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

Post-BS to PhD entry point

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 from an NLN or AACN accredited Bachelor’s program in Nursing. 
2. The ability to demonstrate professional performance or contribution to nursing as evidenced by research efforts, publications, presentations, membership in professional organizations, honors/awards, community service, or letters of recommendation. 
3. As of Fall 2021, GRE scores are no longer required as part of the application for the Florence S. Downs PhD program in Nursing Research and Theory Development. 

Post-Master’s entry point

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. At least one degree (bachelors or master's) in nursing
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 
3. The ability to demonstrate professional performance/contribution to nursing as evidenced by research efforts, publications, presentations, membership in professional organizations, honors/awards, community service, or letters of recommendation
4. As of Fall 2021, GRE scores are no longer required as part of the application for the Florence S. Downs PhD program in Nursing Research and Theory Development. 

For students with international credentials

If your academic credentials are not in English and/or are from a foreign school with a grading system not based on a 4.0 overall GPA, we require an international transcript evaluation and translation. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE) is the preferred service. ECE prepares evaluation reports that identify the United States equivalents of educational qualifications earned in other countries. To request an evaluation report, you must complete and submit an application form, along with all required documentation and all applicable fees. ECE will complete most evaluation reports in approximately 15 to 20 business days from the date they receive all required documentation and fees. They also offer one-day, five-day, and 12-day Rush Service and Express Delivery. Please visit the ECE website for more information.

Policies

Technical standards requirements

Applicants must meet the Technical Standards for Core Professional Nursing Competency Performance in order to be eligible for admission to, progress in, and graduate from the nursing program.

Criminal background check policy

Please be advised that prior to or during clinical learning experiences at an acute or community and/or school-based health care facility, that facility may require a criminal background check in order to meet the facility's clinical placement policy or requirements. Such checks may be conducted by the facility or the student may have to independently obtain a criminal background check that meets the facility's requirements. We do not conduct criminal background checks.

Equal opportunity statement

NYU Meyers does not discriminate due to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability, or any other legally protected basis. Prospective students of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply for all of our programs.

Contact the Office of Admissions

For any questions regarding the PhD program, please contact NYU Meyer's Office of Admissions at nursing.admissions@nyu.edu or 212-998-5317.

PhD curriculum total program (46 credits)

Students must have the equivalent of three years of full-time study to earn a PhD in New York State. This requirement can be met by course load, course load, and equivalencies, or by maintenance of matriculation after finishing coursework and working at least 40 hours per week on a dissertation. See PhD handbook for rules and explanations of full-time status and below for the curricula.

Access application for all graduate programs

Application deadlines

The application for Fall 2026 is now available.

Fall 2026 Deadline: November 15, 2025

Please note: All application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted by November 15 at 11:59 PM EST. Applications that become complete after this time may not be reviewed. 

Mandatory Interview Day: January - February 2026 (exact date TBD)

Application requirements

Access the application for our PhD program. All applicants to our PhD program are required to submit the following documents at the time of application:

1. One (1) transcript from each post-secondary school that you have attended. We can review applications with unofficial transcripts. Admitted students will be asked to submit official transcripts prior to beginning coursework at NYU Meyers.
2. Resume.
3. A two- to three-page personal statement.
4. At least three (3) letters of recommendation.
5. RN (and NP, when applicable) license and registration certificate.

Supplemental materials

Please attach the following original documentation to demonstrate professional performance/contribution to the nursing field:

1. A list of research, writing/publications. Please submit no more than two papers that are most illustrative of your ability. If you are not published, you may submit papers from previous academic work and/or forward additional letters of recommendation.
2. A list of professional organizations or student groups in which you are involved. Acceptable documentation includes program listings or letters from colleagues.
3. A list of honors from professional societies; a duplicate copy of the honor is acceptable.

The above information should be uploaded to the online application. If you do not have any of the above documents, you can select "no" to the application question which asks if you have any of these supplemental materials. 

Important Notes

Applications are reviewed by a panel of professors from NYU Meyers. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview in January/February.

Applicants who have attended a post-secondary institution outside of the United States are required to upload one (1) transcript from each post-secondary school attended and submit one (1) official course-by-course evaluation of each foreign transcript directly to our office at the time of application. Your application will not be reviewed without these documents. Please mail your official course-by-course evaluation(s) to the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions (complete address listed above).

For applicants whose native language is not English, a copy of your latest TOEFL or IELTS score is required. Admitted students will be asked to submit official test scores prior to beginning coursework at NYU Meyers. Applicants who have completed their education in a country where English is a primary language may be eligible for an English proficiency score waiver. For more information please contact nursing.admissions@nyu.edu. 

We encourage you to fill out a FAFSA form at the time that you apply.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. All deadlines listed are 'in-office' deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is always to the candidate's best advantage to apply early, especially when applying for financial aid. Should any of the dates listed fall on a weekend, the deadline will be the next working day.

After submitting your application, you may check on your admissions status using your application login. Should you have any questions about the admissions process, you are encouraged to call the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions at (212) 998-5317.

Application fee

The application fee is $85. Your application will not be processed until your application fee has been paid. Application fees are non-refundable and must be received by the stated application deadlines.

Fee Waivers

NYU Meyers waives fees for applications based on financial hardship or US military service/US veteran status. To request that the application fee is waived, please submit a request to nursing.admissions@nyu.edu before submitting your application. The request should include your full name and the program to which you are applying. We will notify you via email when your request for an application fee waiver has been approved.