Doctor of Nursing Practice
Health Systems Leadership
This advanced degree prepares you for a career in healthcare leadership. You'll learn how to build and improve systems and processes to help patients get top-notch, coordinated care. When you complete the program, you'll be ready to apply leadership, research, and management skills in whatever healthcare setting you choose. If you already have a master's in nursing, business administration, healthcare administration, or health systems, this is the program for you.
Overview
Format
Hybrid online
Mostly online with some in-person requirements on the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.
Avg. time to complete
2.5 years
8 semesters
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*
Career
With a DNP in Health Systems Leadership, you'll be prepared to transform healthcare systems. You'll learn to use leadership and research skills to make health services better, ensure patients get excellent care, and run healthcare organizations smoothly.
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
What's the difference between a DNP and PhD degree?
The main difference between a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is their focus. The DNP program focuses on applying the latest evidence in clinical practice. The PhD program emphasizes scientific research and pairs you with a faculty member who shares your interests. Both degrees offer various career paths in clinical or academic settings and teach strategic leadership skills.
Not sure which is right for you? Contact the assistant dean of the PhD program or the assistant dean of the DNP program to discuss your options.
Admissions
Deadline(s)
| Start term | Application opens | Priority deadlinetooltip | Extended deadlinetooltip |
| Fall 2025 | August 15, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | May 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 won’t work directly with patients while earning this degree; your real-world training is through a DNP project. This project allows you to identify, develop, and implement a practical idea that improves patient care.
Classroom learning
This program includes 35 credit hours of online classroom learning. Some classes you’ll take include innovative leadership and advanced qualitative research methods.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $27,475 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $27,475 |
| Nonresidents | $44,555 |
| 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 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.