Skip to main content

PhD in Nursing & Health Science Program

Launch your research career at an NIH-ranked nursing school with a premier academic medical center in Rochester, New York.

The PhD in Nursing and Health Science program offers a rich and supportive learning environment for the next generation of nursing and health care scientists.

Program Cost

100% tuition waiver

For full-time PhD students plus annual stipend

Research Rankings

No. 31

Ranked 31st among nursing schools in research funding from the National Institutes of Health

Priority Deadline

Jan. 15

Applications accepted for fall entry only. Apply by Jan. 15 for priority enrollment and UR scholarship/fellowship consideration. Refer to our application deadlines.

The PhD in Nursing & Health Science program at the University of Rochester sets itself apart by offering close mentorship from nationally-recognized faculty. Plus, the collaborative learning environment is enriched by interaction with researchers across many disciplines — all of which allows you to learn how to make meaningful discoveries and innovations in a changing health care landscape.

Choose from three pathways to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing and Health Science. Full-time students are awarded assistantships that provide full tuition waiver, health insurance, and stipend support.

As part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, the School of Nursing engages in groundbreaking interdisciplinary research through collaborative partnerships with nurses and other health care practitioners across the campus, region, and nation. The University of Rochester School of Nursing has a long history of research innovation and continues to pioneer new breakthroughs in:

Sexual Health & HIV Oncology & Palliative Care Healthy Aging Parent-Child, Adolescent & Transgenerational Health Cardiovascular Care

Quotation Mark

What keeps me going is the notion that I'm helping patients. That in the future I will hopefully help more people with my research. And the support of the faculty, really. They know how to mentor, to push and challenge me as a student and to explore things that I might not recognize within myself.

Faith Lambert, MS, RN, FNP-BC

Research Interests: Adolescent & adult health, health disparities, HIV

Meet PhD Students
Quotation Mark

What keeps me going is the notion that I'm helping patients. That in the future I will hopefully help more people with my research. And the support of the faculty, really. They know how to mentor, to push and challenge me as a student and to explore things that I might not recognize within myself.

Faith Lambert, MS, RN, FNP-BC

Research Interests: Adolescent & adult health, health disparities, HIV

Meet PhD Students

Pathways to Earn a PhD in Nursing & Health Science

PhD in Nursing & Health Science Program

Equips master's-prepared nurses and other licensed clinical health care professionals to pursue a PhD in Nursing & Health Science.

MS-PhD Combined Program

Prepares nurses with a master's degree as a nurse practitioner/nurse educator alongside a PhD in Nursing & Health Science.

A group of PhD students at a restaurant.

Join the next cohort of PhD students

The PhD in Nursing & Health Science program admits a small cohort each fall. From day one, you will work closely with your mentor, receive assistance with coursework and grant writing, and work alongside your peers to discover how to pursue research that makes an impact.

Our PhD Students

News & Stories

Marie Flannery, PhD, RN, AOCN Contact Information

Marie Flannery, PhD, RN, AOCN

Director, PhD Program in Nursing & Health Science
Associate Professor of Nursing

See Marie's Profile
Natalie Leblanc, PhD, MPH, RN, BSN Contact Information

Natalie Leblanc, PhD, MPH, RN, BSN

Assistant Professor
Harriet J. Kitzman Endowed Fellow in Health Disparities

See Natalie's Profile
Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN Contact Information

Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN

Postdoctoral Program Director
Center for Nursing Research on Aging

See Jinjiao's Profile
James McMahon, PhD Contact Information

James McMahon, PhD

Endowed Chair for Innovation in Health Care
Associate Professor

See James' Profile

Connect With Us

Interested in earning your PhD? Connect with us to discuss the PhD degree in nursing and health science and the opportunities available at the University of Rochester. 

Scroll to top of page