Nursing Science

Nursing Science: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Nursing

Degree Programs

Nursing Science

MN

  • Fields:
    • Clinical Nursing;
    • Health Systems Leadership and Administration;
    • Nurse Practitioner

DN

PhD

Diploma Programs

Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner (PMNP)

DipNP

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

Overview

The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing is committed to student-centred learning that encompasses the principles of empowerment, engagement, discovery, diversity, equity, and knowledge transformation for nursing practice.

Students have opportunities to engage with expert clinicians, scientists, and theorists and have access to a variety of interprofessional and interdisciplinary experiences with other health profession Faculties, the University, and community partners. These resources enable students to develop their intellectual capacity; their research, critical thinking, judgment abilities; and skills required to be exemplar nurses, advanced practice nurses, leaders, scientists, scholars, and educators.

Contact and Address

Web: bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca
Email: ask.nursing@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-2392
Fax: (416) 978-8222

Graduate Department of Nursing Science
University of Toronto
Suite 130, 155 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1P8
Canada

Graduate Faculty

Graduate faculty membership information will be coming soon.

Nursing Science: Nursing Science MN

The Master of Nursing (MN) program prepares advanced nurses with specialized knowledge, skills, and expertise in a defined area of nursing. The program offers three fields: Clinical Nursing; Health Systems Leadership and Administration; and Nurse Practitioner.

Nursing Science: Nursing Science MN; Field: Clinical Nursing

MN Program; Field: Clinical Nursing

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants must have a BScN degree (a BN or BSN or BNSc is considered equivalent) and have obtained at least a mid-B (75% or 3.0 grade point average) standing in the final year of undergraduate study. In addition, applicants must have obtained at least a B standing in their next-to-final year.

  • Applicants must submit official university transcripts; a curriculum vitae; two letters of reference; and a letter of intent outlining goals and expectations that clearly indicate the intended field of study. Candidates must submit proof of current nurse registration, or they must be eligible for registration. For further information about applying, please email connect.nursing@utoronto.ca or visit the website.

Completion Requirements

  • To qualify for the degree, students shall complete a program of study outlined by the Graduate Department of Nursing Science.

  • Coursework. The MN program requires 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 3.0 FCEs:

      • NUR1170H Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing

      • NUR1171H Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing

      • NUR1174H Research Design, Appraisal, and Utilization: Clinical

      • NUR1175H Introduction to Qualitative Research: Methodologies, Appraisal, and Knowledge Translation: Clinical

      • NUR1176H History of Ideas in Nursing Practice: Clinical

      • NUR1177H Program Planning and Evaluation in Nursing: Clinical.

    • A 1.0 FCE practicum-based course (NUR1179Y Advanced Nursing Practice Scholarship: Clinical), which should be taken alone in the final session and only after completion of all other coursework and program requirements.

    • Two elective field of study courses (1.0 FCE). One of these two field of study courses may be selected from outside the Faculty of Nursing.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

Nursing Science: Nursing Science MN; Field: Health Systems Leadership and Administration

MN Program; Field: Health Systems Leadership and Administration

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants must have a BScN degree (a BN or BSN or BNSc is considered equivalent) and have obtained at least a mid-B (75% or 3.0 grade point average) standing in the final year of undergraduate study. In addition, applicants must have obtained at least a B standing in their next-to-final year.

  • Applicants must submit official university transcripts; a curriculum vitae; two letters of reference; and a letter of intent outlining goals and expectations that clearly indicate the intended field of study. Candidates must submit proof of current nurse registration, or they must be eligible for registration.

  • Applicants seeking admission to the Health Systems Leadership and Administration field must also have a minimum of 3,900 hours of Registered Nurse experience (equivalent to two years of full-time experience) by August 15 in order to begin the program in September (clinical placements in the BScN program cannot be counted).

  • For further information about applying, please email connect.nursing@utoronto.ca or visit the Nursing website.

Completion Requirements

  • To qualify for the degree, students shall complete a program of study outlined by the Graduate Department of Nursing Science.

  • Coursework. The MN program requires 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

    • 4.0 FCEs:

      • NUR1016H Health Systems, Policy, and the Profession

      • NUR1027H Integrated Approaches to Research Appraisal and Utilization Part 1

      • NUR1127H Integrated Approaches to Research Appraisal and Utilization Part 2

      • NUR1151H Theories and Concepts in Nursing Leadership and Administration

      • NUR1152H Leading and Managing Effective Health Care Teams

      • NUR1156H History of Ideas in Nursing Practice: Health Systems Leadership and Administration

      • NUR1157H Program Planning and Evaluation in Nursing: Health Systems Leadership and Administration

      • NUR1161H Advanced Concepts in Leadership and Administration

    • A 1.0 FCE practicum-based course (NUR1169Y Advanced Nursing Practice Scholarship: Health Systems Leadership and Administration), which should be taken alone in the final session and only after completion of all other coursework and program requirements.

  • This field of study is offered in a hybrid learning format including online and required on-campus, in-class learning. There are two required on-campus learning periods: one embedded in NUR1151H in Year 1 and the second embedded in NUR1169Y in Year 2. Courses are prescribed and normally students progress through the program within a defined student cohort. Normally, successful completion of Year 1 courses is required for students to enter Year 2 of their program.

  • Year 1 course sequencing:

  • Year 2 course sequencing:

  • *NUR1151H and NUR1169Y both include a required on-campus, in-class learning experience. NUR1152H and NUR1169Y include a required practicum component and required eLearning activities.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

Nursing Science: Nursing Science MN; Field: Nurse Practitioner (Effective Fall 2025)

This field of study is offered in a hybrid learning format including online and required on-campus, in-class learning.

MN Program; Field: Nurse Practitioner

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants must have a BScN degree (a BN or BSN or BNSc is considered equivalent) and have obtained at least a mid-B (75% or 3.0 grade point average) standing in the final year of undergraduate study. In addition, applicants must have obtained at least a B standing in their next-to-final year.

  • Applicants must submit official university transcripts; a curriculum vitae; two letters of reference; and a letter of intent outlining goals and expectations that clearly indicate the intended field of study. Candidates must submit proof of current nurse registration, or they must be eligible for registration.

  • Applicants seeking admission to the Nurse Practitioner field must also have a minimum of 3,900 clinical hours (equivalent to two years of experience) as a Registered Nurse completed by August 15 in order to begin the program in September (clinical placements in the BScN program cannot be counted).

  • For further information about applying, please email connect.nursing@utoronto.ca or visit the Nursing website.

Completion Requirements

  • To qualify for the degree, students shall complete a program of study outlined by the Graduate Department of Nursing Science.

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 5.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • NUR1094H Research Design, Appraisal, and Utilization: Nurse Practitioner

    • NUR1095H Introduction to Qualitative Research: Methodologies, Appraisal, and Knowledge Translation: Nurse Practitioner

    • NUR1097H Program Planning and Evaluation in Nursing: Nurse Practitioner

    • NUR1138H Global Health Topics for Nurse Practitioners

    • NUR1401H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 1

    • NUR1402H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2

    • NUR1403H Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning

    • NUR1404H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 1

    • NUR1405H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 2

    • NUR1406Y Nurse Practitioner Professional Roles, Leadership, and Responsibilities, which must be taken alone in the final session and only after completion of all other coursework and program requirements.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

Nursing Science: Nursing Science MN; Field: Nurse Practitioner (Effective Fall 2026)

This field of study is offered in a hybrid learning format including online and required on-campus, in-class learning.

UTSG cohort = Clinical placements will be located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
SAMIH cohort = Clinical placements will be located at SAMIH (University of Toronto Scarborough) and the eastern GTA.

  1. Prefer the SAMIH cohort, but would accept offer for the UTSG cohort

  2. Prefer the UTSG cohort but would accept offer for the SAMIH cohort

  3. Will only accept an offer for the SAMIH cohort

  4. Will only accept an offer for the UTSG cohort

  5. No preference

If offered admission to the Master of Nursing field in Nurse Practitioner or the Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner diploma program, students will be assigned to either the SAMIH (UTSC) cohort or the UTSG cohort. Students will not be allowed to change cohorts upon admission.

MN Program; Field: Nurse Practitioner

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below.
  • Applicants must have a BScN degree (a BN or BSN or BNSc is considered equivalent) and have obtained at least a mid-B (75% or 3.0 grade point average) standing in the final year of undergraduate study. In addition, applicants must have obtained at least a B standing in their next-to-final year.
  • Applicants must submit official university transcripts; a curriculum vitae; two letters of reference; and a letter of intent outlining goals and expectations that clearly indicate the intended field of study. Candidates must submit proof of current nurse registration, or they must be eligible for registration.
  • Applicants seeking admission to the Nurse Practitioner field must also have a minimum of 3,900 clinical hours (equivalent to two years of experience) as a Registered Nurse completed by August 15 in order to begin the program in September (clinical placements in the BScN program cannot be counted).
  • For further information about applying, please email connect.nursing@utoronto.ca or visit the Nursing website.

Completion Requirements

  • To qualify for the degree, students shall complete a program of study outlined by the Graduate Department of Nursing Science.
  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 5.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
    • NUR1094H Research Design, Appraisal, and Utilization: Nurse Practitioner
    • NUR1095H Introduction to Qualitative Research: Methodologies, Appraisal, and Knowledge Translation: Nurse Practitioner
    • NUR1097H Program Planning and Evaluation in Nursing: Nurse Practitioner
    • NUR1138H Global Health Topics for Nurse Practitioners
    • NUR1401H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 1
    • NUR1402H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2
    • NUR1403H Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning
    • NUR1404H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 1
    • NUR1405H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 2
    • NUR1406Y Nurse Practitioner Professional Roles, Leadership, and Responsibilities, which must be taken alone in the final session and only after completion of all other coursework and program requirements.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time
 

 

Nursing Science: Nursing Science DN

The Doctor of Nursing (DN) is a professional doctoral program designed to prepare nurses with the required skills to apply knowledge in diverse settings and (a) lead in dynamic, fast-paced, technologically advanced and sophisticated health-care environments and (b) teach in nursing education. Students will engage in advanced education related to leadership and knowledge application in health-care or nursing education.

The DN is offered in a hybrid online (required courses) and on-site (required residencies) delivery model. Students will normally complete this full-time program in eight sessions compressed over three years due to cohort-based delivery and extensive use of the Summer sessions.

Doctor of Nursing courses are only open to students who are enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing program.

DN Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants must have a master's degree in nursing or a closely related field, such as education, public health, health science, health policy, or business administration, with a minimum B+ standing from a recognized university.

  • Applicants must hold current registration as a Registered Nurse and must have a minimum of two years of relevant health-care leadership experience or advanced nursing education teaching experience.

  • Applicants must provide three reference letters: two work-related and one academic.

  • Applicants must submit a letter of intent outlining their reasons for applying to the program and a proposed thesis project.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who have graduated from a university where the primary language of instruction and examination is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements. An interview may be required.

Completion Requirements

  • Students must successfully complete a total of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • Coursework (4.0 FCEs):

      • 1.5 required FCEs:

        • NUR1301H Leadership: Health Services and Education

        • NUR1302H Implementation Science: Health Services and Education

        • NUR1303H Health Policy in Nursing Practice and Education

      • 0.5 elective FCE relevant to the student's focus, chosen from:

        • NUR1331H Analysis and Application of Individual and Population Health Data

        • NUR1332H Informatics and Technologies for Practice Advancement

        • NUR1333H Equity and Ethics in Healthcare Leadership

        • NUR1334H Quality Improvement, Safety, and Evaluation Science

        • NUR1335H The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Healthcare Practice and Education

      • 2.0 FCEs in seminar courses:

    • Internships (1.0 FCE):

      • NUR1398H DN Internship 1 normally completed in the Summer session of Year 1.

      • NUR1399H DN Internship 2 normally completed in the Fall session of Year 2.

  • Residencies. Students must complete three residencies consisting of intensive on-campus sessions lasting three to five days each.

  • Literature Review Paper. The literature review paper topic and objectives/questions must be approved by the supervisor (and documented on the DN Student Milestones Tracking Sheet) by November 30 of Year 1.

    • The literature review paper must be submitted by April 30 of Year 1. The submitted literature review paper will be formally reviewed and evaluated by the supervisor and at least one additional thesis committee member. Written and verbal feedback about the submitted literature review paper will be provided to the student at a supervisory committee meeting. For the literature review paper to be considered a pass, both faculty members' assessments of the literature review paper must be at the successful completion or pass level. If both assessments are considered pass, the student will receive a satisfactory rating at their supervisory committee meeting. If one or both paper reviews are rated failure or not pass, then the student receives an unsatisfactory rating at the supervisory committee meeting.

    • If the student does not successfully complete the literature review paper first submitted, the student will have one additional opportunity to revise and rewrite the literature review paper, based on the feedback received at the supervisory committee meeting. The student must resubmit the revised literature review paper by June 30 of Year 1. This revised literature review paper must be formally evaluated by the supervisor and one other thesis committee member (normally the same committee member who completed the assessment of the original literature review paper). The student will receive feedback about the revised literature review paper at a supervisory committee meeting. For the literature review to be considered a pass, both faculty members' assessments of the literature review must be at the pass level. If both assessments are considered pass, the student will receive a satisfactory rating at their supervisory committee meeting. If one or both paper reviews are rated failure or not pass, then the student receives an unsatisfactory rating at the supervisory committee meeting.

    • If the student does not successfully complete the literature review paper on the second attempt, the Faculty of Nursing will normally recommend to SGS that the student's registration in the DN program be terminated.

  • Thesis Proposal. Students are required to successfully defend their thesis proposal. This is normally done by the end of the fifth session (April 30, Year 2). 

    • The thesis requires students to identify and investigate a practice problem, articulate and apply theory and evidence to the problem, design strategies for action to address the problem, report on strategies implemented to address the problem, and discuss the results and knowledge dissemination plan. Assessment of the proposal consists of both the written proposal and the oral defence of the proposal. Students who do not successfully defend the proposal after the first attempt may have one additional opportunity to successfully present and defend the written proposal.

    • If the student does not successfully defend the thesis proposal by April 30 in Year 2 (including a second attempt, if required), Bloomberg Nursing will normally recommend to SGS that the student's registration in the DN program be terminated.

  • Doctoral Final Oral Examination (FOE). The student's thesis will be defended in the FOE of the School of Graduate Studies. Students must complete an FOE of the thesis by the end of the final session in Year 3. The FOE will be conducted in accordance with the SGS Final Oral Examination Guidelines.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Program Length: 4 years full-time
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

Nursing Science: Nursing Science PhD

The full-time PhD program prepares scientists with the required analytical and research skills to study nursing, health systems, or other related problems.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree; or 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MN program.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below. Applicants must have a master's degree or its equivalent in nursing or related field with at least a B+ standing from a recognized university.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

  • For further information about admissions, please contact the Graduate Department of Nursing Science.

Completion Requirements

Courses

Successful completion of all required courses by the end of Year 2 in the program.

  • Students must successfully complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that include:

    • PhD Seminar (1.0 FCE):

      • NUR1081H. Students attend the seminar biweekly for the Fall and Winter of Year 1.

      • NUR1082H. Students attend the seminar weekly for the Fall of Year 2.

    • Research methods course NUR1079Y Research Methods for Knowledge Discovery

    • one course (0.5 FCE) related to the substantive area of study and thesis plans

    • one course (0.5 FCE) may be either a method or substantive area course as determined by the student and the supervisory committee.

  • Students must attain a minimum average standing at the B+ level for required courses.

  • Students are normally expected to complete all required courses (3.0 FCEs) by the end of Year 2. If all required courses are not successfully completed (with a minimum average standing at the B+ level) by the end of Year 3, the Faculty of Nursing will normally make a recommendation to SGS for termination of registration.

Literature Review Paper

Successful completion of the literature review paper.

  • The literature review paper topic as well as type and format of the literature review paper must be approved by the supervisor (and documented on the PhD Student Milestones Tracking Sheet) by March 1 of Year 1.

  • The literature review paper must be submitted by September 30 of Year 2. The submitted literature review paper will be formally reviewed and evaluated by the supervisor and at least one additional thesis committee member. Written and verbal feedback about the submitted literature review paper will be provided to the student at a supervisory committee meeting. For the literature review paper to be considered a pass, both faculty members' assessments of the literature review paper must be at the successful completion or pass level. If both assessments are considered pass, the student will receive a satisfactory rating at their supervisory committee meeting. If one or both paper reviews are rated failure or not pass, then the student receives an unsatisfactory rating at the supervisory committee meeting.

  • If the student does not successfully complete the literature review paper first submitted, the student will have one additional opportunity to revise and rewrite the literature review paper, based on the feedback received at the supervisory committee meeting. The student must resubmit the revised literature review paper by December 1 of Year 2. This revised literature review paper must be formally evaluated by the supervisor and one other thesis committee member (normally the same committee member who completed the assessment of the original literature review paper). The student will receive feedback about the revised literature review paper at a supervisory committee meeting. For the literature review to be considered a pass, both faculty members' assessments of the literature review must be at the pass level. If both assessments are considered pass, the student will receive a satisfactory rating at their supervisory committee meeting. If one or both paper reviews are rated failure or not pass, then the student receives an unsatisfactory rating at the supervisory committee meeting.

  • If the student does not successfully complete the literature review paper on the second attempt, the Faculty of Nursing will normally recommend to SGS that the student's registration in the PhD program be terminated.

Thesis Proposal

Successful defence of the thesis proposal, normally by the end of Year 2.

  • Students are normally expected to defend their thesis proposal by the end of Year 2 of their program. Students must successfully defend their thesis proposal no later than the end of Year 3. The format of the proposal will be similar to that of a modified tri-council grant application. Assessment of the thesis proposal consists of both the written proposal and the oral defence of the proposal. Students who do not successfully defend the proposal after the first attempt may have one additional opportunity to successfully present and defend the written proposal, and this must be accomplished before the end of Year 3 of the program.

  • If the student does not successfully defend the thesis proposal by the end of Year 3 (including a second attempt, if required), the Faculty of Nursing will recommend to SGS that the student's registration in the PhD program be terminated.

  • The student's dissertation will be defended in the Doctoral Final Oral Examination of the School of Graduate Studies.

Doctoral Final Oral Examination (FOE). Students must complete an FOE of the thesis by the end of the final session in Year 4. The FOE will be conducted in accordance with the SGS Final Oral Examination Guidelines.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below. Applicants must have a master's degree or its equivalent in nursing or related field with at least a B+ standing from a recognized university.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

  • For further information about admissions, please contact the Graduate Department of Nursing Science.

Completion Requirements

Courses

Successful completion of all required courses by the end of Year 2 in the program.

  • Students must successfully complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that include:

    • PhD Seminar (1.0 FCE):

      • NUR1081H. Students attend the seminar biweekly for the Fall and Winter of Year 1.

      • NUR1082H. Students attend the seminar weekly for the Fall of Year 2.

    • Research methods course NUR1079Y Research Methods for Knowledge Discovery

    • one course (0.5 FCE) related to the substantive area of study and thesis plans

    • one course (0.5 FCE) may be either a method or substantive area course as determined by the student and the supervisory committee.

  • Students must attain a minimum average standing at the B+ level for required courses.

  • Students are normally expected to complete all required courses (3.0 FCEs) by the end of Year 2. If all required courses are not successfully completed (with a minimum average standing at the B+ level) by the end of Year 3, the Faculty of Nursing will normally make a recommendation to SGS for termination of registration.

Literature Review Paper

Successful completion of the literature review paper.

  • The literature review paper topic as well as type and format of the literature review paper must be approved by the supervisor (and documented on the PhD Student Milestones Tracking Sheet) by March 1 of Year 1.

  • The literature review paper must be submitted by September 30 of Year 2. The submitted literature review paper will be formally reviewed and evaluated by the supervisor and at least one additional thesis committee member. Written and verbal feedback about the submitted literature review paper will be provided to the student at a supervisory committee meeting. For the literature review paper to be considered a pass, both faculty members' assessments of the literature review paper must be at the successful completion or pass level. If both assessments are considered pass, the student will receive a satisfactory rating at their supervisory committee meeting. If one or both paper reviews are rated failure or not pass, then the student receives an unsatisfactory rating at the supervisory committee meeting.

  • If the student does not successfully complete the literature review paper first submitted, the student will have one additional opportunity to revise and rewrite the literature review paper, based on the feedback received at the supervisory committee meeting. The student must resubmit the revised literature review paper by December 1 of Year 2. This revised literature review paper must be formally evaluated by the supervisor and one other thesis committee member (normally the same committee member who completed the assessment of the original literature review paper). The student will receive feedback about the revised literature review paper at a supervisory committee meeting. For the literature review to be considered a pass, both faculty members' assessments of the literature review must be at the pass level. If both assessments are considered pass, the student will receive a satisfactory rating at their supervisory committee meeting. If one or both paper reviews are rated failure or not pass, then the student receives an unsatisfactory rating at the supervisory committee meeting.

  • If the student does not successfully complete the literature review paper on the second attempt, the Faculty of Nursing will normally recommend to SGS that the student's registration in the PhD program be terminated.

Thesis Proposal

Successful defence of the thesis proposal, normally by the end of Year 3.

  • Students are normally expected to defend their thesis proposal by the end of Year 3 of their program. Students must successfully defend their thesis proposal no later than the end of Year 4. The format of the proposal will be similar to that of a modified tri-council grant application. Assessment of the thesis proposal consists of both the written proposal and the oral defence of the proposal. Students who do not successfully defend the proposal after the first attempt may have one additional opportunity to successfully present and defend the written proposal, and this must be accomplished before the end of Year 4 of the program.

  • If the student does not successfully defend the thesis proposal by the end of Year 4 (including a second attempt, if required), the Faculty of Nursing will recommend to SGS that the student's registration in the PhD program be terminated.

  • The student's dissertation will be defended in the Doctoral Final Oral Examination of the School of Graduate Studies.

Doctoral Final Oral Examination (FOE). Students must complete an FOE of the thesis by the end of the final session in Year 5. The FOE will be conducted in accordance with the SGS Final Oral Examination Guidelines.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

Nursing Science: Nursing Science PMNP Diploma (Effective Fall 2025)

The Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner (PMNP) Diploma provides students holding an appropriate graduate degree the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to practise as a nurse practitioner.

PMNP Diploma Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants to the Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner (PMNP) diploma program must have completed a master's degree in nursing or an equivalent graduate degree that includes clinical nursing experience and a minimum of two years of clinical nursing experience.

  • Preference is given to applicants who have one or more years in an advanced nursing practice role (in addition to clinical experience) and support within their employment setting.

  • Applicants seeking admission to the Nurse Practitioner field must also have worked a minimum of 3,900 clinical hours as a Registered Nurse (RN), equivalent to two years experience (placements as part of their BScN and MN degrees do not count).

  • Applicants must hold current registration as an RN or equivalent.

Completion Requirements

  • All students in the PMNP diploma program are required to complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • NUR1401H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 1

    • NUR1402H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2

    • NUR1403H Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning

    • NUR1404H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 1

    • NUR1405H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 2

    • NUR1406Y Nurse Practitioner Professional Roles, Leadership, and Responsibilities, which must be taken alone in the final session and only after completion of all other coursework and program requirements.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 6 years part-time

 

Nursing Science: Nursing Science PMNP Diploma (Effective Fall 2026)

The Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner (PMNP) Diploma provides students holding an appropriate graduate degree the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to practise as a nurse practitioner.

Upon application, students will indicate their preference for the location of their practicum placements based on the following five options.

UTSG cohort = Clinical placements will be located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
SAMIH cohort = Clinical placements will be located at SAMIH (University of Toronto Scarborough) and the eastern GTA.

  1. Prefer the SAMIH cohort, but would accept offer for the UTSG cohort

  2. Prefer the UTSG cohort but would accept offer for the SAMIH cohort

  3. Will only accept an offer for the SAMIH cohort

  4. Will only accept an offer for the UTSG cohort

  5. No preference

If offered admission to the Master of Nursing field in Nurse Practitioner or the Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner diploma program, students will be assigned to either the SAMIH (UTSC) cohort or the UTSG cohort. Students will not be allowed to change cohorts upon admission.

PMNP Diploma Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Nursing Science's additional admission requirements stated below.
  • Applicants to the Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner (PMNP) diploma program must have completed a master's degree in nursing or an equivalent graduate degree that includes clinical nursing experience and a minimum of two years of clinical nursing experience.
  • Preference is given to applicants who have one or more years in an advanced nursing practice role (in addition to clinical experience) and support within their employment setting.
  • Applicants seeking admission to the Nurse Practitioner field must also have worked a minimum of 3,900 clinical hours as a Registered Nurse (RN), equivalent to two years experience (placements as part of their BScN and MN degrees do not count).
  • Applicants must hold current registration as an RN or equivalent.

Completion Requirements

  • All students in the PMNP diploma program are required to complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
    • NUR1401H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 1
    • NUR1402H Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2
    • NUR1403H Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning
    • NUR1404H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 1
    • NUR1405H Advanced Health Assessment and Therapeutic Management 2
    • NUR1406Y Nurse Practitioner Professional Roles, Leadership, and Responsibilities, which must be taken alone in the final session and only after completion of all other coursework and program requirements.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 6 years part-time