university of idaho online phd education

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Print, microfilm, and electronic theses and dissertations (ETD) in our collections can be discovered in the main library catalog . To find digital full-text thesis and dissertations from U of I and around the world, use ProQuest’s Dissertations & Theses Global database. All U of I ETD since 2012 are also available in our open access Theses and Dissertations Collection in VERSO .

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing

• Program Information

Admission Requirements

• Application and Selection Process

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing degree program will prepare the candidate to conduct independent research, collaborate as a scholar and leader, and educate for improving health and health care globally.

Students will be admitted to the Ph.D. in Nursing degree program on full time status or part time status. Entry into the Ph.D. program is an earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program. Graduation from an accredited Master's in Nursing program will also be considered for admission.

Apply for isu school of nursing

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree program courses are delivered online.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Full Time Curriculum

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Part Time Curriculum

If you have questions after looking through the School of Nursing website, please see PhD Application Tips or Graduate Frequently Asked Questions  for more information

Goals and Outcomes

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing degree program is designed with a research emphasis dedicated to extending nursing science and improving the delivery of health care for rural and vulnerable individuals, families and communities within existing cultural, geographical, and health care context. An interprofessional research focus will provide an opportunity for students to learn by collaborating with other professionals, and prepare graduates for leading change and advancing health and health care systems.

Program Outcomes

Each student will complete a core curriculum and work closely with interprofessional faculty advisors to complete an individualized course of study, which includes individual student goals and develops the foundation for a program of research. Students will complete the coursework and dissertation through online technologies integrating an interprofessional/multidisciplinary approach to:

• Communicate scientific knowledge through mentorship, collaboration, and dissemination.
• Create original research that contributes to scientific nursing knowledge.
• Contribute to the development of methodologies congruent with the broad concerns of the nursing discipline.
• Contribute to the discovery, application, and integration of nursing and interprofessional knowledge and leadership.

Cost of Attendance

Costs for tuition and fees at ISU are listed on the Cost of Attendance web page on the Finance and Administration website.   Our online Graduate Programs qualify for "Resident Tuition" rates. 

Professional Fees

In addition to ISU tuition and fees, a professional fee is assessed for all undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Nursing. Professional fees for the nursing programs are used to support faculty salaries, instruction support services, durable & disposable equipment and supplies, faculty and staff program travel, capital equipment and a reserve for maintenance and purchase of major capital items.

The list of current professional fees for all School of Nursing programs can be found here on the Professional Fees page.

Idaho State University Scholarships

The School of Nursing annually awards over $100,000 in scholarships, and the School of Nursing scholarship application is available annually in April in the  Bengal Online Scholarship System (BOSS) . Please see the  Scholarship  Office website for more information about scholarship opportunities available through ISU.

Travel Nursing

Nursing Education Scholarship awarded by Travel Nursing career organization. Amount: $1,000. Requirements: Accepted to or currently attending a full-time nursing or medical program at an accredited institution. Travel Nursing Scholarship .

Nursing Scholarship

CampusRN has  $15,000  in Scholarships Available to Nursing & Allied Health Students.

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The student must apply to and meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

• Earned Bachelor of Science (BS in Nursing or BSN) from program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized accrediting body for nursing education. Master's degree in Nursing from an accredited program will be considered.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS or BSN) program or ≥ 3.5 GPA based on previous 60 credits of undergraduate coursework.
• English Proficiency Exams: The SON Ph.D. in Nursing Program adheres to the  ISU Graduate School policy for those students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States (at the undergraduate and/or graduate level) and whose native language is not English.
• Completed application, preferably before January 15. Applications for Fall Admission are reviewed in the order they are received and accepted on a rolling basis until class filled.
• Verification of valid and current unencumbered Registered Nursing license.
• Completion of a preadmission interview by the School of Nursing Ph.D. Admissions Committee. If the applicant resides at a distance over 300 miles, an interview by video conference may be arranged.
• Mandatory attendance at the orientation for the Ph.D. program to be held on the ISU Pocatello campus in August of the year of admission.

The GRE is not required for admission. The School of Nursing Ph.D. Admissions committee will make the final recommendation regarding admission. This decision will be based on evaluation of established application and admission requirements. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. 

Online Application

Apply to Idaho State University All application materials are submitted in one application through the Graduate School. We will begin evaluating applications in January and applicants will be notified of admission decisions by the end of May 2025.

Application Requirements

• Submission of official transcripts from each institution at which they have taken any post-secondary work directly to the Graduate School. Evidence of a completed BS in Nursing or BSN from an accredited nursing program must be listed in official transcripts.
• Submission of a professional essay (3-4 pages) describing education, research, clinical and life experiences that prepare the applicant for the Ph.D program, and how this preparation will facilitate career goals. Present a summary of your experience, nursing philosophy, and interest in higher education. Describe experiences which have motivated you to pursue a PhD degree in Nursing. Present clearly stated goals for a career path following completion of the PhD degree. Describe research focus of interest, and ideas related to conducting research in this particular area.
• Submission of a writing sample (professional paper).
• Three professional references attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for doctoral study using the form provided on the application site.  At least one reference should be from an academic source and one from a professional clinical site.
• Submission of professional vitae or resume.

Selection Process for the Ph.D in Nursing Program

Review of complete applications begins in January for Fall Admission. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received and accepted on a rolling basis until class filled. All application and admission requirements as posted on the website for the Ph.D. degree program apply. Notification of successful applicants for admission and alternates will be announced in May for Fall Admission of any year.

More Information

Questions related to this degree program should be addressed to:

Gina Clarkson, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC

Interim Associate Dean and Director and Associate Professor School of Nursing

Office: Pocatello

208-282-3829

[email protected]

Professional Profile

Andrea Lovelace

Program Admissions and Records Specialist for Grad Programs (Application Questions)

208-282-2325

[email protected]

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Graduate Admissions

Office of graduate admissions.

820 Idaho Avenue Morrill Hall, Room 205 Moscow, ID 83843

University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive MS 3019 Moscow, ID 83844-3019

Phone: 208-885-4001

Email: [email protected]

Web: More Contact Information

Graduate Programs and Certificates

Select program to review admissions requirements and apply.

Accountancy (M.Acct.)

Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership (M.S.)

Agricultural Education (M.S.)

Animal Physiology (Ph.D.)

Animal Science (M.S.)

Anthropology (M.A.)

Applied Economics (M.S.)

Architecture (M.Arch.)

Art (M.F.A.)

Athletic Training (D.A.T.)

Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.)

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (M.S., Ph.D.)

Biological Engineering (M.Engr., M.S., Ph.D.)

Biology (M.S., Ph.D.)

Chemical Engineering (M.Engr., M.S., Ph.D.)

Chemistry (M.S., Ph.D.)

Civil Engineering (M.Engr., M.S., Ph.D.)

Climate Change - Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (P.S.M.)

Computer Engineering (M.Engr., M.S.)

Computer Science (M.S., Ph.D.)

Creative Writing (M.F.A.)

Criminology (M.S.)

Curriculum & Instruction - Career and Technical Education (Ed.S.)

Curriculum & Instruction - Career and Technical Education (M.Ed.)

Curriculum & Instruction (Ed.S.)

Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed.)

Cybersecurity (M.S.)

Dietetics (M.S.)

Education (Ed.D., Ph.D.)

Educational Leadership (M.Ed., Ed.S.)

Electrical Engineering (M.Engr., M.S., Ph.D.)

Emerging Media (M.A.)

Engineering Management (M.Engr.)

English (M.A.)

Entomology (M.S., Ph.D.)

Environmental Science (M.S., Ph.D.)

Experimental Psychology (Ph.D.)

Family and Consumer Sciences (M.S.)

Food Science (M.S., Ph.D.)

Geographic Information Science: Geospatial Aspects of Sustainable Planning Application (M.S.)

Geographic Information Science: Geospatial Habitat Assessment Application (M.S.)

Geographic Information Science: Geospatial Intelligence Application (M.S.)

Geographic Information Science: Geotechnician Application (M.S.)

Geographic Information Science: GIS Programming Application (M.S.)

Geographic Information Science: Natural Hazards and Emergency Planning Application (M.S.)

Geographic Information Science: Remote Sensing (M.S.)

Geographic Information, Skills, Mapping, and Monitoring - Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (P.S.M.)

Geography (M.S., Ph.D.)

Geological Engineering (M.S.)

Geology (M.S., Ph.D.)

Groundwater Hydrology (M.S.)

History (M.A., Ph.D.)

Human Factors (Psychology M.S.)

Hydrology (Groundwater Hydrology (M.S.))

Integrated Architecture and Design (M.S.)

Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (P.S.M.)

Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A., M.S.)

Kinesiology and Leisure Sciences (M.S.)

Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Master of Natural Resources (Natural Resources (M.N.R.))

Mathematics (M.A.T.)

Mathematics (M.S., Ph.D.)

Mechanical Engineering (M.Engr., M.S., Ph.D.)

Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (Ph.D.)

Music (M.A., M.Mus.)

Natural Resources - Environmental Education and Science Communication (@MOSS) (M.N.R.)

Natural Resources - Fire Ecology and Management (M.N.R.)

Natural Resources - Fish and Wildlife Science and Management Option (M.N.R.)

Natural Resources - Integrated Natural Resources (M.N.R.)

Natural Resources - Restoration Ecology and Habitat Management (M.N.R.)

Natural Resources (M.S., Ph.D.)

Neuroscience (M.S., Ph.D.)

Nuclear Engineering (M.Engr., M.S., Ph.D.)

Nutritional Sciences (M.S., Ph.D.)

Online Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Physical Education (M.Ed.)

Physics (M.S., Ph.D.)

Plant Pathology (M.S.)

Plant Science (M.S., Ph.D.)

Political Science (Ph.D.)

Precision Nutrition for Human and Animal Health - Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (P.S.M.)

Professional Science Master (Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (P.S.M.))

Psychology (M.S.)

Psychology (Ph.D.)

Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Secondary Education (M.A.T.)

Soil and Land Resources (M.S., Ph.D.)

Special Education (M.Ed.)

Statistical Science (M.S.)

Sustainable Soil and Land Systems - Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (P.S.M.)

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (M.A.)

Technology Management (M.S.)

Theatre Arts (M.F.A.)

Unclassified

Water Resources - Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (P.S.M.)

Water Resources (M.S., Ph.D.)

2024-2025 Catalog

Education specialist degrees.

The University of Idaho awards the degree of Education Specialist to students who want an organized program of graduate studies beyond the master's degree but who may not wish to pursue a doctoral program. The Education Specialist degree is delivered only by the College of Education.

Requirements for Education Specialist Degree

Credit requirements.

An acceptable program of at least 60 upper-division and graduate level semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree is required. Additional credits may be required for those who have master's degrees in other areas of emphasis or who have deficiencies. Credits listed on an undergraduate transcript, professional development courses, or courses on a professional degree transcript are not available to be used toward a specialist degree. No more than three credits of workshop or workshop-related courses may be used toward a specialist degree. Thesis or dissertation credits cannot be used towards a specialist degree. Each student, following advising, will submit the study plan for approval to the major professor, the appropriate program administrator, and the dean of the College of Graduate Studies for approval.

Transfer, Correspondence Study, and Non-degree Credit Limitation

No more than 12 of the last 30 credits may be taken as transfer courses, correspondence courses (with prior written approval of the dean of the College of Graduate Studies), or non-degree courses. Transfer credits must be from institutions offering graduate programs in the discipline(s) of the course(s) being transferred. All credits used toward graduate degrees must be from regionally accredited American institutions or from non-US institutions recognized by the appropriate authorities in their respective countries.

The last 30 credits must have been taken in the eight years preceding the semester in which the degree is awarded.

Procedures for Education Specialist Degree

See the General Graduate Regulations section regarding appointment of major professor, study plans, application for advanced degree, final semester registration, and non-thesis requirement.

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