# Online doctorate in nursing degree [Apply now](/application/quick-app/personal-info) ![Important note](/online-nursing-degrees/doctoral/_jcr_content/root/container/container_1336040708/container/container/container_206225436_/image_copy_copy.coreimg.svg/1780684448788/hybrid-learning-disclaimer.svg) **Online learning with real-world experience:**Program combines online coursework with applied practice experiences that include in-person learning through practice hours and a doctoral applied project. Experiences take place in approved healthcare or practice settings, which may include a student’s workplace or community. View the[Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)](https://www.phoenix.edu/content/dam/edu/degrees/doc/program-details/nursing-program-handbook-uopx.pdf) for program details. ## Become the nurse leader patients deserve Combine scientific findings and advanced nursing practices in your online doctorate in nursing degree to help improve health care environments and treatment outcomes. This degree program is designed for working nurses who want to complete an online doctorate in nursing. They’ll learn advanced practice and leadership strategies to improve practice settings, healthcare outcomes and design, deliver and evaluate projects to impact project outcomes. Flexibility is key as a doctoral candidate. That’s why all our courses are 100% online and typically 8 weeks long. You’ll begin your applied project from the start. This allows you to follow scheduled milestones throughout your program, which organizes your project into achievable segments. You’ll work with your Applied Project Chair and receive helpful feedback from day one. ## Let's get started [Request Info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply Now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) ## Find the nursing doctoral degree for you 31 > credits The number of credits required to complete a doctorate in nursing degree with UOPX. 4 The number of times a year you can start your degree based on your schedule. 20 > months The program length of a doctorate in nursing degree with UOPX. [See start dates](/admissions/class-start-dates.html) ## Skills you’ll develop with core doctorate in nursing degree courses ### Doctor of Nursing Practice - Advanced nursing  - Executive leadership - Scholarly Innovation  - Advanced practice management  [See the Doctor of Nursing Practice](/online-nursing-degrees/nursing-practice-doctoral-degree.html) ## Outlook for workers with a doctorate in nursing degree ### Doctor of Nursing Practice BLS CATEGORY: Medical Health and Services Managers JOB GROWTH:**23%** [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm)job growth for medical health and services manager occupations is projected to be **much faster than average** between ((edu.BLSyears)). JOB TITLES: - Associate Professor - Clinical Nursing Instructor - Lecturer - Nurse Educator - Nurse Professor - Clinical Nursing Instructor \Health Information Management Director - Nurse Manager - Practice Manager [Request info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) *The DNP does not prepare students for professional certification or state licensure as a nurse or as an advanced practice nurse. ## Doctorate in nursing degree course requirements --- ### Doctor of Nursing Practice You’ll take**31**credits of advanced program-specific knowledge to complete this terminal degree. Your Applied Project begins during the first course instead of later in your program so you can build on the advanced knowledge learned at each stage of study. This helps you build your project gradually and identify obstacles early to avoid possible delays and rushing at the end of your program. You’ll work with an assigned Applied Project Chair throughout your program so you can benefit from critical feedback along the way. ### Program Purpose Statement The Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree program prepares graduates in innovative and evidence-based nursing practice that integrates evaluation and application of research evidence and leadership into practice, and develops a commitment to scholarship and advancement of the nursing profession. This program does not prepare students for any type of professional certification or state licensure as a nurse or an Advanced Practice Nurse. [See all courses](/online-nursing-degrees/nursing-practice-doctoral-degree.html) ## Tuition and financial aid ### Affordable, locked-in tuition [Learn about tuition](/tuition-financial-aid.html) ![Tuition guarantee](/online-nursing-degrees/doctoral/_jcr_content/root/container/container_164514848_/columns_copy_copy/responsivegrid0/columns/responsivegrid1/image.coreimg.svg/1780684449408/tuition-guarantee-seal.svg) ![Compare tuition costs and see how affordable a degree can be](/online-nursing-degrees/doctoral/_jcr_content/root/container/container_164514848_/columns_copy_copy/responsivegrid1/container/image.coreimg.jpeg/1780684449378/nationaltests.jpeg) ### Ways to pay — and save. Explore your options. From grants and scholarships to transfer credits and federal financial aid, there are a variety of ways to pay for school and save on tuition. > Financial Aid Federal Financial Aid is money from the U.S. Department of Education to help you pay for your college tuition and expenses. [More about financial aid](/tuition-financial-aid/federal-financial-aid.html) > Employer Tuition Discounts Check if your employer provides tuition assistance, benefits, or reimbursement programs toward your degree. [More about employer tuition benefits](/tuition-financial-aid/employer-tuition-benefits.html) > Scholarships Starting with your first course, every new qualifying student will be awarded one of our scholarships. [More about scholarships](/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships.html) > Military or Veteran Benefits See if you qualify to use veterans’ education benefits or tuition assistance to help pay for school. [More about military benefits](/military.html) --- ## Student experience Over 1 million alumni have earned their degrees while balancing work, school and life.**So can you. ** > Manage Time with Flexible Courses [More about time management](/life-as-a-phoenix/time-management.html) > Use Robust Student Resources [More about student resources](/student-resources.html) > Learn Online [More about classes](/student-resources/going-to-class.html) ## How to apply for your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program Once you’ve selected your degree program, choose your start date from our calendar, apply for free and register before the deadline (usually one week before the program starts). Then you'll speak to an enrollment representative to begin class. - No application fee — no obligation! [See admissions requirements](/admissions.html)[Explore start dates](/admissions/class-start-dates.html) ![Apply for your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree online](/online-nursing-degrees/doctoral/_jcr_content/root/container/container_2116582061/container_1724072132/columns/responsivegrid1/image.coreimg.jpeg/1780684449883/leadership-370x450.jpeg) ## Meet your college deans Our college deans focus on developing a career-relevant curriculum. They bring industry experience to the classroom and lead a faculty of academic professionals with one goal in mind—to help you earn the skills you need to pursue your career. ![Raelene Brooks, Dean](/content/experience-fragments/edu/us/en/degrees/deans/deans/raelene-brooks/raelene-brooks/_jcr_content/root/container_966970858_/image.coreimg.png/1706229341869/ralene-brooks-thumbnail.png) ### Raelene Brooks, PhD, RN Dean, College of Nursing [Learn more](/about/academic-leadership/dean-raelene-brooks.html) ![Patrick LaRose, Associate Dean](/content/experience-fragments/edu/us/en/degrees/deans/associate-deans/patrick-larose/patrick-larose/_jcr_content/root/container_966970858_/image.coreimg.png/1706133629322/patrick-larose-thumbnail.png) ### Patrick LaRose, DNP, RN Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Doctoral Studies, College of Nursing [Learn more](/about/academic-leadership/associate-dean-patrick-larose.html) ## Programmatic accreditation The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is aligned with leading industry organizations, such as: - American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN®) - Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) ![CCNE Accredited](/online-nursing-degrees/doctoral/_jcr_content/root/container/container_copy/container/columns_copy/responsivegrid1/image_copy.coreimg.png/1780684450067/ccne-accredited-logo.png) ## Frequently asked questions about the online doctorate degree in nursing Expand AllCollapse All ### How long does it take to earn a doctorate in nursing? The[Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-nursing-degrees/nursing-practice-doctoral-degree.html)program can typically be completed in approximately 20 months. Actual completion time may vary depending on course scheduling, transfer credits and whether a student takes breaks during the program. ### What can a doctorate in nursing help you do? An online doctorate degree in nursing can help nurses prepare for senior leadership, healthcare administration, practice improvement and nursing education roles. Many nurses pursue a doctorate in nursing to strengthen skills in healthcare systems leadership, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, organizational change and clinical practice innovation. A doctorate in nursing may also support career paths in nursing education, healthcare management and advanced professional practice. ### Is the Doctor of Nursing Practice program fully online? The doctorate in nursing combines online coursework with applied practice experiences that include in-person learning through practice hours and a doctoral project. The online format allows students to complete academic coursework remotely while applying doctoral learning in professional practice settings. ### Does the online doctorate degree in nursing include clinical experiences? The[Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-nursing-degrees/nursing-practice-doctoral-degree.html)program does not follow the same clinical structure as nurse practitioner programs. Instead of traditional nurse practitioner clinical rotations, the DNP program includes applied practice experiences and a DNP Applied Project completed in a professional practice setting. ### What is the DNP Applied Project? The DNP Applied Project is a required doctoral project completed in a professional practice setting. The project focuses on applying evidence-based practice and implementation strategies to support real-world healthcare improvement, systems change or practice outcomes. ### Where are DNP practice experiences completed? DNP practice experiences are completed in approved professional settings that support doctoral learning outcomes and project implementation. Practice settings may vary based on the student’s project focus, professional goals and program requirements. ### Do online doctorate degree in nursing students need to come to campus? The doctorate in nursing program primarily uses online coursework and practice-based learning experiences in your local community rather than traditional campus-based instruction. Students should review the[Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)](https://www.phoenix.edu/content/dam/edu/degrees/doc/program-details/nursing-program-handbook-uopx.pdf)for the most current information about program format, applied practice expectations and any in-person requirements. - [Who an RN BSN Online Nursing Program Is For](/articles/nursing/who-is-an-rn-bsn-online-nursing-program-for.html) — Online Degrees | September 27, 2024 • 7 minutes - [What Can You Do With a DNP Degree?](/articles/nursing/what-can-you-do-with-a-dnp-degree) — Online Degrees | January 12, 2026 • 5 minutes - [How to Become a Nurse Educator](/articles/nursing/how-to-become-a-nurse-educator) — Online Degrees | March 18, 2024 • 9 Minutes Load More...