Masters Program FAQs

Our Master's, BS to DNP, Post-Grad Certificate, or DNP programs must be completed within five (5) years.

Some students may complete their program earlier depending on their course load and progression.

Individuals with a non-APRN MS in Nursing should apply to a post-graduate certificate (PGC) program. Transcripts (and, if needed, course syllabi) are reviewed to confirm completion of core MS coursework in informatics, policy, professional roles, nursing theory, and evidence-based practice.

PGC students commonly complete Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment to ensure adequate preparation for advanced practice coursework and clinical training.

The MS and BS to DNP pathways differ in scope and structure.

The MS pathway prepares BS-educated nurses for APRN or indirect care roles at the master’s level.

The BS to DNP pathway allows BS-educated nurses to earn both an MS and DNP in one program, with options in both direct and indirect care. Beginning Fall 2026, this pathway is fully integrated, with concurrent coursework and no option to exit with only one degree.

Students unsure about the DNP may complete the MS first and apply to a DNP program later.

Our indirect care programs are 100% online, so there are no on-campus requirements. Our APRN programs usually have some on-campus requirements for didactic coursework. This could range from 3-10 days, depending on the program and pathway. Otherwise, didactic courses are delivered online and usually have synchronous and asynchronous components.

We recommend not planning to work full-time until you understand the program’s pace and rigor. Many students do work in some capacity, depending on specialty, course load, and individual circumstances.

Our direct care APRN programs are structured as full-time, typically requiring 2–3 courses per term, with limited part-time options.

Our indirect care program, i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems, offers the greatest flexibility as it is fully online.

All APRN specialties included required clinical experiences. For students in the Denver metro area, we coordinate placements; however, due to factors such as preceptor availability and scheduling constraints, placements may not be near your home but will remain within the metro area.

Students outside the metro area, including rural or out-of-state locations, are responsible for securing their own clinical placements.

Our indirect care program, i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems, does not include direct patient care clinicals but does require completion of practicum hours.

Some schools allow students to enter directly into an MS Nursing program without having a BS in Nursing or an RN license. CU does not offer this type of program, and our MS programs require that you have a BS in Nursing. Our indirect care programs require that you have an RN license, but do not require that you have a BS in Nursing. You can have an RN license and a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area and be eligible for the indirect care programs.

Graduate nursing school is much different than an undergraduate program in nursing. Graduate programs require you to be highly self-motivated and self-directed. Our faculty and staff are here to provide you with a world-class education from one of the finest nursing programs in the United States. Please realize you may need to make some changes in your professional and personal life to be successful, and we can provide various resources, such as academic success coaching, along the way.

No. The MS in Midwifery program is designed as a direct-entry midwifery program, which means applicants do not need to hold a nursing degree. Instead, students are required to have a bachelor’s degree and complete prerequisite courses prior to starting, and then enter directly into graduate midwifery training.

The program requires specific science and health courses to ensure readiness for graduate midwifery education. Applicants will receive a list of approved prerequisite courses (such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, and psychology) and must complete these before beginning the program. Some prerequisites require a minimum grade or a specified number of years since completion.

The program admits its first cohort in Summer 2026. For the first two years of the program, five students will be admitted per year. We plan to grow the program to 8-15 students per year in subsequent years.

Applications open in the Fall, and the deadline is usually mid-January. Information will be found on the MS in Midwifery program page once applications open. If you are interested in being notified about the application opening and any information sessions, please reach out to Shannon.Pirrie@cuanschutz.edu.

Both Certified Midwives (CMs) and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) and practice to the same scope and standards of midwifery care. The difference is in the educational pathway. A CNM holds a nursing degree and midwifery graduate education and is trained in the discipline of nursing and midwifery. A CM completes midwifery graduate education without a nursing degree and is trained in the discipline of midwifery.

The MS in Midwifery study plan is similar to the MS in Nurse-Midwifery study plan, with the addition of a 4-credit Human Physical Assessment course in the Summer (an in-person requirement) and a 3-credit Health Systems course in the Fall.

All other courses will be taken alongside MS in Nurse-Midwifery students. It is an 8-semester, 2.5-year plan that admits each fall.

The MS in Midwifery and MS in Nurse-Midwifery pathways differ primarily in their admission requirements and resulting credentials.

The MS in Midwifery pathway is designed for students who are not registered nurses. It prepares graduates to provide comprehensive care during pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and throughout reproductive life. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Midwife (CM) certification examination.

The MS in Nurse-Midwifery pathway is designed for registered nurses (RNs) and prepares graduates to become Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs). In addition to providing pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn care, CNMs are educated to deliver gynecologic and primary healthcare across the lifespan. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) certification examination.

Both the CM and CNM certification examinations are administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

The Nurse-Midwifery program is offered in a hybrid format. MS core courses are completed online, while nurse-midwifery specialty courses combine online learning with required in-person experiences. During the first year of specialty coursework, less than 50% of instruction is in person, with additional on-campus learning during the second and third years as students develop advanced clinical skills.

All didactic courses can be attended online, and most also offer an in-person attendance option to provide flexibility for students. Required on-campus experiences include Advanced Assessment in late July, Midwifery Skills intensives during the first week of the final spring and summer semesters, and the Comprehensive Examination during the first week of the final fall semester.