PhD in Nursing is a doctorate in Nursing programme offered by Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. The programme runs for 5 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 10,832 per year (CAD 7,338 per year for local students).
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing is a thesis-based research degree offered by Dalhousie's School of Nursing, described on the program page as the only nursing doctorate offered in Nova Scotia. It is available full-time only, over a minimum of five years, with delivery described as both in-person and online. Students undertake independent research under faculty supervision, working toward a dissertation intended to advance nursing knowledge, theory, and practice, as well as inform health policy. Admission requires meeting the Faculty of Graduate Studies' general requirements together with program-specific prerequisites set by the School of Nursing. The program is aimed at registered nurses and nursing professionals seeking to develop advanced research expertise and scholarly leadership within the discipline. Graduates are positioned for roles in advanced practice nursing, nursing research, nursing education, government health policy, and postdoctoral study, extending their influence beyond direct clinical practice into knowledge generation and policy development. The program suits experienced nurses aiming for academic, research, or senior policy careers built on doctoral-level scholarship in nursing.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.70 / 4.33
Admission Requirements: Dalhousie's PhD in Nursing requires a first-class master's degree in nursing or a related discipline, assessed through graduate coursework grades, thesis quality, publications and conference presentations; applicants normally hold a minimum GPA of 3.7 in that degree. Candidates must be licensed to practise as a registered nurse and provide proof of current membership with a nursing college or association. Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies standard: IELTS Academic 7, TOEFL iBT 92, MELAB 85, PTE Academic 65 (no skill below 54), CanTest 4.5 (no band below 4.0), MET 64 (no skill below 53), or CAEL 70 (no band below 60). Applications require a 4-5 page study plan, a first-authored peer-reviewed manuscript plus two further scholarly works, a CV, three references, a thesis-supervisor agreement, funding documentation and an interview. September admission to all graduate nursing programs closes February 1.
Application Details
Start Date:September
Application Deadline:Domestic and international applicants to the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) must apply by February 15, 2026 for September 2026 entry; Dalhousie had not published the September 2027 deadline as of September 2026.
