Dual DNP-PhD

Preparing Clinician-Scientists

The dual DNP-PhD program prepares students for a dual role in research and advanced clinical practice in primary care. Students gain an essential skillset for conducting research and will be fully prepared to take the national board certification examination in their primary care specialty track upon graduation.

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Dual DNP-PhD Overview

The dual DNP-PhD in Nursing program admits students with an earned bachelor’s degree in nursing (BS) and requires full-time (nine credit hours minimum per term) enrollment for five years. Students can choose their specialty track for advanced practice from three primary care areas:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Additional Information

Admissions

Dual DNP-PhD program applicants are required to complete separate applications for both the DNP and the PhD programs. Applications are reviewed by DNP specialty track faculty and PhD program faculty. Applicants must be accepted by both programs to enroll as a dual DNP-PhD student.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on December 1 to begin study the following fall. Incomplete and late applications will not be reviewed.

Join us at an information session in the fall to learn more about the dual DNP-PhD program. Dates and details will be posted at https://nursing.utah.edu/information.

What is the Difference between a DNP and PhD?

ACADEMIC PROGRAM	DNP	PHD
FOCUS	Nursing practice	Nursing research
DEGREE OBJECTIVE	Prepare the highest level of nursing practice scholars for clinical, administrative, and academic career; terminal degree in practice	Prepare scholars for research and academic careers in public or private sectors of healthcare; terminal degree in research
CAREERS	High-level advanced leadership/practitioner within health care system, quality improvement management, health care informatics, clinical educator or professor, policymaker	Nurse researcher, nurse scientist, policymaker, academic professor, educator for health care facility, author
CURRICULUM	Coursework will focus on research and analytical methods, theory, and nursing science. Most programs allow student to specialize in research interests that will directly relate to their careers—this research will culminate in a dissertation.	Coursework will focus on a combination of health care policy and advocacy, information systems and technology, health care quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and organizational/systems leadership.