• Both DNP and PhD programs are terminal degrees. 
• A PhD nurse’s coursework at Liberty is geared towards the study of teaching nursing, while a DNP nurse focuses on clinical, evidence-based practice and patient care. 
• PhD students will demonstrate knowledge of advanced practice nursing by completing a dissertation, while DNP students will complete practicum hours and a scholarly project. 
• While they differ in emphasis, both PhD and DNP programs are appropriate for career advancement.

Our online doctoral degree programs offer students great benefits.

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.* 
• Students in our School of Nursing have the opportunity to join the Psi Delta Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
• Our online nursing programs are approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
• Liberty’s nursing programs have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Our doctoral nursing courses are offered mainly in an 8-week format with 8 different start dates each year!

*Excludes Liberty’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. For details, please see our tuition and fees page.

Disclosure Statement

Enrollment in one of Liberty University’s school licensure programs does not guarantee a degree from Liberty or qualification for licensure. Students are responsible for meeting all academic and professional requirements for graduation. Further information regarding these academic and professional requirements are outlined on the Liberty University website. Students enrolled in a licensure program are responsible for knowing the material outlined for their program. Further, it is the sole responsibility of the student, not the School of Nursing, to obtain information regarding prerequisites for licensure as outlined by their particular state Board of Nursing.

Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. Liberty University is not responsible for knowing when changes occur. Additionally, there might be other states with unique licensure requirements. Please reference our State Requirements for NP and APRN Licensure page for further information.