BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Do you have a bachelor’s in nursing and want to earn two advanced degrees back-to-back? In this program, you’ll earn an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Science degree. Then, you’ll jump right into earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, where you’ll train to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
This program will prepare you to work with patients ranging from teenagers to adults, helping them prevent and manage illnesses. You'll focus on prevention, education, and building trust with patients.
Overview
Format
Hybrid online
Mostly online with some in-person requirements on the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.
Avg. time to complete
4-4.5 years
10 semesters
Exam prep
AG-PCNP
When you finish the program, you can sit for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) 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
You'll be ready to sit for board certification when you finish the BS to DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. You can take the exam through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. After you pass the test, 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 range in age from teenagers to older adults. If you want to work with adults with a focus on prevention and education and are not interested in working with children, this is the right specialty for you.
Where you can work
- Urgent care clinics
- Outpatient clinics
- Palliative care and hospice settings
- + more
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 |
| Spring 2026 | January 15, 2025 | July 1, 2025 | Not applicable |
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
Real-world experience
In this program, you’ll gain 1,080 hours of clinical experience. We coordinate your clinical placements, if you’re in the Denver Metro, where you’ll learn from knowledgeable preceptors.
Advanced classes
You’ll spend 50 credit hours in the classroom learning about topics specific to adult-gerontology and primary care. Courses include health promotion and prevention, healthcare informatics, and epidemiology.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $58,090 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $58,090 |
| Nonresidents | $94,202 |
| 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 quality of the education in this program is phenomenal and I’ve made lifelong relationships with peers and faculty members along the way.
Amy Loomis, DNP, MS, AGNP-C
CU Nursing Alum
MS Adult-Gerontology Primary 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.