Georgia Nursing Doctorate Degree Programs

Emory University: PhD in Nursing Program Review
Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329

Atlanta-based Emory University was originally founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in the city of Oxford. Emory University is a private, research university that grants bachelors through doctoral degrees. More than 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students are educated at Emory University each year.

The Nell Hogdson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a comprehensive PhD in Nursing program, which trains students to become researchers and teachers. Three tracks are offered in the PhD program-BSN-PhD, BSN-PhD/NP and MSN-PhD. Students with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing or Masters of Science in Nursing are eligible to enroll in the PhD program. Nurses with a BSN have the option of earning a PhD along with a Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification.

Admission to the PhD program is competitive; as little as three applicants are admitted each year. The PhD program offers a highly individualized program of study for aspiring PhD in Nursing students.

To apply, applicants must submit GRE scores, transcripts, and a statement outlining research interests. Previous research experience is not necessary to apply to the doctoral program. To be competitive, nurses should have similar research interests with at least one faculty members as students work with faculty on research projects from the first year of the program.

Georgia College and State University: DNP Program Review

Georgia College and State University

231 W. Hancock St.

Milledgeville, GA 31061

Georgia College and State University (more commonly known as Georgia College) is a public research university founded in 1889. The university is based in Milledgeville, Georgia. The majority of students at Georgia College and State University receive some form of financial aid.

Georgia College strives to provide a balance between theory and practice in their academic offerings. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program integrates evidence based research into nursing practice. While a PhD in Nursing often trains nurses to work outside the healthcare setting in academic institutions or with government agencies, the DNP is designed for nurses who seek to remain in clinical practice.

It is recommended that DNP applicants have at least a 3.5 GPA or higher though a GPA of 3.2 is required to apply. As a prerequisite, nurses should have completed a statistics course. Additional application requirements include verification of 500 hours of clinical supervision at the master’s level. Pre-entrance exams such as the GRE are not required. The DNP at Georgia College is a post-MSN program, open to students with at least a Master’s Degree in Nursing.

The doctoral program is delivered primarily online with a two-week intensive which offers nurses the opportunity to continue working while attending the DNP program. The DNP can be completed in 2 years (5 semesters of full time study).

Georgia Health Sciences University: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review

Georgia Health Sciences University

1120 15th Street

Augusta GA 30912

Georgia Health Sciences University is a higher education institution in the University of Georgia system, which specifically houses degree programs for careers in healthcare. GHSU was established in 1828 and is one of the 15 oldest medical schools in the nation.

DNP and PhD in Nursing terminal degree programs for nurses are offered at Georgia Health Sciences University. The DNP program also has tracks specifically for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners or Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Several on-campus learning centers and resources are available to students pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Georgia Health Sciences University. The Center for Nursing Research, Interdisciplinary Simulation Center and Health Disparities Research Center all offer opportunities for nurses to explore research and identify with specific areas of specialty in nursing. To apply, PhD in Nursing applicants should meet admissions requirements which include an MSN degree or international equivalent, a BSN, and a 3.0 and 3.2 for the undergraduate and graduate degree respectively. Students with only a Masters of Science in Nursing may be considered for admission on a case by case basis.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice at Georgia Health Sciences University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The DNP can be completed full or part time, which allows nurses to pursue their careers and higher education simultaneously. Admission requirements to the DNP program include a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate and graduate education and both a BSN and MSN.

Georgia Southern University: DNP Program Review

Georgia Southern University

332 Southern Drive

Statesboro, GA 30458

Georgia Southern University is a public research university with the community feeling of a small campus. Based on a 700 acre campus in Statesboro, Georgia, GSU is a residential university in which students can live while studying. Over 100 degree programs in fields such as nursing, business and education are offered in the various bachelor’s through doctoral degree programs.

Georgia Southern University’s School of Nursing is under the College of Health and Human Services. Two online tracks are offered in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The DNP is Georgia Southern University’s 5^th doctoral program and focuses on preparing nurses to be leaders in administration and implementation of policy for individuals, communities and populations. The DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Each year, ten students are admitted to the DNP program. Admission requirements include having a masters degree in nursing and an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) certification. There is also a Post-BSN DNP (Post Bachelor of Science in Nursing) track.

The DNP program can be completed in 8 semesters of study. Students in the DNP program have the option of pursuing a Nurse Education certification and taking the certification exam in Nurse Education as part of their doctoral training. The DNP is designed for the working nurse and may be completed online.

Georgia State University: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review

Georgia State University

Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions

P.O. Box 3995

Atlanta, GA 30302-3995

Atlanta-based Georgia State University is among the four universities in the state of Georgia’s public university system. GSU serves approximately 30,000 students and offers more than 250 degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Georgia State University was established in 1913.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is offered in the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions. The PhD in Nursing is offered in a hybrid format, with both web-based and online coursework and assignments. Both BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) prepared nurses are eligible to apply for the doctoral program.

The Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions has very specific instructions for students applying to the DNP program. Applicants are required to gather and submit all application materials at one time, with the exception of exam scores. Applicants who do not apply as specified and do not submit all of their application materials in one packet (including transcripts and recommendations) will risk not being considered for admission. The application deadline for the PhD in Nursing is annually each February.

Admission requirements to the PhD in Nursing program include three letters of recommendation, a personal statement which includes research goals, writing sample and a resume or CV. Additional requirements include submitting GRE scores and two official transcripts from all previous institutions. For the post-master’s PhD in Nursing, an MSN degree is required to apply, though students with a BSN and a master’s degree in a field other than nursing may be considered if they meet certain requirements. The PhD in Nursing is a 60 credit doctoral program. A BS to PhD program is also offered for nurses who would like to get an early start on their research career.

Kennesaw State University: DNS (Doctor of Nursing Science) Program Review

Kennesaw State University

1000 Chastain Road

Kennesaw, GA 30144

Kennesaw State University is based in Kennesaw, Georgia and part of the state system. KSU was established n 1963, and today serves over 20,000 students, though it began as a community college serving just 1,000 students. Kennesaw State University offers approximately 80 bachelor’s through doctoral degree programs.

The Wellstar College of Health and Human Services offers a Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) program. The DNS is a practical degree, which trains nurses for leadership in the healthcare setting.

Admission requirements to the DNS program include a master’s degree with a major in nursing, 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a valid RN license which allows nurses to practice in the USA. Applicants with international nursing qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. GRE scores, a minimum of 3.5 on writing and a score of 500 in each of the verbal and quantitative sections is also required for exam requirements. Prerequisite courses include a course in statistics and also nursing.

The DNS program is 60 credits; up to 15 credits may be transferred towards the program. Nurses in the doctoral program will split the coursework evenly between online and on-campus study. The DNS may be completed in three or four years of full or part time study respectively.

Mercer University: DNP and PhD in Nursing Program Review

Mercer University

1400 Coleman Avenue

Macon, GA 31207

Mercer University is based in Macon, Georgia with additional campuses in Savannah and Atlanta. Mercer University is a private university established by Baptists in 1833. The university serves over 8,000 students and has been ranked by both U.S News and World Report and the Princeton Review among the best universities in the nation.

The Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University offers both PhD in Nursing and DNP programs. The DNP at Mercer University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Doctor of Nursing Practice focuses on care for individuals and groups and trains nursing leaders in management, providing quality care and understanding and implementing nursing policy. The doctoral degree program can be complete in five or eight semesters depending on the student’s plan of study.

At minimum, nurses should have a master’s degree and a specialization with national certification to apply. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Anesthetist (CNA), Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Nurse Midwife are acceptable areas of national certification. Exam scores for the MAT or GRE are not required, though applicants must have completed a prerequisite course in statistics.

The PhD in Nursing prepares nurses for doctoral research at the highest level of practice. Admission requirements to the PhD in Nursing include a master’s degree with a minimum 3.2 GPA in a program that is accredited by a nursing body, acceptable scores on the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) and a valid US nursing license. Prerequisites courses include nursing theory, nursing research and statistics. Applicants who meet certain criteria including a minimum score of 1000 on the GRE and a 3.5 GPA may be given preference in the nursing application process.