BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Family Nurse Practitioner
Have a bachelor's in nursing and want to propel your career forward with two advanced degrees? In this program, you'll earn a Family 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 how to provide holistic care to patients of all ages, while sharpening your leadership skills.
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
12-13 semesters
Exam prep
FNP
When you finish the program, you can sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 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
When you complete the BS to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program, you can take the board certification test through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. After passing the exam, you'll be ready to get your license, unlocking a new career path and scope of practice. Family nurse practitioners can get licensed to work 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 of all ages, from birth to end of life. If you like working with both kids and adults, this is the right specialty for you.
Where you can work
- Urgent care clinics
- Family clinics
- Internal medicine clinics
- + 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
Clinical experience
In the BS to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program, you'll complete 1,170 clinical hours of training. We coordinate your placement and do our best to pair you with a preceptor who matches your interests.
Classroom learning
In 56 lecture-based credit hours (“didactic” credits), you’ll learn about topics ranging from pathophyisology to pediatric care. You'll connect with your peers and instructors virtually and face-to-face in this mostly online, hybrid program.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $64,370 |
| Nonresidents | $104,386 |
| 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 of the relationship that it has with other
hospitals and the Denver community. I knew that I would get
high-quality clinical placements and faculty. Just the reputation of CU
being a high-quality school was something that I wanted.
Kate Redlinger, RN
CU Nursing Alum
MS Family 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.
- 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.