PhD in Nursing Practice (PhD)

For PhD Nursing Practice, tuition is Tuition for the Doctor of Nursing Practice programme is $875 per credit hour..

This programme prepares nurses for advanced clinical practice and leadership roles in healthcare settings. Students develop expertise in evidence-based practice, patient safety, and healthcare policy. The curriculum emphasizes clinical scholarship and professional accountability within a Christian service framework. Graduates are qualified to lead complex care initiatives and influence healthcare systems.

Focus areas include Advanced Clinical Practice, Healthcare Policy, Patient Safety, Evidence-Based Practice, Leadership in Healthcare.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice programme requires 72 credits, including 36 credits of coursework, 12 credits of dissertation research, and 24 credits of clinical practicum. Students complete a capstone project focused on improving clinical outcomes.

Graduates pursue roles as clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and healthcare leaders in hospitals, clinics, and public health organizations.

Applicants must hold a master's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Required documents include official transcripts, a current resume, and two letters of recommendation.

The programme totals about 72 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically completed in three years. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 78% of applicants.

Messiah University’s identity is rooted in Christian community and the conviction that faith should shape academic and student life. Its motto, “Christ Preeminent,” guides the university’s approach to education, with values that include sharpening intellect, deepening Christian faith and inspiring action. The institution has grown into a private university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, serving 3,454 undergraduate and graduate students.

Academic options span more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, with over 150 undergraduate and pre-professional degree options and more than 20 graduate degree and certificate programs. Areas of study are organized across interests and career fields. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program connects classroom learning, clinical expertise, scholarship and professional development. Faculty research and continuing education also extend into international clinical communities, including advanced manual therapy teaching in Rome.

The university’s 375-acre campus is in Mechanicsburg, in central Pennsylvania, and provides an active residential setting shaped by Christian community. Average class size is 20, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. International students should expect faith to be integrated into academic programs and daily experience, alongside opportunities for service, athletics and campus involvement. Students come from 33 states and 23 countries, adding an international dimension to campus life.