Nurses with Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees who are interested in enhancing their research skills may receive up to nine hours of transfer credit when they are accepted into the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) program at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston. 

Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2025 semester of the school’s new DNP to PhD bridge option. Cizik School of Nursing also offers PhD paths for students with a master’s degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

“Collaboration among PhDs and DNPs is crucial for putting scientific discoveries to work in health care systems and for the benefit of patients,” said PhD Program Director Meagan Whisenant, PhD, APRN, the John S. Dunn Distinguished Professor in Oncology Nursing. “Our goal for the new DNP to PhD option is not only to enable nurses to cross the academic bridge from practice to research, but to build stronger connections with their colleagues and interprofessional partners.” 

The hybrid program features synchronous, online classes one day a week with some in-person requirements. Students may choose a full-time or part-time plan to complete the 66-hour curriculum and may be eligible for up to nine hours of credit from previous DNP courses. Eligibility for transfer credit will be assessed after enrollment, and an academic advisor will work with each student to create a customized course plan based on their interests and previously completed graduate coursework. 

“The DNP to PhD option gives DNP-prepared students the chance to earn a PhD more quickly while reducing costs,” noted Associate Dean for Research Constance Johnson, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Our students have opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with renowned researchers and are mentored by expert nursing professors.” 

The Department of Research at Cizik School of Nursing is growing quickly both in terms of faculty size and research funding. The school is ranked No. 1 in Texas and among the top 20 nursing schools nationally for research funding from the National Institutes of Health, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. 

All students considering the PhD program at Cizik School of Nursing are encouraged to explore the faculty page of our website to identify at least one prospective mentor who shares their research interests. 

Learn more about the DNP to PhD bridge option and apply now.