PhD Application Process

PhD Admissions Criteria

• Master's degree from an accredited university (except for the BS/PhD program).
• A minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA in the nursing master's program.
• Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV)
• Two letters of recommendation from academic and professional references, one from a master's program professor holding a doctorate.
• A copy of one example of work that evidences a culminating scholarly product from the master's program.
• Typed two-page statement of the applicant's goals for the PhD degree that addresses:
• Why you are interested in admission to the FAU, College of Nursing PhD program
• Phenomenon of interest consistent with at least 1 of the 4 Research Focus Areas (Healthy Aging, Holistic Nursing, Transforming Healthcare Environments, and Health Equity).
• Identification of 1-3 potential College of Nursing faculty mentors
• Satisfactory oral interview by three members of the Graduate Admissions Committee.
• Evidence of grade of "B" or better in Graduate Level Statistics.
• Prerequisite: Advanced Nursing Practice Grounded in Caring, Graduate Course.
• Background Check - a background check is required.
• Laptop - All College of Nursing students are required to supply their own laptop/personal computing device.

*A state/federal criminal background check is required for all applicants and admitted students. Some clinical agencies require annual background checks or affidavits. A drug screen may be required. All costs for these requirements are the responsibility of the applicant/student.

PhD Application Process

The following steps must be completed to apply for the nursing PhD program: 

Step 1: Graduate College Application

Applications must be submitted through the Graduate College website.  Click HERE to begin the application process.  

Questions about the application process should be sent to:

Gerardo Guzman
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
777 Glades Road, Room 215H
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Email: gguzman3@health.fau.edu
Phone: 561-297-0006

Step 2: Background Check

Visit this link for instructions on how to begin the background check process.

Questions about the background check process should be sent to: 

Colleen Alcantara-Slocombe
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
777 Glades Road, Room 336A
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Email: slocombe@health.fau.edu
Phone: 561-297-2872

Step 3: Admissions Interview

After the first two steps are completed, candidates will be contacted via their FAU email address to schedule an interview with the PhD Admissions Committee.

Application Deadline for Fall admission:

• March 15th

Application Deadline for Spring admission:

• October 1st

Contact Information

Information & Advising for the PhD in Nursing Program

PhD Advisor	Director, PhD in Nursing Program
Gerardo Guzman	Howard K. Butcher, PhD, RN
777 Glades Rd. Boca Raton, FL  33431	777 Glades Rd Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone:561-297-0006	Phone:561-297-0095
Fax: 561-297-1074	Fax: 561-297-1074
Email:gguzman3@health.fau.edu	Email:hbutcher@health.fau.edu