Master of Science
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Earning a master’s degree in this field prepares you to care for women and people assigned female at birth who range in age from teenagers to older adults. You’ll learn how to provide sexual, reproductive, and gender-affirming care as an independent provider. You’ll also train in primary care to help patients with preventive and everyday health concerns. This specialty does not focus on birth and delivery.
Get the skills and knowledge you need to advocate for patients and their sexual and reproductive health.
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
7 semesters
Exam prep
WHNP
When you finish the program, you can sit for the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) exam to become board-certified.
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.
Meet specialty co-director Dr. Fisher »
Meet specialty co-director Dr. Johnson »
#1
Nursing master’s program in Colorado*
1st
Nurse practitioner program was developed at CU Nursing
Career
When you complete the MS Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program, you can take the board certification test through the National Certification Corporation. After passing the exam, you'll be ready to get your license, unlocking a new career path and scope of practice. Women's health 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
Women and people assigned female at birth ranging in age from teenagers to older adults. If you’re interested in providing a wide range of reproductive, sexual, and primary healthcare services, with limited emphasis on birth, this is the right specialty for you.
Where you can work
- OB/GYN offices
- Health departments
- Nonprofit and infertility clinics
- + more
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
You’ll spend 630 hours in a clinical setting as part of this program. We coordinate clinical placements for you if you’re in the Denver Metro, where you’ll gain experience caring for women and people assigned female at birth.
In the classroom
You’ll take 35 credit hours of classes where you’ll study subjects like primary care of women and gynecologic care.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition* |
| Colorado residents | $39,250 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $39,250 |
| Nonresidents | $63,650 |
| 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 gynecologic focus in the curriculum is what really drew me to the program, as well as the great clinical and networking opportunities.
- Melissa Sanchez
CU Nursing Alum
MS Women’s Health 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.