PhD application timeline

Apply now for Fall 2024

Online applications for fall incoming classes in the Doctor of Philosophy Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Degree Program are available through UC Davis Graduate Studies. Applications open each year in September and close at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) Jan. 15 (for guaranteed consideration). Applications received between Jan. 16 and June 1 are reviewed if it's determined that the program has space after reviewing general deadline applicants. The space available application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) June 1.

To begin the application, click “Apply now” on the Grad Studies page.

Apply now

Thinking about applying?
Click this link to access our step-by-step guide to applying to the Ph.D. program

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • A minimum bachelor's-degree GPA of 3.0
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Completion of UC Davis Graduate Studies application, including required essays
  • The application process may require an interview
  • The GRE is not required
  • TOEFL or IELTS (International graduates only)
  • International graduate requirements

Online applications are processed through UC Davis Graduate Studies, which coordinates UC Davis graduate degree programs. All applicants must submit a completed UC Davis Graduate Studies application and meet UC Davis requirements for graduate admissions.

Admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Meeting some or all of these criteria does not guarantee admission, but merely eligibility. Admission is competitive.

Completion of a basic course in descriptive and inferential statistics. Please note: While this is not a course requirement and will not impact admissions decisions, it is strongly encouraged for student success.

Each student admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing receives generous financial support for tuition, fees and additional expenses.

Graduate school is challenging, especially for the many students who juggle family, school and financial responsibilities. The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing seeks students with diverse life experiences along with the potential and determination to make an impact. Scholarships and other financial support ensure the most qualified, diverse and driven students may enter graduate degree programs —a principle upon which the school was launched with its founding grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Ph.D. students admitted in fall 2024 will receive financial support to cover University of California in-state tuition, fees and as first-year students will receive a stipend to help cover start-up expenses in becoming a doctoral-level scholar. Additional stipends may be available to students in years 2-4 pending funding availability. Specific details about financial support are provided to individuals as part of the admission offer. 

All Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership students are encouraged to seek a variety of forms of financial support and it is essential for students to apply as early as possible. Please review the general financial aid resource section below for additional details and links about financial aid resources available.

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees for the Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate Degree Program are set by the Regents of the University of California and can change without notice. Tuition is based on residency as well as degree type (i.e. academic or professional). For more information, visit the Office of Budget and Institutional Analysis, graduate degrees.

UC Davis internal fellowships

There are a variety of fellowships available for students with varying backgrounds, research interests and undergraduate majors. These fellowships are competitive funds for graduate students across the entire UC Davis campus. Please check if you qualify for any of the current funding opportunities.  For more information, visit UC Davis Graduate Studies, Internal Fellowship.

General financial aid resources

Information about various financial aid resources available for clinical education (grants, scholarships, fellowships, loan programs and short-term loans) is provided through the UC Davis Health Financial Aid Office. There are different procedures for applying for each type of financial assistance and they are not program-specific to the School of Nursing.

Both federal and state resources provide a range of flexible repayment options, including, but not limited to, income-based and income-contingent repayment plans, as well as loan-forgiveness benefits. Other forms of assistance, such as short-term and interest-free loans, are also available to enrolled students. A member of the UC Davis Health Financial Aid Office can answer questions regarding these programs and discuss how to best meet your financial aid needs

Students are encouraged to seek private scholarships and external funding. For more information, visit the UC Davis Graduate Studies External Support Resources page. There are also several online scholarship databases. One example is collegeboard.org.

For UC Davis information regarding cancelation of registration, withdrawal from a program and fee refunds, please refer to the UC Davis policy.

Financial aid tips

  • Credit-based loans are a part of most financial aid packages.
  • Check your credit through free credit score checks from Transunion, Experian, and Equifax.
  • To increase your credit score and your ability to qualify for loans, pay off credit card debt before beginning graduate school. Plan ahead as credit scores take time to update.
  • Interest rates are affected by your credit ratings.
  • Financial aid is not to be used for paying credit card debt; it is only for school tuition and fees.
  • To apply for federal student loans, scholarships and grants, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application early.

For additional information about applying to the doctoral program, including admission requirements and an overview of the application process, please view the video.

Questions? For more application assistance, email us at hs-BettyIreneMooreSON@ucdavis.edu

To learn more about this degree program, click here