Most PhD programs are designed as a four- to five-year course of study and take prior graduate coursework into consideration only if it has an identical counterpart in the PhD program. For PhD programs that recognize a prior master's in nursing, as few as 63 credits may be required to obtain a PhD. For individuals pursuing a dual MSN and PhD, students spend only three years in the PhD program. The master's level coursework is completed in two years, and a graduate dissertation is submitted in the third year.
MSN to PhD programs offer research training in a specialty focus. Specialties include emergency nurse practitioner, palliative care, women's health nurse practitioner and health systems management. Students are required to participate in a residency program each semester or as determined by the school. Many schools offer students the opportunity to gain as many residency hours as are required for state licensing exams.
A master's degree is required for many MSN to PhD programs. Dual-degree programs will not require a prior master's but will require a bachelor's degree in nursing along with a license as a registered nurse. In some cases, a bachelor's degree in any subject is accepted so long as the student has taken vocational courses to obtain licensure as a vocational nurse.
Graduates of MSN to PhD programs in nursing can become researchers, nursing administrators or specialty practitioners. Researchers may find work at the National Institutes of Health, in university research departments or in research hospitals, such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Nursing administrators may oversee the nursing departments in hospitals and clinics.