Learn more about research at UMSON:
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is the state's public health, law, and human services university devoted to excellence in professional education, research, patient care, and public service.
You're an ideal candidate for the PhD program if you are a bachelor's- or master's-prepared nurse or other health-related professional who wants a research career focused on some of the most important disciplines, topics, and trends, including:
The UMSON PhD program was initiated in 1979 as the 16th doctoral nursing program in the nation. Every student is carefully chosen and matched to the faculty member who can offer the greatest opportunity to succeed in developing his or her research program. As a graduate, you will join a thriving group of alumni—many of whom hold key leadership positions in academia, research, and administration across the country.
For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. See details.
| Semester and Course Number/Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Fall (PhD Year 1) | |
| NURS 840: Philosophy of Science and Development of Theory | 3 |
| NURS 850: Experimental Nursing Research Designs P or C: NURS 840, NURS 851 |
3 |
| NURS 851: Analysis for Experimental Nursing Research Designs P or C: NURS 840, NURS 850 |
3 |
| NURS 802: Research and Scholarship Seminar | 1 |
| Total: | 10 |
| Spring (PhD Year 1) | |
| NURS 841: Theory and Conceptualization in Nursing Science P: NURS 840 |
3 |
| NURS 814: Design and Analysis for Non-Experimental Nursing Research P: NURS 850 and NURS 851 |
3 |
| NURS 815: Qualitative Methods in Nursing Research P: NURS 840 |
3 |
| NURS 819: Research Rotation** | 2 |
| Total: | 11 |
| Summer (PhD Year 1) | |
| NURS 818: Research Practicum*** P: Completion of 2 credits of NURS 819 |
2 |
| Total: | 2 |
| Fall (PhD Year 2) | |
| NURS 811: Measurement of Nursing Phenomena P: NURS 840, NURS 841, NURS 850, NURS 851, NURS 814, NURS 815 and recommend concurrent enrollment in NURS 816 or permission of the instructor |
3 |
| NURS 816: Multivariable Modeling Approaches in Health Sciences Research P: NURS 840, NURS 841, NURS 850, NURS 851, NURS 814, NURS 815 and recommend concurrent enrollment in NURS 811 or permission of the instructor |
4 |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| Total: | 10 |
| Spring (PhD Year 2) | |
| NURS 818: Research Practicum*** | 4 |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| NURS 821: Grant Proposal Writing* P: NURS 840, NURS 850, NURS 851; OR with permission of the instructor |
2 |
| Total: | 9 |
| Summer (PhD Year 2) | |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| Total: | 3 |
| Fall (PhD Year 3) | |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| Dissertation Credits | 6 |
| Total: | 9 |
| Spring (PhD Year 3) | |
| Dissertation Credits | 6 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TOTAL | 60 |
*Grant Writing Seminar: Offered only in spring.
**Research Rotation: A total of 2 research rotation credits are required for all students – 1 credit equals 3 hours/week or 45 hours over the semester.
***Research Practicum: A total of 6 credits of NURS 818 are required – these are intended to focus on the student’s research area where time is spent preparing for comprehensive exams, learning new techniques, conducting preliminary analyses, etc. As with NURS 819, for 1 credit students are expected to devote 45 hours over the semester.
P - Prerequisite
C - Concurrent
| Semester and Course Number/Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Fall (PhD Year 1) | |
| NURS 840: Philosophy of Science and Development of Theory | 3 |
| NURS 802: Research and Scholarship Seminar | 1 |
| Total: | 4 |
| Spring (PhD Year 1) | |
| NURS 841: Theory and Conceptualization in Nursing Science P: NURS 840 |
3 |
| NURS 819: Research Rotation** | 2 |
| Total: | 5 |
| Summer (PhD Year 1) | |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| Total: | 3 |
| Fall (PhD Year 2) | |
| NURS 850: Experimental Nursing Research Designs P or C: NURS 840, NURS 851 |
3 |
| NURS 851: Analysis for Experimental Nursing Research Designs P or C: NURS 840, NURS 850 |
3 |
| Total: | 6 |
| Spring (PhD Year 2) | |
| NURS 814: Design and Analysis for Non-Experimental Nursing Research P: NURS 850 and NURS 851 |
3 |
| NURS 815: Qualitative Methods in Nursing Research P: NURS 840 |
3 |
| Total: | 6 |
| Summer (PhD Year 2) | |
| NURS 818: Research Practicum*** | 3 |
| Total: | 3 |
| Fall (PhD Year 3) | |
| NURS 811: Measurement of Nursing Phenomena P: NURS 840, NURS 841, NURS 850, NURS 851, NURS 814, NURS 815 and recommend concurrent enrollment in NURS 816 or permission of the instructor |
3 |
| NURS 816: Multivariable Modeling Approaches in Health Sciences Research P: NURS 840 or NDNP 804, NURS 841, NURS 850, NURS 851, NURS 814, NURS 815 and recommend concurrent enrollment in NURS 811 or permission of the instructor |
4 |
| Total: | 7 |
| Spring (PhD Year 3) | |
| NURS 821: Grant Proposal Writing* P: NURS 840, NURS 850, NURS 851; OR with permission of the instructor |
2 |
| NURS 818: Research Practicum*** | 1 |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| Total: | 6 |
| Summer (PhD Year 3) | |
| NURS 818: Research Practicum*** P: Completion of 2 credits of NURS 819 |
2 |
| Total: | 2 |
| Fall (PhD Year 4) | |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| NURS 899: Dissertation | 3 |
| Total: | 6 |
| Spring (PhD Year 4) | |
| NURS xxx: Elective | 3 |
| NURS 899: Dissertation | 3 |
| Total: | 6 |
| Summer (PhD Year 4) | |
| NURS 899: Dissertation | 6 |
| Total: | 6 |
| Year 5 and Following | |
| Remaining dissertation credits to total a minimum of 12 if not taken above | |
| TOTAL | 60 |
*Grant Proposal Writing: Offered only in spring.
**Research Rotation: A total of 2 research rotation credits are required for all students – 1 credit equals 3 hours/week or 45 hours over the semester.
***Research Practicum: A total of 6 credits of NURS 818 are required – these are intended to focus on the student’s research area where time is spent preparing for comprehensive exams, learning new techniques, conducting preliminary analyses, etc. As with NURS 819, for 1 credit students are expected to devote 45 hours over the semester.
P - Prerequisite
C - Concurrent
UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your graduate education.
| Type of Aid | Award |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | various award amounts |
| Merit Scholarships | $1,500-$3,000 per semester (You are automatically considered for a merit scholarship upon submitting a completed application for enrollment in an UMSON academic program.) |
| Donor-Funded Scholarships | $500-2,000 per semester (offered during the fall and spring semesters) |
| Conway Scholarship | full scholarship: tuition and fees (for those who will have completed 12 credit hours of graduate study by the start of the semester for which the Conway Scholarship is awarded and who have at least half of their credit hours remaining) |
| Maryland Higher Education Commission Nurse Support II Program |
funding available through three programs:
|
| Graduate Assistantships | stipend, tuition remission, in-state status, and paid student health insurance |
Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships
All students receiving funds through the University must:
The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.
Contact Us:
UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu
UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu
PhD applicants apply through UMB’s Graduate School. Your application and all supplemental materials must be received by this date.
Applicants should possess a bachelor's or master's degree with a major in nursing or a related health field from a regionally accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution.
PhD applicants apply through UMB’s Graduate School. All applicants must satisfy the general requirements of the University of Maryland Graduate School and submit the following materials:
Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard.
| Material/Qualifications | Submission Guidelines |
| Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee |
Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard. The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:
You can save your progress and return to your application at a later date. We recommend that you continue to log in for regular updates. |
|
Official Transcript(s) in English or native language transcript or mark sheets (if applicable) from your undergraduate and graduate schools listing subjects studied or marks received and rank in class or division. Transcripts should delineate a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all previous course work (baccalaureate, master's, and any subsequent coursework). Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application. |
Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard. |
| Three letters of recommendation providing evidence of personal and professional qualifications from three doctoral-prepared professionals familiar with the applicant's ability, work experience, contributions to nursing, and potential for success in the PhD program. | |
| Curriculum vitae | |
| Essay describing your academic goals and research interests. It is important that your research interests match with our faculty expertise. Please review our faculty research interests and mention a faculty member who may be appropriate. |
|
| Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required only for applicants with a GPA lower than 3.25 on a 4.0 scale or 4.01 on a 5.0 scale in your most recently earned degree. If the GRE is required you must have taken the test within five years of application date. | Use code 5848 for the Graduate School. |
| If you're a registered nurse: Verification of active, unrestricted licensure for the practice of nursing in at least one state in the U.S. or in a foreign country. |
Submit via email to: NRSphd@umaryland.edu |
| If your native language or home language is not English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam scores; the minimum acceptable TOEFL score for admission is 550 for paper-based tests, 80 for the internet-based tests. IELTS test takers must score no less than Band 7 (total). |
Use code 5848 for the Graduate School. |
If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact NRSphd@umaryland.edu to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.
Recent dissertation topics are listed below. Prospective students may also be interested in:
| Year | Graduate | Dissertation Title | Faculty Advisor |
| Fall 2021 |
Christine Hoch |
Mechanisms of Heart Failure Related Fatigue | N. Jennifer Klinedinst, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, FAHA |
| Fall 2021 |
Lindsey Clark |
Fatigue in Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease before and During a Pandemic | N. Jennifer Klinedinst, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, FAHA |
| Summer 2021 |
Martha Francis |
Patient and Intimate Partner Illness Appraisals in Cancer: A Multi-Methods Study |
Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Summer 2021 |
Amy Nelson |
Altering Mechanisms of Frailty in Persons Living with HIV |
N. Jennifer Klinedinst, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, FAHA |
| Summer 2021 |
Anju Paudel |
Staff-Resident Interactions in Assisted Living: Optimizing the Quality of Daily Care Interactions | Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP |
| Summer 2021 |
Jungmin Yoon |
Behavioral symptoms associated with dementia and inappropriate psychotropic medication use in U.S nursing homes | Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, RN, FAAN |
| Summer 2021 |
Zahra Rahmaty |
Individual, Caregiver, and Family Characteristics Associated with Obesity in Preschool-Age Children | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Fall 2020 |
Ernest Opoku-Agyumang |
Development and Usability Testing of a Mobile Health Game Application for Older Adults on Coumadin | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Fall 2020 |
Linda Keldsen |
Expanding Post-Stroke Tele rehabilitation: A Qualitative Study of User Experience Piloting VA Secure Messaging Use in a Tele rehabilitation Format | Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Summer 2020 |
Victoria Nalls |
Evaluating Antidepressant Use in Nursing Home Residents with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment | Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP |
| Summer 2020 |
In Seo La |
Burden and Mental Health of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients: The Impact of Spirituality | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Spring 2020 | Ilya Rozenberg | The Use of Naltrexone Among Young Adults with Opioid Use Disorder | Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Spring 2020 | Hyojin Son | Adult Patients' Experience Using Patient Portal: The Impact of Perceived Usability on Portal Use Behavior | Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD, RN, FAAN |
| Spring 2020 | Mark Walker | The Experiences and Expressions of Compassion Among Critical Care Nurses | Debra Scrandis, PhD, FNP-BC, FPMHNP-BC |
| Winter 2019 | Amal Juma Al Balushi | Psychosocial Care Needs of Children with Cancer and their Families: Perceptions and Experiences of Omani Oncologists and Nurses |
Kim Mooney-Doyle, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, and Mary “Meg” Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Winter 2019 | Meredid Soto Caves | Caregiver Distress and Burden Across the Outpatient Peri-Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation Period |
Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Winter 2019 | Myeung Hee Han | Participation and Effectiveness of a Worksite Health Promotion Program |
Kelly Doran, PhD ’11, MS ’08, RN |
| Spring 2019 | Hamzah Mohammad Alghzawi | Smoking Cessation among People with Severe Mental Illness | Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Spring 2019 | Kristin Lynn Bussell | Examining Dietary Patterns and Relationship to Caloric Intake in a Sample of Youth with Antipsychotic Induced Weight Gain | Debra A. Scrandis, PhD, FNP-BC, FPMHNP-BC |
| Spring 2019 | Benjamin Canha | Humor and Opioid Recovery | Debra A. Scrandis, PhD, FNP-BC, FPMHNP-BC |
| Spring 2019 | Crystal Lynn DeVance-Wilson | Prescription Medication Adherence among Socioeconomically Diverse Black Men | Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Spring 2019 | Megan Sarah Doede | Neonatal Nurses’ Work in a Single Family Room NICU | Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, RN, FAAN |
| Spring 2019 | Celeste Seger | Substance Use Disorders during Pregnancy: Comprehensive Care and Predictors of Delivery Outcomes | Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Winter 2018 | Vera Akosua Kuffour-Manu | A Comparative Study of Preventive Healthcare Behaviors Among African Immigrant Women (AIW) and African American Women (AAW): Barriers and Facilitators of Cervical Cancer Prevention |
Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, FAAN |
| Winter 2018 | Paul Anthony Thurman | Firearm Injuries in Maryland, 2005-2014 | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Summer 2018 | Warda Amur Al Amri | Integrated Management of Childhood Illness’s Asthma Treatment Protocol and its Association with Asthma Control in Young Omani Children |
Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, FAAN |
| Summer 2018 | Alisha Hackney | Steps Towards an Intervention: Exploring Correlates and Measurement of Fatigue in Osteoarthritis | N. Jennifer Klinedinst, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, FAHA |
| Spring 2018 | Rachel Bremen | Promoting Admission in Active Labor for Childbirth: Triage Dynamics and Early Labor | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Spring 2018 | Lauren Covington | Exploration of Toddler Sleep and Maternal Sleep/Mental Health in Low-income Families at Risk for Sleep Disparities | Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Spring 2018 | Amy Daniels | Clinical Simulation in Pre-licensure Nursing Students: Improving Learning Outcomes in Psychologically Safe Learning Environments | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Spring 2018 | Ana Duarte | The Use of Text Messaging to Improve Adherence and Functioning in Psychiatric Patients | Carla Storr, ScD, MPH |
| Spring 2018 | Betsy Heetderks | Neuroimaging in Headache Patients: The Sensitivity of CT in Missed Stroke Diagnoses | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Spring 2018 | Stacey Iobst | Factors Influencing the Use of Labor Management Interventions and Their Effect on Cesarean Birth | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Spring 2018 | Marik Moen | Social Stability as a Consistent Measure of Social Context in a Low-Income Population | Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN |
| Spring 2018 | Tracy Zvenyach |
Diet Quality Among Pregnant Women Associated with Food Supplementation from the Women, Infants and Children Program |
Mary Regan, PhD, RN |