PhD in Nursing
Bridge Option for Students With a DNP

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information

PhD in Nursing
Bridge Option for Students With a DNP

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information

Program Details

Curriculum

Minimum Degree Requirements

  • 81 quarter credits; 56 quarter credits with an earned MSN and DNP*
    • Foundations course (1 cr.)
    • Core courses (20 cr.) Applicants with an earned MSN and DNP will be awarded 10 credits.
    • Research courses (20 cr.)
    • Doctoral Seminar (5 cr.)
    • Focus area courses (15cr.) Applicants with an earned MSN and DNP will be awarded 15 credits.
    • Dissertation (minimum 20 cr.)
  • Four PhD residencies (Students will participate in four residencies during their second, fourth, sixth, and eighth terms.)

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN

Walden students have up to eight years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required four terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the Chief Academic Officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Considerations (BSN-PhD): To be considered for this doctoral program track, you must have a current, active RN license, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent from an accredited school, and meet the general admission requirements.

Program Admission Considerations (Master's-PhD): To be considered for this doctoral program track, you must have a current, active RN license, a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a master’s degree in a business or non-nursing health related field, or a Master of Science in Nursing or higher from an accredited school, and meet the general admission requirements.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. More information for international applicants.

Tuition and Fees

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework36 quarter credits $790 per quarter hour for coursework credits$28,440^
Tuition-Dissertation 20–130 quarter credits$790 per quarter hour for dissertation credits$15,800–$102,700*
Program Fee $175 per quarter$1,750–$5,600*
Residency FeeFour residencies$1,420 each (virtual)
$1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional.
$5,680–$6,080
Estimated Range:  2.5-Year Minimum8-Year Maximum
   $51,670$142,820*+

These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.

Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.

^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.

Based on a 2.5-year minimum completion requirement and an eight-year maximum time frame as outlined in Walden academic policy.

*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the eight-year maximum time frame or choose to take more expensive elective courses.

+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.

PROGRAM SAVINGS

Speak with an Enrollment Specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.

Resources

Related Articles

''

Why Get A Doctoral Degree in Nursing? Why Get A Doctoral Degree in Nursing?

Nursing doctoral degrees are in high demand. But is getting a PhD in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) the right move for you? Explore some of the top reasons to pursue a nursing doctoral degree.
Read More
Placeholder for the "Live Chat" block

Meet Your Academic Team

Below are some of the distinguished faculty members who bring diverse industry expertise and a passion for teaching to the Walden community.