BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Accelerate your career by earning a master’s and doctorate back-to-back.
In this program, you’ll earn an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Science degree. Then, you’ll pursue your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, where you’ll train to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). You’ll learn to care for complex chronically ill patients who require ongoing care.
Overview
Format
Hybrid online
Mostly online with some in-person requirements on the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.
Avg. time to complete
4 years
13 semesters
Exam prep
AG-ACNP
When you finish the program, you can sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) exam to become board-certified.
Apply once, earn two degrees
You only apply once to this program. You'll earn a master's degree and a doctoral degree back-to-back without needing to apply to each program separately.
Clinical placements set up for you
If you’re in Denver or Aurora, we arrange clinical placements for you. We work with some of the top clinics and hospitals in the metro area to provide high-quality, hands-on experiences.
Expert faculty dedicated to your success
Many of our faculty are recognized locally and nationally for their excellence in nursing, education, and research. Our educators are passionate about helping students advance their knowledge and careers.
100%
Board certification exam pass rate for this specialty
#1
Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Colorado*
#1
Nursing master’s program in Colorado*
Career
Once you finish the BS to DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, you can take the board certification test through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. After you pass the exam, you're eligible for licensure in all 50 states, including Colorado.
What you can do
- Prescribe medication
- Serve as an independent provider
- Assess, diagnose, and treat health conditions
- Educate patients about health management and disease prevention
Who you can care for
Patients who are complex chronically ill, ranging in age from mid- to late-adolescents to older adults
Where you can work
- Hospitals
- Clinics
Why get a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares you for leadership, advanced clinical practice, and healthcare policy roles. You'll learn about evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and healthcare systems management. Unlike a PhD in Nursing, which is more research-focused, a DNP is geared towards applying your skills in a clinical setting.
Admissions
Deadline(s)
| Start term | Application opens | Priority deadlinetooltip | Extended deadlinetooltip |
| Fall 2025 | August 15, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
Get started
1
Check the requirements
Understand the admissions requirements like how many letters of recommendation you need and what courses should be on your transcript.
2
Start your application
Work on your application and submit it through NursingCAS.
Curriculum
Immersive learning
This program allows you to learn in a clinical setting for 1,000+ hours. You’ll train in acute care settings, placements we coordinate for you if you’re in the Denver Metro.
Comprehensive coursework
You’ll have 48 credit hours of classroom time. You’ll cover topics ranging from evaluating evidence-based practice to innovative leadership.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $58,875 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $58,875 |
| Nonresidents | $95,475 |
| Additional expenses | Time frame | Estimated costs |
| Matriculation fee | One-time | $140 |
| Other fees | By term | Fall $392, Spring $232, Summer $180 |
| Books and supplies | Total for program | $2,000 |
| CU health insurance (may be waived with proof of comparable personal health insurance) | By term | Fall $1,575, Spring $1,575, Summer $1,050 |
The program directors have been really supportive. If you tell them what you are looking for and what your goals are, they are going to do everything in their power to help those come true. They’ve tailored my clinical experiences to set me up for success.
Sam Moldo, RN
CU Nursing Alum
MS Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
Become the nurse practitioner looked to first 
Get your degree from the top nursing college in Colorado. Start your journey to become a CU nurse today.
Disclosures
* According to 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Schools: Master's and Best Nursing Schools: DNP program rankings.
**
Estimated total tuition based on 2024-2025 costs. Tuition estimates do
not include fees and other education-related costs. The in-state
tuition rate is also available to residents of eligible western states
that participate in the Western Graduate Regional Program (WRGP).
- Accreditation information.
- Certification and licensure for online students residing outside of Colorado: Please see the Nursing Certification Disclaimer and review the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements information.
- Gainful employment and program statistics: For information about graduation rates, the median debt of students completing our programs, and other important information, please visit the University of Colorado Denver Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.