Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD)

Program Contacts

Dr. Sandra Cesario
Director, Ph.D. Program
713-794-2110
scesario@twu.edu

Application Deadline
February 1, every year

Admission Requirements

• Current U.S. RN license (unencumbered).
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.
• Nursing credentials for international students will be assessed individually.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or bachelor’s degree in related field and entry-level nursing master’s degree.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for all prior graduate work.
• Graduate-level research course*.
• Graduate-level nursing theory course*.

*Provisional admission may be granted to students who have not taken a master’s level nursing theory and/or research course. Unconditional admission will be granted upon completing a master’s level nursing theory and/or research course with a minimum grade of B.

• Collect and submit the following documents:  
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • A scholarly essay (1,000-1,500 word limit) that describes:
    • Professional goals
    • How a Ph.D. will help achieve professional goals
    • Potential area of research interest
    • How TWU is a match for your research interest, 
    • Accomplishments or experiences that you are proud of
• Email addresses for two individual familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application.
• An interview with PhD faculty will be required to complete the admission application process.

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details. Original transcripts for each college/university attended must be submitted, even if referred to on another schools transcripts.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application. List of programs-majors.  
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   3. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.
5. Submit Program supplemental documents
   1. Submit all program requests for Resume, Statement of Purpose, Artist or Research Statement, Scholarly Writing Sample, Custom Essay, Portfolio Document, Video Submission, Licensure, Department Specific Application, Teaching Service Record, Teaching Certificate, etc. following submission of your application fee.

Watch for emails from your new program/department that may come to your TWU email address.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.