University of Colorado – Colorado Springs Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
- BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontological NP
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontological NP
- Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences through the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS) offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) plus Post-Master’s Certificates with three specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In addition, a BSN to DNP with FNP and AGPCNP specializations is offered. No campus visits are required and clinical preceptorships are completed locally in approved states of study.
Graduates of the UCCS graduate nursing programs will be able to apply their learning including theory and scientific evidence in the holistic care of patients and families. Program foci include clinical and organizational leadership, patient safety, clinical reasoning, health promotion and disease prevention, healthcare policy, patient-centered communication, collaboration between patient and caregiver as well as interprofessional communication and collaboration, and ethical patient care.
The BSN to DNP program provides a deeper focus on organizational leadership in order to transform healthcare organizations and systems. DNP students learn to evaluate health care practices in order to improve health care outcomes. This includes more in-depth study and practice of policies, healthcare access, cultural differences, social justice, healthcare equity, systems thinking, data analysis, the use of technology, and scholarly research.
Family nurse practitioners serve patients across the lifespan from infants to adults and geriatric patients. Adult-Gerontology nurse practitioners serve adults throughout their lifespan. FNPs and AGPCNPs may work in primary care settings, schools, hospitals, research facilities, government institutions, long-term care facilities, and home health care situations. Graduates of the UCCS primary care graduate nursing programs are eligible to take their appropriate certification exam through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) serve patients across the lifespan, with a focus on mental health issues of individuals, families, and groups. Upon graduation, MSN and certificate students will be eligible to take the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification exam through the ANCC. PMHNP graduates may go on to positions in counseling centers, schools, psychiatric hospitals and clinics, correctional facilities, and drug and alcohol treatment centers.
The University of Colorado – Colorado Springs is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Colorado Springs, CO. The graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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What to Expect from University of Colorado – Colorado Springs Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: All applicants must hold an unencumbered RN license in the state where they will complete clinical practicum hours. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to apply. An application fee may be applicable.
- BSN to DNP and MSN Requirements: Hold a BSN and submit three letters of recommendation, GRE test scores if GPA is less than 3.5, official transcripts, and TOEFL test scores if applicable.
- Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements: Hold an MSN from an accredited program and submit a resume or CV, official transcripts, and TOEFL test scores if applicable.
State Restrictions: The MSN, BSN to DNP, and certificate nursing programs are available to students in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. Interested students should contact the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences to verify enrollment eligibility and requirements. In addition, prospective students should inquire with their State Board of Nursing to verify certification requirements.
Study Plan: The UCCS MSN and certificate primary specialty focus programs begin in the Fall and Spring. These include FNP and AGPCNP specialties. The PMHNP specialty begins in the Fall only. The MSN program may be completed in three years on a full-time basis or four years part-time, with six years to complete the degree. The certificates may be completed in approximately two to three years depending on how many courses are completed each term. Students have up to six years to complete the certificate programs.
The BSN to DNP program which includes FNP and AGPCNP specialties begins in the Summer only. This program can be completed in nine semesters or three years on a full-time basis or 14 semesters (five years) on a part-time basis. DNP students must complete their degree within seven years and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to continue in the program. A final culminating project consisting of a research paper, poster, and presentation completes the program.
MSN Curriculum: The FNP and AGPCNP specialties require completion of 47 credits while the PMHNP specialty requires 48 credits, with all specialties completing 630 clinical practice hours. Core courses for the MSN include Philosophical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice; Advanced Nursing Practice in Healthcare; Research and Knowledge Translation in Nursing; Research Thesis; and Research Analysis and Application.
APRN courses for all specialties include Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Pathophysiology.
- FNP Specialty Courses: Primary Care of Pediatric Patients and Families; Primary Care of Acute Care Conditions; Primary Care of Chronic Care Conditions; Gender Health Primary Care; Synthesis Practicum
- AGPCNP Specialty Courses: Primary Care of Acute Care Conditions; Primary Care of Chronic Care Conditions; Primary Care of Geriatric Patients and Families; Gender Health Primary Care; Synthesis Practicum
- PMHNP Specialty Courses: Mental Health Assessment and Interventions Across the Lifespan; Adult Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP; Geriatric Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP; Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP; Synthesis Practicum
Post-Master’s Certificate FNP/PMHNP Curriculum: The FNP and AGPCNP certificates comprise up to 34 credits while the PMHNP certificate includes up to 35 credits, all including 630 clinical practice hours. Courses follow the APRN requirements and specialty courses as listed for the MSN program.
BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP comprises 70 credits plus 1,170 clinical practice hours. Required courses for both specialties include Research and Knowledge Translation in Nursing; Advanced Healthcare Policy, Ethics, and Law; Theoretical Foundations of Reflective Practice; Population-Based Health Care for Improving the Nation’s Health; Clinical Nursing Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice; Healthcare Economics and Finance; Organizational System Leadership and Quality Improvement; and Inferential Statistics. DNP courses include DNP project and DNP seminar I-IV.
APRN courses for all specialties include Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Pathophysiology.
AGPCNP specialty courses include Primary Care of Adults and Families with Acute Health Conditions; Primary Care of Adults and Families with Chronic Health Conditions; Primary Care of Geriatric Patients and Families; and Synthesis Practicum.
FNP Specialty courses include Primary Care of Pediatric Patients and Families; Primary Care of Adults and Families with Acute Health Conditions; Primary Care of Adults and Families with Chronic Health Conditions; and Synthesis Practicum.
Online Experience: UCCS utilizes Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are asynchronous with no campus visits required. Students complete weekly assignments and interact with faculty and peers through forums, email, chat, phone, and other media resources through Blackboard. Hands-on experience is gained through clinical practice. Online students have access to 24/7 technical support as well as the same student services as campus students.
On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for UCCS graduate nursing programs. All coursework is completed online and clinical preceptorships are completed at an approved location near the student in approved states.
Paying for University of Colorado – Colorado Springs Online NP Programs
The online MSN, BSN to DNP, and certificate programs cost $867.50 per credit plus fees. Interested students should contact the College of Nursing and Health Sciences for current tuition and fees.
UCCS graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal student loans by applying through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Alternate options for funding may include employer tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts, private loans, and organizational and community scholarships and grants.
With no campus visits, both full-time and part-time study options, and the same tuition rate for residents and non-residents, the UCCS graduate nursing programs offer flexible, affordable options for nursing students in 21 states.
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Adult-Gerontological NP
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontological NP
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
University Office Park, 1861 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Suite 100
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Summer
Yes
0
70
1,170
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GRE (If GPA <3.5)
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
70
$874.00
$61,180.00
$874.00
$61,180.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Summer
Yes
0
70
1,170
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GRE (If GPA <3.5)
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
70
$874.00
$61,180.00
$874.00
$61,180.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
47
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GRE (If GPA <3.5)
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
47
$874.00
$41,078.00
$874.00
$41,078.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
47
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GRE (If GPA <3.5)
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
47
$874.00
$41,078.00
$874.00
$41,078.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
Yes
0
48
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GRE (If GPA <3.5)
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
48
$874.00
$41,952.00
$874.00
$41,952.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
25
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
25
$874.00
$21,850.00
$874.00
$21,850.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
25
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
25
$874.00
$21,850.00
$874.00
$21,850.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
Yes
0
26
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
26
$874.00
$22,724.00
$874.00
$22,724.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.