivery depending on the course and instructor.
With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance
work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere
at any time.
Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:
Lesson modules
Streaming video content
Virtual libraries
Posted lectures
Online simulations
There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through
online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.
Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within
a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure
and deadlines.
Designated synchronous classes are most often offered on Tuesdays from 11 – 2 p.m.
or 3 – 6 p.m. CST, although some variation from this schedule may occur.
In your “live” online Nursing Ph.D. classes, you’ll:
Interact with your instructors and other students using web conferencing technology
See your instructor’s materials as though you were sitting in a classroom on the UND
campus
In this manner, the class lectures, discussion and collaboration are conducted in
a very similar fashion to traditional on campus classes.
In-Person Requirements
To complete your coursework in NURS 556, face-to-face intensive experiences are required once per year (usually in the spring semester), but not always on campus. The intensive experiences are held on campus or at the
Midwest Nursing Research Society Conference. You must be enroll in NURS 556 every
spring until you graduate, and claim credit (1credit, four times), for a total of
4 credits. These intensive experiences are 3-4 days in length. During your intensive experience,
you will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, your advisor and your peers. You
will be submersed into a community of scholars, gain skills in scholarly discourse
and be mentored into your future role as a nurse scientist, through a variety of activities,
presentations and workshops.
Top-Tier Online Nursing Ph.D.
Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a
combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't
be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored
to your needs.
No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality
education as any other on campus student.
Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time
and take the same classes as a student on campus.
Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers
and professionals in the field.
Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future
career.
Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help
online study resources.
Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course?
We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory
to achieve higher test scores.
Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online
help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and
military services, financial services and more.
24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers
to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.
Best Online College
Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates
make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs
rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the
best online schools in the region.
UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:
Affordability
Student satisfaction (retention rate)
Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)
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