PhD Application Process

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited (CCNE or NLN) program
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on the last 60 credits of the most recent baccalaureate degree

If your native language is not English and your undergraduate instruction was not in English, you need a minimum English proficiency test score:

• TOEFL = 580 (paper)/92 (internet-based)
• MELAB = 82
• IELTS = 7
• Duolingo (125)

Please refer to the Graduate School for more information.

You are exempt if:

• English is the exclusive language of instruction at the undergraduate institution you attended.
• You earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university within five years of your anticipated start date.
• Excluding ESL (English as a Second Language) courses, you have completed at least two full-time semesters of graded coursework in a U.S. college or university, or at an institution outside the U.S. where English is the exclusive language of instruction, not more than five years prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment.

• Official transcripts or academic records from all institutions attended. International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and an official signature. If you are currently completing a degree, you will need to provide a final transcript indicating your degree was awarded.
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB score(international students only)
• Three or four letters of recommendation:
  • Provide names and contact information of references in your online application
  • Provide your references our preferred evaluation form to complete and upload in place of a traditional letter
  • If your references prefer to write a traditional letter, please ask them to address all 10 areas identified in the evaluation form in their letter
• Writing Samples: We want to know more about your current thinking that is related to nursing or scholarship. Upload 2 writing samples that are related to nursing or health. Please share writing samples that best represent your writing ability, thinking in these areas, and readiness for a graduate program.
• Your reasons for seeking a PhD in nursing: Please provide detailed responses to ALL of essay questions. Your statement must address ALL of the prompts in six (6) pages or less, double-spaced, PDF format.

Types of writing samples:

• First- or co-authored* manuscript or published paper
• Paper, essay, or report written for a course
• Lab or other research report
• Written report providing a detailed description of a research interest, brief description of what is already known about the topic, and areas for future research or policy
• Written report detailing a clinical practice project you developed and evaluated
• Article or report for academic, research, or lay audience about a research or clinical practice topic
• * If you are submitting a writing sample with multiple authors, please provide a description of your role in the writing process and which part(s) you were responsible for writing.

Submit your online application to UW–Madison Graduate School and fee.

Are you submitting after the priority deadlines? Completed applications will be considered for admission and financial awards as available.

Once you have submitted your application, you will be able to track the Graduate School’s and the School of Nursing’s receipt of your materials through the online status system.

When we have received all the required application materials, we give every application a complete and comprehensive review.

The faculty admissions committee reviews each candidate’s application and makes a recommendation about advancing to an interview.

If you advance to an interview, you will meet potential faculty advisors as part of the application process. We will work with you to schedule a virtual interview time that works for both you and the faculty.

We will continuously review completed applications from eligible candidates.

Historically, admissions notifications for the PhD have been made by the end of March.