Nursing PhD

Molloy University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program prepares nurses to become scholars, researchers, educators, and leaders who advance nursing science and improve healthcare outcomes through original research and scholarly inquiry. Grounded in the humanistic philosophy of the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences, the program emphasizes intellectual growth, professional excellence, stewardship, and caring.

The PhD in Nursing prepares nurse scientists to lead at the highest levels of healthcare, academia, research, and policy. Students develop the expertise to generate new knowledge through innovative, original research that addresses complex healthcare challenges and advances nursing practice. Nurse scientists play a critical role in educating future nurses, shaping health policy, strengthening healthcare systems, and improving patient outcomes by identifying and addressing the root causes of healthcare problems.

A distinguishing feature of the program is its commitment to individualized mentorship and scholarly development. Students work closely with experienced faculty mentors who support their academic goals, research interests, and professional aspirations throughout the doctoral journey. Through research residencies, collaborative scholarship, and dissertation work, students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to conduct meaningful research and contribute new knowledge to the discipline.

Molloy University's PhD in Nursing takes nurses beyond implementing evidence to creating it. Graduates emerge as influential scholars and leaders prepared to shape the future of nursing, healthcare, education, and policy through innovation, discovery, and transformative leadership.

At Molloy, you won't just study the future of nursing - you will help create it.

Program Outcomes

The PhD in Nursing at Molloy University prepares the next generation of nurse scientists, scholars, educators, and leaders to address today's most pressing healthcare challenges. The program fosters scholarly inquiry, innovation, and leadership while emphasizing the dignity and worth of every individual.

A hallmark of the program is its focus on preparing graduates to address inequities in healthcare and social systems through research, evidence-based practice, education, and policy leadership. Graduates emerge ready to influence healthcare at every level, from bedside practice to boardrooms, classrooms, and legislative arenas.

Graduates of the PhD in Nursing program are prepared to:

Lead the advancement of nursing through research, education, administration, and health policy.
Collaborate across disciplines to generate innovative solutions to complex healthcare challenges.
Design, conduct, and disseminate original research that advances nursing science.
Influence health policy to improve healthcare systems and outcomes locally, nationally, and globally.
Integrate theory, practice, and ethical decision-making to address contemporary healthcare issues.
Promote humanistic, person-centered approaches to care.
Advocate for the dignity, well-being, and protection of vulnerable populations.
Advance the profession through leadership grounded in stewardship, caring, and service.

Students pursuing the PhD in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education gain additional preparation to become leaders in academic and clinical education settings.

Graduates are prepared to:

Shape the future of nursing education through leadership and policy influence.
Lead innovation in curriculum development, educational practice, and academic programs.
Advocate for ethical, evidence-based educational policies and teaching practices.
Design, implement, and evaluate nursing curricula grounded in educational theory and professional standards.
Assess the impact of educational strategies on student learning and performance outcomes.

The Molloy Difference

Rooted in a tradition of humanistic nursing, Molloy PhD graduates are prepared not only to create knowledge but to use it in the service of others. They become leaders who transform challenges into opportunities, advance equitable healthcare, and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Through research, scholarship, and compassionate leadership, Molloy PhD in Nursing graduates are equipped to:

Advance nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice.
Influence healthcare policy and systems change.
Improve health outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations.
Foster humanistic nursing grounded in caring, stewardship, and respect.
Enrich the nursing profession through the integration of science, scholarship, and the humanities.

At Molloy University, the PhD journey is more than earning a degree - it is becoming a leader in discovery, a champion for health equity, and a scholar dedicated to shaping the future of nursing.

Curriculum Overview

Molloy University’s PhD in Nursing program aims to transform experienced nurses into nurse scientists, scholars, educators, and leaders dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovation and discovery. Rooted in a humanistic philosophy that respects the dignity of every individual, the curriculum integrates rigorous research training, leadership development, theoretical exploration, and personalized learning experiences.

Tailored for nurses committed to making a lasting impact, it offers comprehensive coursework, personalized mentorship, research residencies, scholarly electives, and dissertation work to cultivate expertise in nursing science, leadership, and health policy.

Students collaborate closely with faculty mentors to undertake meaningful research, generate new knowledge in the field, and develop practical solutions to improve health outcomes across diverse populations. Throughout their studies, students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to generate new insights, influence policy, improve healthcare systems, and shape the future of nursing.

Build a Strong Foundation in Nursing Science

The curriculum begins with a deep exploration of nursing theory, philosophy, ethics, and healthcare policy. Students examine the foundations of nursing knowledge, develop advanced critical-thinking skills, and explore the complex issues that influence nursing practice, leadership, and healthcare delivery. Coursework encourages intellectual curiosity, scholarly inquiry, and the development of innovative ideas that contribute to the evolution of nursing science.
Develop Advanced Research Expertise

Research is at the heart of the PhD experience. Students gain extensive preparation in quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, research design, and scholarly dissemination. Through a unique Research Residency, doctoral students collaborate with research-active faculty mentors, gaining hands-on experience in every stage of the research process. This immersive experience helps students refine their research interests while building the skills needed to become independent investigators.
Lead Change in Healthcare and Education

Leadership development is woven throughout the curriculum, preparing students to influence healthcare systems, organizations, education, and policy at the local, national, and global levels. Students explore organizational leadership, health policy, systems thinking, and strategies for driving meaningful change across diverse healthcare settings. A distinctive feature of the program is the Health Policy Immersion and the option to take a policy-focused research residency, which provides experiential learning opportunities to examine the development, implementation, and impact of health policy while working alongside faculty mentors and policy leaders. Those pursuing the Nursing Education concentration also gain expertise in curriculum design, accreditation, teaching and learning strategies, and student assessment, preparing them for leadership roles in academic and clinical education environments.
Customize Your Scholarly Journey

Through individualized cognate coursework, students can develop specialized expertise aligned with their research interests and career goals. These tailored learning experiences allow students to deepen their knowledge in areas that support their future contributions to nursing science, education, leadership, or policy.
Create New Knowledge Through Dissertation Research

The doctoral journey culminates in the dissertation, a significant original research project that contributes new knowledge to the nursing profession. Guided by experienced faculty mentors, students progress from research concept development to proposal design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination. The dissertation demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent scholarship and make a meaningful contribution to nursing science and healthcare outcomes.

From foundational theory to original research, Molloy's PhD in Nursing curriculum prepares graduates to lead discovery, influence practice and policy, and advance the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Course Modality

Molloy University’s PhD in Nursing program is intentionally designed to support the needs of working nurses pursuing doctoral education. Students progress through the program in a part-time, cohort-based model, creating a collaborative learning community that fosters professional relationships, peer support, and lifelong networking.

The curriculum is delivered in a blended format, consisting of hybrid synchronous (HY-SYNC) meetings (virtual synchronous sessions combined with traditional face-to-face sessions), online asynchronous (ON-ASYNC) learning, and experiential educational opportunities. Engaging seminar-style courses meet virtually on Thursday evenings, allowing students to participate from wherever they are while balancing professional and personal responsibilities.

To strengthen connections and community, students come to campus once a month instead of a virtual meeting for classes, scholarly activities, and special events. These in-person experiences offer valuable opportunities to collaborate with fellow doctoral students, engage with faculty mentors, connect with alumni, and build a strong professional network.

Flexible, accessible, and highly interactive, Molloy’s PhD in Nursing program offers the support, community, and academic rigor needed to succeed as a doctoral scholar while maintaining your career and personal commitments.

Research and Academic Support for Students

At Molloy University, doctoral students are supported by a vibrant scholarly community dedicated to their success. Our doctoral faculty are actively engaged in research and are committed to mentoring students throughout their academic journey. With expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, faculty provide individualized guidance that helps students develop as scholars, researchers, and future leaders.

A cornerstone of the program is the Research Residency, which pairs doctoral students with research-active faculty mentors. Through this immersive experience, students gain firsthand exposure to the research process while developing essential skills in study design, data collection, analysis, dissemination, and scholarly collaboration.

Students also benefit from unique networking opportunities such as Faculty Meet & Greets and Academic Matching events. These informal and engaging sessions allow students to learn about faculty research interests, explore potential collaborations, identify dissertation committee members, and build meaningful mentoring relationships.

Dedicated Resources for Doctoral Scholars
To support student success, Molloy provides access to specialized doctoral resources at no additional cost, including:
- Health Sciences Librarian – Assists students with advanced literature searches, database navigation, interlibrary loan services, systematic search strategies, citation management tools, and research support.
- Statistical Consultant – Provides individualized guidance on statistical planning, data analysis, interpretation, and research methodology.
- Writing Center – Offers both in-person and virtual support for academic writing, scholarly manuscripts, dissertation development, and other writing needs.
Spaces Designed for Scholarship

Doctoral students have access to dedicated study and research spaces within the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences, including the Doctoral Study Room and Computer Lab. These spaces provide a supportive environment for independent study, collaboration, research activities, and dissertation work, with weekend access available to doctoral students.

From expert mentorship and research opportunities to personalized academic support, Molloy provides the resources, connections, and guidance doctoral students need to thrive as scholars and advance the future of nursing.

Doctoral Student Development Series

At Molloy University, doctoral education extends beyond the classroom. The Doctoral Student Development Series enriches the PhD experience through a year-round schedule of workshops, seminars, scholarly presentations, and conference-related activities designed to support students' academic, professional, and leadership development.

Through these engaging experiences, students connect with healthcare leaders, researchers, policymakers, and educators while exploring emerging trends and contemporary issues shaping healthcare and nursing. The series provides opportunities to strengthen research skills, expand professional networks, engage in scholarly dialogue, and gain valuable insights into leadership, policy, and innovation.

By complementing the PhD curriculum with real-world learning and professional engagement, the Doctoral Student Development Series helps prepare students to become influential nurse scientists, scholars, and leaders in healthcare and higher education.

Lunch and Learn Research Series

The Lunch and Learn Research Series is a signature scholarly offering that fosters the exchange of innovative ideas and advances nursing knowledge throughout the academic year. Designed to connect research with real-world impact, the series highlights the discoveries and evidence that inform nursing practice, education, leadership, and health policy.

Presentations feature a diverse group of experts, including nationally recognized researchers, Molloy faculty scholars, and recent doctoral graduates who are contributing new knowledge to the profession. Participants have the opportunity to explore emerging research, engage in scholarly discussion, and learn how evidence can be translated into meaningful improvements in healthcare outcomes.

Held virtually via Zoom, the seminars are free and open to students, faculty, alumni, healthcare professionals, and community members. Participants may also earn continuing nursing education (CNE) hours for attending eligible sessions.

For added flexibility, recordings of past presentations are available through the Research Series Archive, providing ongoing access to valuable scholarly content and nursing research innovations.

Join the conversation, engage with leading researchers, and discover how nursing research is shaping the future of healthcare.

Nursing (PhD)