University of Colorado Denver Online Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Programs

#4 Best Program Variety

• BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
• BSN to DNP – Nurse-Midwifery
• BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care
• BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• BSN to DNP – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Nurse-Midwifery
• MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care
• MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Nurse-Midwifery
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Graduate Certificate – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

The College of Nursing through the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) Anschutz Medical Campus offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP), and Post-Graduate Certificates with the following advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) specializations:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Certified Nurse-Midwifery (CNM)
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP)
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCPNP)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Post-Graduate Certificates may have up to five campus visits while the other degree paths may have up to eight. Clinical preceptorships are typically completed locally in approved states of study. Clinicals for the CNM specialization are usually completed through the University of Colorado Hospital located on campus. However, students wishing to complete out-of-state clinicals for the CNM program are considered during an admission evaluation on a case by case basis. The WHNP specialization requires clinicals to be completed in Colorado. Clinical placements are arranged for those living in the Denver metro area. Rural and greater Colorado as well as out-of-state clinical preceptorships must be secured by the student.

As the creator of the first nurse practitioner programs in the United States, the University of Colorado is a known leader in nursing education. The Anschutz Medical Campus offers state-of-the-art technology and facilities for use during campus visits for students studying graduate nursing online. In addition, the University of Colorado has two major hospitals in the Rocky Mountain area in which nursing students can complete clinicals.

Graduates of the CU Denver nursing programs will be eligible for certification for their specific nursing specialization. Certification organizations include the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), and the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

Depending on their specialization, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists may work in hospitals, emergency rooms, primary care, critical care units, intensive care, schools, birthing centers, ob/gyn clinics, research organizations, home health care situations, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, drug and alcohols treatment centers, and long-term care facilities.

The University of Colorado Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Denver, CO. The graduate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

What to Expect from the University of Colorado Denver Online Graduate Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: All programs require at least a 3.0 GPA from a CCNE or ACEN-accredited program, plus an unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical hours will be completed. If an applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0, the GRE is required and/or 12 credits of graduate coursework. Some applicants may be asked to participate in Interview Day or may be asked to conduct a telephone interview. In addition, international students may require additional documentation as well as English language proficiency testing.

• MSN and BSN to DNP Requirements: Earned BSN from a regionally accredited institution, undergraduate nursing research and statistics with a grade of “C” or higher, application and fees, essay, resume or CV, three letters of reference, official transcripts, meets technical standards
• Post-Graduate Certificate Requirements: Earned BSN and MSN from a regionally accredited institution, application and fees, essay, resume or CV, three letters of reference, official transcripts, proof of RN licensure, meets technical standards

State Restrictions: CU Denver accepts students from most states. However, students from the following states must inquire with the College of Nursing who will contact their State Board of Nursing prior to application: Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

Clinicals for the nurse-midwifery specialization are usually completed through the University of Colorado Hospital located on campus in Denver. However, students who would complete out-of-state clinicals are considered during an admission evaluation on a case by case basis.

Clinicals for the WHNP specialization must be completed in Colorado and require a Colorado RN license, therefore this specialization is restricted for all other states.

Study Plan: The CU Denver MSN program can be completed in seven to eight semesters on a full-time basis, depending on the specialty. The BSN to DNP program can be completed in about 10 to 13 semesters depending on the specialization. The Post-Graduate Certificates can be completed in three to five semesters depending on the specialization. Part-time options are available but will take longer to complete.

Most specializations begin in the Fall or Spring only, with specializations admitting in both the Fall and Spring. Clinicals are typically completed local to the student, with some restrictions for the CNM specialization. WHNP students must complete clinicals in Colorado. It is recommended that students do not work during clinical courses.

MSN Curriculum: All specializations may need to complete the following courses: Advanced Pathophysiology; Theory Foundations for Advanced Nursing; Advanced Professional Role; Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Advanced Assessment; Foundations of Healthcare Informatics; Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence; and Policy and Politics of Health.

• AGACNP: The AGACNP specialization comprises 49 credits including 630 clinical hours. Courses include Introduction to AGACNP; AGACNP I-II, AGACNP Advanced Practicum I-IV, AGACNP Diagnostics and Therapeutics; and AGPCNP Primary Care IV: Diagnosis and Management III Care of the Older Complex Adult.
• AGPCNP: The AGPCNP specialization comprises 45 credits including 540 clinical hours. Courses include AGPCNP Advanced Practicum I-IV; AGPCNP Primary Care I: Health Promotion and Prevention; AGPCNP Primary Care II-III: Diagnosis and Management II-III; and AGPCNP Primary Care IV: Diagnosis and Management III Care of the Older Complex Adult.
• AG-CNS: The AG-CNS specialization comprises 47 credits including 540 clinical hours. Courses include CNS Advanced Practicum I-IV; Innovative Leadership; Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: Wellness to Illness; Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice in Acute Care Nursing; and Complex Patient Management for the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• FNP: The FNP specialization comprises 56 credits including 630 clinical hours. Courses include OB/Gyn Essentials for the FNP; FNP Health Promotion, Prevention, and Screening; FNP Care of the Pediatric Patient; Foundational Clinical Skills for Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners; FNP Advanced Practicum I-IV; FNP Advanced Clinical Skills, Diagnostic Reasoning, and Clinical Decision-Making; FNP Diagnosis and Management of Physiologic and Psychiatric Health I-II; and Synthesis, Integration, and Transition into FNP Practice.
• CNM: The CNM specialization comprises 58 credits including 720 clinical hours. Courses include Reproductive Physiology; Gynecologic Care; NMW Advanced Practicum I-III; Care of Childbearing Families I-II; Primary Care of Women; NMW Advanced Clinical Skills – Outpatient; and NMW Advanced Clinical Skills – Inpatient.
• ACPNP: The ACPNP specialization comprises 50 credits including 585 clinical hours. Courses include ACPNP Advanced Practicum I-V; Pediatric Primary Care Essentials; Pediatric Advanced Assessment; Acute Care PNP I-III; and Pediatric Advanced Clinical Skills.
• PCPNP: The PCPNP specialization comprises 47 credits including 540 clinical hours. Courses include PNP Advanced Practicum I-IV; Advanced Pediatric Physical Assessment; Care of the Well Child; Pediatric Advanced Clinical Skills; Care of the Child with Minor Acute Problems; and Pediatric Chronic Illness and Disability.
• PMHNP: The PMHNP specialization comprises 52 credits including 630 clinical hours. Courses include Advanced Assessment, Neurobiology, and Psychopharmacology; PMHNP Advanced Practicum I-IV; Diagnosis and Management of Adults for the PMHNP; and Diagnosis and Management of Children, Adolescents, and the Older Adult for the PMHNP.
• WHNP: The WHNP specialization comprises 49 credits including 630 clinical hours. Courses include Gynecologic Care; Reproductive Physiology; WHNP Advanced Practicum I-IV; NMW/WHNP Advanced Clinical Skills – Outpatient; Care of the Childbearing Family; and Primary Care of Women.

BSN to DNP Curriculum: Core DNP courses include Research Methods; Project Preparation Course; Innovative Leadership; Epidemiology; DNP Project I-III; DNP Seminar I-II; and Inferential Statistics and Quality Improvement: Applying the Evidence. Specializations follow the MSN courses required. Credits and clinical hours for each track are as follows:

• AGACNP: 75 credits; 1,170 clinical hours
• AGPCNP: 74 credits; 1,080 clinical hours
• AGCNS: 75 credits; 1,080 clinical hours
• FNP: 82 credits; 1,170 clinical hours
• CNM: 84 credits; 1,260 clinical hours
• PNP-AC: 76 credits; 1,125 clinical hours
• PNP-PC: 73 credits; 1,080 clinical hours
• PMHNP: 78 credits; 1,170 clinical hours
• WHNP: 75 credits; 1,170 clinical hours

Post-Graduate Certificate Curriculum: Courses typically follow the specialty courses for the MSN specializations. Credits and clinical hours for each track are as follows:

• AGACNP: 16 credits; 360 clinical hours
• AGPCNP: 25 credits; 540 clinical hours
• AGCNS: 21 credits; 540 clinical hours
• FNP: 33 credits; 630 clinical hours
• CNM: 35 credits; 720 clinical hours
• PNP-AC: 19 credits; 360 clinical hours
• PNP-PC: 24 credits; 540 clinical hours
• PMHNP: 29 credits; 630 clinical hours
• WHNP: 26 credits; 630 clinical hours

Online Experience: CU Denver utilizes Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are asynchronous with some campus visits required. Students view lectures, complete readings, assignments, and projects, and interact with faculty and peers through online forums, email, chat, phone, and other media resources. Hands-on experience is gained through clinical practice and campus intensives. Online students have access to enrollment navigators, 24/7 technical support, a 24/7 librarian, an online writing center, a technology guide, disability resources and services, veteran student services, career counseling, and faculty office hours.

On-Site Requirements: The Post-Graduate Certificate programs have one required campus visit and may have up to four other visits for clinical lab days, for a total of up to five campus visits. The MSN and BSN to DNP programs typically have three to four campus visits for Advanced Health Assessment and up to four other visits for lab days during clinicals, for a total of up to eight visits, some of which may last up to a week. The WHNP specialization requires three to four visits for Advanced Assessment and two days for clinical labs. The WHNP Post-Graduate Certificate requires just two campus visits unless Advanced Assessment has not been completed.

Campus visits take place in Denver, Colorado at the Anschutz Medical Campus. All other coursework is completed online and clinical preceptorships are completed at an approved location near the student in approved states. Note that there are exceptions for CNM clinicals, which may need to be completed in Denver and WHNP clinicals which must be completed in Colorado.