Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston offers two terminal nursing degrees – the research-focused Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) and the practice-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Which degree is right for you?
What is the purpose of the program?
PhD
- To prepare nurse scientists to conceptualize, design, and conduct multidisciplinary research
- To generate and translate knowledge to improve health of individuals, families, communities, and populations
DNP
- To prepare clinical scholars for leadership, evidence-based care, and health care delivery that improves systems and patient outcomes
- To develop competencies in quality improvement and safety that enhance outcomes important to patients, families, providers, and organizations
What can I expect to do with this degree when I finish?
PhD:
- Nurse scientist in a medical center or academic institution
- Clinical nurse scientist in pharmaceutical or research industries
- Policy advisor
- Content expert on patient populations or research methodologies
- Nursing/health care leader in a medical center
- Faculty at a university or academic center
DNP:
- Nurse practitioner who provides direct patient care
- Health care informatics expert
- Nurse anesthetist
- Quality improvement expert
- Nursing/health care leader in a medical center
- Faculty at a university or academic center
- Policy advisor
- Population or public health specialist
What kind of classes will I take?
PhD
Examples of topics included in all PhD programs:
- Advanced research designs and methods (including qualitative and quantitative methods)
- Advanced statistics
- Measurement theory
- Research planning and implementation
DNP
Examples of core topics included in all DNP programs:
- Evidence-based practice principles, methods, and implementation
- Transforming health and health care delivery
- Translational approaches in clinical practice
- Informatics and information systems
Curriculum plans vary by specialty track. Learn more in the DNP section of our website.
Can I specialize the curriculum to my area of interest?
PhD
- While all PhD students take core coursework in research and methods, the PhD program is flexible and allows students to study their area of interest in depth.
- Students take three cognate courses (at any school within or outside of UTH), one research methods elective, and one elective course that is self-chosen and relevant to their area of research.
DNP
- DNP students select a track that is specific to their area of interest that will include core courses.
- Post-master’s Program Tracks:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Executive
- Nursing Informatics
- Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists
- BSN-DNP Program Tracks:
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
What will my final project be like for this degree?
PhD
Dissertation:
- Independent research project, conducted under the guidance of the student’s dissertation committee
- Students identify one or more research questions/hypotheses, craft a research proposal, collect and analyze data, and present their findings in a written dissertation and an oral dissertation defense
DNP
DNP Project:
- Project focused on quality improvement, translational science, or policy analysis
- Students identify a problem in practice, synthesize current evidence, create aims, identify process and outcome measures, collect data, detail potential interventions, and present their findings in a written paper and an oral presentation
What degree do I need to enter this program?
PhD
- BSN for BSN-PhD track
- MSN or other related master’s degree for post-master’s entry PhD track
DNP
- BSN for BSN-DNP track
- MSN or other related master’s degree for post-master’s entry DNP track
Is the program only offered full time?
PhD:
- Part-time or full-time
DNP:
- Post-master’s-DNP tracks: Part-time
- BSN-DNP NP tracks: Mix of full-time and part-time semesters
- BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia: Full-time
How long will this program take?
PhD:
- Master’s-PhD track: 66 credits over 9-12 semesters
- BSN-PhD track: 90 credits over 11-16 semesters
DNP:
- Master’s-DNP tracks: 34-50 credits over 6-7 semesters
- BSN-DNP NP tracks: 79 credits, including 1,140 clinical hours, over 10 semesters
- BSN–DNP Nurse Anesthesia track: 112 credits, including approximately 2,500 clinical hours, over 9 semesters
Will my classes be online?
PhD:
- Hybrid online and on-campus courses
DNP:
- Hybrid online and on-campus courses
- Clinical experiences are in person in a clinical setting
- Nurse Anesthesia track is all on-campus
