Learn from the BEST, Become Your BEST

Connect Practice With Scientific Discovery

The College of Nursing’s dual Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree pathway prepares nurses to bridge advanced clinical practice and nursing research. By pursuing both degrees simultaneously, you can develop the skills to provide advanced patient care, investigate important health care questions, translate research findings into better clinical practice, and help educate future nurses.

Whether you aspire to conduct research informed by your clinical experience, bring scientific evidence directly into patient care, or pursue a career that combines nursing practice, teaching, and research, the dual degree can help you build expertise across these areas.

Why pursue both degrees?

The DNP and PhD offer complementary perspectives on nursing. The DNP focuses on advanced nursing practice and applying evidence to improve health care, while the PhD focuses on generating new knowledge through scientific research. Together, they can prepare you to connect questions that emerge in clinical settings with research that advances the science of nursing.

With dual-degree preparation, you can:

• Connect research and patient care. Develop research questions informed by clinical experience and explore how findings can improve care delivery and patient outcomes.
• Build expertise in practice and science. Gain advanced clinical practice knowledge alongside the research skills needed to investigate complex health care challenges.
• Shape the future of nursing education. Pursue academic careers at colleges and universities, teaching nursing students and preparing the next generation of nurses through research-informed instruction.
• Prepare for an interdisciplinary career. Pursue opportunities that combine clinical practice, research, academic teaching, and leadership in health care.

Interested in the dual degree?

Connect with the College of Nursing’s PhD program director early to discuss your clinical interests, research goals, and whether the dual degree is the right fit for you.

• Helena Morrison, PhD Program Director: hmorriso@arizona.edu 

Program at a glance

• Admission to both programs - Students must complete the application and admission requirements for both the DNP and PhD programs. 
• Time to completion - Typically five years, depending on your educational pathway, specialty, and dissertation progress.
• Full-time study - The current dual-degree description requires full-time enrollment, with coursework following the prescribed plan of study.
• Two doctoral degrees - Complete the requirements for both the DNP and PhD in Nursing simultaneously through a coordinated plan of study.
• Faculty mentorship - Work with expert faculty mentors to develop your advanced practice focus and research interests.
• Research-focused doctoral preparation - Complete a PhD dissertation that incorporates an advanced practice focus, rather than a separate DNP project.

Dual Degrees FAQs