Top PhD Programs in Tennessee
Research doctorates in nursing science.
7 schools in Tennessee reported PhD-level nursing awards to IPEDS or have a verified PhD program profile; 2 programs have a verified profile. PhD in Nursing in all states
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory / official school websites
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Verified program profiles (2)
Individual programs whose details we verified on the school's own website, each fact with a source.
| Program | School | Award / pathway | Format | Tuition (basis) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing | East Tennessee State University | PhD | Hybrid | Not published |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing | University of Memphis | PhD | Hybrid, Online coursework | Not published |
Schools (7)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | Public | BSN, ABSN, LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Grad Cert-PMHNP, DNP-AGPCNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-Leadership, DNP-PMHNP, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, TN | Private nonprofit | ADN, BSN, MSN-CRNA, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, PhD | ACEN |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center | Memphis, TN | Public | BSN, Grad Cert, Post-Master's-PMHNP, Post-Master's-WHNP, PhD | CCNE |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Public | BSN, Grad Cert-FNP, Grad Cert-PMHNP, PhD | CCNE |
| Union University | Jackson, TN | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, PhD, PhD-CRNA, PhD-FNP | CCNE |
| University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | Public | BSN, ABSN, RN-BSN, MSN, MSN-AGACNP, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, RN-MSN, Grad Cert-FNP, PhD | CCNE |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | Private nonprofit | MSN, MSN-CNM, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, MSN-WHNP, Post-Master's, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP, PhD | CCNE |