Program Detail

Nursing Science (PhD) - Seattle campus

Basic Information

Degree Information

Admission Requirements and Contact Information

• An in-process or earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any discipline
• A minimum 3.0 grade-point-average on a 4-point scale (or equivalent measures of performance if a graduate of an institution with no grading system) for those credits earned at the institution awarding the bachelor’s degree OR at least a 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4-point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits. For more information, please refer to Policy 3.1 Graduate Admissions.
• Meet the Essential Behaviors for PhD Students
• If your native language is not English, proof of proficiency in English (reading, writing, and comprehension)
• If you attended a college or university outside of the U.S., upload an officially translated transcript to your application. You must also upload a detailed credential/transcript evaluation for each non-U.S. post-secondary institution attended, which shows both U.S. credential equivalency and equivalent credits and grades for each course. You will upload these into the Credential/Transcript Evaluation section of your online application.
  • For approved credential/transcript evaluation services, visit the PhDInternational Applicants web page.

• Letters of recommendation should come from references you have had contact with within the past five years.
• Choose those who are well qualified to speak to your current skills and future potential for a sustained career engaged in research to write your letters of recommendation.
• Designate your recommenders online. They will receive an email requesting that they complete an online form. If your recommenders do not use email, contact Student and Academic Services in the UW School of Nursing as soon as possible: 206.543.8736, asknursing@uw.edu 

You must have three letters of recommendation:

1. An academic recommendation (in some instances, this recommendation may come from a prior degree earned more than five years ago; this is acceptable as long as the individual can speak to your present research and leadership potential)
2. A recommendation from a work or research supervisor
3. Either an academic or professional recommendation

The UW School of Nursing will access your completed letters of recommendation online after you have submitted your application.

You will want to talk with your recommenders ahead of time to discuss the questions they will respond to. 

Your recommenders will be sent an email asking them to address the following questions:

1. How long have you known this applicant and in what capacity?

2. In making this evaluation, what group are you using as a basis for comparison?

3. Admission to graduate study in Nursing Science (PhD) – Seattle campus at the University of Washington is (select one of the following):

• Strongly recommended
• Recommended
• Recommended with reservations
• Not recommended
• Unable to respond

Next, we ask each recommender to rate you on the following criteria, ranging from "Below Average (lower 50%)" up to "Truly Exceptional":

• Originality
• Research ability
• General knowledge and scientific background
• Ability to exchange ideas (verbal)
• Ability to exchange ideas (written)
• Familiarity with professional literature
• Proficiency with laboratory work, if relevant
• Proficiency in clinical work, if relevant
• Proficiency in teaching, if relevant
• Perseverance in pursuing goals

Finally, your recommender will respond to the following:

• The principal goal of the program is to prepare persons to engage in research. It is anticipated that graduates of the Doctoral program will assume leadership positions in research-oriented careers. With that in mind, please also answer the following two questions.

1. Describe the applicant's strengths, which you consider important in judging the applicant's potential for:

a. Completing the PhD program, and

b. A successful research career in an area of interest to nursing science

2. Describe major weaknesses which you would consider important in judging the applicant's potential for:

a. Completing the PhD program, and

b. A successful research career in an area of interest to nursing science

The most helpful letters of recommendation to the admissions committee are ones that are personalized and speak to your individual strengths and capacity for doctoral study, with specific examples. Letters are not helpful if they only speak to your personal characteristics or clinical competence.

Financial support is not available for international applicants.

We require official transcript evaluations for all non-U.S. colleges and universities you have attended.

GRE score report code, (if applicable)

Program Deadlines

Application Materials