Students who are pursuing a doctoral degree from the UNC Greensboro School of Nursing will soon be able to take classes from home.

The School of Nursing has revised its PhD program and its post-master’s DNP program, moving them entirely online to make both programs more convenient for working nurses. These students will take classes online.

“The world is changing, the way we deliver higher education is changing, but our rigorous standards for PhD and DNP education are not. There were many successful online doctoral programs well before the pandemic. We are pleased to be able to help more nurses to earn their online doctoral degrees as nurse scientists and practice leaders, and to offer seamless opportunities for those with the DNP degree who also wish to obtain a PhD degree in an online format.”

Dr. Debra J. Barksdale, dean of the UNCG School of Nursing.

Online PhD

Applications are currently being accepted for the first online PhD cohort, which starts in August. Students will take online classes, synchronously (at a specific time each week) and asynchronously (at a time they choose). 

As part of the PhD program, students will visit UNCG’s campus 1-2 days per semester to foster a sense of community and engagement with their classmates and the School of Nursing’s PhD faculty.

“These changes are being made to best support our students’ learning needs while also producing nurse scientists who will be prepared to conduct the critically needed research to promote health and reduce health disparities in vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Susan Letvak, director of the PhD program in the School of Nursing.

For more information, contact Dr. Letvak at saletvak@uncg.edu.

Online DNP

The post-master’s DNP program gives nurses who have an MSN degree the opportunity to enhance their evidence-based practice and leadership knowledge. 

The School of Nursing designed the post-master’s DNP program so working nurses can complete their degree online in 15 months while balancing a full-time career. Students will begin the program in the fall semester and finish it in the fall semester of the following year.

The School of Nursing also revised the curriculum for the post-master’s DNP program. Students need to complete only 30 credit hours to graduate, and they will take all of their classes asynchronously online.

For more information, contact Dr. Wanda Williams at wmwilliams@uncg.edu.