• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main content
Choose which site to search.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Logo University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • UAMS Health
  • Jobs
  • Giving
  • DNP Program Information
    • DNP Specialties
      • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
        • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care FAQ’s
      • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
        • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner FAQs
      • Family Nurse Practitioner
        • Family Nurse Practitioner FAQs
      • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
        • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner FAQs
      • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
        • Pediatric Nurse Practitioners FAQs
    • DNP-Level Preparation for Nurse Practitioner Role
    • Post Master’s to DNP with Leadership Focus
    • DNP Transfer
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nurse Anesthesia Program
    • DNP Nurse Anesthesia FAQs
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nurse Anesthesia Program: Admission Requirements
  • DNP Admissions
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission Requirements
      • DNP Preparation for Nurse Practitioner Specialty Admission Requirements
      • Post Master’s Leadership Focus Admissions Requirements
    • DNP Application Timeline
    • DNP Application Process
    • DNP Application FAQs
  • DNP FAQs
    • DNP vs PhD
  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. College of Nursing
  3. Future Students
  4. Programs
  5. Doctor of Nursing Practice
  6. DNP FAQs
  7. DNP vs PhD

DNP vs PhD

ComparisonDNPPh.D.
Program of Study*Objectives: Prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice

*Competencies: See AACN’s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006)
*Objectives: Prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing science to conduct research to advance the science of nursing

*Content: See The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence (2010)
Students*Commitment to practice career

*Oriented toward improving outcomes of patient care and population health
*Commitment to research career

*Oriented toward developing new nursing knowledge and scientific inquiry
Program Faculty*Practice or research doctorate in nursing, and expertise in area teaching

*Leadership experience in area of role and population practice

*High level of expertise in practice congruent with focus of academic program
*Research doctorate in nursing or related field

*Leadership experience in area of sustained research funding

*High level of expertise in research congruent with focus of academic program
Resources*Mentors and/or preceptors in leadership positions across practice settings

*Access to diverse practice settings with
appropriate resources for areas of practice

*Access to financial aid

*Access to information and patient-care technology resources congruent with areas of study
*Mentors and/or preceptors in research settings

*Access to research settings with appropriate
resources

*Access to dissertation support dollars and financial aid

*Access to information and research technology resources congruent with program of research
Program
Assessment
& Evaluation
*Program Outcome: Healthcare improvements and contributions via practice, policy change, and practice scholarship

*Receives accreditation by nursing accreditor
*Program Outcome:
Contributes to healthcare improvements via the development of new knowledge and scholarly products that provide the foundation for the advancement of nursing science

*Oversight by the institution’s authorized bodies (i.e., graduate school) and regional accreditors
UAMS College of Nursing LogoUAMS College of NursingUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy

© 2023 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences