Predoctoral Fellowship Training Program

The Predoctoral Fellowship Program provides advanced training in outcomes research to nurses enrolled in a qualifying doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania.

CHOPR Predoctoral Fellow, Maura Dougherty, successfully defended her dissertation on July 12, 2023.

The CHOPR Predoctoral Fellowship is intended for U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents only.

The program places a high priority on having diversity in background.

Admission Prerequisites

Fellows are selected from among those admitted to the Penn Nursing PhD Program through its centralized application process.
How to start an application.
Our funding for fellows is from the National Institutes of Nursing Research and thus only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible. Funding includes support of tuition and fees, limited research and travel expenses, and health insurance.
Our program requires full time, on site study, and completion of the PhD in three years whether from the starting point of the BSN or MSN. We encourage applications from BSNs who will proceed seamlessly through PhD.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited nursing program with an average at the Master’s level of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Recommendations from at least three individuals who have known the applicant in a professional capacity that address the applicant’s research potential
An essay written by the applicant discussing her/his motivation for doctoral study. The essay should also address the applicant’s career goals, research interests, strengths, and views concerning major issues in contemporary health care. It should reflect an understanding of professional issues and insights related to their resolution.

Candidates will be competitively evaluated based on the criteria outlined below.

Match with the overall goals and objectives of the training grant and affiliated Center.
Match with the T32 and Center-affiliated Faculty Advisor.
Pursue the scholarly potential for nursing science inquiry that has a high impact.
Have a strong commitment to a research career in a research intensive environment.

Helpful Links

Sample Plan of Study
The graduate program of study in health outcomes research encourages students to take advanced courses in quantitative methods and to take electives from as many of the University of Pennsylvania’s prominent scholars in health and social policy as possible.
Course Timetable
Penn Nursing MSN-PhD Admissions
Penn Nursing PhD

Testimonials

“The opportunity to train with leaders in this field has opened doors for me and has demonstrated to me how impactful a nursing research agenda can be to improving patient care and outcomes” Deena Kelly Costa, PhD, RN, FAAN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Michigan

Lusine Poghosyan, RN, MPH, PhD, FAAN, Associate Professor of Nursing, Columbia University “It literally changed my life on many fronts, providing me with support and mentorship ‘to grow up’ as a researcher, and so much more.” Lusine Poghosyan, PhD, RN, FAAN, Associate Professor of Nursing, Columbia University School of Nursing.

Lisa Quinn, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions “Dr. Aiken’s leadership and legacy of research has shown that nurses are important and are vital to improving healthcare delivery in America and around the world.” Lisa Quinn, PhD, RN, AOCN, Assistant Professor, MGH Institute of Health Professions

Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research

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