| DNP | PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Objectives | Prepares nurses leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice. | Prepares nurses to conduct research that advances nursing science and become scientific leaders. |
| Point of Entry | BSN or MSN | BSN or MSN |
| Program Coursework | – Clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice and quality improvement – Organizational and systems leadership – Health care policy & advocacy – Interprofessional collaboration – Population health – Informational systems/technology – Advanced nursing practice | – Philosophical and theoretical foundations of scientific inquiry – Knowledge synthesis – Scientific methods and data analytic tools – Interdisciplinary depth in a selected area of study |
| Practice Hours | 1000 practice hours that include advanced practice clinical hours and a minimum of 400 DNP project hours | Direct immersion in research practices (required practica); variable hours |
| Scholarly Project | DNP Project: Evidence-based project to improve practice and healthcare outcomes | Dissertation: Original research that contributes to the science of nursing |
| Post-Graduation Employment | – Advanced nursing practice roles – Academic clinical faculty – Leadership in healthcare organizations, industries and policy arenas | – Researcher in healthcare organization – Academic research faculty – Leadership in academic and government agencies |