Considering a Doctoral Degree in Nursing?
The UNC School of Nursing offers two distinct doctoral pathways—the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)—each designed to prepare nurses for different advanced roles and career goals. While both programs represent the highest level of nursing education, they differ in focus, skill development, and career outcomes.
- The DNP is a practice-focused degree that prepares nurses to translate research into clinical practice, improve health outcomes, and lead evidence-based initiatives in healthcare settings.
- The PhD is a research-focused degree that prepares scientists to generate new knowledge through original research and advance the science of nursing.
The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of the two programs to help you determine which path best aligns with your professional interests and career aspirations.
| 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 |