Make an Impact With Our PhD in Nursing Leadership Specialization
You can gain the skills required to become a healthcare leader who can work effectively with diverse workforces and communities in a variety of political and economic settings. Through the Leadership focus area, you can build competencies in organizational change management, team building, mediation, collaboration, and systems thinking and planning. You can also develop the leadership and ethical capabilities required to advance public health goals as you gain the skills to motivate, inspire, and manage people through effective communication.
Program Details
Choose the Path That Is Right for You
Choose the BSN to PhD track if you are a registered nurse (RN) and have earned your bachelor’s in nursing degree.
Choose the Master's to PhD track if you are a registered nurse (RN) and have earned your master’s in nursing degree or a bachelor’s in nursing with a master’s degree in business or a non-nursing health related field.
Curriculum
Minimum Degree Requirements
- 106 quarter credits
- Foundation course (1 quarter cr.)
- Core courses (45 quarter cr.)
- Research methods courses (20 quarter cr.)
- Doctoral Seminar (5 quarter cr.)
- Focus Area courses (15 quarter cr.)
- Dissertation (minimum 20 quarter cr., taken continuously until completion of the dissertation)
- Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 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 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 844-684-8466.
Curriculum
Minimum Degree Requirements
- 81 quarter credits
- Foundation course (1 quarter cr.)
- Core courses (20 quarter cr.)
- Research methods courses (20 quarter cr.)
- Doctoral Seminar (5 quarter cr.)
- Focus Area courses (15 quarter cr.)
- Dissertation (minimum 20 quarter cr., taken continuously until completion of the dissertation)
- Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 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 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.
This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-684-8466.
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.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | AMOUNT* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Foundational Coursework | 20 quarter credits | $480 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $9,600^ | |
| Tuition | 66 quarter credits | $775 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $51,150^ | |
| Dissertation | 20–110† quarter credits | $775 | $15,500–$85,250* | |
| Program Fee | Per Quarter | $170 | $2,380–$5,440* | |
| Residency Fee | Four Residencies | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional.) |
$5,680–$6,080 | |
| Estimated Range | 3.5 Year Minimum | 8 Year Maximum | ||
| $84,310 | $157,520 | |||
Effective February 26, 2024
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | AMOUNT* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Foundational Coursework | 20 quarter credits | $495 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $9,900^ | |
| Tuition | 66 quarter credits | $790 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $52,140^ | |
| Dissertation | 20–110† quarter credits | $790 | $15,800–$86,900* | |
| Program Fee | Per Quarter | $175 | $2,450–$5,600* | |
| Residency Fee | Four Residencies | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional.) |
$5,680–$6,080 | |
| Estimated Range | 3.5 Year Minimum | 8 Year Maximum | ||
| $85,970 | $160,620 | |||
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 3.5-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.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | AMOUNT* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 61 quarter credits | $775 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $47,275^ | |
| Dissertation | 20–130† quarter credits | $775 | $15,500–$85,250 | |
| Program Fee | Per Quarter | $170 | $1,700–$5,440* | |
| Residency Fee | Four 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 Minimum | 8 Year Maximum | ||
| $70,155 | $144,045+ | |||
Effective February 26, 2024
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | AMOUNT* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 61 quarter credits | $790 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $48,190^ | |
| Dissertation | 20–130† quarter credits | $790 | $15,800–$102,700 | |
| Program Fee | Per Quarter | $175 | $1,750–$5,600* | |
| Residency Fee | Four 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 Minimum | 8 Year Maximum | ||
| $71,420 | $162,570+ | |||
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.
Paying for Your Education
Our Enrollment Specialists can help you outline a plan and find resources for funding your education.
PROGRAM SAVINGS
Speak with an Enrollment Specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.
Program Outcomes
Reach Your Leadership Potential
Through the PhD in Nursing Leadership specialization, you’ll deepen your understanding of how to be an effective and ethical leader in today’s rapidly changing healthcare field. Prepare to positively impact health outcomes by building competencies in organizational change management, team building, mediation, collaboration, and systems thinking and planning.
Meet Your Academic Team
Meet Your Academic Team
Testimonials
I love to teach, and getting my PhD in Nursing has helped me become a better teacher for my students
Kristina McCall ’18PhD in Nursing Graduate
I have been promoted to oversee the development of curriculum and outcomes for all residents participating in the graduate medical education programs and facilitate educational research to determine best practices.
Janeane WalkerPhD in Nursing Graduate
I teach first-year nursing students at a small college and have clinical days at a large hospital. I was able to use what I was learning at Walden to help guide my students.
Kristina McCallPhD in Nursing Graduate
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