Phd Nursing Programs In Texas
By EveryNurse Staff on
You should pursue a terminal degree in nursing science if your career aspirations include leadership in a scholarly environment. Graduates of Ph.D. programs dedicate their lives to researching all aspects of the healthcare industry to improve health outcomes. This includes pharmaceuticals, health policies, education and curriculum development, advanced nursing practices, systems technologies, diseases, and more. The goal is to find scientific results that will be used to ensure all people receive the best quality treatment available. It is the responsibility of doctorates to discover this evidence and develop theories for change. Among the most important jobs available in the nursing industry, entire populations owe their available health services to those with Ph.D. qualifications. We have done all the research for you, and these are the schools offering Ph.D. programs in Texas.
What Is A Phd In Nursing
A Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is designed to prepare nurse scientists and scholars. As such, they are weighted more heavily with scientific content, meta theory and research methodology. Through their studies, PhD nursing students could gain the ability to combine logical critical and scientific thinking with ethical research design. While a variable, some PhD nursing programs might entail about 45 to 60 credit hours for students who enter their program with a master’s degree.
Apart from coursework, and a written exam, PhD nursing students are required to present an original research project and must complete and defend a dissertation or linked research papers. I Often, this in-depth research is faculty guided or supervised.
Curriculums for PhD Nursing programs in some schools are devoted to nursing core courses, public health statistics, electives and dissertation courses. Nursing core courses might emphasize theory and science, and while course names could differ in each school, below are some sample topics.
- Philosophical Perspectives in Health
- Letters of reference
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Best Online Doctoral Programs In Texas
Prospective students seeking their doctoral degree in Texas can opt to take coursework both on campus and online. As the second largest state in the U.S., students often find it difficult to commute to campus for studies. Many degree-seekers may even struggle to fit classes into their already busy work life. With new online options for in-demand degrees, students can obtain their education without worrying about traveling or paying higher on-campus living fees.
Why Choose Our Absn Track

There has never been a better time to become a nurse, and there is no better place to begin your pursuit of such a meaningful career path than the Concordia University Texas Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track. If you have an existing non-nursing bachelors degree and want to transition into nursing, you can earn your BSN and begin your life-changing adventure as a nurse in as few as 16 months.
Our ABSN track offers:
- Accelerated 16-month nursing course format
- Two satellite campus locations Dallas and Austin.
- 100% NCLEX pass rate *.
- Clinicals at top Texas healthcare employers
- A hybrid curriculum accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Education.
*Based on Texas Board of Nursing
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Concordia University – Texas is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
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Becoming A Nurse In Texas
The nursing profession in Texas is overseen by the Department of State Health Services . Licensing and continuing education requirements are handled by the Texas Board of Nursing, which is part of the DSHS. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies projects a labor shortage in the industry through 2030, and Texas currently has the second highest level of employment for registered nurses, as of 2018. Nursing schools in Texas are abundant and offer locations throughout the state. Learn more about how to earn a licensed vocational nurse license, registered nurse license, advanced practice registered nurse license, or certified nursing assistant certification in Texas below.
Why Get A Degree In Nursing
Various reasons can motivate a nursing professional to earn a Ph.D. in nursing. Below, we outline common reasons individuals pursue this advanced degree.
- Work-Life Balance: Ph.D. in nursing programs prepare students to work as educators at postsecondary institutions. Professors and instructors at colleges often work more traditional hours than nurses, and they get summers off.
- Supplemental Income: Earning a Ph.D. in nursing allows graduates to pursue supplemental income as a per-course instructor while working a day job as a nurse practitioner.
- Opportunity to Influence the Next Generation: Nursing professors get the opportunity to inspire the next generation of nurses. They teach future healthcare professionals ethics, bedside manners, and best practices.
- The Chance to Test Theories: Ph.D. students can fill knowledge gaps within the nursing field by conducting research and running experiments.
- Ability to Emerge as a Field Expert: Individuals earning a Ph.D. in nursing can publish their research findings in scholarly journals. Some scholarly journals only accept studies from Ph.D. candidates or graduates.
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Todays Health Care System Is Changing Prepare To Lead The Way
Earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice online from Duquesne University, and you can do more than rise to new levels of leadership. You can develop specialized expertise to become an agent for change in the evolving health care landscape. You already translate evidencebased care into practice and improve health outcomes for diverse populations. Now the sum of your experience can position you to transform the future of health care.
Duquesne University offers two online DNP tracks:
- Clinical Leadership: The Clinical Leadership DNP program can help you develop your knowledge of how to effectively influence patient outcomes and improve the quality of care in clinical settings through evidence-based practice. You may pursue roles where you will be responsible for managing nursing staff and serve as a resource of knowledge for your team in implementing best practices when it comes to patient care.
- Executive Nurse Leadership and Health Care Management: As a graduate of the Executive Nurse Leadership DNP program, you will be able to collaborate with senior executives and leaders across various health care disciplines to identify problems, propose solutions and implement change for health care systems as a whole. You will gain the knowledge of how finance, budgeting, human resources and other aspects of business fit together to improve patient outcomes.
3 start dates per year
No GRE required
Study abroad opportunity
Phd In Nursing Course Topics
Since the Ph.D. in nursing is more research and education-focused, the course topics differ from that of a more clinically-focused degree program . Course topics may include:
- Qualitative and quantitative research
- Synthesis and application of nursing knowledge
- Research development
- Chronic illness and care systems
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Tips For Choosing The Top Nursing Schools In Texas
Now that you know which type of nursing degree you want to earn, you need to find a school that is a good fit for you. As you explore different options, you should find a number of statistics that make it easy to assess the strengths of each program.
As you contact local schools, look for the following features to discover a high-quality training program.
Nursing Schools In Texas
Nursing colleges in Texas offer you the chance to complete a wide variety of challenging and engaging nursing courses to get your degree. By meeting with your student advisor when you enroll, you can learn about the proper course sequence and get as much as possible out of your education. BSN nursing programs in Texas are quite popular, and offer a great way to enter the profession. Courses that may be part of your curriculum include Health Assessment Skills, Adult Health Nursing, Clinical Nursing Skills, Genetics in Health Care, and Contemporary Nursing Issues. When it comes to getting your nursing degree Texas adheres to state and federal guidelines for coursework and accreditation.
Dont forget about the importance of clinical hours in this field. By the time you graduate, you may have completed more than 600 hours in hospitals, clinics, and other health care settings. This experience puts your knowledge to work and helps you start building professional connections in your community. Many colleges for nursing in Texas have differing clinical sites, so be sure to check into each nursing school for details.
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Steve served as a board member of the DFW Hospital Council Foundation, United Way of Tarrant County, Recovery Resource Council and the Healthy Tarrant County Collaborative, and is past chairman of the Dallas – Fort Worth Hospital Council and the American Heart Association Tarrant County affiliate.
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Ways To Get An Msn Degree

The scope of MSN programs is broad. Other MSN programs are often known as bridge programs and may also be offered in an accelerated format. These programs could have their own requirements. Aside from the degree pathway, some programs may allow students to select an emphasis. It should also be noted that students usually must successfully complete one segment before they move onto the next.
- Entry-level MSN programs: Designed for non-nurses. These students hold a bachelors degree in an area of study outside of nursing and seek to pursue a career as an RN
- RN to MSN Programs: Designed for RNs with their BSN degree
- BSN to MSN Programs: Basic programs for all RNs nurses that want to complete their MSN in an accelerated way
- ADN to MSN programs: Students first study to earn their BSN and then continue to the MSN degree
- : Designed to quickly and effectively help students enter the nursing profession without earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing .
Graduate Nursing certificates are courses of study that could add onto existing nursing skills. Often just a few courses and credits , nurses could study to gain clinical competency and apply evidence-based practices.
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Earning A Doctor Of Nursing Practice In Texas
DNP programs offer two entry points to accommodate nurses that hold either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing :
- BSN-DNP programs, which allow nurses to earn both a masters and a doctorate degree in one program, are often used as a path to initial APRN certification and licensure for aspiring nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists. Although credits may vary according to the nurses chosen specialization, most programs will consist of about 90 credits completed over 36 months. Tracks in organizational leadership, informatics and more are also available.
- MSN-DNP programs are for masters-prepared nurses looking to advance their clinical career opportunities or pursue non-patient care tracks in executive leadership, informatics, health policy and more. Some masters-prepared APRNs pursue a DNP degree in order to add an additional patient population focus or specialty. Depending on specialization, MSN-DNP programs generally consist of 36 credits taken over 18 months.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing maintain national accreditation standards for DNP programs. Accredited DNP programs must meet two basic requirements:
Online and traditional programs often offer three pace options to accommodate the professional nurses schedule:
DNP Program Structure and Components
Research Drives Health Care
Through the DNP Practice Project, youll have an opportunity to blend leadership and patient care into a project that highlights practical evaluation based on a topic of your choice.
Your project should be focused on patient outcomes, quality improvement and clinical practice, which means you will need direct access to patients to test your theories and complete your project.
If you look at the core competencies outlined in the DNP Essentials, they speak directly to the importance of understanding cultures. And our study-abroad program just really nails this.
Dr. Mary Kay Loughran, Online DNP Program Coordinator
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University Of Texas At Austin
Great national rankings . A School of Nursing with an excellent reputation. Solid student reviews. These are just a few of the reasons why UT Austins hybrid DNP program snagged our #1 spot. Its designed for post-masters students, but theres nothing to prevent you from tackling the MSN and following it up with the doctorate. Wed particularly recommend it to aspiring PMHNPs, thanks to excellent pass rates .
One of the Schools biggest strengths is research. It receives a great deal of funding from the NIH and runs plenty of fascinating research centers & labs in advanced clinical areas and community practice . Independent reviewers also loved the supportive & experienced faculty, the rigorous coursework, and the benefit of the Schools connections.
The Smart Choice An Online Dnp Degree
- 100% online coursework. As a DNP student, your coursework is 100% online.
- Study abroad. Expand your transcultural care knowledge while studying abroad at Duquesnes Rome or Dublin campuses.
- Oneonone faculty mentorship. You will be assigned a faculty member to help guide you through the program.
- Study at a respected school. Duquesnes School of Nursing ranks No. 57 in the nation for Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice by U.S. News & World Report in 2020.
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Dnp & Phd Programs In Texas
Explore Nursing Programs
There are 14 nursing schools in Texas that provide DNP & PhD program.We gathered some key information about each school to help you learn more about the schools’ characteristics and the programs they provide.
Where applicable we also list weighted average NCLEX pass rate of the students who attended the schools in the last 3 years.
- BSN to DNP
- DNP
Baylor University is a private Baptist university in Waco, Texas. It was chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, making it one of the oldest universities in Texas and one of the first institutions west of the Mississippi River. It is located near the Brazos River and includes a 1,000-acre campus. It is the largest Baptist university campus. The university is structured into twelve …
Programs offered
- DNP
Established in 1873, Texas Christian University is a private institution in Fort Worth, Texas. The campus is about three to four miles from the downtown area of Fort Worth. Most of the academic buildings and residence halls are within walking distance and half of the students live on campus. The university is structured into eight professional colleges and schools, offering 117 …
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- DNP
- BSN to PhD
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Programs offered
- DNP
- BSN to PhD
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- BSN to PhD
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- BSN to PhD
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Texas Schools With Phd Nursing Programs
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Texas A& m College Station
Texas A& M University’s distance education programs offer one undergraduate degree, 47 graduate degrees, and 24 certificates. Founded in 1876 as a farming and agriculture school, Texas A& M now boasts a doctor of education in agricultural education, a doctor of philosophy in plant breeding, and a doctor of education in curriculum and instruction online. Coursework generally coincides with on-campus classes, keeping all graduate students on the same timeline regardless of their location. Online students often must commute to testing facilities for proctored exams. All Texas A& M applicants must take the GRE and submit an application that shows previous experience, internships, and goals.
Best Online Doctoral Programs In Texas In 2020

While many degrees require some on-campus time, many Texas institutions offer Ph.D. programs fully online for self-disciplined students able to focus and take control of their studies. These colleges and universities offer students scheduling flexibility that allows them to continue working while finishing their education, often at lower prices than on-campus offerings. Below, we have ranked the top ten, fully-accredited online Ph.D. programs in Texas to help prospective students choose the degree that best fits their future career goals.
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List Of Schools Offering Online Phd Nursing Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Established in 1932 by the Episcopal Church, Boise State University is located in Boise, Idaho.
The 8-semester DNP in Leadership program is a flexible, online course delivered in a cohort model with other Masters prepared nurses across the country. There are 4 on-campus Orientation/Executive sessions. Students take 5-6 credits per semester.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership
Boise State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Founded in 1867, Clarion University is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania.
The DNP course is a consortium program between the Edinboro and Clarion Universities. The online, 27-credit-hour, affordable Clarion and Edinboro Universities program is flexible and can be customized to match the students interest.
The courses can be taken over 5 semesters in a part-time format.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
Clarion Universitys programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Located in Cleveland, Mississippi, Delta State University was established in 1924.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
Delta State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Duquesne University is a Catholic university established in 1878.
- DNP