Now more than ever, there's a need for knowledgeable and qualified nurse educators and scholars. With a PhD in Nursing, you can advance your career as a nurse scientist in academia or in a range of research settings. You’ll play a crucial role in advanced nursing science and strengthening future generations of highly skilled nurses.

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Doctor of Nursing
PhD in Nursing
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Online Nursing Doctorate Programs

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete

Lead the future of nursing

Take your practice, expertise and influence to new heights with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Maximize your potential to lead with a convenient and quality online DNP program that builds on your master’s degree in nursing (MSN).

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Elevate Your Career Fast
Earn your DNP in just under 2 years.
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Learn on Your Schedule
100% online courses that are primarily asynchronous.
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Make a Bigger Difference
Join more than 60,000 DNPs who are improving patient outcomes.*

Recognized and respected in nursing

Wilkes University is a small non-profit university that gives you big opportunities—and that’s just as true of our virtual campus. For more than 80 years, Wilkes has been dedicated to student success. See some of the reasons why our online DNP is unique: 

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Personalized
Support

Team of dedicated advisors and faculty to help you succeed.

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Small
Classes

Enjoy a more personal online learning experience.

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An Investment
in Your Future 

At $1,025 per credit, tuition is lower than other online DNP programs.

Compare DNP and PhD Programs

Compare Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice
(Practice Focused)

PhD In Nursing
(Research Focused)
Program Objectives Prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes Prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing science to conduct research to advance the science of nursing
Students
  • Commitment to a practice career
  • Oriented toward improving outcomes of patient care and population health
  • Commitment to a research career
  • Oriented toward developing new nursing knowledge and scientific inquiry
Learned Outcomes
  • Practice doctorate in nursing and expertise in area teaching
  • Leadership experience in area of role and population practice
  • High level of expertise in practice congruent with focus of academic program
  • Research doctorate in nursing or related field
  • Leadership experience in area of sustained research funding
  • High level of expertise in research congruent with focus of academic program
Resources
  • Mentors and/or preceptors in leadership positions across practice settings
  • Diverse practice settings with appropriate resources
  • Financial aid
  • Information and patient-care technology resources
  • Mentors and/or preceptors in research settings
  • Research settings with appropriate resources
  • Dissertation support dollars and financial aid
  • Information and research technology resources
Program Objectives and Evaluation
  • Contributes to healthcare improvements via practice, policy change and practice scholarship
  • Receives accreditation by nursing accreditor
  • Contributes to healthcare improvements via the development of new knowledge and scholarly products that provide the foundation for the advancement of nursing science
    • Oversight by the institution’s authorized bodies (i.e., graduate school) and regional accreditors
     

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete
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Next Intake: Fall 2025

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No entrance exams required

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3.0 minimum undergrad GPA

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Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
CCNE

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Top Ranked University for 16 Consecutive Years
U.S. News & World Report 

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Top 10% Ranked Institution Nationally
Brookings Institution

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Military Friendly School Bronze Award, 2021
VIQTORY 

Compare DNP and PhD Programs

Compare Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice
(Practice Focused)

PhD In Nursing
(Research Focused)
Program Objectives Prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes Prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing science to conduct research to advance the science of nursing
Students
  • Commitment to a practice career
  • Oriented toward improving outcomes of patient care and population health
  • Commitment to a research career
  • Oriented toward developing new nursing knowledge and scientific inquiry
Learned Outcomes
  • Practice doctorate in nursing and expertise in area teaching
  • Leadership experience in area of role and population practice
  • High level of expertise in practice congruent with focus of academic program
  • Research doctorate in nursing or related field
  • Leadership experience in area of sustained research funding
  • High level of expertise in research congruent with focus of academic program
Resources
  • Mentors and/or preceptors in leadership positions across practice settings
  • Diverse practice settings with appropriate resources
  • Financial aid
  • Information and patient-care technology resources
  • Mentors and/or preceptors in research settings
  • Research settings with appropriate resources
  • Dissertation support dollars and financial aid
  • Information and research technology resources
Program Objectives and Evaluation
  • Contributes to healthcare improvements via practice, policy change and practice scholarship
  • Receives accreditation by nursing accreditor
  • Contributes to healthcare improvements via the development of new knowledge and scholarly products that provide the foundation for the advancement of nursing science
    • Oversight by the institution’s authorized bodies (i.e., graduate school) and regional accreditors
     
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Wilkes University logo

* American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate/APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Kathryn Spiegel

Submitted by Maral Gorginpour on

Congratulations to Kathryn Spiegel RN PhD, one of our online PhD faculty members, who has authored a poster presentation at the AACN Transformation Conference: Using a Rolling Case Study Approach to Teach Quantitative Analysis in an Online PhD Nursing Program. (12/5-12/7 New Orleans)

PhD (PPI)

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete

Lead as a Scholar & Educator

Reach the highest level of nursing education with an online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). Conduct original research to advance nursing science through scholarship and impact future generations of nurses with a supportive and quality online PhD program.

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Elevate Your Career Fast
Study part-time and earn your PhD in 3 years.
Image
Icon
100% Virtual Classroom
Fully online coursework to balance your commitments.
Image
Icon
Stand Out in Nursing
Less than 1% of today’s nurses have earned a PhD.*

Recognized and respected in nursing

Wilkes University is a small non-profit university that gives you big opportunities—and that’s just as true of our virtual campus. For more than 80 years, Wilkes University has been dedicated to student success.

Image
Icon

Personalized
Support

Team of dedicated advisors and faculty for your success.

Image
Icon

Guided
Dissertation

Select a chairperson to support your dissertation research.

Image
Icon

An Investment
in Your Future

At $1,025 per credit, tuition is lower than other online nursing PhD programs.

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete
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Apply Now for Next Intake

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Icon

No entrance exams required

Image
Icon

3.3 minimum undergrad GPA

Image
Icon

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
CCNE

Image
Icon

Top Ranked University for 16 Consecutive Years
U.S. News & World Report

Image
Icon

Top 10% Ranked Institution Nationally
Brookings

Image
Icon

Military Friendly School Bronze Award, 2021
VIQTORY

Image
Wilkes University logo

* National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate/APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Online PhD in Nursing

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete

Save time & money with online study

Reach the highest level of nursing education with an online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). Conduct original research to advance nursing science through scholarship and impact future generations of nurses. Our part-time online PhD program builds on your master’s degree in nursing.

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Fast & Fully Online
Earn your PhD in 3 years with 100% virtual coursework.
Image
Icon
Personalized Support
Team of dedicated advisors and faculty for your success.
Image
Icon
An Investment in Your Future
At $1,025 per credit, tuition is significantly lower than other online nursing PhD programs.

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete
Image
Icon

Apply Now for Next Intake

Image
Icon

No entrance exams required

Image
Icon

3.3 minimum undergrad GPA

Image
Icon

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
CCNE

Image
Icon

Top Ranked University for 16 Consecutive Years
U.S. News & World Report

Image
Wilkes University logo

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate/APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Online PhD in Nursing

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete

Lead as a Scholar & Educator

Reach the highest level of nursing education with an online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). Conduct original research to advance nursing science through scholarship and impact future generations of nurses with a supportive and quality online PhD program.

Image
Icon
Elevate Your Career Fast
Study part-time and earn your PhD in 3 years.
Image
Icon
100% Virtual Classroom
Fully online coursework to balance your commitments.
Image
Icon
Stand Out in Nursing
Less than 1% of today’s nurses have earned a PhD.*

Recognized and respected in nursing

Wilkes University is a small non-profit university that gives you big opportunities—and that’s just as true of our virtual campus. For more than 80 years, Wilkes University has been dedicated to student success.

Image
Icon

Personalized
Support

Team of dedicated advisors and faculty for your success.

Image
Icon

Guided
Dissertation

Select a chairperson to support your dissertation research.

Image
Icon

An Investment
in Your Future

At $1,056 per credit, tuition is lower than other online nursing PhD programs.

Get a Free Guide

Learn More About Tuition, Admission, Financial Assistance & More.
I have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.0 GPA
I have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a 3.3 GPA
I have an MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
I have an unencumbered RN license
I reside in Pennsylvania

Step 1 of 2

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Complete
Image
Icon

Apply Now for Next Intake

Image
Icon

No entrance exams required

Image
Icon

3.3 minimum undergrad GPA

Image
Icon

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
CCNE

Image
Icon

Top Ranked University for 16 Consecutive Years
U.S. News & World Report

Image
Icon

Top 10% Ranked Institution Nationally
Brookings

Image
Military friendly badge

2025-26 Military Friendly® School
VIQTORY 

Image
Wilkes University logo

* National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate/APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Subscribe to PhD in Nursing

More About Wilkes

At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.

Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.

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Reach Out to an Admissions Advisor

We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Call us or click the link below to start the conversation. We can’t wait! 

888-413-5633
Get Started

Out-of-State Students

Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.

Primary State of Residence (PSOR)

Your PSOR is the state in which you declare as your primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify your PSOR may include driver's license, federal income tax return, or voter registration. Only one state can be identified as the primary state of legal residence.

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