College selection for doctoral program

I also considered Mizzou, University of Kansas, and MUSC-all online, accredited, and brick and mortar. I will find out next month if I am accepted fingers crossed! I would recommend finding a school with faculty who specialize with your research interests. It's a huge endeavor, and you want to work with faculty who can connect you with the right people. I researched schools for 1.5 years spoke with faculty, directors, and students. I know I have picked my favorite school and place I just hope they pick me.

I always find it very interesting the bias and negative information against schools such as Walden University or Capella. I graduated from as you say the cheesy, "diploma mill" of Walden University in 2006 with an MSN. Walden is accredited and accepted within academia. The program was extremly rigorous and to meet graduation requirements I had to complete an extensive graduate project and portfolio. Upon graduating from Walden I acquired a faculty postion at a "real" university. The brick and morter university which had no problem accepting my degree from Walden. Actually, many faculty from the same university investigated Walden and obtained their graduate degree from them. The real issue is regional accrediation and programmatic accrediation from the CCNE. Walden certainly holds both of these degrees. Attending Walden has proven a great investment and I would recommend them to anyone. Additionally, if looking for a doctorate degree one must consider the end goal. Are you interested in a research career? Then, select a PhD. If you are more inclined to clinical or an applied approach then the DNP is a great choice. Either degree will serve you well. I would recommend if selecting a DNP you find one that offers a specialization such as leadership or administration. Do not believe the DNP is an inferiour degree. Persons with the DNP are now obtaining tenure at many universities. I would recommend searching the job board and reviewing educational requirements for facuilty. Most now require either the PhD or DNP for a faculty appointment. DNPs are actually acquring Dean appointments. As a final note, I earned my DNP (online) last november and as a result now hold aa real academic position as professor.

( I apologize for the poor grammar). I always find it very interesting the bias and negative information against schools to include Walden University or Capella. I graduated from as you say from the "cheesy" "diploma mill" of Walden University in 2006 with an MSN. Walden is accredited and accepted within academia. I am living proof these programs are a viable option. The program at Walden was extremely rigorous and to meet graduation requirements I had to complete an extensive project and portfolio. Upon graduation, I acquired a faculty position at a "real" university. The brick and mortar university had no problem accepting my degree from Walden. Actually, many faculty from the same university selected to obtain their graduate degree from them. The real issue is regional and programmatic accreditation from agencies such as CCNE or ACEN. Walden certainly holds accreditation from CCNE and regional accreditation from HLC. Attending Walden has proven a great investment and I would recommend them to anyone. Additionally, if looking for a doctorate degree one must consider the end goal. Are you interested in a research career? Then, the PhD is a good choice. If you are more inclined to clinical or an applied approach, then select the DNP. Either will serve you well as both are terminal degrees. I would recommend if selecting a DNP, you find one that offers a specialization such as leadership, administration, or a clinical track for APRNs. Do not believe the DNP is an inferior degree. I challenge anyone to dispute the rigors of doctoral study unless they have finished a degree program. Doctoral study requires an extensive time commitment, tenacity, and perseverance. Keep in mind only approximately 1.5 percent of the entire population has a doctorate for a reason, it's very challenging. Remember, many faculties hold clinical doctorates to include JD, MD, PsyD, PharmD, and the like. Persons with the DNP are now obtaining tenure and even administrative positions such as Deans at universities across the U.S. I would recommend searching the job board and reviewing educational requirements for facuilty. You will find the DNP is now accepted as a viable doctoral degree and may actually be preferred over the EdD. As a final note, I earned my DNP (online) last November and as a result, now hold a real academic appointment at a brick and mortar college.

If you are interested in online programs, have you considered doing an online program through a more traditional/established university? It may not be bad to get a PhD from a for-profit institution, but I wonder if you will have more support (financial and mentorship as well as other resources that come with a more typical university). There are lots of universities like University of Utah, Rush University, Medical University of South Carolina, University of Missouri, Arizona State, University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, etc. all have nurse PhD programs with distance learning, online, or hybrid format, and have really good reputations as far as I know. It may also be more common to get a funding package (some programs will pay all of your tuition and give you a small stipend, though this may be slightly different with online formats). I would encourage you to look closely at all of your options before you make a decision. If the for-profit universities end up being a better fit that's fine too, but I think it would be smart to do your research first! If you live near a nursing school that has a PhD program, see if you might be able to talk to a program director or advisor to get their input too (even if you wouldn't consider attending that school). They might have some great insight that they're willing to share with you. Good luck to you!

I have been attending UTMB-Galveston for 4 years (BSN to PhD). They are nearly 100% online. They require on-campus visits once a year for the first 3 years and then when you defend your dissertation (you can defend proposal by Skype). I know their out-of-state tuition may be higher but I doubt it is as high as private-for-profits schools. I think the application for Fall is due in April or May.

My practice will not even interview an applicant from a for profit online program. The reputation of the school you attend does matter.

As many others have stated, it is really advisable to select a school that has a quality PhD program. I don't know of any examples of for-profit online programs that produce quality research. Why do you want a PhD? Is it to pursue an academic career or prepare you to be a scientist? If so, you really want to select a program that has faculty that specialize in the areas of research that are of interest. Personally, I would not choose any online program for a PhD. I think a student benefits greatly from the exposure to research and dialogue that is required when you a part of a cohort that meets in person. A PhD requires a HUGE investment in time, money, and effort. I would recommend selecting a program that will give you the best return on this investment.