How does the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia (DNAP) degree differ from a PhD?
Doctoral programs fall into two categories: practice-focused / professional degrees and research-focused degrees. The two types of doctoral degrees are alternative approaches to the terminal level of educational preparation in a field. The DNAP is a practice-focused doctoral degree. Practice-focused degrees prepare experts for specialized roles within a discipline. Coursework focuses on the CRNA as a clinical expert, leader, and educator who can identify issues, apply scientific findings, and develop practices that are supported by the best available evidence. The practice doctorate culminates in a “capstone project” that pertains to the individual’s area of interest. Graduates are prepared to accept positions as expert clinicians, instructors in academic and clinical settings, and positions emphasizing leadership. Research-focused degrees prepare scientists and scholars who can develop programs of research that lead to advancing the knowledge and science of a discipline. PhD programs
