Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Ph.D. or DNP: Which Nursing Doctorate Is Right for You?

Which doctoral degree you choose depends on your area of interest (nursing science or advanced clinical practice), your overall career goals (practice, education, research) and your prior nursing experience. At Â鶹ÊÓƵ we offer both doctoral programs that can help you advance to the next level of your career.

To help you choose your doctorate, here is a comparison between Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Ph.D. in Nursing and DNP programs:

Comparison between the Ph.D. and DNP programs

 

Ph.D.

DNP

Curriculum

Research-focused - prepares you to develop and advance nursing science using established and emerging methods to advance health, health care, and the profession of nursing, and to assume leadership roles in the profession.

Practice-focused - provide expert, evidence-based advanced nursing care, lead and evaluate programs of care, and synthesize and translate evidence to improve healthcare outcomes.

Role in Nursing

Knowledge generation, dissemination, and stewardship; leadership in healthcare and educational environments.

Expert clinical practice, research translation to enhance patient and system outcomes, leadership in clinical and administrative environments.

Scheduling

Courses offered using traditional scheduling delivery methods.

Post-BSN: Courses offered using both traditional and alternative scheduling delivery methods
Post-MSN: 100% online

Minimum Degree(s) Required for Admission

Bachelor's degree in Nursing & an RN.

BSN -or- MSN 

Full and Part-time Study Options?

Yes

Yes

Dissertation or Scholarly Project Required?

Yes: Dissertation

Yes: Scholarly Project

Minimum Semesters of Full-Time Study

Post -BSN: 10 semesters, including summer
Post -MSN: 6 semesters, including summer

Post-BSN: 11 semesters, including summer
Post-MSN: 5 semesters, including summer

Practicum/Clinical Requirement

Yes

Post-BSN: 1,050-1,200 hours
Post-MSN: Minimum of 525 hours

Career Opportunities

  • Nurse scientist for a healthcare organization.
  • Faculty position at a university or college
  • Leadership position in healthcare organizations, higher education, government, or public policy groups.
  • Advanced practice nurse in a variety of clinical settings
  • Clinical faculty position at a university or college
  • Leadership position in healthcare organizations, higher education, government, or public policy groups.

Still not sure which degree is right for you? Contact us by completing the form at the left and an enrollment advisor will assist you.