Nursing DNS to PhD Conversion

UCSF offered the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) degree to students admitted between 1969 and 1997. In 2012, an Academic Senate committee approved a request from School of Nursing Dean David Vlahov to change the DNS degree retroactively to a Ph.D. in Nursing. Degrees will be converted only when alumni who hold a DNS degree request conversion.

The Office of the Registrar will coordinate this process for alumni who request conversion. The following guidelines apply.

  1. Alumni must submit the Petition to Convert DNS Degree to Ph.D. in Nursing to the Office of the Registrar.
  2. Alumni who have a DNS diploma must return the old diploma to the Office of the Registrar.
  3. Alumni who wish to receive a diploma reflecting their Ph.D. in Nursing must pay a $50 fee to reissue a diploma.
  4. If opting to receive a new diploma by mail, the fee is $20.
  5. Alumni who wish to change their name in their academic record and on their diploma must pay $15 for a name change.
  6. Transcripts reflecting the new degree will be available at standard fees for transcript services.

If you submit an order for a new diploma, please allow six weeks for processing and delivery.