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Faculty of Nursing
UNB Fredericton

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Graduate Programs

PhD in Nursing

Application deadline: April 8, 2026, for fall 2026 intake

The PhD in Nursing program prepares registered nurses with graduate education to advance their research expertise and positions them to take up roles as nurse researchers, educators and leaders.

Students’ complete coursework, comprehensive exams, and dissertation research with the support of a supervisory committee. This research-intensive program is full-time only and designed to be completed in four years.

Program delivery

The PhD in Nursing program is online and thus, students can study from anywhere acrossNew Brunswick, Canada and beyond. To establish a sense of community and socialize students to the academic and research environment, travel to campus for a three-day residency in each of the fall and winter terms during year one is required.

Graduate supervision

Students must have a secured supervisor prior to admission. Browse and identify prospective supervisors and committee members from across Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton based on aligning interests.

Faculty expertise include:

  • Health services and policy
  • Older adult health
  • Gender and health
  • Health promotion and population health
  • Systematic review

Program curriculum

Students in the PhD in Nursing program complete 6 courses and comprehensive exams in year 1, and a research focused dissertation in year 2, 3 and 4.

Fall term

  • NURS 6014 (3 CH) | Philosophy of Nursing Science
  • NURS 6024 (3CH) | Advanced Qualitative Research
  • NURS 6015 (3CH) | Doctoral Seminar 1

Winter term

  • NURS 6023 (3CH) | Advanced Qualitative Research
  • NURS 6025 (3CH) | Knowledge Synthesis & Dissemination or Elevtive
  • NURS 6020 (3CH) | Doctoral Seminar 1

Summer term

  • Comprehensive exams

*Students pay fees for three terms per year until completion, regardless of coursework or dissertation stage.


Fall term

  • Dissertation Research Proposal

Winter term

  • Dissertation Research Conduct Research

Summer term

  • Dissertation Research Write-Up

Fall term

  • Dissertation Research Conduct Research

Winter term

  • Dissertation Research Conduct Research

Summer term

  • Conduct Research Write-Up

Fall term

  • Dissertation Research Write-Up

Winter term

  • Dissertation Research Write-Up / Defence

Summer term

  • Dissertation Research Submit to UNB SGS

For the PhD in Nursing program:

  • Bachelor of Nursing (BN or BScN) degree
  • proof of current registration as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse
  • Master of Nursing (MN or MScN) degree or equivalent degree in related field
  • cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 or B+
  • completed graduate level courses in statistics and research methods and earned at least a B
  • submit a current CV detailing academic, clinical and professional achievements
  • writing sample (e.g. thesis chapter or published article)
  • letter of support from supervisor indicating willingness to supervise
  • two letters of reference (one professional, one academic referee)

English is both the working language and the primary language of instruction and examination at UNB; therefore, students must be able to communicate and comprehend English both orally and in written form.

All international applicants whose mother tongue is not English, including applicants who are landed immigrants or reside in Canada will need to submit a language test as per the UNB School of Graduate Studies minimum language proficiency test scores.


Students who have completed prior post-secondary studies outside of Canada or the United States of America are required to submit a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Evaluation as part of their admission package.

Applicants should request the WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course report. If you have a prior WES report, you must add WES ICAP to your evaluation report.


For more information, contact us at mngrad@unb.ca.

Next steps

Begin your journey towards a PhD in nursing at UNB