Section II
Admissions

The minimum admission requirements for application review must be met in order to be considered. Students accepted for admission with missing requirements will need to fulfill those requirements prior to the start of the program for which they applied. Students will not be allowed to progress into the undergraduate, graduate, and/or doctoral programs with unfulfilled admission requirements. Exceptions to this requirement are at the discretion of the Assistant Deans/Specialty Directors.

All students will be admitted conditionally pending successful completion of the pre-enrollment requirements. Failure to satisfy the pre-enrollment requirements including, but not limited to background checks, drug testing, immunization, and other compliance requirements can result in a violation of the Student Honor and Code of Conduct and potential administrative withdrawal from the College. Depending on the admissions type, additional criteria may need to be satisfied after matriculation; the requirements will be outlined in the admissions notification.

Application requirements vary by program but generally include the following:

• Online application and associated application fees
• Submission of official post-secondary transcripts from all institutions attended
• Technical Standards Attestation
• Personal Statement
• Resume/CV
• Letter of good academic standing (for undergraduate students previously enrolled in nursing school)
• Unencumbered nursing license (for graduate programs and RN to BS only)
• References (for most programs)

All materials submitted in support of an application become the property of the CU College of Nursing and cannot be returned to the applicant. See more information regarding admission terms and application deadlines (graduate) and application deadlines (undergrad).

Traditional (TRAD) Pathway Program

The Traditional Pathway Program (TRAD) is a full-time pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The program is 24 months in length. Graduates of the program are prepared to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse.

Minimum Admission Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA required; minimum grade of “C” required in each prerequisite course. Prerequisite courses must be completed through regionally accredited institutions within 10 years of the opening of the application.
• Applicants are required to respond to an essay prompt as part of the application.
• A resume or CV is required.
• Three professional references are required; an academic reference is strongly recommended.
• Applicants who were previously enrolled in another nursing program (prerequisite courses excluded) are required to submit a letter of good standing.

All applicants who submit a complete/verified application by the application deadline will be considered for TRAD admission. Select applicants will be invited for an interview which is a required component of the process. Interviews may be conducted virtually or on campus.

Integrated Nursing Pathway (INP) Program

The 36-month Integrated Nursing Pathway program is a full-time pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing option. It prepares students to take the NCLEX licensure exam to become Registered Nurses. The University of Colorado College of Nursing partners with the following community colleges through the Integrated Nursing Pathway: the Community College of Aurora, the Community College of Denver, and Red Rocks Community College Arvada.

Admission/Application Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA required; minimum grade of “C” required in each prerequisite course. Prerequisite courses must be completed through regionally accredited institutions. Except for English Composition I, all prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of the opening of the application.
• Applicants are required to respond to an essay prompt as part of the application. Specific instructions are provided in the NursingCAS application each cycle.
• A resume or CV is required.
• Two professional references are required (one of these must be an academic reference).
• Applicants who were previously enrolled in another nursing program (prerequisite courses excluded) are required to submit a letter of good standing.

All applicants who submit a complete/verified application by the application deadline will be considered for INP admission. Select applicants will be invited for an interview which is a required component of the process. Interviews may be conducted virtually or on campus.

Prerequisite Coursework: Applicants are required to complete program prerequisites as outlined on the Integrated Nursing Pathway website. All prerequisites must be completed prior to the end of the spring term of an application cycle. Applicants who have completed prerequisite courses outside the Colorado Community College system must have the courses approved by the CU College of Nursing as well as the INP Community College through which they are applying.

University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing (UCAN) Program

The 12-month UCAN program is a full-time pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing option. It prepares students to take the NCLEX licensure exam to become Registered Nurses.

Admission/Application Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA required; minimum grade of “C” required in each prerequisite course. Prerequisite courses must be completed through regionally accredited institutions within 10 years of the opening of the application.
• All applicants are required to complete a first bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to the start of the program.
• Healthcare experience is a critical admission requirement. Direct patient care experience is preferred.
• Applicants are required to respond to an essay prompt as part of the application. Specific instructions are provided in the NursingCAS application each cycle.
• A resume or CV is required.
• Three professional references are required; a healthcare reference is strongly recommended.
• Applicants who were previously enrolled in another nursing program (prerequisite courses excluded) are required to submit a letter of good standing.

All applicants who submit a complete/verified application by the application deadline will be considered for UCAN admission. Select applicants will be invited for an interview which is a required component of the process. Interviews may be conducted virtually or on campus.

Non-Degree Enrollment Option (Graduate Nursing only)

The CU Nursing Non-Degree Enrollment Option offers RNs educated at the BSN level the opportunity to enroll in a graduate-level course without being formally admitted to the College. Students enrolled through the non-degree enrollment option are held to the same standards as all students enrolled at the College. Courses completed as a non-degree student will appear on a CU College of Nursing transcript. Courses are offered on a space-available basis. Financial aid is not available for non-degree courses.

Admission/Application Requirements:

Graduate Courses: All non-degree enrollment requests for graduate-level courses require a baccalaureate degree in nursing OR a bachelor’s degree in another discipline with permission to enroll from the course instructor or specialty director.

Doctoral Courses: All non-degree enrollment requests for doctoral-level courses require a master of science in nursing degree or a master’s degree in another discipline with permission to enroll from the instructor and specialty director.

MS and BS-DNP Programs

The MS and BS-DNP program prepares individuals for graduate education in advanced practice or indirect care. Programs include theory, evidence-based practice as well as practicums to assist students in meeting their career goals.

Applications are open twice a year in the fall and spring, however, not all specialties are admitted in both semesters. This program has state restrictions on distance education that should be considered prior to application. Information regarding state restrictions is available online.

Admission/Application Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a recommended 3.0 nursing GPA earned from an institution holding regional accreditation. The nursing program must be accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
• Completed undergraduate research and statistics courses with an earned grade of C or better. Prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution. In-progress prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to the start of the program.
• Personal statement/ essay
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of professional reference are required. Applicants are encouraged to submit at least one academic reference.
• Unencumbered US RN license

All applicants who submit a complete/verified application by the application deadline will be considered for admission. Select applicants will be invited for an interview which is a required component of the process. Interviews may be conducted virtually or on campus.

Post-Master’s DNP Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a clinical practice-oriented leadership curriculum that focuses on evidence-based practice for the improvement of clinical care delivery, program evaluation, patient and population outcomes, and health system leadership/management.

Admission/ Application Requirements:

• BS in Nursing and MS in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution. The Nursing program must be accredited by CCNE or ACEN. Students pursuing the Health Care Leadership specialty can hold an MS in a related field.
• A minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA is required. This GPA includes the highest grade attempts for courses included on transcripts at the time of application.
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary coursework
• Personal statement essay with no word limit but a suggested page limit of two pages.
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of professional reference are required with a recommended academic reference.
• Unencumbered US RN license

DNP/MPH

The DNP/MPH dual degree prepares individuals who hold a BS in Nursing for a leadership role in Public Health. The DNP degree emphasizes quality improvement and program evaluation within Public Health. The DNP/MPH programs require a dual review from CU College of Nursing and the School of Public Health. Students must apply and be accepted to both programs.

Admission/ Application Requirements:

• BS in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution. The nursing program must be accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
• A minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA is required. This GPA includes the highest grade attempts for courses included on transcripts at the time of application.
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary coursework
• Personal statement essay with no word limit but a suggested page limit of two pages.
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of professional reference are required with a recommended academic reference.
• Unencumbered US RN license

DNP-PHN

Individuals who already hold an MS in Public Health Nursing or a Master of Public Health who are interested in greater leadership roles would benefit from this degree. The DNP degree emphasizes quality improvement and program evaluation within Public Health.

Admission/ Application Requirements:

BS in Nursing must be earned from a regionally accredited institution and be accredited by CCNE or ACEN. Must hold an MS in Public Health Nursing or a Masters in Public Health.

• A minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA is required. This GPA includes the highest grade attempts for courses included on transcripts at the time of application.
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary coursework
• Personal statement essay with no word limit but a suggested page limit of two pages.
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of professional reference are required with a recommended academic reference.
• Unencumbered US RN license

Post-Graduate Certificates

The CU College of Nursing offers a post-graduate certificate for master’s-prepared RN interested in obtaining a new specialty. The Post-Graduate Certificate is offered for most CU College of Nursing specialties. This program has state restrictions on distance education. Please see the list of state restrictions.

Admissions/Application Requirements:

• An earned master's in nursing or a DNP degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
• Applicants complete a personal statement essay with no word limit but a suggested page limit of two pages.
• Official transcripts from any collegiate-level coursework must be submitted
• A resume or CV is required for admission.
• Three letters of professional reference are required with a recommended academic reference.
• Must hold an unencumbered US RN license to apply.

For applicants who currently hold a degree from an international or foreign institution, or for applicants who have participated in a study abroad program, the CU College of Nursing requires official transcripts from these institutions.

International or foreign transcripts are required to be sent directly to the CU College of Nursing for review and processing.

The English Language Proficiency requirement for required students includes a total score of at least 560 on the paper-based TOEFL and 50 or above on the Test of Spoken English (TSE); a score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL with 26 or above on the spoken English section. For other minimum subscores see internationaladmissions@ucdenver.edu.The CU College of Nursing TOEFL Exam Code is 3377. An earned IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum speaking subscore of 8 will also meet the ELP requirement. Official scores from TOEFL and IELTS must be sent directly to the CU College of Nursing on or before the application deadline.

Students who are able to demonstrate the following are exempted from the English language proficiency requirements:

• Students with an earned high school diploma or an associate's degree or higher in the United States.
• Students who have completed English Composition and English Literature with a grade of B or higher.
• Graduates from the University of Colorado Denver’s ESL Academy, or an equivalent.
• Citizens of a country whose official language is English.

Admit

A student accepted for admission with a complete application and no application materials or other items outstanding is considered a full admit.

Waitlist

A student whose application is otherwise qualified, but a seat is not available may be issued placement on the College’s waitlist. Acceptance of a position on the waitlist is required. Students notified of admission will be required to respond by the dates listed in their notification. Students not ultimately selected from the waitlist are required to reapply for future admission consideration.

Conditional

Students who are otherwise qualified for admission, but have outstanding items or application materials such as official final transcripts can be issued conditional admission. Conditional admission criteria must be met by the deadline listed in the admission offer.

Provisional

Provisional admission is typically reserved for applicants who show the potential to complete college work successfully but have an academic profile that falls slightly below the preferred admission criteria. Once students satisfy all requirements associated with their enrollment, the provisional status is removed and students are fully admitted. However, students who are unable to meet the conditions required for full admission can be dismissed from the institution.

Deny

Students who do not meet the admission criteria or are unsuccessful in the application review/interview process can be denied admission. Students who are denied admission can reapply for a future term.

Admission Revocation

The CU College of Nursing reserves the right to revoke or rescind admission for any student who is determined to be in violation with stated college/university policy or procedures. Admissions revocation can occur from the point of decision through the first day of classes.

Students offered admission to the CU College of Nursing are required to submit an online intent to enroll form in the timeframe listed in the admissions notification to secure a seat in the program for which they have applied. Students unable to enroll can submit an enrollment deferral request. Enrollment deferral requests are reviewed on a case by case basis and in consultation with the appropriate Assistant Dean or Program/Specialty Director and the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs (OASA). CU College of Nursing Leadership will be included as necessary when decisions have a known/significant impact on current or future enrollment planning.

Typically, enrollment deferrals are granted for unforeseen financial, health, or personal circumstances that would make enrollment a hardship. Enrollment deferrals are not guaranteed and students not approved will be required to reapply.

Only one enrollment deferral request can be approved to offer admission up to one year in the future. Deferral extensions are generally not allowed unless significant extenuating circumstances exist. If a student is unable to enroll as listed in the enrollment deferral approval they will be required to reapply. Program/Specialty Directors and the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs can make joint exceptions to this policy when needed, but will only when rare, extenuating circumstances that are not within the student’s control exist.

Enrollment deferral requests are only for students offered admission into the CU College of Nursing and do not extend automatically to dual admission programs. Students are encouraged to notify the CU College of Nursing as soon as they are aware that continuance in the program is not feasible.

Enrollment deferrals can be submitted up to 30 days prior to the start of the admit term. Deferrals requested within 30 days of the start of the term are generally not approved. Students with extenuating circumstances can be reviewed/decided on a case-by-case basis.

A student approved for enrollment deferment will be required to attend a mandatory new student orientation session preceding enrollment.

Acceptance to the CU College of Nursing is contingent upon successful completion of outstanding prerequisites (if any), immunization screening, immigration status clearance, Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support CPR certification, clearance of the mandatory drug screening test, and criminal background check. Pre-enrollment requirements will vary by program/specialty. All expenses incurred throughout the program clearance requirement are at the student’s expense.

Requirements for Program Admission

Immunization Requirements
All incoming students are required to provide evidence of the following immunizations prior to starting an educational program at CU Nursing.  Please refer to Campus Administrative Policy 7014 (pdf) for additional information.

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B – Vaccination or Titer
• Varicella
• Polio
• Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Tuberculosis 2-step screening or Quanitferon Gold

In addition to the above immunizations, all incoming students must complete a drug screen, a background check, and provide evidence of current CPR certification through the American Heart Association.  

There are no criminal convictions or impairments that are an absolute bar to application or admission. However, admission to a program does not guarantee progression. Further, completion of an educational program does not guarantee eligibility for registered nurse licensure or specialty certification. Additionally, should any of the program clearance requirements come back with an incident reported, further action will be required by the student.

Undergraduate Program Transfer

Transfers between undergraduate pathways are generally not allowed but can be considered in very rare cases where extenuating circumstances exist. Students requesting a transfer must send the request via email to the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs. The email must explain the extenuating circumstances associated with the request to transfer. The request will be reviewed by the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, the Director of Admission and Student Affairs, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and the Dean, as needed. The request should be submitted within a reasonable time when the impact of the event is known.

Graduate Program Transfer

MS or BS to DNP students admitted or enrolled to CU College of Nursing wishing to transfer to another specialty within the degree program will be required to submit a new application in NursingCAS. Students will use the re-applicant feature available in the NursingCAS system, which carries forward information such as coursework, official test scores, attached transcripts, etc. Students will be required to submit/complete the following:

• Supplemental application documents (i.e., CV/Resume, RN License, etc.)
• Revised personal statement/essay for the newly requested specialty/rationale for change of specialty
• Request new letters of recommendation
• Pay associated application fees (i.e., application fee to NursingCAS and CU College of Nursing supplemental application fee)

In addition to submitting a new application in NursingCAS, students will need to contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs to request inclusion of an unofficial copy of the CU transcript. The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs will upload an unofficial copy of the CU transcript into the NursingCAS application on behalf of the student, which will be used for review purposes.

Students seeking specialty transfer must apply in the appropriate application cycle for the specialty. Not all specialties offer admission in both fall and spring, as such interested students should visit the CU College of Nursing website to review program/specialty offerings and associated application deadlines.

Applicants requesting a transfer of specialty are included in the applicant pool for the appropriate application cycle and competitively evaluated for interview and admissions consideration. There is no guarantee of an interview or admission into the new specialty. All transfer applicants should be mindful of the anticipated period when decisions are issued. No refund of tuition will be granted based on the need to withdraw due to admission to a new specialty.

Graduate Credit Transfer for external institutions

Students who wish to transfer credits from outside the University of Colorado must supply appropriate information regarding the courses taken (syllabi) that can be evaluated for equivalency. Transfer credits from outside universities are limited to 12 credits.

Transfer Credit for Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, or Advanced Assessment

At CU Nursing, we recognize that some students may have previously completed coursework in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, or Advanced Physical Assessment at other accredited institutions. To ensure that our students' prior learning is appropriately acknowledged and to facilitate a seamless transition into our programs, we have established a clear policy and procedure for waiving enrollment in these courses under specific conditions.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a waiver in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, or Advanced Physical Assessment, the following requirements must be met:

• Accreditation: The courses must have been completed at an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Content Equivalency: The course content must be equivalent to CU Nursing’s credit requirements, encompassing a focus across the lifespan.
• Recency of Coursework: Courses must be completed within five years prior to the start of the admit term at CU Nursing.

Special Considerations

For courses that meet the above criteria and have been completed more than five years before the start of the admit term, the transfer of credits will be considered if the student is an active Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) enrolling in a direct care post-graduate certificate specialty. The acceptance of such transfer credits is decided on an individual basis by the CU Nursing Specialty Director, in collaboration with course leads and the Senior Enrollment Advisor (SEA). This review process includes an evaluation of the student’s current practice and scope.

CU Non-Degree Transfer Credit Policy

Students taking courses as a non-degree seeking student at the University of Colorado prior to entry into a degree program must take these credits within three years of matriculation to a degree program. Non-degree credits through the University of Colorado are limited to 12 credits.

PhD students will follow the Graduate School Policy for transfer credit.

The Associate Dean of Academic Programs may provide an exception for this policy.

Procedure of Graduate Credit Transfer

The request to transfer credits will be reviewed upon admission and must have been completed within seven years upon application for graduation. Inquiries should be directed to Admissions and Student Affairs at nursing.admissions@cuanschutz.edu.