PhD in Family Practice Nurse/Nursing (PhD)

Tuition is $950 per credit hour.

This programme equips nurses to lead in advanced clinical roles and improve healthcare systems. Students develop family nurse practitioner skills through combined coursework and hands-on training. The curriculum highlights evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and leadership in primary care. Graduates are ready to provide care across all ages in varied communities.

Focus areas include Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care, Quality Improvement, Healthcare Systems Leadership, Evidence-Based Practice, Clinical Practice Project.

The programme requires 57 credit hours for students without a nurse practitioner certification, including coursework, clinical practice, and a DNP clinical practice project. Students with certification need 33 credits, focusing on advanced practice, electives, and the clinical project.

Graduates work as family nurse practitioners in primary care clinics, urgent care centers, and community health settings.

Applicants must hold a master's degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A graduate-level statistics course with a grade of C or higher is required. Official transcripts and a resume are required documents.

The programme totals about 57 credit hours. On-campus, one class at a time, in 5- and 10-week blocks, full-time. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 79% of applicants.

Mount Mercy University’s campus sits at 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Students can pursue traditional undergraduate study on campus while taking part in athletics and campus events. The university connects its present direction with its history and focuses its message on students’ futures.

Academic options span undergraduate majors and minors, graduate programs, and online study. Undergraduate students can choose traditional on-campus programs or accelerated online courses. Graduate offerings include flexible and convenient master’s and doctoral programs designed for working adults. Online options include bachelor’s and master’s degrees, providing an alternative for students who need the convenience of remote study. MMU Plus allows students to get a head start on a master’s degree, while the Catherine McAuley Scholarship can cover tuition.

International students should consider which study format best fits their goals. On-campus undergraduate programs provide a campus-based route, while online and accelerated options offer added flexibility. Graduate and doctoral programs may suit working adults. Mount Mercy also has an active athletics program and welcomes students interested in competing as Mustangs. The university has announced its intent to combine with St. Ambrose University, a development expected to bring additional academic and extracurricular opportunities for students and the region.