Become a Nurse Researcher at our hybrid, part-time program.

Apply Today

Doctor of Philosophy

Earn your PhD

The PhD program at The University of New Mexico College of Nursing develops exceptional nurse scientists, equipping them with the skills to address the wide-range of nursing challenges facing policymakers and health care providers.

Our students participate in cutting-edge research to address real-life health issues, health needs and concerns. Their research directly improves the health of individuals and communities – locally, nationally, and internationally. Our graduates advance the science of nursing.

Research Areas

Explore your interests at the UNM College of Nursing.

Bio-behavioral Health
Disaster and Public Health Emergencies
eHealth
Genomics
Health Services
Military and Veteran Health
Oncology and Toxicology
Policy Research
Rural Health and Health Equity
Self-Management and Patient Adherence

Explore Faculty Research

Improving Access to Education

The PhD Program serves a broad student population – those living in rural and underserved communities across the United States and internationally – because our program is administered primarily online. Many of these students would not otherwise have access to a doctoral program in nursing.

Our students and graduates generate new knowledge that impacts health, health policy and advances nursing science on a broad scale.

Why a PhD at UNM?

Primarily online.

Concentrations in Health Policy and Health Equity and Preparedness.

We are part of a large Health Sciences system.

Scholarship and grant dollars are available.

Faculty leading the field in research and practice.

Application Deadline

Application Opens: August 15

Priority Deadline: January 1

Final Deadline: April 1

Admissions considers all verified applications received by the deadline.

Apply Now

Explore Your PhD at UNM

Your future is here in New Mexico. Your next step is UNM. Our innovative program prepares you to make a difference. Learn more about our PhD program and why you should choose UNM.

Your Career as a Nurse Scientist

Graduates of this program are prepared to serve in:

Colleges and Universities

Health and Public Health Systems

Health Policy and Health Equity and Preparedness at National, State or Local Levels

Research Facilities

Our doctoral graduates are nurse scientists, nurse policymakers and lead nursing organizations.

Each of Us Defines All of Us

At UNM we are a culture of contrast rather than a contrast of cultures. What makes us different makes us strong. Our diverse backgrounds – your diverse backgrounds – enhances our insights and learning. Raise awareness and respect for all the different ways of being and thinking.

Diversity at UNM

Meet Our Research Faculty

Mary Pat Couig, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Associate Professor

Dr. Couig has expertise in public health emergency preparedness, health & public health policy and registered nurse transition-to-practice residency programs. She is currently collaborating with VEMEC on a research study of nurses who have cared for patients with COVID-19.

Barbara Damron, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN

Professor

Dr. Damron's current research focuses on higher education policy. She has had over 20 years of clinical experience as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist and as a hospital executive.

Elizabeth Dickson, PhD, RN

Assistant Professor

Dr. Dickson’s interests include a broad public health and health policy umbrella inclusive of maternal/child health, communicable disease, sexual and reproductive health, adolescent health, diabetes education/prevention, and population health of Native American and Spanish-speaking immigrant communities.

Stephen Hernandez, PhD, RN

Associate Professor

Dr. Hernandez’s research has primarily focused on military service members. He has examined perceptions of stigma and barriers to accessing mental health services, as well as resilience and stress.

Katie Kivlighan , PhD, MS, RN, CNM

Assistant Professor

Dr. Kivlighan is interested in how clinical and physiological processes around the time of childbirth can influence lactation initiation and duration. She is also interested the physiological processes underlying the many observed health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child.

Roberta P. Lavin, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN

Professor

Dr. Lavin’s current research focuses on addressing critical topics in disaster, human services and public health emergency preparedness, with focuses on implications for policy related to the profession of nursing and treatment of chronic conditions during disaster.

Jongwon Lee, PhD, RN

Associate Professor

Dr. Lee focuses her research on Asian American women's health and prevention-seeking behaviors. She is particularly interested in research aimed to reduce disparities in breast and cervical cancer among Korean and/or Vietnamese American women.

Sharon Ruyak, PhD, CNM

Associate Professor

Dr. Ruyak’s research focuses on the biobehavioral mechanisms of adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes, especially in disadvantaged populations including mothers and infants affected by substance use disorders.

Elizabeth Tigges, PhD, RN, PNP-BC

Professor

Dr. Tigges has research interests in mentoring interventions; Measurement: institutional mentoring climate, collaborations and community engagement; Evaluation of research centers; Recruitment strategies for community based studies; Adolescent sexual risk behaviors and psychosocial determinants of health behavior.

Xiaozhong Yu, MD, PhD, MPH

Professor

Dr. Yu has a multidisciplinary academic background in Public Health and Toxicology, specifically in Environmental and Occupational Health sciences. His area of expertise focuses on developing advanced biomedical technologies.

Katherine Zychowski, PhD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Zychowski is currently a part of a larger cohort of scholars at UNM working on various aspects of health detriments caused by legacy uranium mining in Native American communities. She is passionate about public health research that impacts underserved populations.

Currently Viewing

Mary Pat Couig, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Currently Viewing

Barbara Damron, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN

Currently Viewing

Elizabeth Dickson, PhD, RN

Currently Viewing

Stephen Hernandez, PhD, RN

Currently Viewing

Katie Kivlighan , PhD, MS, RN, CNM

Currently Viewing

Roberta P. Lavin, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN

Currently Viewing

Jongwon Lee, PhD, RN

Currently Viewing

Sharon Ruyak, PhD, CNM

Currently Viewing

Elizabeth Tigges, PhD, RN, PNP-BC

Currently Viewing

Xiaozhong Yu, MD, PhD, MPH

Currently Viewing

Katherine Zychowski, PhD

No. 1 Nursing School in New Mexico
100% Online
R1 Research Institution

Research & Scholarship

UNM is the only Carnegie R1 research university in New Mexico. Research opportunities abound! Whether you are an undergraduate student or a graduate student, there is an opportunity for you.

Learn about our research efforts.

Nursing Research & Scholarship

PhD Program Contact

Admissions & Recruitment Office

College of Nursing
Building 235,
Room 255
505-272-4721

HSC-CON-Admissions@salud.unm.edu

PhD Program Director and Associate Professor
Stephen Hernandez, PhD, RN

Doctor of Philosophy

Earn your PhD

Research Areas

Improving Access to Education

Why a PhD at UNM?

Application Deadline

Explore Your PhD at UNM

Your Career as a Nurse Scientist

Each of Us Defines All of Us

Meet Our Research Faculty

Associate Professor

Professor

Assistant Professor

Associate Professor

Assistant Professor

Professor

Associate Professor

Associate Professor

Professor

Professor

Assistant Professor

Research & Scholarship

Learn about our research efforts.

PhD Program Contact

Attend an Information Session with Admissions.