Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Program: Early Assurance - Admissions

The Early Assurance PhD in Nursing Program enables students to start their PhD studies while gaining RN work experience. Undergraduate students from UB and other accredited nursing schools can apply after the fall semester of their senior year. Accepted applicants must complete their BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN and then enter the PhD program on a part-time basis the following fall. Participants in the Early Assurance Program are eligible for scholarships and federal traineeship awards.

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Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA

Applicants must have progressed to the final semester of undergraduate study in nursing and achieved a minimum nursing GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Minimum GPAs are strictly enforced in the application review; no rounding and no exceptions.

Program

Applicants must be enrolled in the final semester of a nursing BSN program.

Progression

  • Applicants must have completed at least 100 credit hours of undergraduate study prior to application to the program.
  • Students must work full time as a registered nurse starting in their fall semester after graduation.

Application Process

In order to be considered for fall or summer admission all of the following must be uploaded by the application deadline:

  • Completed graduate application with $75 fee (current UB students should contact the School of Nursing's Office of Student Services prior to paying their application fee).
  • Copies of transcripts from all colleges or universities attended by the applicant. Transcript must include final fall grades. 
  • Personal statement.
  • Resume.
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation.
Admissions Interviews

Qualified applicants being considered for PhD acceptance through the Early Assurance Program may be invited for an admissions interview with School of Nursing faculty.

Transcript Information

All application materials are submitted online through the application portal, except for official transcripts. Please do not upload any screenshots of transcripts.

Select the correct institution

Ensure that your transcripts are sent to SUNY University at Buffalo, not to SUNY Buffalo State University.

Please have official transcripts mailed to:

UB School of Nursing
Beck Hall-Graduate Admissions
3435 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14214

Electronic transcripts can be:

  • Emailed to nursing@buffalo.edu.
  • Uploaded via Parchment using the "University at Buffalo" option. 
  • Uploaded via National Student Clearinghouse using code: 002837. 

Application Deadlines

Application Dates by Program
Program Term Open Close
PMH Advanced Certificate
Spring 2025 07/15/2024
10/15/2024
Post-MS DNP (all)
Spring 2025
09/2/2024
01/02/2025
Post-BS DNP CRNA
Summer 2025
07/15/2024
09/05/2024
Post-BS DNP (AGNP, FNP, PMHNP)
Summer 2025
12/16/2024
04/01/2025
PhD (Traditional and Early Assurance)
Fall 2025
12/16/2024
04/01/2025
DNP Early Assurance
Fall 2025
12/16/2024
04/16/2025
Post-BS DNP (AGNP, FNP, PMHNP)
Fall 2025
12/16/2024
6/16/2025
Post-MS DNP (all)
Fall 2025
01/16/2025
6/16/2025

All documents must be received by the deadline.  

Applicants not accepted through the Early Assurance Program will not be precluded from applying to the School of Nursing through the standard application process, nor will it disadvantage the candidate in any way.