How do I decide which program is right for me, the DNP or the PhD?

The decision to pursue your doctoral education is a highly individualized one. The DNP program focuses on practice, teaching students how to consume and translate research. Students in the DNP program are fundamentally involved in clinical applications for research. The PhD program focuses on research, teaching students how to conduct research and create new knowledge. Students in the PhD program are fundamentally involved in the generation of new knowledge, which may or may not involve clinical course work.Consider the kinds of roles in which you currently thrive, as well as roles you believe will sustain and stimulate you in your future career. You may apply for the DNP and PhD programs simultaneously.

What are the differences between DNP and PhD course work?

The DNP program requires a total minimum of 90 credits: 45 credits of Advanced Practice, 15 credits of Leadership, and 30 credits of Practice Inquiry course work. The PhD Program requires a total minimum of 93 credits: 43 credits of Theory and Domain of Knowledge, and 50 credits of Scholarly Inquiry course work.

What kinds of faculty roles will I be eligible upon completion of my doctoral program?

While roles for DNP-prepared graduates are as yet undefined due to the youth of DNP programs across the nation, it is anticipated that DNP-prepared faculty members will teach in DNP programs of the future as well as lead major health care initiatives embedded in evidence-based practice in a variety of clinical settings. PhD-prepared graduates are often hired into positions as tenure-track faculty members in Research-1 university settings as well as in other university and clinical teaching environments, depending on their interests and skill sets.

What if I apply and enroll into one doctoral program, but then find that the other program is a better fit?

It is the aim of the School of Nursing to facilitate students in reaching their highest educational goals. Should your goals shift or become more clearly identified during the process of your doctoral education, a faculty mentor will work with you to promote achievement of your goals, whether through your current program of study or via application to a different degree program.

Can I start in the DNP and then continue on to complete a PhD?

No. The DNP program is not a pre-PhD program, but rather a doctoral program in and of itself. You may apply to transfer from one doctoral program to the other, with the understanding that you must complete all requirements for the degree program from which you plan to graduate.

If I earn a DNP, can I still earn a PhD? If I earn a PhD, can I still earn a DNP?

Yes. You would need to submit a separate application for each program and complete each program's requirements for graduation, including a capstone project for the DNP and a dissertation for the PhD.