DNP and PhD Dual Degree
The Doctor of Nursing Practice – Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science Program (DNP/PhD) dual degree provides exceptional and highly motivated and highly qualified students with an integrated advanced clinical and research program of study leading to both the DNP and PhD degrees. This innovative program combines the existing DNP and PhD in Nursing Science programs, which are based in the College of Nursing and College of Graduate Health Sciences, respectively. Students who are accepted into the program focus on a clinical option in the DNP and a clinical research area in the PhD in Nursing Science program. The two doctoral programs have distinct goals, curricula, and outcomes. The DNP program prepares nurses for the highest levels of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) practice and is the terminal practice degree. In contrast, the PhD in Nursing Science program prepares nurse scientists and is the terminal research degree. The combined degree program is designed to reduce the time normally required for a student to complete both degrees and to promote the education of expert practitioners who also want to contribute to the development of scientific knowledge for the discipline of nursing.
Unlike the traditional DNP program, the first semesters of the combined program focus on developing a student's ability to conduct clinical research. Thus, students do not enroll in a clinical specialty course until later in the program. The total time to graduation varies and depends on the student’s background and research topic. Students apply to the DNP and PhD in Nursing Science program at the same time and must be accepted into both programs to be considered for admission into the combined DNP/PhD program. Students focus their research in the area of their faculty mentor’s program of research. The DNP Project may be related to the student's area of research, but Dual DNP/PhD students complete all evidence-based practice (EBP) courses and conduct an EBP quality improvement project.
The College of Graduate Health Sciences provides a tuition waiver for up to six years of full-time PhD program-focused coursework. Students enrolled in the PhD in Nursing Science or the traditional DNP Program can request a transfer to the combined program. Decisions regarding transfers are addressed on an individual basis and subject to joint approval by the College of Nursing Executive Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and the Dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, as appropriate. Students interested in a practice and research-focused career are encouraged to discuss their interests with faculty to help identify a potential faculty mentor well prior to making application to the program.
PhD and Dual DNP/PhD Programs FAQ
- The PhD degree (with a focus in nursing) prepares nurse scientists who contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.
- The DNP program prepares nurses for the practice degree in nursing. Concentrations include: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse-Midwifery.
- The PhD degree (with a focus in nursing) prepares nurse scientists who contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.
- The dual DNP/PhD program provides highly motivated and qualified students with an integrated advanced clinical and research program of study. Students focus on a clinical research area in the PhD program and a clinical specialty area, including an EBP quality improvement project, in the DNP program.
- The combined program: 1) reduces the time normally required to complete both degrees and 2) yields expert practice leaders who can contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.
- Application materials must be submitted by Feb. 1.
- Be prepared to have identified three individuals who will provide written references on letterhead addressing your research capabilities.
- Write an essay on your research and clinical interests and why you are seeking to attain a PhD.
- In the essay, you will address potential issues: poor grades one term/course, switching schools, gaps in employment.
- Applications materials are submitted through NursingCAS.
- Additional packet components include:
- Official transcripts (must use NursingCAS transcript form)
- Official test scores (GRE)
- A proposed plan of study (if you have not yet completed all pre-professional courses)
- Copy of unencumbered RN license (scan/upload into NursingCAS)
- Current CPR card (scan/upload into NursingCAS)
- If accepted for admission, UTHSC will require official transcripts also be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services.
- Applicants must obtain transcripts from every institution to enter courses AND request transcripts for NursingCAS to verify coursework.
- If applying to the dual DNP/PhD program, must be accepted first into the DNP program concentration (e.g., family nursing, pediatric nursing, psych-mental health nursing).
- You may be accepted into DNP but not PhD.
- If not accepted into DNP program, can request application be considered for PhD program.
- Consider personally contacting DNP concentration coordinator and PhD program director before applying to the dual program.
- 4-8 students are accepted yearly, based on match and availability of faculty advisor.
- Each advisor maximum of 3-5 students mentored throughout program.
- Number of students in the Nursing Science PhD Program ranges from 15 to 18 students per academic year.
- PhD students can be full or part-time.
- Majority graduate in < 4 years
- MSN prepared: 3 year curriculum
- BSN prepared: 3.5-4 year curriculum
- DNP/PhD students can be full or part-time.
- Reduces time to complete both programs separately by ½ to 1 year (1-2 terms)
- Students entering with post-BSN and post-MSN have varying sequence of courses
- Throughout program: on-campus week beginning and end of term (PhD/DP programs and 2-3 times per semester depending on DNP concentration chosen).
- PhD courses: courses in first two terms meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays face to face of each week or every other week; distance technology available for Thursday class.
- Research can be conducted in Memphis or other locations.
- DNP advanced practice clinical experiences must be in the Mid-South area (Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi).
- DNP EBP Quality Improvement projects are conducted by teams and will be assigned. Every effort will be made to link the DNP project to the Dual DNP/PhD student's research interest.
- Candidacy exam after core PhD courses completed (3rd or 4th term)
- Presentations and publications on literature reviews, pilot studies
- Dissertation proposal
- Dissertation research (24 credits)
- Dissertation defense (final exam)
- Advanced practice credentialing exam (DNP/PhD graduates)
- Tuition waived for 6-8 hours of service weekly
- RA/TA duties on a non-class day
- Examples of RA activities:
- recruit/participate research of faculty
- data entry
- literature reviews
- developing posters, abstracts, presentations assist with on-line or face-to-face course
Accreditation
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202.887.6791, http://www.ccneaccreditation.org, through December 31, 2024, and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.