Download and submit all items for the PhD program. All documents should be uploaded into your online application. 

1. Completed Master’s degree with the equivalent to a McMaster B+ GPA. 
2. Completion of a Master’s level research thesis or equivalent (e.g. the candidate has already conducted funded research). 
3. Identification of a faculty member who agrees to supervise the student. See our Faculty Listing for a list of potential supervisors or contact gradson@mcmaster.ca for more information. NOTE: It is expected that applicants will approach potential supervisors at least three months prior to the application deadline. Please download the form Tentative Plan of Study/Identification of Supervisor form. 
4. Provide evidence of current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario 
5. Submit two official transcripts. Please include BScN, MScN/MN and any additional course work. Please note that non-English transcripts must be translated and notarized. Please submit an unofficial transcript in your online application. 
6. Submit two academic references through the online application. McMaster University uses the Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your Academic referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf. Please ensure you enter only your two academic references through the online application system. 
7. Submit one clinical reference from a person who has known you in a professional context. McMaster University uses the Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your clinical referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf. 
8. Submit a Curriculum Vitae in the online application. 
9. Submit a personal essay responding to questions outlined to provide us with insight into your motivation and interest in the PhD program. The answers should be submitted directly into the online application. References are not required for this essay. 

If English is not your native language, an official copy of a TOEFL score, or other evidence of competency in English (i.e. IELTS, MELAB) is needed. A minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 92 (580 on the paper-based TOEFL test of 237 on the computer-based TOEFL test) is required. IELTS minimum overall score 7.0. 

The appropriate foundation for graduate level entry is a professional degree. Candidates must comply with the School of Graduate Studies regulations for the PhD and MSc degrees. 

FACILITATED INDIGENOUS ADMISSIONS PROGRAM (FIAP): SELF-IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences have facilitated admissions streams for applicants with Indigenous North American (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) ancestry. This process is intended to provide equitable access to Indigenous applicants and aligns with the intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. Applicants wishing to apply through McMaster’s FIAP need to complete the supplementary self-identification application in addition to McMaster university and program specific application processes. All Indigenous applicants who meet the admission criteria will be considered within an Indigenous applicant cohort. 

Full details are found on the Indigenous Students Health Sciences Website. 

Required Courses:  

NUR 700 Nursing Philosophy 

NUR 707 Foundations of Nursing Leadership 

Doctoral Seminar 

Two additional graduate half courses (to be discussed with your supervisor to support thesis work) 

SGS 101 and SGS 201 

Indigenous Health Online Modules 

Other Requirements:  

Comprehensive Examination 

Complete and defend a thesis arising from a health care issue. 

Yes, this program is offered on both a part-time and full-time basis depending upon agreement by a PhD supervisor. Students have six years to complete the program on a part-time basis and four years to complete the program on a full-time basis. 

This program is in-person and requires students to attend in-person lectures weekly on campus in Hamilton, Ontario. 

Program requirements can be found in the School of Graduate Studies Graduate Calendar. 

Please contact gradson@mcmaster.ca.  The program has virtual open houses in October every year – please watch our website for details. 

We offer a PhD program, a dissertation relevant to nursing and health care is required. Please contact gradson@mcmaster.ca to make an appointment to discuss. 

Please visit our faculty page on this website. There you will see the names and research interests of our Faculty who can supervise MSc and PhD students — it is best to e-mail or call those who match your research interests and send them a brief overview of your clinical and research interests. The earlier you invite them to meet with you and discuss your application, the better. 

If you are having difficulty selecting a potential supervisor, contact our Assistant Dean of the Graduate program Dr. Nancy Carter and she will suggest possible faculty for you to contact. For the course-based MSc option, you do not need to find a supervisor as the Nursing Program Coordinator will assign a faculty advisor once you have been accepted into the program.

All references and supporting documentation are due by the application deadline. Clinical and academic referees must be entered in the online application portal. They will be contacted electronically.  

All applicants must submit two academic references, work references cannot be used in replacement. Students who do not have an academic reference should consider taking a university or college course prior to applying to the program to obtain a reference. 

Yes, Official transcripts must be received for every institution listed on your application form. Official transcripts are transcripts directly sent from the issuing institution to the Graduate Programs Nursing Office. Transcripts submitted by students or uploaded to your application are unofficial. 

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be a licensed and registered nurse in Ontario.  

Please review McMaster’s Grading system for a breakdown of McMasters GPA system.

References should be labelled as clinical and academic. Do not label your references professional – this will result in technical issues with your application. 

References from faculty who have evaluated your academic work in your undergraduate or graduate programs.  Appropriate academic referees are professors or tutors from you nursing, science or elective courses in undergraduate, graduate or continuing education programs.  

Clinical references are from people who can describe your nursing work such as clinical educators, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, managers, or administrators 

Yes, applicants with an international BScN from an accredited institution are eligible to apply.  

Applications and transcripts are not reviewed prior to application deadline. Applicants with international degrees can use the free WES degree equivalency tool for an idea of what their degree is equivalent to in Canada.