BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Do you have a bachelor’s in nursing and want to further your career with two advanced degrees? In this program, you’ll earn a Master of Science (MS) Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degree. Then you’ll pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, where you’ll train to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
In this program, you’ll learn to care for children from birth through young adulthood. You’ll focus on both preventative care (check-ups and vaccines) and ongoing care (diagnosis, treating, and managing health conditions).
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
13 semesters
Exam prep
PNP-PC
When you finish the program, you can sit for the Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC) 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.
#1
Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Colorado*
#1
Nursing master’s program in Colorado*
Career
Once you finish the BS to DNP Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, you can take the board certification exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. After passing the exam, you'll be ready to unlock a new career path and scope of practice. Primary care pediatric 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 ranging in age from newborns to young adults.
Where you can work
- Hospitals
- Family clinics
- Schools
- Health departments
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 |
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
This program provides you with 1,080 hours of clinical training. We set up placements for you if you’re in the Denver Metro.
In the classroom
You’ll complete 49 credit hours in the classroom. Courses focus on topics including advanced pediatric physical assessment, research methods, and caring for children with minor acute problems.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $57,305 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $57,305 |
| Nonresidents | $92,929 |
| 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 CU Anschutz Medical Campus is such a cool learning environment, and I really appreciate the connection a lot of the instructors have with Children's Hospital Colorado... I also like that it’s a relatively close drive for me even though a lot of my curriculum is online.
Jordan Knickerbocker, MSN, BSN
CU Nursing Alum
Post-Graduate Certificate Primary Care Pediatric 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.