PhD Admissions

Application requirements

A complete application includes the following:

• $80 non-refundable application fee
• Completed online application
• Written response to the doctoral essay question
• Three letters of recommendation: from each of the following sources: academic, employer, and professional; all letters of recommendation must be submitted online, without exception, through the online application
• Transcripts: unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded into the online application; official transcripts are required if offered admission only.
• Verification that you’ve completed the requisite statistics class.
• Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS exam: taken within the last two (2) years (for non-native English speaking applicants with international degrees only); applicants who receive a BSN or MSN degree in the United States or Canada OR your undergraduate/graduate degree was conducted in English are exempt from this requirement. Additional information is available for international applicants.
• Copy of official RN license(s)
• Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process

One of the driving factors of our admissions decision is fit with faculty. You are encouraged to reach out to faculty who align with your research interests and may be a good mentor during your PhD program. Please review our faculty research interests here. As of July 1, 2021, the GRE is no longer required for the PhD program.

Our Graduate Admission Committee cannot properly evaluate a candidate or offer an interview until all required application items have been received.

Mailing address

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
 418 Curie Blvd
 Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217
 Attention: Office of Enrollment Management

​Electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@nursing.upenn.edu.

International applicants

Please visit our International Applicants page for further information.