Florence S. Downs PhD Program in Nursing Research and Theory Development

Following review of the program website, we encourage you to contact the PhD Program Director. For information about application requirements, the admissions process, finances/health insurance, visas or other required documents, please contact the Admissions Office. We look forward to speaking with you!

No, research experience and publications are not required. However, having some research experience is strongly encouraged to understand what pursuing a PhD involves.

We encourage you to browse our faculty’s profiles and reach out to those whose work aligns with your interests. It is appropriate to email 2-3 faculty members, share your research interests, and ask to learn more about their work and how it aligns with your goals. Matching of advisors and students occurs later in the admissions process.

You should have at least a general idea of your topic. Admission depends on a strong match between a student’s interests and faculty expertise.

We expect research interests to evolve! Each course provides a lens and structured assignments that help you explore your potential dissertation topic. The Preliminary Exam, designed as an integrative review paper, allows you to synthesize the literature and clarify your topic. After the exam, students may take a summer independent study to refine their topic, ensuring they are ready to develop a fundable grant proposal in the Fall grant writing course to support their dissertation research.

Helpful considerations are: Is this a good time for me to take on doctoral study given my other commitments/demands? Am I prepared to relocate to the New York City area? Am I ready for the intensity and self-directed nature of doctoral-level research?

A PhD in Nursing prepares nurse scientists to generate new knowledge that informs practice, policy, and education. Graduates often work in academia or research, leading studies, mentoring future scholars, and shaping policy with evidence. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) emphasizes clinical leadership and applying evidence to improve care systems and outcomes. DNP-prepared nurses typically remain in clinical practice, lead quality improvement, and translate research into real-world settings.

In addition to a foundation of strong academics, scholarly writing and critical thinking skills, the Admissions Committee looks for applicants with a clear area of research interest related to nursing, research experience, fit with faculty expertise and with NYU, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to flourish in a research-intensive environment.

A strong essay explains your research interests, identifies 2-3 faculty members with whom you might work and why, what you hope to gain from a PhD program, why you wish to study at NYU, and personal experiences or characteristics that you feel will help you to be successful in a PhD program.

It is helpful to request letters from mentors, employers, or academic advisors who know you well in different capacities or from different environments and can speak to your academic performance and skills, research preparation, and potential to succeed in a rigorous PhD program.

The Admissions Committee reviews all applications in December. Finalists will be invited for an interview in early January. Admissions decisions will be released in late January.

After submitting your application, you may check on your admissions status using your application login.

We understand that applicants may apply to more than one PhD program, and that programs have different admissions schedules. We ask that admitted students respond to our offer within 2 weeks. Should you require additional time, please speak with our Admissions Office. In fairness to other applicants, we cannot give long extensions. Our expectation is that if you accept our offer and make a deposit that you fully intend to join the PhD Program at Meyers.

If you are on the waitlist, we will do our best to notify you of your admissions status as soon as we can. We appreciate any new information that may impact your admissions decision.

Each PhD student has an academic advisor who is a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at Meyers. Your advisor will help you adjust to doctoral study, refine your research interests, progress through program milestones, and develop professionally. Your advisor will also connect you with other faculty, research opportunities, and resources to further your growth and success.

Students’ academic advisors often become their dissertation chairs. Should your research interests change, it may make sense for a different faculty member to be your dissertation chair, in which case your advisor help identify an appropriate dissertation chair.

The main program requirements are: completion of course requirements (post-MS students- 46 credits; post-BS students- 72 credits); completion of 1,200 research hours and 60 teaching hours; pass the Preliminary Exam; pass the Dissertation Proposal Defense, and successfully defend the final dissertation.

Key milestones are: 1) the Preliminary Examination (an integrative review paper + an oral examination taken at the end of Year 1 for post-MS students and at the end of Year 2 for post-BS students); 2) the Dissertation Proposal Defense (usually scheduled at the end of Year 2/start of Year 3 for post-MS students and at the end of Year 3/start of Year 4 for post-BS students); and 3) the Dissertation Defense (usually scheduled 1-1.5 years after the Dissertation Proposal Defense).

Students take their core courses at Meyers, but some courses, mostly electives, are taken at other schools at NYU.

With their academic advisor, students choose elective courses that will prepare them for their dissertation research. We offer an annotated list of elective courses suggested by students and PhD faculty.

Research hours may be completed through various activities, such as attending a research conference, helping to prepare a manuscript, or serving as a research assistant for your academic advisor or other faculty member.

A feature of the PhD Program is our 4 Research Collaboratives which align with our research foci: Adults and Aging; Health Services Research; Maternal, Youth, and Families; and Precision Health. Collaboratives meet twice a month and are attended by tenured/tenure track faculty, clinical faculty, our clinical partners at NYU Langone, and others. Each Collaborative is a “research home” offering networking opportunities, discussion of current research/events, and feedback on grant proposals and conference presentations.

Yes, we encourage students to make interprofessional connections. Our students work with faculty outside of Meyers for research and teaching experiences and may invite other faculty to be dissertation committee members.

Yes, teaching hours are a required component of our PhD program. Preparation includes didactics, for example, through the NYU Center for Teaching and Learning and seminars at Meyers, as well as through teaching assistantships through which students gain on-the-job experience at Meyers or elsewhere at NYU.

The PhD Program coordinates with faculty across academic programs at Meyers to match PhD students with teaching assistantships related to their research interests and/or teaching skills they wish to develop.

Yes! Our PhD Forum series comprises 4 courses structured by theme: Socializing into PhD study/Becoming a nurse scientist, Exploring career paths in nursing science, Developing core professional skills and a research trajectory plan, and Learning advanced professional skills and career planning. Skill-building is iterative and includes self-care, creating an individual development plan, developing a mission statement/3- and 5-year research plan, writing/responding to peer reviews, mentor/mentee roles, grants management, career planning, and more.

Each cohort has 4-5 students.

You will have regular meetings with your advisor, complete individualized development plans, and receive written and oral feedback at the end of each semester of coursework through a formal student assessment. These activities help to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that you are meeting program milestones.

Yes, PhD students have a designated workspace at Meyers, including assigned cubicles and a closed-door PhD room equipped with a printer and located near a lounge area. Additional workspaces are also available throughout the Meyers building and other NYU locations. PhD students who have defended their dissertation proposal can access the Dissertation Writers’ Rooms on Floors 4, 5, or 6 at the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on the Washington Square Campus.

The Doctoral Student Organization (DSO) is a student-led group that supports PhD students at Meyers through professional development, peer support, and advocacy. Second-year students and beyond can take on leadership roles, organizing events that promote community and engagement throughout the year.

Many students complete our program while maintaining their personal life, relationships, and obligations, including caregiving responsibilities. We encourage our students to optimize their organizational skills and hone self-care practices that will help them manage competing demands throughout the program. Academic advisors and the Meyers Student Affairs Office are also available to discuss concerns and supportive resources.

Students are required to have a laptop (Mac or PC) that can reliably connect to the internet and run current software. For expert advice on choosing a computer that fits your needs and budget, as well as to take advantage of educational discounts, we recommend consulting the NYU Technology Store. 

Yes! Participating in research projects, attending talks, and joining school-sponsored gatherings are great ways to build relationships and learn more about faculty interests and expertise. You may also request an individual meeting with a faculty member if you are interested in their work and potential opportunities.

Yes! We’re happy to connect you with a current PhD student so you can learn more about the program experience firsthand. Just reach out to the PhD Program Director to request an introduction.

We offer 4 years of full tuition and health insurance, as well as a $45,000/year stipend to all admitted students.

Students cannot work full-time while enrolled in the program. We discourage part-time or per-diem employment outside of Meyers unless it offers significant flexibility and does not conflict with class attendance or other requirements. The PhD requires extensive reading, writing, critical thinking, and ongoing revisions that will occupy much of your week. In addition, students must complete research and teaching residencies, some of which are paid.

Yes. Students may apply for positions such as research assistant, teaching assistant, adjunct instructor, or roles in the Simulation Lab. Students may not work more than 20 hours per week during the semester, but can do so during university breaks. For international students, visa regulations allow a maximum of 20 hours per week of on-campus employment during the semester.

Students often save on housing costs by getting a roommate, seeking rent-stabilized apartments, or living in neighborhoods a little farther from campus that still offer an easy commute, such as Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Greenpoint), Queens (Astoria, Sunnyside, Long Island City), and New Jersey (Hoboken, Jersey City).

NYU provides limited on-campus housing options for doctoral students university-wide. Housing for graduate/doctoral students is limited, non-guaranteed/non-renewable, and for one academic year at a time. NYU has an off-campus housing website which includes pertinent information about securing off-campus housing in NYC and what is needed, as well as listings of current apartments. Applicants may reach out to current students for additional information.

NYU offers a Lease Guaranty Program to help eligible PhD students secure off-campus housing by serving as a guarantor on their lease. This is especially valuable for students who may not have a U.S.-based co-signer or established credit. The program supports access to safe, stable housing by assuring landlords of the student’s ability to meet rental obligations. For more information, contact David Mainenti, NYU Meyers Chief Administrative and Business Officer, dcm9328@nyu.edu.

If your scores meet NYU’s requirements, you are well prepared for the program. Many of our students speak English as a second language, and your skills will continue to improve naturally through daily use in classes, research, and collaboration with faculty and peers.

It’s helpful to learn about U.S. academic culture, where active participation in class discussions and independent research are valued. Day-to-day, taking time to explore New York City, learning basic practical things like transportation and banking, and reaching out to peers and faculty for support will all help you feel at home more quickly.

We understand that starting your PhD in a new country can feel overwhelming.  NYU is a great place to be as one of the most international universities in the world, with students and faculty from over 130 countries. You will find a welcoming, diverse community here. NYU’s Office of Global Services offers many resources to help you plan for and adjust to life in the U.S., including student organizations that can help you build community. Check out their International Student Hub. 

In addition to NYU’s resources for international students, we offer a group specifically for PhD students Meyers to build connections and mutual support.