BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
In this program, you’ll earn a master's with an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist specialty. Then, you’ll immediately pursue your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), where you’re trained to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). This program prepares you to become an expert clinician, working with a variety of healthcare team members to help adults stay healthy, treat both short-term and long-term illnesses, and provide compassionate care for patients nearing the end of their lives.
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
12 semesters
Exam prep
AG-CNS
When you finish the program, you can sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center for Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist-Board Certified (AGCNS-BC) exam or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses for Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist-Adult Gerontology (ACCNS-AG) 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*
3rd
Rated online AG-CNS degree in the US
Career
When you complete the MS Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program and get board certified, you’ll unlock a new career path and scope of practice. Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists can get licensed to work in all 50 states, including Colorado. Visit the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists for information on the national impact of the CNS role in practice.
What you can do
- Unit and/or service line CNS- patient population focused
- Clinical educator
- Quality improvement/Quality excellence position
- Unit or department nurse leader
- Magnet™ coordinator
Who you can care for
Patients ranging in age from mid- to late-adolescents to older adults who are critically, acutely, or chronically ill
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
Effective Spring 2025, the Adult-Gerontology CNS program is paused for
new student admissions. Students currently enrolled will be able to
complete the program as listed in their approved matriculation plan.
Curriculum
Hands-on training
You’ll learn in a clinical setting for 1,080 hours in this program. We arrange your placements if you’re in the Denver Metro, ensuring you get the training and supervision you need to succeed.
In-depth coursework
This program includes 46 classroom-based credit hours. You’ll take classes including evaluating evidence in evidence-based practice and inferential stats and quality improvement.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $54,950 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $54,950 |
| Nonresidents | $89,110 |
| 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 |
I chose CU Nursing because I felt it would maximize my abilities as a leader, mentor, and clinician.
Andre Pacho, MS, RN, AGCNS-BC, CEN, TCRN
CU Nursing Alum
BS to DNP Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist 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.