BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems
Do you have a bachelor’s in nursing and want to propel your career forward with two advanced degrees? In this program, you’ll earn your MS i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems. Then, you’ll pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in Health Systems Leadership.
This program gives you a business education rooted in nursing health systems. You’ll move away from direct patient care to a higher-level administrative role focusing on improving health services.
Overview
Format
100% online
Fully remote program with opportunities to connect with your peers and teachers through virtual meetings and discussion boards.
Avg. time to complete
4-4.5 years
13 semesters
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.
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.
#8
Online nursing administration master's program in the U.S.*
Career
The BS to DNP i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems program prepares you for a new professional path. You'll gain the skills and knowledge you need to innovate in leadership and administration, what the program name i-LEAD stands for — I for Innovation, LE for Leadership, and AD for Administration.
Example job titles
- Nurse manager
- Nursing director
- Nurse administrator
What you can do
- Direct efforts to improve patient safety and quality of care
- Manage initiatives to educate and retain healthcare workers
- Lead teams and organizational change
Where you can work
- Hospitals
- Pharmaceutical and medical device companies
- Public policy, legislative, and regulatory entities
- + 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 | July 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
Practical training
You’ll get practical, real-world training during an internship and doctoral project during this program. You’ll focus on bettering processes and administrative strategies, helping multiple patients within a health system at once.
Classroom learning
This program includes 44 online, classroom-based credit hours. Courses cover everything from executive leadership to decision support.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $46,315 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $46,315 |
| Nonresidents | $75,107 |
| 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 college’s programs let you grab every opportunity. The classes and instructors help you get to where you want to go a lot faster. Now I’m a nurse educator, and that’s because of the foundation I got at CU. I cannot say it enough; I am constantly raving about it.
Krystal Hidalgo, RN, BSN, MS
CU Nursing Alum
MS i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems program
Become the nurse leader looked to first 
Get your degree from the top nursing college in Colorado. Start your journey to become a CU nurse leader today.
Disclosures
* According to 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Nursing Programs.
**
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.