Ways to Study
- On-Campus
Apply Now | PhD
Applications for Fall 2027 are now open! The deadline to apply is November 10th at 11:59PM EST.
The PhD program in Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is dedicated to developing the next generation of nurse scientists who will conduct transformative research to advance health for all. Graduates are prepared to lead innovative, independent, and productive programs of research as principal investigators, generating findings that strengthen the scientific foundation of nursing, inform policy and practice, and improve health outcomes locally and globally.
Situated in a research-intensive university with top-ranked schools of nursing, medicine, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, and social work located within steps of each other and adjacent to the renowned UNC Hospitals, the School of Nursing offers a collegial environment for interprofessional education, scientific inquiry, and practice.
PhD Financial Support
Carolina Nursing is committed to funding full-time PhD students in support of their academic goals. All incoming PhD students receive a full-funding package, including tuition, fees, health insurance, and a stipend for the first three years of the program, with a fourth year contingent on meeting program milestones.
Funding is provided through a range of sources including grants, scholarships, graduate research/teaching assistantships, and our T32 Predoctoral Fellowship in Preventing and Managing Chronic Illness training program. All students are considered for these funding sources as part of the admission process; to be fully eligible, submit your completed application by the posted deadlines.
Students also have access to external grants, fellowships, and programs, including the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) and those offered by the UNC Graduate School. For additional information, visit our Scholarships and Financial Aid page.
A Program Built Around You
Our program is designed for completion in three to four years, with students finishing in about four years on average. We admit small cohorts of approximately five students each year to ensure individualized mentoring and close faculty engagement throughout your training.
Resources for PhD Students
Among the many resources available to our PhD students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the following are housed within and managed by the School of Nursing:
- The Biobehavioral Laboratory (BBL) supports the development of biological and behavioral measuring techniques for studying chronic illness and nursing intervention outcomes.
- The T32 Predoctoral Fellowship in Preventing and Managing Chronic Illness training program provides extensive opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral trainees to participate in funded studies.
- The Office of Research and Scholarship (ORS) assists in grant development, preparation, and submission.
Finding a Faculty Mentor Match
Strong mentoring depends on a good match between your research interests and the scientific expertise of one or more faculty members. A match can take several forms. You might study the same problem as a faculty member, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or access to care for diverse populations. You might share a methodological approach – qualitative or quantitative, cross-sectional or longitudinal, or observational or experimental. Or you might focus on similar populations, such as children or older adults.
Before you apply, we encourage you to review our Faculty Accepting PhD Students to learn more about faculty research areas. As you identify faculty whose work aligns with your interests, we welcome you to reach out to introduce yourself and learn more about their research. You can also view our Areas of Excellence in Research and Scholarship to learn more about the research underway at Carolina Nursing.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email the Office of Student Affairs.
