PhD in Nursing

Launched in 2008, the Queen's Nursing doctoral degree has a blended delivery model, featuring both in-person and online components. Our experienced faculty use both synchronous and asynchronous teaching modalities to lead small graduate seminars, engaging you in a lively, critical examination of philosophy, policy and theory while you delve into your own areas of research interests.

This innovative research program will not only give you the tools you need to become an expert in clinical, theoretical, and health system issues, but it will also prepare you for a career as a leader in health research, nursing education, clinical practice, and health care administration.

General Information

Our PhD program consists of six courses, five in the first year and one in the second year. There are three mandatory on-site intensive weeks ranging from 5-10 days in length, normally held in early September, mid-January, and early May of the first year of the program. After the intensive weeks, the courses continue with weekly online seminars.

Following the completion of the first-year courses, students will write the comprehensive exam and then take the sixth and final course which is designed to support students in developing a thesis proposal. After a successful oral examination of the thesis proposal, students submit their project for ethics review and then proceed to data collection, analysis, and writing. The thesis requires independent, original research and makes up at least two-thirds of the time normally required for the program.

Upper year students are expected to visit campus at least once per year, normally coinciding with the annual student research conference in spring (usually May); students are required to attend the final thesis examination in person. Nurtured by close mentoring relationships with faculty supervisors, the Queen’s model is to ensure graduate students present and publish their research, and normally complete their program in 4 years.

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Interprofessional Education

Interprofessional education is essential to equip health professional students with the knowledge, expertise, and fundamental values required for collaborative practice. Learn more about how Queen’s Faculty of Health Sciences supports interprofessional education.

Year 1

Fall:

Mandatory onsite residency in September
NURS 901: Philosophy of Nursing Science (online)
NURS 902: Qualitative Research Methods (online)
NURS 999: Thesis Research (independently with PhD supervisor)

Winter:

Mandatory onsite residency in January
NURS 900: Advanced Statistics and Analytic Techniques (online)
NURS 903: Advanced Quantitative Measurement, Methods and Design (online)
NURS 999: Thesis Research (independently with supervisor)

Spring/Summer:

Mandatory onsite residency in May (includes NURS 905)
NURS 905: Nursing, Health Services and Public Policy in Canada
Prepare for comprehensive exam (independently with supervisor)
NURS 999: Thesis Research (independently with supervisor)

Year 2

Write comprehensive examinations in early fall
NURS 906: Thesis Seminar Course (online)
NURS 999: Thesis Research (independently with supervisor)
Oral thesis proposal exam late summer/early fall

Year 3/Year 4

NURS 999: Thesis Research (independently with supervisor)
Final oral thesis exam, onsite at the end of fourth year

For more course information please visit the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Academic Calendar.

Apply Now

Deadline to apply: Applications for Fall 2026 are due February 1, 2026.

Applications to all graduate programs are made through the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs starting in September for admission the following year.

Please note, only complete applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Program Committee in the School of Nursing.

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Queen's Health Sciences (QHS) and Graduate Nursing Programs are committed to advancing equitable and inclusive approaches to admissions and education. Faculty, staff, and learners involved in application review complete training designed to detect and minimize bias in admissions. See https://healthsci.queensu.ca/academics/edi for more information.

Academic Requirements

Master's degree in nursing science or equivalent, and a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited university.
Minimum overall average equivalent to B+.
Two academic letters of reference (e.g. course professors).
Statement of Interest (see Additional Required Information tab).
Applicants must contact potential supervisors before applying.

Additional Required Information

In addition to the online application submitted to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, the following documents must be submitted to grad.nursing@queensu.ca:

Curriculum Vitae
Proof of registration as a nurse in local province or own country
Statement of Interest: use standard margins and font and include your name in the filename, e.g. "Doe, Jane_PhD Nursing SOI"
- What inspires you to pursue a PhD in Nursing at this point in your academic or professional journey? How do you envision using the knowledge, skills, and research capacity gained through this program to shape meaningful changes in healthcare systems, policy, practice, education or health outcomes? Max. 300 words.
- Describe key examples of your research experiences to date. Be specific about your role, responsibilities, and contributions to the project (e.g., design, data collection, analysis, writing, coordination). Include the goals and scope of the project, and any outcomes—whether published, presented, or ongoing. Highlight how this experience reflects your research interests and your potential to grow as a scholar in the PhD program. Max. 400 words.
- Propose a research study you are interested in pursuing for your doctoral thesis. Your response should include a brief rationale for the study, the research aim or question, a proposed methodology and method, an outline of your analysis strategy, and a reflection on the potential impact or contribution your study could make to improving health systems, policy, practice, education or health outcomes with consideration for I-EDIAA principles. Max. 400 words.
- Describe a specific example of when you have actively promoted the principles of indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism (I-EDIAA). Explain how this experience has shaped your core values and influenced your academic focus, career path, and future goals. In your response, make clear how the experience connects to your current research interests and demonstrates your readiness and potential to contribute and grow as a scholar in the PhD program. Max. 300 words.

International Applicants

The required baccalaureate degree in nursing must be equivalent to a 4-year Canadian program.

In addition to the academic requirements, applicants must provide:

Proof of registration as a registered nurse in own country (will not be required to register with College of Nurses of Ontario). International students who are not registered in Ontario will be unable to conduct thesis research that requires registration;

Proficiency in English. Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not recently studied for at least one complete year at a post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction, will be required to obtain satisfactory results in an English language proficiency test, as part of the application process, and before their application will be considered complete.

Please visit the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs for more details.

I am an international student who is not registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario, can I still apply?

As an international applicant you are not required to be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario, but must be registered as a nurse in your own country. If you are not registered as a nurse in Ontario during the program you will be unable to conduct thesis research that requires registration. This limitation on thesis research topics should be considered and discussed with a potential thesis supervisor prior to submitting your application.

What is the time commitment required for the PhD program? Can I take the program part-time?

The PhD Nursing is a full-time program. Refer to SGSPA's definition of Full-Time under the Study Status section of the Academic Calendar. The program is not offered on a part-time basis.

Success in the program requires dedication and excellent time management skills. The course schedule and comprehensive exam dates are set by the program office. Once students move into the dissertation phase, research activities are primarily self-directed. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor(s).

How do I decide on a thesis supervisor?

Admission to the doctoral program requires that applicants meet the minimum academic requirements and obtain a commitment from a faculty member to supervise the student’s thesis work for the duration of the program. It is the applicant's responsibility to contact potential supervisors in advance and identify the confirmed (co-)supervisor(s) in their application. Applicants who are unable to secure a supervisor for the current admissions cycle are advised not to proceed with their application.

Supervisory arrangements are by mutual agreement. A productive relationship between student and supervisor provides the foundation for a positive graduate student experience and influences future career development. When communicating with potential supervisors it is essential to assess compatibility and determine whether they are accepting new students for the upcoming year.

A student’s primary supervisor must be a member of SGSPA and hold a full-time faculty position at Queen’s University with a primary appointment, cross-appointment, or joint-appointment in the School of Nursing. Qualified faculty from other departments or institutions can be invited to serve as a co-supervisor or committee member. Supervisor availability varies each year.

Review faculty profiles to identify those whose research activities align with your own interests. Include a brief description of your research interests and academic background when initiating contact. Faculty may request additional information such as a CV, proposal outline, writing sample, or a meeting. In addition to academic fit, other topics of conversation might include potential funding sources, opportunities to collaborate on publications and presentations, and communication styles. Consult the SGSPA resources on graduate supervision for tips (https://www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc/grad-studies/supervision/overview).

Note: Commitment from a supervisor does not guarantee admission to the program. Final admission recommendations are made by the Graduate Program Committee. If there is an insufficient number of admissible applicants with confirmed supervisors, the program reserves the right to not proceed with the current year's intake.

Do I have to have a thesis topic before I come?

You should have a clear sense of your research goals when you apply to the program. The specific questions and approach may evolve as you engage in course work and discussions with your thesis supervisor.

Are there scholarships available?

The Graduate Program Committee nominates individual applicants and students for internal scholarships and awards for which they are eligible. In order to be considered for awards in the first year, your application should be completed by February 1st. You are also encouraged to apply for external scholarships and fellowships as early as possible, as some of these may then be available to you during your first year of study. Consider applying for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the tri-agency (CIHR / SSHRC / NSERC) Canada Graduate Research Scholarship. There may also be funding availabile from professional organizations or associations in nursing. Inquire with prospective supervisors about support from research grants.

The Ban Righ Centre offers financial assistance to mature women students. More information can be found via https://www.queensu.ca/ban-righ-centre/services/ban-righ.

PhD in Nursing

PhD in Nursing

Questions? Contact the graduate nursing office →

Program Overview

General Information

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3/Year 4

Learn More

School of Graduate Studies
and Postdoctoral Affairs

International
Student Resources

Funding & Awards

Indigenous Applicants

Apply Now

Academic Requirements

Additional Required Information

International Applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

I am an international student who is not registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario, can I still apply?

What is the time commitment required for the PhD program? Can I take the program part-time?

How do I decide on a thesis supervisor?

Do I have to have a thesis topic before I come?

Are there scholarships available?