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Doctoral Program (PhD)

Guidelines and Procedures for Admission

Guidelines

Candidates for admission to the doctoral component of the graduate program are evaluated by attention to all aspects of the individual’s qualifications. Decisions for endorsing or denying admission are not based on a single criterion. Components of the evaluation include undergraduate and graduate course work and grade point averages; Graduate Record Examination scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytic components of the general exam; an analytical writing sample; letters of recommendation; interviews with doctoral faculty; and written evaluations of the candidate.

Procedures

Students seeking admission to the doctoral component of the graduate program at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing may apply after being awarded a BSN or an MSN. The procedures for admission are as follows:

1. Prospective students must compile an admission portfolio that contains the following materials:
   1. Transcript of all undergraduate and graduate work
   2. Official scores of the Graduate Record Examination (General test—verbal, quantitative, and analytic components).
   3. Product from the analytical writing task.
   4. Statement of reasons for pursuing doctoral study, professional and personal goals, and explanation of why a PhD is necessary to reach professional and personal goals.
   5. If the candidate is not native English-speaking, he or she must take and report the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
2. In addition to the portfolio submitted by the student, the student must submit  three (3) letters of reference from professionals with an earned doctorate (i.e., Ph.D., Ed.D., MD, DDS, etc.) attesting to the student’s ability to successfully engage in and carry out doctoral study. These abilities may include, but are not restricted to, analytical ability, writing ability, ability to be successful in doctoral study, organization, resilience, ability to deal with stressful situations, initiative, professional competence, or general abilities. Letters should be submitted directly by the professional giving the reference. References should be sent to the Office of Student Affairs, College of Nursing, attention: Graduate Student Advisor.
3. Once the admission packet is complete, the Director of the Doctoral Component of the Graduate Program will interview the candidate. The Director will indicate in writing either support or non support of the candidate’s admission, and arrange interviews with appropriate doctoral faculty who have shared interest with the candidate.
4. Interviewing faculty will complete a written evaluation of the candidate including goodness of fit between candidate’s interest and expertise and availability of doctoral faculty to mentor the student.
5. The Director of the Doctoral Component of the Graduate Program will forward the application with a recommendation of admission or non-admission to the College of Nursing Student Affairs Committee for appropriate action. Doctorally prepared faculty on the Student Affairs Committee will vote admission or non-admission.

It is strongly recommended, but not required, that the applicant for the doctoral component of the graduate program in the College of Nursing have the following qualifications:

1. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above*
2. Graduate GPA (if applicable) of 3.0 or above
3. GRE scores of at least 500 on both the verbal and quantitative components of the exam and at least 4.5 on the analytical component of the exam.
4. Goals that fit with faculty expertise and availability
5. A TOEFL score of 230 or above (internet-based of 88-89)

*Graduate GPA cannot be substituted for undergraduate GPA. Undergraduate GPA may be more pertinent to doctoral work than the GPA obtained in a MSN program leading to the Advanced Practice Nursing role.

**Because the verbal, quantitative, and analytical tests use different scales and measure different developed skills, a combination of scores cannot be used.

Accepted by the Doctoral Program Committee; 04/25/05

For application materials or admissions counseling, prospective students should write or call:

Office of Student Affairs, College of Nursing University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210038, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0038
Phone: 513/558-3600
Fax: 513/558-7523
E-mail: Nursing@UC.Ed