Bowie State University has reached a major milestone by launching the first Ph.D. in Nursing Education at a historically Black college or university (HBCU). The new doctoral program will welcome its first group of students in fall 2026. It is also the first Ph.D. in Nursing Education offered in the state of Maryland.
The launch comes at a time when the United States faces a growing shortage of nurses and nursing educators. Bowie State leaders believe the program will help prepare more educators, researchers, and healthcare leaders while creating new opportunities for experienced nurses to shape the future of the profession.
Bowie State’s Nursing Education Program Opens New Doors for Black Nurse Leaders
The new doctoral program represents a major step forward for nursing education at HBCUs. University President Dr. Aminta H. Breaux described the launch as an important moment for both Bowie State and the nursing profession.
“This marks a pivotal moment for Bowie State University and for nursing education nationwide,” Dr. Breaux said. “The curriculum reflects our commitment to innovation, academic excellence and service.”
The program is designed for experienced nurses who want to move into higher education, leadership, and research. Students will complete advanced coursework, original research, dissertation studies, and receive personalized mentorship throughout their studies. Graduates will be prepared to educate future nurses while advancing healthcare research and solving complex healthcare challenges.
Nursing Faculty Shortage Creates Urgent Need for More Educators
The new degree arrives as the healthcare industry struggles with a serious shortage of both nurses and nursing faculty. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the United States could face a shortage of more than 63,700 full-time registered nurses by 2030.
However, producing more nurses requires enough qualified instructors. That remains a major challenge across the country. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported that nearly 93,000 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing programs in 2025. Schools cited faculty shortages, limited classroom space, a lack of clinical sites, and budget constraints as the main reasons.
Because of these challenges, lawmakers introduced the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026. The proposed legislation aims to provide financial support for new and early-career nursing faculty. Meanwhile, Maryland has also introduced tax incentives for healthcare professionals working in shortage areas.
Dr. Breaux believes Bowie State’s new doctoral program will directly support these national efforts.
“By expanding opportunities for advanced nursing scholarship and educator preparation, Bowie State is helping to strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve health outcomes for generations to come,” she said.
Bowie State Continues to Build an Award-Winning Nursing Program
The doctoral program follows several recent achievements for Bowie State’s nursing department. The university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program recorded a perfect first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in December 2025.
All 14 graduates passed the licensing exam on their first attempt. Those results placed Bowie State among Maryland’s top-performing nursing schools and demonstrated the strength of its nursing education programs.
The university has also invested heavily in expanding its nursing capacity. Recently, Bowie State secured more than $2.3 million in competitive state grants. The funding will support simulation training, faculty development, nursing research, student success initiatives, and increased enrollment.
These investments are expected to strengthen Maryland’s nursing workforce while improving healthcare education across the state.
Nursing Department Leaders Celebrate Years of Planning
For Dr. Monique Alston, chair of Bowie State’s Department of Nursing, launching the doctoral program fulfills a long-term vision for the university.
“This is truly a transformative achievement,” Dr. Alston said. “This accomplishment not only elevates our department and university but also positions us to shape nursing education across Maryland and beyond. Preparing the next generation of nursing leaders is both a responsibility and a privilege.”
University leaders believe the program will help diversify nursing education while creating more opportunities for Black nurses to lead in classrooms, research institutions, hospitals, and healthcare organizations.
Applications are already open for the inaugural fall 2026 class. As the first HBCU to offer a Ph.D. in Nursing Education, Bowie State hopes to inspire more institutions to invest in advanced nursing education and strengthen the healthcare workforce for future generations.
