Nursing Education Ph.D.

Admission Requirements: NursingCAS

Applicants must apply to the program through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).  Please submit all required materials by the application deadline to avoid a delay in the evaluation and screening of your application.  All official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, and do not need to be resubmitted UNC. 

The UNC School of Nursing will review applications following the application deadline. Official admission notifications will be sent in the 2-4 weeks that follow.

Admission Requirements: Graduate School

Applicants must apply to the program through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.

Each applicant must:

• Possess a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Nursing from accredited (NLN/ACEN or CCNE) programs in nursing, with a cumulative master's GPA of 3.00 or better (4.00 scale).
  

  • If you are still completing your master's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC.

One to two years of teaching experience recommended, but not required, prior to program enrollment

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the NursingCAS application.

• Answer the application questions.
• Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
  • Request two (2) letters of recommendation from former faculty or colleagues with a doctoral degree. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.

Step 2: Request Transcripts

Please Note: As all official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, they do not need to be resubmitted to the Office of Admissions.

Exception: If you are admitted to UNC and intend to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.

For the exception above, official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.

Mailed transcripts should be sent to:

University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639

Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.

The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.

UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Note About the GRE

This program does not require GRE scores.

Step 4: Supplemental Items

You will need to submit the following in NursingCAS:

• Statement of career goals. Topics to cover: Career goals; interest in nursing education consistent with the mission and vision of UNC School of Nursing; and a potential area of research interest or general topic for dissertation.
• Current vita or resume
• Licensure as a registered nurse
• Sample of written scholarly work, project or publication in which the applicant was the lead or sole contributor. Examples of this work include but are not limited to one of the following: master’s-level exemplar, evidence-based practice/grant/QI/research proposal, literature review, lesson plan, innovative assignment, scholarly publication or presentation.

A personal interview may be required.

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information 
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.