Post-Graduate Certificate
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Earning a post-graduate certificate in this specialty allows you to explore a new area of practice caring for women and people assigned at birth, if you already have a master’s in nursing. You’ll learn how to provide sexual, reproductive, and gender-affirming care, while also helping patients with their everyday health concerns.
Overview
Format
Hybrid online
Mostly online with some in-person requirements on the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.
Avg. time to complete
1.5 years
4 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 »
1st
Nurse practitioner program was developed at CU Nursing
Career
Once you finish the Post-Graduate Certificate Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program, you can take the board certification exam through the National Certification Corporation. After you pass the test, you're eligible for licensure 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 |
| 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 540 clinical hours, you’ll gain the experience and mentorship you need to care for women and people assigned female at birth. We arrange clinical placements for you if you’re in the Denver Metro.
In the classroom
You’ll complete 12 credit hours of classroom learning in this program. Classes include reproductive physiology and advanced outpatient clinical skills.
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $19,625 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $19,625 |
| Nonresidents | $31,825 |
| 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.