Fast Track BSN to PhD

Accelerated path to PhD

Created expressly for academically strong BSN graduates who want to be educators and researchers. Full-time students can complete their PhD degree in 4-5 years without all the clinical requirements of the MSN program. All features and benefits of the traditional PhD program apply, including faculty advisor support and mentoring.

Nursing specialty preparation

You’ll complete 12 – 15 hours of courses to obtain a MSN-level specialty (required by many state boards of nursing for faculty roles). Actual number of credits depends on the clinical specialty and your career goals.

Specialty areas

  • Adult-Gerontological CNS / Acute Care NP / Primary Care NP
  • Family NP
  • Nursing Leader/Executive
  • Pediatrics Primary Care NP
  • Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP
  • Women’s Health NP

For more information, see our MSN specialties.

First and second year study

Your first year study consists of specialty and statistics courses. You begin core PhD courses in your second year of full-time study.

Teaching preparation

We encourage students to take education courses and the teaching practicum and/or work as a graduate teaching assistant for at least one semester.  

PhD faculty profile
  Dr. Janet Cuddigan  
Dr. Janet Cuddigan, chair of the Adult Health and Illness Department, is a leading authority on pressure ulcers and serves on the board of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. Her primary research interests are physiological measures of pressure ulcer prediction in critically ill patients. 

The College’s Niedfelt Nursing Research Center provides substantial support services and resources to PhD faculty and students.