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Nursing is a rapidly growing field; every year there is a higher demand for qualified nurses as consistently reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There is a shortage of over a million nurses nationwide and of course, getting the education you need to become a nurse helps to bridge that gap. However, there is certainly something else you can do if you don’t feel like patient care is wheuwre your heart is. You can get the degree you need in order to become a nurse educator. There are positions in colleges and universities throughout the country, and there are even opportunities to work at hospitals or other medical organizations as part of training and development.

Of course, there is a lot of academic preparation that goes into becoming a nurse educator. You typically need a PhD in Nursing, PhD in Nursing Science, or a PhD in Nursing Education. In a nursing PhD program, you’ll take a range of classes that expand your understanding of nursing theory, research, and patient care. It is essential that you select electives geared towards education, but working with an academic advisor will significantly simplify that process. This depth of knowledge is what is going to prepare you to teach the next generation of nurses.


Earn a Nursing Education PhD Online

If you’re at this point in your career, we’re sure that you know just how demanding the schedule is when you’re a nurse. That is why online nursing degrees are becoming such a popular option. PhDs are fewer and more far between online than many other degrees but you still have an abundance of exceptional colleges and universities to consider.

The degrees we have featured here may have some synchronous components and several of them have some on-campus requirements, but each of them is designed with the demand of your job in mind. Many of the meetings last for just a few days at a time, and many of the classes are asynchronous. This means that you can log in and work on your courses at any time that fits into your schedule.

There are a lot of benefits to choosing to get your PhD in Nursing Education online. You can go to the school that is the best fit for you without having to worry about relocation. You don’t have to rely on the programmatic offerings at local colleges; if there is a school across the country that has exactly what you’re looking for, you don’t have to put your life on hold to go there. Online students are eligible for the same financial aid, grants, and scholarships as traditional students, there are even some scholarships designed just for online students. On top of that, there are fewer costs associated with online college because you won’t have to commute, live on campus, or pay certain fees.

All of these online PhDs in Nursing make sure that you have a dedicated advisor on top with a host of other resources offered at each individual institution. You don’t have to worry about missing out because these online degrees will surround you with people who prioritize your academic success just as much as you do.

Methodology

To rank the best online PhDs in Nursing Education, we began by gathering a list of schools. In order to be eligible to be featured in our ranking, a school must be based in the United States, hold proper accreditation, offer at least one hybrid or online PhD in Nursing, and must not operate as a for-profit institution. Every institution that met those criteria was scored out of a possible 300 points. The following factors were used to determine each schools’ score.

  • Freshman Retention Rate (33.3% of score)
  • Graduate Rate (33.3% of score)
  • Affordability (33.3% of score)

We collected our information used to score and discuss these institutions from the individual school websites whenever possible. We also used additional resources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. News & World Report, and Collegedata.com. Once each score was totaled, we ranked them accordingly. In any case that there was a tie, we used the alphabetical order of their names as our designated tie-breaker.

We’d also like to add that there may be some schools that don’t appear here that otherwise would have ranked due to incomplete information, or per their own request. No college or university is awarded preferential treatment of any kind. We are confident that these results could be easily duplicated with the use of our clearly-defined methodology.

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  1. Washington State University
    MERIT: 258
    View Profile Average Cost: $27,249

    PhD in Nursing

    Washington State UniversityWashington State University’s PhD in Nursing program is delivered in what the university describes as a blended format. Students will need to attend on-campus classes at the school’s Spokane campus for the first and last two weeks during their first Summer semester. Outside of that requirement, the remaining classes are delivered entirely online and in a synchronous format. Classes typically meet on Thursdays and Fridays.

    The coursework covers the core concepts in nursing science, research, education, and methodology. In total, the program consists of 72 credit hours. These credits are spread out over nine semesters. There are a lot of relevant classes such as a Faculty Role Seminar, Analytical Foundations for Health Sciences, Multivariate Statistical Techniques for Health Sciences, and more.

    You will have the opportunity to individualize your program of study for this PhD in Nursing with classes such as Mixed Methods for Program Development, Implementation, & Evaluation; Learning, Teaching & Evaluation in Nursing and; Educational Issues & Curriculum Analysis. You can also choose to fill your electives with independent study instead. This online PhD in Nursing will culminate in a dissertation.

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  2. University of Central Florida
    MERIT: 250
    View Profile Average Cost: $22,501

    PhD in Nursing

    17 UCF-logo
    The University of Central Florida was the first university in the state to offer an online PhD in Nursing. This is a post-master’s program that takes an interdisciplinary approach to prepare you for the next step in your nursing career. There are a total of 60 credits hours required for completion. Students enter the program in the summer and can choose to study at a full-time or part-time pace depending on their needs.

    This PhD in Nursing is available primarily online with two required intensives each year that you’re enrolled in the program. It is presented in a cohort model, and you will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with your classmates and the program faculty through research conferences, discussions online, and more. The curriculum is broken down into a required core (36 credits), electives to individualize your study (nine credits), and a dissertation (15 credits).

    Students will have the benefit of multiple financial aid opportunities. The majority of students in the program are funded through scholarships, grants, fellowships, or the Nurse Faculty Loan Forgiveness Program. UCF also offers a BSN to PhD track that can only be taken full-time; while this entry point is also offered primarily online, there may be more on-campus requirements for those who enter the program without an MSN.

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  3. University of Missouri
    MERIT: 240
    View Profile Average Cost: $26,611

    PhD in Nursing

    University of MissouriThe University of Missouri offers an online PhD in Nursing through Mizzou Online and the Sinclair School of Nursing. The university describes this program as blended because there are some on-campus requirements. During the first summer that you’re enrolled, you must attend campus for one week. Students are also expected to attend one professional meeting each year with their dedicated research mentor.

    Courses are all presented in a semester format, but the amount of time you will take to complete the program depends on your enrollment status. Those who enter with a BSN must complete a total of 77 credits; those with an MSN must complete 56 credits; for those of you who are pursuing a post-clinical doctorate, you will complete just 48 credits. For a point of reference, MSN students can finish the program in three years when studying at a part-time pace.

    There are three areas of focus that students choose from in the program, and those are Innovations to improve health and health systems, Wellness in vulnerable and underserved populations, and Symptom and behavior science. You can further customize your degree by taking interdisciplinary electives in education. Students can take as many as 12 credit hours of interdisciplinary courses.

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  4. University of Arizona
    MERIT: 237
    View Profile Average Cost: $24,750

    PhD in Nursing


    The University of Arizona offers an online PhD in Nursing that is extremely flexible. It is completed entirely online and requires minimal visits to the school’s campus. There are degree options for those with a BSN, an MSN, a DNP, and even those of you who would like a PhD/DNP dual degree. This program is affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing as well as the Western Institute of Nursing.

    Each year, students of the PhD in Nursing program are required to attend a one-week orientation in the summer. If you are studying at a part-time pace, the requirements of when you would attend may vary slightly. You can choose to study full-time or part-time regardless of the degree track you choose. We’ve decided to focus on the MSN to PhD track because that is likely the most common point of entry.

    If you enter the University of Arizona’s PhD in Nursing as an MSN graduate, you will have 64 credits to complete. It is designed as a full-time program, but there are part-time options. When taken at the traditional pace, you could graduate in as little as three years. There are ten required courses as well as a teaching practicum. You will also be able to select courses in a Substantive Area of Interest and a Minor.

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  5. East Carolina University
    MERIT: 235
    View Profile Average Cost: $21,920

    PhD in Nursing


    East Carolina University has a PhD in Nursing that is truly presented in a hybrid format and does include a good bit of on-campus instruction. The campus is located in Greenville, North Carolina. If you enter the program with a BSN, you can expect to complete between 72 and 77 credits. If you enter the program after obtaining your graduate degree, you can expect to complete 54 credit hours.

    First-year students in the program will have ten classes to complete on campus, in the second year, there are seven onsite classes, and in the third year, there are four onsite classes. The remaining classes, including all of those offered over summer, are online. Electives, independent study, and directed research courses are all part of the program. Working with an advisor, you can select appropriate classes that are entirely online.

    You can choose to pursue the program either at full-time or part-time pace depending on the demands of your schedule. There is even a DNP to PhD option which also consists of 54 credits but allows you to transfer in a good portion of your credits. Only 39 credits in total must be completed at ECU to complete your PhD. This program does culminate in a dissertation. You can use your electives and other customizable components to focus your degree in education.

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  6. University of Mississippi
    MERIT: 235
    View Profile Average Cost: $24,812

    PhD in Nursing


    The University of Mississippi offers an online PhD in Nursing program. This is a full-time program that is available in a predominantly online format, but it will require you to take some classes on the main campus at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. There are 50 credits in the entire degree program, and it can be completed between three and four years. The university states that students are not advised to work more than 20 hours a week while they’re pursuing their PhD in Nursing.

    Some of the courses you’ll encounter as part of this program include Biostatistics, Theory Constructions & Testing, Ethics in Research, and more. You will also have the opportunity to complete several electives as you’re studying. You can also use your research and dissertation to further customize your program to meet your professional goals. Financial aid and stipends are available. Students receiving stipends must have permission from the Dean to engage in outside employment.

    Students are admitted to the program every Fall. If you have credits to transfer, you can bring 25 with you at most. However, each credit is examined on a case by case basis, and it is not guaranteed that they will transfer. At least one continuous year of enrollment is required to graduate.

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  7. University of Kansas
    MERIT: 231
    View Profile Average Cost: $25,090

    PhD in Nursing

    University of KansasThe University of Kansas offers a PhD in Nursing that you can complete online. Students have the opportunity to select an area of emphasis for this degree, and the options include Health Systems, Symptom Science, and Education. There are 67 total credits required regardless of your emphasis, but we will be focusing on the Education emphasis in this ranking. Students can choose to enter the program with a BSN or an MSN. BSN students are required to complete six additional credits.

    The average time it takes a student to complete the program is three years when they study at a full-time pace. Part-time options are also available; however, this does lead to the program taking longer to complete. There are three on-campus requirements for the program. Each of them lasts for a duration of one week, and they are held in the summer on the campus of the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

    The online coursework of this program is presented in a blended format, including synchronous components on a regular basis and asynchronous work each week. The education area of emphasis allows you to select classes to fulfill the emphasis requirements. The current offerings include Teaching Strategies, Curriculum/Program Planning, and Evaluation, Teaching with Technologies, and a Health Professions Educator Preceptorship.

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  8. Virginia Commonwealth University
    MERIT: 231
    View Profile Average Cost: $27,023

    PhD in Nursing

    Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Commonwealth University offers an online PhD in Nursing that it advertises as having minimal on-campus requirements. There are options for both BSN graduates and MSN graduates to enter the program. Students at VCU will also be able to take classes at the Nursing Education Xchange Member Colleges, allowing you to further tailor your studies to your goals with ease.

    There are two main concentrations to choose from which are Biobehavioral Research and Health Care Quality Research. This PhD in Nursing will offer you a very collaborative education with access to world-class facilities and renowned nurse scientists. The program consists of 58 credits and could be finished in as little as two to three years of full-time study. It is unclear if part-time options are currently available.

    At a full-time pace, you will complete about nine credits per semester. Some of the classes you’ll take include Philosophy of Human Science, Advanced Statistical Concepts for Nursing Research, Health Policy Leadership and Advocacy, and more. You will also have ample opportunities to choose your own electives so that they align with your professional path.

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  9. Vanderbilt University
    MERIT: 229
    View Profile Average Cost: $65,407

    PhD in Nursing Science

    Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University is one of the best-known universities in the nation when it comes to nursing, and they offer an incredible PhD in Nursing Science program online. There is a Clinical Research track and a Health Services Research track, and both can be taken at a full-time or part-time pace based on the demands of your schedule. There are on-campus intensives each semester, and they last for roughly three or four days each; outside of that, the rest of the degree can be completed online.

    There are asynchronous components to the curriculum, but there will be synchronous class sessions held weekly. There are 72 credit hours of study required. The majority of students are able to transfer up to 15 credits from their master’s degree, and the remaining 57 must be completed at Vanderbilt. The curriculum is broken down into 32 credits of required coursework, ten credit hours of coursework that supports your track of study, and then ten credit hours that support your area of research including your dissertation.

    Some of the classes you’ll take could include Contextual Nature of Health and Health Behaviors; Knowledge Synthesis in Nursing Science; Health, Health Care, Research, And Public Policy and; Curriculum Strategies For Health Professional Education. You will also be able to select multiple electives to help prepare you as a leader in nursing education.

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  10. West Virginia University
    MERIT: 227
    View Profile Average Cost: $22,472

    PhD in Nursing

    West Virginia University
    The West Virginia University School of Nursing offers a PhD in Nursing that is presented in what the university describes as a blended format. Despite the description as such, the program is primarily online. Coursework is delivered online in its entirety. There are just a few on-campus requirements. At the beginning of the program, students must attend two three-day in-person sessions in June and one day in the fall and spring semesters each year.

    WVU’s online PhD in Nursing comprises 55 credits. The curriculum is broken down to include the nursing core courses, cognate courses you select with an advisor, and research courses. It will culminate in a dissertation as well as comprehensive examinations. The program can typically be completed in three or four years, depending on the pace at which you pursue the degree.

    One thing that stands out about this program is that you get to design your own cognate. This means that you can focus on different areas of nursing or in education that will advance you into the career position you’re seeking. Some of the required courses include Theoretical Basis for Nursing, Health Research Statistics, Health Care Leadership, and Advanced Health Policy and Ethics. You will also conduct independent study and complete research mentorships.

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  11. William Carey University
    MERIT: 227
    View Profile Average Cost: $27,952

    PhD in Nursing Education and Administration

    William Carey University offers an online PhD in Nursing Education and Administration. While any PhD in Nursing is great preparation for an educator role, this is the first degree on the list that is designed from the bottom up for those who want to be teachers or administrators. All of the courses are presented in what WCU calls a web-enhanced format with four scheduled face-to-face meetings each year.

    The entire program is 60 credits, and students can transfer in as many as 15 from their master’s education. Credits are approved for transfer on a case by case basis. You can choose a two-year option if you’d like to graduate more quickly and can dedicate the amount of time needed to study. There is also a three-year option for those of you who want to pursue your degree at a more relaxed pace.

    You will take courses such as Role Development for the Nurse Educator, Instructional Strategies and Evaluation of Student Learning, Creating an Online Educational Environment, Advanced Curriculum Assessment and Evaluation, and more. The program also requires you to take comprehensive examinations and complete a dissertation.

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  12. University of North Dakota
    MERIT: 225
    View Profile Average Cost: $21,073

    PhD in Nursing

    University of North DakotaThe University of North Dakota has an online PhD in Nursing program. It consists of 90 credits, and the coursework takes an average of three years to complete when you pursue your degree at a part-time pace. Additional time is required to complete your dissertation. The university was also ranked among the top ten online PhDs in Nursing according to its website, but the source was not disclosed.

    UND’s nursing education program does not have a residency requirement; however, students of the program are required to attend at least one on-campus intensive each year. This intensive will last between three and five days. Students of this program who enter with an MSN degree can transfer up to 30 credits into the program; in addition, as many as 24 credits of post-master’s coursework can be transferred as well.

    Students can take up to 30 credits worth of electives that they select in collaboration with their academic advisor. They will also take required courses like Essentials in Epidemiology, Foundations for Nurse Education, Health Informatics, Writing for Publication, and more. The program also includes classes on rural health, which is to be expected given the location of the university. In order to earn this online PhD in Nursing Education, students will also be responsible for completing a dissertation.

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  13. Villanova University
    MERIT: 225
    View Profile Average Cost: $68,232

    PhD in Nursing

    Villanova University offers a PhD in Nursing that is presented in a hybrid format. The program consists of 51 total credits, and students can choose to pursue it at a full-time or part-time pace. The full-time option takes place over seven semesters, and the part-time option takes place over nine. Both options start in the summer. You must have earned your MSN in order to be eligible to enroll.

    The on-campus components all take place over summer. The program begins with an orientation, and students will remain on campus to complete some coursework over a period of two to three weeks. All of the summer classes take place on the Villanova University campus in Villanova, Pennsylvania. All of the fall and spring courses are delivered online and in a synchronous format.

    The synchronous classes are held two nights a week and take place between four in the afternoon and nine at night. There are no asynchronous courses in the program, so this is a less flexible option. Some of the classes you’ll take in this program are Philosophy & Science of Nursing, Concepts in Health and Culture, Philosophy of Higher Education, and Curriculum Design in Nursing Education. This program includes a Practicum in Nursing Education and a dissertation.

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  14. Duquesne University
    MERIT: 221
    View Profile Average Cost: $52,108

    PhD in Nursing

    Duquesne University offers a PhD in Nursing that has been offered online since 1997, making it one of the first such programs in the nation. There are a variety of cognates and specializations that students can choose from. The program consists of 56 total credits and can be completed in three or four years, depending on the plan of study you choose. This program does require some in-person instruction.

    The first residency takes place in your first summer in the program and lasts for one week; this experience serves as an orientation and includes some coursework. The second residency is a two-week study abroad opportunity in either Rome, Italy, or Dublin, Ireland; housing is provided on the university’s campus there. The third residency is for you to present your dissertation topic for approval, and the final residency required is for you to defend your dissertation.

    There are options for you to enter the program with an MSN or even a DNP. You will have the opportunity to receive scholarships, financial aid, and individualized mentorship throughout the program. Students who select the three-year plan of study are not advised to work while they’re earning their degree. The university does not have a strong transfer policy; you can only bring in three credits from a statistics course. The rest of the degree must be completed through Duquesne.

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  15. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
    MERIT: 215
    View Profile Average Cost: $19,195

    PhD in Nursing Science

    15 IUPUI -logoIUPUI’s online PhD in Nursing Science is offered through Indiana University Online. The course delivery is described as being between 80% and 99% online. There are two required four-day intensives throughout the program, and the remainder can be completed online from wherever you are. This online PhD in Nursing Science program consists of 90 credits in total; if you have already earned your MSN, you can transfer as many as 30 credits to apply towards your PhD.

    The focus area for those of you who want to be Nurse Educators is going to be Health Systems. This plan will cover topics in nursing education, informatics, health policy, and administration. The curriculum includes a professional development core, nursing theory core, nursing science research major, nursing science concentration, minor courses, and it will culminate in a dissertation.

    Some of the classes you’ll take in the program include Biostatistics for Public Health, Theoretical Perspectives of Nursing Science, Preparing Future Faculty, and more. There will also be a directed research practicum, and you have ample opportunity to select electives that fit into your career goals. All of the classes are live sessions, or synchronous in their delivery. There are no asynchronous course options in this degree program.

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  16. University of Missouri Kansas City
    MERIT: 213
    View Profile Average Cost: $24,639

    PhD in Nursing

    UMKC offers an online Nursing PhD program that has entry options for those of you who hold a BSN or an MSN. Each program of study is individually designed with faculty mentors. This is one of the few universities with an online Nursing PhD that has a dedicated focus area in Nursing Education. There are 61 total credit hours in the program, and you can choose to complete them at a full-time or part-time pace, depending on your needs and the demands of your schedule.

    Students that enter with a BSN must complete a total of 73 credits hours. Those of you who enter the program with an MSN can graduate in as little as three years, depending on the time it takes to complete your dissertation. You’ll take classes like Psychometrics, Social Justice and Population Health, Nursing Theory, and more. There are two on-campus requirements for the program. Each of these takes place in the summer and last for just three days each.

    Courses are delivered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, but they are all designed to easily fit into the lifestyle of a busy professional in the field of nursing. One amazing benefit of this online PhD in Nursing is that all students are eligible for in-state tuition rates regardless of residency. Students in the states of Washington and Tennessee are not eligible to enroll in this program due to state regulations.

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  17. New Mexico State University
    MERIT: 210
    View Profile Average Cost: $20,324

    PhD in Nursing

    New Mexico State University LogoNew Mexico State University offers an online PhD in Nursing. The program consists of 72 total credits and students may be able to transfer in as much as half of the required credits and apply them towards their degree. This is designed to be a full-time program, but you can work with an academic advisor to structure your plan of study to be part-time. When taken at the prescribed pace, you can graduate in just three and a half years.

    Every year that you are enrolled in the program, you will have to go to the NMSU campus for one week, typically in the summer. You will also be required to attend a research conference every year; this conference is selected by the program faculty. The program will also require comprehensive examinations and a dissertation before you graduate. This is strictly a post-MSN PhD in Nursing.

    Online classes at NMSU are presented asynchronously through Instructure Canvas. You can work on your classes whenever it is convenient for you but will still have to meet deadlines set forth in your syllabi. There may be some classes that include synchronous components that you will be required, but this is still a very flexible option for an online nursing education PhD.

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  18. University of Northern Colorado
    MERIT: 209
    View Profile Average Cost: $24,949

    PhD in Nursing Education

    The University of Northern Colorado offers an online PhD in Nursing Education. This program is only open to those of you who have already earned your Master of Science in Nursing. The program consists of 66 total credits and takes the average student four years to complete when taken at a full-time pace. There are very few on-campus requirements throughout the program. One of these is dedicated to your orientation.

    The other on-campus visits include a proposal hearing, oral comprehensive examinations, and the defense of your dissertation. Some credits may be eligible for transfer, but the maximum allowance is not detailed on the program website. You will also need to take the GRE, and it is recommended that students enrolling in this program have at least two years of teaching experience.

    The curriculum includes a Nursing Science Core, Nursing Education Courses, Research Core, Electives, and your dissertation. Some of the classes you’ll take include Leadership in Health Policy, Scholarship of Teaching and Practice in Nursing Education, Advanced Nursing Curriculum Design and Program Evaluation, and more. Your electives are selected with an advisor to align with your career goals and research pursuits.

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  19. University of Southern Mississippi
    MERIT: 208
    View Profile Average Cost: $23,516

    PhD in Nursing Leadership

    The University of Southern Mississippi was the first institution in America to offer a fully online PhD in Nursing. This program does not require any visits to campus; you can even defend your dissertation and meet your residency requirements from the comfort of your own computer, no matter where you are. Students of the program are still eligible for resident tuition rates, financial aid, and have the opportunity to benefit from the Nurse Faculty Loan Program.

    There are a total of 48 semester hours required for graduation. If you enter the program with just a BSN, you will have to complete 12 additional hours, but these are also available entirely online. This is a PhD in Nursing Leadership and will include courses such as Policy and Politics in Healthcare, Leadership and Organizational Theory, Philosophy of Science and Nursing Sciences, and more. You can supplement this curriculum with electives that match your goals.

    The University of Southern Mississippi also has an open admission process. Students are admitted to the program every fall, and applications are accepted right up until the start of the fall semester. Priority applications have a deadline of March first. Additional financial aid is available to those who are currently serving or have served in any branch of the US military.

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  20. East Tennessee State University
    MERIT: 207
    View Profile Average Cost: $21,728

    PhD in Nursing

    8 ETSU-logoEast Tennessee State University is home to a hybrid PhD in Nursing. While it is described as a hybrid program, there are limited visits to campus required. The curriculum was designed with the busy schedule of a nurse in mind, which means ETSU strives to make sure that this is a flexible and accessible plan of study. On-campus intensives are held in Johnson City, Tennessee once per semester.

    There are a total of 60 credits required for graduation. This includes core classes, electives in a cognate area of your choosing, and a dissertation. The core classes include Concept Development in Nursing Science, Grant Writing in Nursing Research, Health Policy Leadership, Interprofessional Approaches to Bioethical Issues, and more. Your electives will account for a minimum of nine of your credits.

    The program is designed to grow you into a competent nurse educator and give you the skills you need to work at an institution of higher education, a health agency, or any other health care delivery system no matter how complex. This is a post-master’s program; however, if you have earned a DNP, you can also enroll and transfer in as much as 15 credits towards your degree.

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  21. University of Nevada at Las Vegas
    MERIT: 206
    View Profile Average Cost: $24,994

    PhD in Nursing

    University of Nevada--Las Vegas
    The University of Nevada at Las Vegas has an online PhD in Nursing with a Nursing Education Track that you can choose to pursue either full-time or part-time based on your current schedule’s demands. Students are admitted to the program in the fall, and there is a short two-day orientation that takes place on campus prior to you beginning the program. The only other times you are required to appear in person are for your oral comprehensive exams, proposal defense, and dissertation defense.

    This online nursing education PhD is only open to students who already hold either an MSN or a DNP degree. In the nursing education subtrack, you will take courses like Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education, The Nurse as a Leader, Course Level Evaluation Strategies for Nurse Educators, Educational Theory and Philosophy for Nursing, and Writing a Research Grant Application.

    This plan of study also includes nursing education practicum and independent teaching practicum as part of the requirements. This degree program does not result in any licensure or certification so you will need to check the requirements in the state you live in after you’ve earned your degree. There may be additional requirements to obtain the proper licensure or certifications in your state.

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  22. Texas Woman's University
    MERIT: 204
    View Profile Average Cost: $21,597

    PhD in Nursing Science

    TWU-logoTexas Woman’s University offers a fully-online PhD in Nursing Science. You can also attend the program in a hybrid format through the university’s Houston campus if you would like to have at least some in-person instruction. Regardless of which program you select, you can choose to study full-time or part-time. TWU’s fully-online PhD in Nursing Science has previously received the Quality Matters Implementation Plan award for distance education.

    There are start dates in the fall and spring for the hybrid program. If you want to study entirely online, you will start the program in the fall semester. There are a total of 60 credit hours required for graduation. Required courses in the core curriculum include Philosophy of Nursing Science, Multicultural Nursing, and Theory and Foundations of Nursing Research, among others. You will also have to fulfill a research tools requirement.

    You will also be able to select several different electives that are tailored to your area of research. You will select these with an advisor and can customize them to meet your career goals. This online PhD in Nursing Science is only open to students that hold an MSN. No transfer policy is outlined, so we are not confident that you will be able to transfer any credits with you.

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  23. University of Texas at Tyler
    MERIT: 201
    View Profile Average Cost: $12,776

    PhD in Nursing

    UT TylerThe University of Texas at Tyler has an online PhD in Nursing that is open to BSN and MSN holding nurses. You can choose to study full-time or part-time. If you enter the program with an MSN and you study full-time, you can complete the required 60 credit hours in just three years. The part-time option would take an additional year. You must complete at least 51 credits at UT Tyler which means you can transfer in nine.

    Students are admitted to the program in the summer. The only face-to-face meetings you’re required to attend are the mandatory five-day orientations each summer before beginning your coursework. The entirety of the coursework can be completed online, and the program website does not state that you must defend your dissertation in person. The courses you’ll take are delivered in a predominantly asynchronous format.

    Some of the classes you’ll take as you earn this PhD in Nursing online include Scholarship in Nursing, Data Management, Research in Transcultural Health, Health Care Policy Development, and more. You will also have the opportunity to select electives with your advisor that will help you individualize the program to meet your academic needs.

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  24. University of West Georgia
    MERIT: 197
    View Profile Average Cost: $25,205

    Doctor of Education with a Major in Nursing Education

    The University of West Georgia offers a unique program featured on this list, and that is a Doctor of Education in Nursing Education. UWG was previously recognized by U.S. News & World Report for offering online graduate nursing programs that were among the top 50 in the nation. This is a 60-credit program that only requires three two-day visits to campus for an orientation seminar each year.

    You are only able to transfer in six credits from prior college experience into the program. The core curriculum of the program is different from many of the others featured here because all of the core classes are in education. They cover topics like distance learning, policy analysis, school improvement, and more. While it does have a very different core, this program is accredited by the CCNE.

    All of the classes you’ll take are presented asynchronously, and the major courses dive deeper into both nursing and education. Some classes you may take include Current Trends and Issues in Nursing Education, Teaching the Adult Learner, Nursing Theory in Nursing Education, and Nursing Education Synthesis. Also, this online nursing education degree culminates in a dissertation like its PhD counterparts.

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  25. Idaho State University
    MERIT: 185
    View Profile Average Cost: $21,111

    PhD in Nursing

    The online PhD in Nursing at Idaho State University is actually designed specifically for BSN-prepared nurses. However, if you’ve already earned your MSN, you will also be considered. The program consists of just 59 credits and can be finished in as little as three years. That makes it one of the fastest, if not the fastest BSN to PhD in Nursing option available online.

    You can pursue the program full-time and finish in that three-year timeframe. If you choose to study part-time, you can see yourself graduating at twice that in six years. Those of you who have completed some graduate coursework may be eligible to transfer in as many as 15 credits towards your degree. There are no required visits to campus; however, if you live within 100 miles of the campus in Pocatello, Idaho, you may be required to defend your dissertation in person.

    All of the courses you will take as part of this online PhD in Nursing are presented asynchronously. Some synchronous components, such as meetings with your advisor and defending your dissertation, are required. In addition to your electives, you will take classes like Theoretical and Conceptual Analysis in Nursing Science, Ethics in Nursing Research, Leadership and Health Policy, and more.

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What Degree Do You Need to Teach Nursing?


In order to teach nursing, there are a variety of different career paths that you can take. Some places will require you to be a registered nurse with several years of experience; however, there are very few places that have such lax requirements. The majority of those who teach nursing, called nurse educators, hold a master’s degree. The typical degree held among these people is a Master of Science in Nursing; however, there are additional licensure requirements in every state.

Additionally, there are additional requirements depending on where you’d like to teach. In order to be qualified to teach at most universities, you are required to hold a PhD in Nursing. In addition to a PhD in Nursing, it is recommended that you also hold at least a post-master’s certificate in education. This is so you do not have to jump through additional hoops for getting certified to teach in your state. This is also a good idea, so you have a better understanding of the fundamentals of education.

Many PhD programs include classes in nursing education as part of their curriculum. When you are pursuing a PhD, you will have the opportunity (most of the time) to select electives in education or nursing education to help further your knowledge in the area. You can also focus your research on nursing education. If you want to teach a specific area in the field of nursing, you may want to consider getting a certification in your specialty area as well. The requirements will differ at every institution and in every state; these things will make sure that all your bases are covered when it comes to educational requirements.

Can I Be a Teacher With a Nursing Degree?


The answer to this question is yes, but it is not a straightforward yes. With a degree in nursing, you can use your background in many different ways. You can become a teacher and leave nursing altogether if you have a strong background in science. You can use your bachelor’s or master’s degree to transition to a teaching role at a high school or even a middle school. You would need additional training and certification to do so, but if you wanted to change careers and be a science teacher to younger students, it is entirely possible with a nursing degree.

The most common choice for nurses (or those who hold a degree in nursing) that want to be teachers is to teach nursing, which you can do as well. The job outlook for nursing education as a field is very strong. That is because there is a worldwide shortage of qualified nurses in every aspect of the field and one of the ways to help bridge that gap is to educate the next generation of those who are called to be nurses. In order to teach nursing at the college level, you are likely to require a graduate-level education, but you can absolutely pursue a teaching career with a nursing degree.

Do Teachers or Nurses Get Paid More?


It’s no secret that nursing is a lucrative position. Of course, it is! Nurses work incredibly hard, and they get up every day and meet demanding schedules and still manage to do it with the utmost compassion for their patients. Nursing is one of the highest paying bachelor’s degrees that you can get. The average starting salary is as high as $53,000 a year, and some mid-career nurses boast a salary closer to $70,000 or higher. Nursing is not for everyone, but it is a great career option, and it is one that is in very high demand.

Beyond the bachelor’s level, nurses make even more. The average salary for a nurse practitioner is between $90,000 to $100,000 per year. Teachers, in a high school or middle school setting, make an average salary of $57,000 per year. So, nurses do make more money than teachers.

If you’re torn between the two careers, you could consider a way to do both: teach nursing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary for nursing teachers in close to $70,000. Depending on your specialization and your level of education, along with other factors, your salary could differ and even be much higher than average.

What is a Nurse Educators Job Description?


Nurse educators are registered nurses with advanced education that are now teachers in the field of nursing. The majority of people in this career teach students whether that is at a college, technical school, or larger university; however, nurse educators may also still work in a hospital setting. They could also work as staff development officers or clinical supervisors at a medical facility. There are many options for those of you who are interested in being a nurse educator. For this answer, we’re going to focus on the nurse educators that work in an academic setting.

At an institution of higher education, a nurse educator would serve as faculty either at a school or in a teaching hospital. The responsibilities of a nurse educator could include developing lesson plans, teaching course materials, evaluating academic programs, and overseeing students’ clinical practice as they are studying for their degrees. Some nurse educators teach a general nursing course, and some of them teach courses related to their area of specialization such as adult-gerontology, pediatric, or psychiatric mental health nursing.

How Do I Become a Certified Nurse Educator?


It may surprise you to know that there is no certification required to be a nurse educator. Nurse educators must hold an advanced degree. Some places may only require a Master of Science in Nursing, but most institutions prefer that nurse educators hold doctoral degrees such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice or a PhD in Nursing. Most places will also require you to have at least three years of hands-on clinical practice to teach nursing.

You may also need additional certification to teach in your state, which is something you will need to thoroughly research to make sure that you meet the requirements. No authority in the field of nursing requires you to hold a certification of any kind. With that said, the National League for Nursing does offer you the opportunity by sitting for the Certified Nurse Educator exam.

To be eligible to sit for the exam, you will need to hold at least an RN license, at least an MSN degree, and have completed at least one nursing education course at an advanced level. Higher education, as well as extensive clinical experience, is recommended. This certification is not required, but it may benefit you immensely to have it because it will make you more competitive in the job market.