BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Nurse-Midwifery
If you have a bachelor’s in nursing and want to further your career with two advanced degrees, consider our BS to DNP program. In this specialty, you’ll earn an MS in Nurse-Midwifery and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) degree back-to-back.This program trains you to care for women, people assigned female at birth, and newborns. You’ll focus on the joys of birth along with patients’ reproductive and primary care needs, including family planning and routine screenings.
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
11 semesters
Exam prep
CNM
When you finish the program, you can sit for the Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) exam.
Clinical placements set up for you
We offer Denver- and Aurora-based students guaranteed spots to train at our midwifery clinics. You’ll work alongside faculty who will mentor and guide you through the experience. If you’re in a neighboring state, we can also help you locate clinical placements.
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.
Rural Midwifery Track Scholarship
We offer a Rural Midwifery Track scholarship to students who commit to treating patients in rural areas. This scholarship covers full in-state tuition and fees for awardees.
100%
Board certification exam pass rate for this specialty*
#1
Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Colorado*
#3
Master’s in Nurse-Midwifery program in the U.S.*
Career
Once you finish the BS to DNP Nurse-Midwifery program, you can take the board certification exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board. After passing the exam, you'll be ready to unlock a new career path and scope of practice as a certified nurse-midwife. Nurse-midwives can get licensed to work in all 50 states, including Colorado.
What you can do
- Provide care in both in-patient and outpatient settings
- Attend to a patient’s reproductive health needs
- Meet patients where they are
- Educate patients about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum needs
Who you can care for
Women, people assigned female at birth, and newborns. If you’re interested in supporting pregnant people with a natural, holistic approach to birth, labor, and early parenting, this is the right specialty for you.
Where you can work
- Hospitals
- Birth centers
- Private practices
- + 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
Practical training
In this program, you’ll complete 1,260 hours of clinical training. You’ll have an opportunity to train at one of our nurse-led midwifery clinics under the guidance of a faculty member.
In the classroom
You’ll complete 55 credit hours. These courses give you an in-depth knowledge of midwifery, focusing on topics including gynecologic care and primary care of women.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $66,725 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $66,725 |
| Nonresidents | $108,205 |
| 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 |
Even though often times I am the only male in the room, I feel right at home among the faculty, staff, and students at CU Nursing.
- Eric Alvarez, RN, SNM, MS
CU Nursing Alum
MS Nurse-Midwifery program
Become the midwife looked to first 
Get your degree from the top nursing college in Colorado. Start your journey today.
Disclosures
* According to 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Nurse-Midwifery and Best Nursing Schools: DNP program rankings and 2023 American Midwifery Certification Board
pass rates. The certification rate within one year of graduation was 100%
for 2023 (9 students), 90.90% for 2022 (11 students), and 100% for 2021
(9 students).
**
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.