Bachelor of Science
Traditional Path
After finishing two years of prerequisite classes, you can earn your bachelor's degree in two years at CU Nursing through our Traditional Pathway. You’ll gain classroom, clinical, and simulation experience to prepare you to become a nurse. This program gives you a foundation in nursing practice so you can provide quality, safe care to patients once you graduate and get licensed.
In this pathway, you'll complete your coursework at a steady pace, similar to other undergraduate programs, and start classes over the summer.
Ideal if you...
Don't have a bachelor's degree or have a non-nursing one
Want to work while in school
(doable early on, tough during clinicals)
Prefer a steady learning pace
Have little or no healthcare experience
Overview
Format
In person
Most classes are held at the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO. Some classes might be at our Legacy Campus in Lone Tree, CO.
Avg. time to complete
2 years
6 semesters
After completing 2 years of prerequisite courses at a community college or university, you'll take 2 years of classes at CU Nursing.
Exam prep
NCLEX
When you finish the program, you can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a licensed nurse.
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.
State-of-the-art simulation lab
You’ll try out your nursing skills in our high-tech simulation lab. You'll practice real-life scenarios in a safe and inclusive environment under the guidance of experienced faculty.
93.98%
Nursing licensure exam (NCLEX) pass rate*
#1
Nursing bachelor’s program in Colorado*
Career
Once you complete the BS Traditional Pathway and pass the licensing exam, you can deliver compassionate, high-quality care to patients in different healthcare settings. Earning a bachelor’s degree also prepares you to pursue other advanced degrees in nursing, like a master's or doctoral degree.
What you can do
- Treat patients
- Administer medications
- Perform assessments (taking vital signs, patient evaluation)
- Document patient information
Who you can care for
Becoming a nurse opens many career doors and allows you to treat a wide range of patients. You can also focus on one area of nursing (ER, labor and delivery, oncology), depending on where you want to work.
Where you can work
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes or long-term care facilities
- Schools
- Public health agencies
- Outpatient clinics
Admissions
Deadline(s)
| Start term | Application opens | Extended deadlinetooltip |
| Summer 2025 | August 15, 2024 | February 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
Two years of prerequisites
If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to take 60 credit hours, about two years of classes, from an accredited college or university before you apply. You'll need to take classes like anatomy, physiology, chemistry, algebra and statistics, along with non-science and math classes including English, creative arts, and history.
Two years of nursing training
When you come to CU Nursing, our classes build on the foundation you gained in your prerequisite classes and focus more on healthcare and nursing. You'll study topics including pathophysiology, nursing research, and nursing care for children and families.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Unique opportunities
Global experience
As a student in this pathway, you have the opportunity to get clinical experience abroad. You can apply to travel to places like Guatemala where you'll reach medically underserved communities with the care they need.
Honors program
Discover new and better ways to provide care and promote health. If accepted into the honors program, available exclusively to BS Traditional Pathway students, you'll learn how to conduct research that advances nursing science.
Costs
Important note: The
following tuition and fees are only applicable for the two years of coursework you complete at CU Nursing. To calculate the cost of prerequisite classes, please review the tuition and fees of the college where you plan to take those courses.
| Residency status | Estimated CU Nursing tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $39, 402 |
| Colorado residents + College Opportunity Fund Stipend | $31,746 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $59,136 |
| Nonresidents | $68,575 |
| Additional expenses | Time frame | Estimated costs |
| Matriculation fee | One-time | $140 |
| Other fees | By term | Fall $182, Spring $162, Summer $137 |
| 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 |
It’s great to see the work CU Nursing is doing to support people of color and making sure those nurses are successful... It will be so beneficial because having a more diverse workforce not only improves access to care, but it also improves a patient’s perception of the healthcare they’re receiving. CU Nursing is helping to make a better healthcare system in the future.
Shashalee Sangster
CU Nursing Alum
BS Traditional Path
Become the nurse looked to first 
Get your degree from the top nursing college in Colorado. Start your journey to become a CU nurse today.
Disclosures
* NCLEX pass rate according to 2023 data. Ranking according to 2025 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. 150% of the in-state tuition
rate is available to residents of eligible western states that
participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE).
- 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.