For nurses ready to take the next step in their careers, Bowie State University is offering a new pathway to leadership, scholarship and impact.
The university’s Ph.D. in Nursing Education is the nation’s only doctoral program in nursing education offered at a Historically Black College or University. The program creates an opportunity for nurses to advance their expertise while helping shape the educators who will prepare the next generation of nurses.
“This is truly a transformative achievement,” said Monique Alston, Ph.D., chair of Bowie State’s Department of Nursing. “Our success reflects years of vision, perseverance and a collective commitment to advancing nursing education. It is inspiring to see this important work come to fruition.”
The program comes at a time when nursing schools across the country continue to face a shortage of qualified faculty. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, more than 9,500 qualified applicants were denied admission to master’s programs in 2021, while more than 5,000 were turned away from doctoral programs because of the shortage of faculty, preceptors and clinical sites. In 2022, nursing schools reported 2,166 faculty vacancies nationwide.
Those shortages can limit the ability of nursing programs to accommodate the growing demands of the health care industry. Bowie State’s doctoral program is designed to help address that challenge while increasing the number of African American doctoral-prepared nurse educators.
Preparing the Next Generation of Nurse Educators
The Ph.D. in Nursing Education brings together teaching, research, cultural competence and academic leadership. The goal is to prepare graduates to contribute as nurse faculty, scholars, researchers and academic leaders while advancing evidence-based approaches to nursing education.
Its emphasis on cultural competence reflects the broader need for a health care workforce that understands and responds to the diverse communities it serves. Graduates will be prepared to contribute to nursing scholarship, develop innovative approaches to teaching and help advance nursing practice.
The program also reflects the changing needs of doctoral students. Coursework is available online, in hybrid formats and in person, with synchronous and asynchronous options. Competency-based and experiential learning connect academic work to students’ professional goals.
The 60-credit degree can be completed in about three years by full-time students and includes research, statistics and dissertation coursework. A dissertation is required for graduation.
Support for the Doctoral Journey
Bowie State is also working to make doctoral study more accessible. Students may have opportunities for scholarships, emergency aid and low-cost or free textbooks. Financial support may also be available through Title III funds, Nurse Support II funds and graduate assistantships that can cover tuition and fees and provide stipends.
The program emphasizes collaboration beyond the classroom, bringing together community organizations, alumni and other stakeholders to support mentorship, networking and student initiatives. With a 1:5 student-to-faculty ratio in Ph.D. courses, students also have greater access to faculty engagement and feedback.
Standardized tests are not required for admission, and students can enter the program in the fall or spring.
For nurses looking to expand their impact beyond clinical practice, the Ph.D. in Nursing Education offers a pathway into the classrooms, research environments and academic leadership roles that will help shape the future of nursing.
Learn more about Bowie State University’s Ph.D. in Nursing Education