ucf phd nursing program

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science program is designed to prepare nurse scientists with expertise in clinical-translational research methods to advance the scholarly discipline and to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in the field of nursing.

As the most trusted profession and the primary caregivers in the healthcare setting, nurses bring a uniquely personal perspective to research. Nurses know that optimal patient health requires a whole-person approach that recognizes the interdependencies of the different, and sometimes deeply personal, aspects of a patient’s life. That is why our PhD program emphasizes the combination of translational science methods with traditional models for research to comprehensively address health and healthcare needs of local, national and global communities.

The PhD program is high-touch, and students will have a mentor in their area of research interest and have immediate immersion in research with the opportunity to work as a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant on day one of the program. Students will work closely with their mentor throughout the program, who will help them develop expertise in their area of interest and develop into a scholar. Students are educated by nurse scientists conducting cutting-edge research in their respective fields. In addition to their course work, the student’s education will be enriched through research seminars in which students will have the opportunity to engage with leading scientists in and outside of nursing who are conducting novel and high impact research.

Program Highlights

Areas of focus.

• Guaranteed funding for the first four years of the program
• Guaranteed housing offer (visit UCI Housing for more information)
• Leading research faculty who incorporate interdisciplinary integrative health approaches to promote population health and well-being one person, one family, one community at a time
• Strong collaborative relationships across schools — from engineering to the arts — to create novel solutions for the health challenges facing underserved communities
• Commitment to using community-informed and community-based research methods to tackle population health needs with compassion, determination, and a keen understanding of the need for appealing, user-friendly approaches to providing healthcare
• Dedicated, one-on-one mentorship in research and teaching

UCI nursing science faculty conduct interdisciplinary research that incorporates integrative health approaches to promote population health and build healthy communities. The PhD program will specifically promote the development of scientific and theoretical expertise that contributes to scholarly endeavors in six key areas:

• Integrative health and wellness promotion
• Community health
• Philosophical and theoretical foundations in nursing
• Health services and practice
• Digital technology and health
• Health disparities and diversity
• You are passionate about developing and comprehensively testing new knowledge in a selected area of nursing science.
• You are excited about incorporating translational science into nursing research endeavors.
• You desire to provide leadership for the health and well-being of communities through translational science and the understanding of social, cultural, economic and political milieu within which knowledge translation operates.
• You desire the opportunity to contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives in your area of expertise.

Research/knowledge development

• Utilize professional and research ethics and judgment in the conduct of research
• Conduct independent original research
• Critique and integrate different scientific perspectives in the conduct of original research
• Engage in and prepare to lead interdisciplinary research teams
• Situate their knowledge within the history and philosophy of science
• Conduct culturally and linguistically compentent scholarship
• Lead in advancing the discipline through scholarly and scientific contributions
• Provide career and research mentorship to others

Dissemination

• Communicate scholarship to professional, interdisciplinary, policy, and lay audiences
• Communicate scholarship through publications and presentations
• Demonstrate understanding of the influence of politics and policy on knowledge generation and implementation

Substantive area of specialization

• Demonstrate mastery of in-depth knowledge in a substantive area

The PhD in Nursing Science is a three to five-year, full-time commitment that includes a combination of formal courses, electives, independent study, teaching assistant assignments, formal examinations, and the completion and successful defense of a doctoral dissertation based on original research that contributes to the scholarly and scientific knowledge of the nursing discipline.

Early coursework will introduce you to theoretical foundatio ns in the nursing discipline and to advanced research methodologies in nursing, health sciences, and related fields. Elective and independent studies will contribute to expertise in areas of research leading to your dissertation.

Download sample  schedule of classes  

Application Details

OUR PROGRAMS

Must read links for prospective phd students:.

» About our Research and Researchers

» Faculty Research Interests Quicksheet

Prospective PhD Student Connection/Meeting Request Form

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Contact Us!

Address Sue & Bill Gross Nursing & Health Sciences Hall 854 Health Sciences Road Irvine, CA 92697

Hours Monday – Friday 9:00AM to 4:30PM

Fill Contact Form Call:  949-824-1514

Nursing Is a Family Affair for These 5 UCF Students

In honor of Mother’s Day and Nurse’s Week, meet the second generation of UCF Knight nurses, and third generation of nurses, who were inspired by a mother’s calling to care for others.

By Julie Harper ’01 | May 6, 2024

“My mom inspired me to pursue nursing,” says Linah Monize, a junior nursing student at UCF Orlando. “I grew up watching her further her education in healthcare , first as a nurse and then as a nurse practitioner.”

Her mother, Mildride Monize ’99 ’04 ’23DNP , was inspired to become a nurse by her own mother who migrated from Haiti to the U.S. and worked in various roles as a registered nurse.

“My mother has always been a loving, caring, and independent person,” Mildride says. “She showed me that her career in nursing allowed her to achieve many of her goals,” says the three-time alumna.

Mildride and her mother not only inspired Linah but also her sister and three cousins to pursue a nursing career. This past semester, all five cousins were enrolled at UCF’s College of Nursing .

“We’ve had twins, pairs of siblings, and second-generation UCF nursing students in the past, but to have five family members enrolled all at the same time is quite unique,” says Jessica Simmons, assistant dean of students. “Nurses inspire nurses, and Knight nurses inspire Knight nurses. No doubt they were all inspired to care for our communities by Dr. Monize.”

A Family that Studies Together

The second generation of UCF nursing students are among the youngest in their cohort as all five earned their associate’s degree while in high school through dual enrollment.

Graduating next spring with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) will be Monize’s daughters, Linah and Sulah who are enrolled at UCF Orlando, and their cousin Samuel Frederick who is at UCF Cocoa.

Stephen Frederick ’24 , Samuel’s brother, graduated last week with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and older brother David Frederick ’20 will graduate with his second UCF nursing degree this upcoming August. He’s currently enrolled in the family nurse practitioner doctoral program .

“Having my family go to UCF with me and become Knight nurses together has been nothing short of amazing,” Stephen says. The families not only have a close bond, but also grew up close by — just five minutes apart in St. Cloud, Florida.

That proximity makes it easy to share experiences in-person.

“So far, I would say the best thing about going to nursing school with family is that we all have a built-in study buddy,” Linah says. “We hang out often and we all have a firsthand understanding of each other’s situation.”

UCF was an obvious choice for all of the students, but not just to follow in family footsteps.

“UCF was always touted as the school to attend; the nursing program in particular was impressive in its achievements and national rankings,” Linah says. “I also knew from the experiences of David and my mom that UCF’s College of Nursing was truly innovative in their education.”

“I never thought about going anywhere else,” adds her sister Sulah.

For David, seeing his brothers and cousins in the BSN program at UCF is a full-circle moment.

“I love talking to them about their classes and clinicals while reminiscing about my time in the program,” he says. “The ultimate gratification I have is when we talk shop and I can tell the lightbulb is lit for them. I don’t have words to describe how wildly proud I am of all of them.”

A Family that Stays Together

The inspiration to pursue a healthcare career for David and his brothers not only comes from their Aunt Mildride but also their own mother. During a period of their childhood, their mother was hospitalized a lot.

“Throughout that vulnerable time for our family, one constant variable that got us through was the compassion of her nurses,” says David, who currently works in the neuroscience intensive care unit at Orlando Health. “The care, time and consideration those nurses bestowed to my mother and our family always stuck with me. I carry those memories with me now in my practice and as a nurse practitioner student.”

After he graduates this summer and passes the nurse practitioner board certification exam, David plans to remain in the Central Florida community and provide primary care to residents of all ages. He’s not the only one who plans to stay local.

Stephen, who just graduated, has just accepted a job as a registered nurse in the operating room at Orlando Regional Medical Center where he worked as a student nurse intern while at UCF. In the future, he plans to return to school to become a surgeon.

Their brother Samuel plans to stay in St. Cloud, initially working in critical care nursing before furthering his education to become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.

Sulah and Linah also have career goals to become nurse practitioners. Sulah plans to initially work in a pediatric intensive care unit as a nurse before advancing her education to become an acute care nurse practitioner. She plans to stay in state for graduate school and after completing her education, she may explore options abroad with her sister.

“I think having a degree from a university as recognizable as UCF will allow me to go far, and equip me with enough knowledge to thrive in any environment,” says Linah, who also plans to work as a nurse in a pediatric intensive care unit before returning to school to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

The family of nurses has made, and will continue to make, a significant impact on the health of communities around the world and in the local region. They’re not alone. Of the more than 16,000 UCF Knight nurse alumni, 85% live and work Florida and nearly 60% remain in the Central Florida region.

Mildride, who currently works as at the Orlando Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center as a nocturnal medical on-duty nurse practitioner hospitalist and works part time at a local dermatology clinic, is among these Knight nurses.

“My aunt, Dr. Mildride Monize, is not only a true inspiration in our career path but also a great example of what a good work ethic can help you accomplish,” Stephen says.

Mildride’s work ethic was inspired by her own mother, who worked in a pediatric step-down unit, connecting with families and providing support to children and teens. In addition, Mildride’s mother opened up a home healthcare agency where she was able to educate fellow immigrants on healthcare careers to allow them to achieve stability in their new life journey.

“She encouraged me to become a nurse, and after many years, I decided that nursing was a better career,” says Mildride, who returned to UCF after earning a bachelor’s degree in health sciences to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She was in the first cohort of students in the accelerated second degree bachelor’s in nursing program.

The ability to make an impact and the unlimited opportunities a nursing career provides is what she hopes will continue to inspire the next generation as they embark on their journey.

“Nursing is not an easy sit-down profession. However, it will provide many opportunities to make a difference in a patient’s life. The power of demonstrating simple sincerity to patients and people can make a big positive impact,” Mildride says. “Additionally, the profession is fluid and dynamic. It will take them as far as their heart desires.”

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Family Nurse Practitioner Program

"Best Graduate Nursing Programs" - U.S. News

Post-Bachelor’s, Hybrid-Online FNP DNP Degree

UCF’s hybrid-online Family Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for advanced primary care practice across the lifespan — from children to adult.

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) diagnose and manage self-limiting and chronic conditions and emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. Their services include, but are not limited to: ordering, conducting and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests; prescribing pharmacological agents and non-pharmacological therapies; and teaching and counseling.

The DNP curriculum prepares nurses at the highest level of practice for the current healthcare environment based on a strong scientific foundation for practice; flexibility and emphasis on evidence-based practice, leadership, and organizational analysis; and analysis of the DNP project.

Students will take course work corresponding to the eight DNP essential competencies delineated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

of recent UCF nurse practitioner students passed the national certification exam.

• You fulfill the general UCF graduate admissions requirements ( see Admissions section of the UCF Graduate Catalog ).
• You have a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and the nursing program must be accredited either by CCNE or ACEN. ( RNs with Non-Nursing Bachelor’s degree can apply, but must take prerequisites).
• You have completed and passed an undergraduate statistics course.
• You are a licensed RN in the State of Florida. (Out of state applicants must be eligible for RN license in Florida and must obtain RN license to begin clinical courses.)

The DNP Intensive is a required on-campus two-day event in both the fall and spring semesters. Students will participate in enhanced learning opportunities related to individual courses as well as program specific competency education. It is intended to facilitate interaction with course faculty, program advisors and university-related services. In addition, there are opportunities for professional networking and continuing education credits associated with regional, national and international experts.

The biggest difference is the type of patient you will care for and where you will care for them.

Family nurse practitioners care for patients with acute, chronic and complex conditions across the lifespan – from children to adults ; whereas Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners focus on patients 13 years and older. FNPs are educated in a variety of settings, including clinics, physicians’ offices, skilled nursing facilities, hospices and private practices.

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs) do not complete clinical rotations in a hospital setting, whereas adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) complete clinical rotations in a hospital or acute care setting.

Acute care nurse practitioners care for patients with acute and/or critical conditions with chronic or episodic illnesses and/or with acute medical needs , focusing on patients 18 years and older . AGACNPs practice in settings such as clinics, physicians’ offices, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospices and private practices. The AGACNP is uniquely qualified to provide specific healthcare functions to acutely and chronically ill hospitalized patients who may be physiologically unstable, technologically dependent and highly vulnerable to complications.

FNPs, AGPCNPs and AGACNPs are graduate-educated, nationally certified and state licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Graduates from these programs at UCF are eligible for national certification. See additional information regarding certification and licensure in the FAQs below.

Download the BSN to DNP Comparison Sheet

UCF College of Nursing’s FNP DNP degree program is offered in a mixed mode format with reduced on-campus seat time.

• DNP students are required to attend on an on-campus intensive once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester. The intensive is a consecutive two-day live lecture format, which is held on two back-to-back days once during the semester.
• Lab courses (NGR 5003L, 6063L) are offered live and require some on-campus attendance.
• Clinical courses require attendance at a one- or two-day per semester simulation workshop .
• Nurse practitioner didactic courses require on-campus attendance on a bi-weekly basis.
• Examination reviews, focused on preparation for board certification, are provided live on-campus. While optional, they are highly recommended.

All on-campus requirements are subject to change. Dates are sent out as far in advanced as possible so students can plan their work and other schedules accordingly.

No. Currently, the Graduate Program Clinical Placement Coordinator assigns students to clinical sites and preceptors. Students are not required to find their own clinical sites and/or preceptors.

The program is quite rigorous and requires students to make serious decisions about commitments that extend beyond graduate school.

Students in the nurse practitioner track programs should plan to reduce their work hours to accommodate program demands. Full-time students should strongly consider working on a part-time basis only; part-time students may also require a reduction in work hours, particularly once clinical coursework begins.

Considering the essential balance between work and the academic demands of these programs will allow the best opportunity for student success.

Each credit hour of study equates to 60 patient-contact hours in the clinical setting. Thus, a 3-credit hour clinical course equates to 180 patient-contact hours in the clinical setting.

No. The program cannot be completed out of UCF’s service area in greater Central Florida, which includes Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Lake, Brevard, Osceola, Flagler, Northern Indian River, and Marion counties.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) programs are accredited nationally by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education and meet the educational eligibility criteria for national certification, which is a requirement for obtaining the license to practice in the state of Florida as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

Graduates of UCF’s FNP Post-Bachelor’s DNP or FNP Post-Master’s Certificate program are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) National Board Certification Examination offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Passing either of these certification exams meets the requirements for nurse practitioner board certification nationwide and the license requirements for the state of Florida .

UCF is an approved institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) . Membership in NC-SARA requires the university to disclose information regarding state licensing and certification requirements for the selected program of study when licensing and/or certification are a requirement to practice in the profession after graduation.

We are unable to confirm the educational and licensure requirements of other states, territories, or foreign entities. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements for licensure and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria.

You are welcome to contact the College of Nursing’s  Assistant Dean of Students  with questions in this regard, and we will do our best to assist you in your career planning.

Visit our Doctoral Admissions page for details on the application process and requirements.

Meet DNP Student Shannon

“From the caliber of faculty and the vast research opportunities to the expansive clinical experiences, I have no doubt that I will be fully prepared for my future role.”

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