MSN vs DNP: Choosing Between a Master's and a Practice Doctorate

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are both graduate nursing degrees, but they are not simply "smaller" and "bigger" versions of the same thing. Each can lead to several different roles, and some of those roles do not involve becoming a nurse practitioner at all. This guide explains what each degree is, how the DNP differs from a research doctorate, and what to look for in a program so the degree matches the job you actually want.

Degree, role and specialty are different things

It helps to separate three ideas. The degree (MSN, DNP, PhD) is the credential. The role is what you are prepared to do, such as nurse practitioner or nurse educator. The specialty or population focus, such as family or psychiatric-mental health, describes who you care for. A degree name alone does not tell you which role or specialty you will be eligible for, and our nurse practitioner specialties pages cover the third layer.

What an MSN is

AACN says master's nursing programs prepare people for advanced roles in administration, teaching, research, informatics and direct patient care. Some MSN tracks prepare advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Others prepare Clinical Nurse Leaders, nurse administrators, nurse educators, public health nurses or nurse informaticists. AACN states that the MSN, the Master of Nursing (MN) and the MS in Nursing are comparable degrees prepared at the same level of competency, and that the post-baccalaureate master's is the most prevalent route, with most programs completable in 18 to 24 months of full-time study. Length varies with the specialty, clinical hours and whether you study part-time.

So an MSN does not automatically mean nurse practitioner. To become an APRN, AACN says you must complete an accredited graduate program, pass a national certification examination and obtain a license in one of four roles: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist or nurse-midwife. NCSBN's APRN model adds that APRNs are educated and certified in a role and in one of six population foci. A non-APRN MSN, for example in education or informatics, will not qualify you for those.

What a DNP is

AACN describes the DNP as a practice-focused doctorate that prepares nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice, building on traditional master's content with coursework in evidence-based practice, quality improvement and systems leadership. It is positioned as a terminal degree for practice and as an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs.

Not every DNP adds a clinical specialty. AACN's 2026 white paper summary says advanced nursing practice extends beyond direct patient care to leadership, policy, informatics, population health and systems-level improvement, and that DNP students are expected to complete a minimum of 500 post-baccalaureate practice hours, with more possible depending on specialty requirements. So read each program's description closely: a DNP with a systems-leadership or informatics focus is a different product from one that includes preparation for a nurse practitioner or other APRN role, and the program should say which role, population focus and certification it prepares you for.

AACN's DNP fact sheet also records a shift toward the DNP as the entry credential for some roles. As of January 1, 2022, all students entering accredited nurse anesthesia programs were enrolled in doctoral programs, and in 2018 the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties called for the DNP to be the entry-level preparation for nurse practitioners by 2025. AACN's DNP page adds that master's programs are still available. Because requirements for APRN licensure and certification are set by boards and certifying bodies, confirm what your state and certifier currently require rather than assuming either degree will do.

DNP vs PhD

AACN says doctoral programs in nursing fall into two principal types. Research-focused programs, mostly the PhD (a few offer the Doctor of Nursing Science), train nurse scientists and scholars and require an original research project and a dissertation or linked research papers. Practice-focused programs are designed to prepare experts in advanced nursing practice and apply credible research rather than generate it. AACN calls the two approaches complementary, and says DNP-prepared nurses can implement the science developed by PhD-prepared researchers.

For choosing, ask whether you want to build new knowledge as a researcher or faculty scientist (PhD), or lead and improve practice (DNP). See PhD programs for the research route.

Entry points: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP

• BSN-to-DNP programs start from a bachelor's degree rather than a master's, and AACN's 2025 data counted post-baccalaureate DNP programs at 322 schools. See BSN-to-DNP programs.
• MSN-to-DNP programs start from a master's degree rather than a bachelor's, and AACN's 2025 data counted post-master's DNP programs at 414 schools. See MSN-to-DNP programs.

Schools differ in what they credit from a prior master's and in how many practice hours they require, so ask each program to show your plan of study. Also note that AACN counted only seven schools with entry-level (prelicensure) DNP programs in 2025, so most DNP applicants are already RNs.

How to decide

1. Start from the role: if you want to practise as a nurse practitioner, check the specialty, certification and licensure requirements for that role in your state.
2. Check whether the program leads to a clinical credential or is a non-clinical leadership or informatics track.
3. Compare length, practice hours, cost per credit and total cost.
4. Confirm accreditation, state board approval and whether the school enrolls residents of your state; online programs still require in-person clinical or practice hours.
5. Use our compare tool alongside MSN programs and DNP programs.

Program requirements vary by school and state. Confirm them with the program and your state board of nursing.