DNP Programs in Colorado

Colorado State University Pueblo's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program transforms nursing professionals through an innovative hybrid learning model. Balancing clinical practice and academic rigor, the program offers a concurrent Master of Science in Nursing to expand career opportunities. Students develop leadership skills in healthcare delivery, focusing on evidence-based practice and community health impact. The program's flexible format allows working nurses to advance their expertise while maintaining professional responsibilities. With a commitment to comprehensive nursing education, graduates are prepared to drive systemic healthcare improvements and address complex patient needs nationally and globally.

• Hybrid learning delivery method
• 11 semesters BSN-DNP track
• Evidence-based healthcare focus
• Individualized study plan
• Professional licensure preparation

CSU Pueblo's DNP with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration provides an advanced pathway for nurses seeking comprehensive patient-centered care expertise. The hybrid program emphasizes scholarly inquiry, interprofessional collaboration, and clinical skill development across patient lifespans. Students engage in rigorous coursework designed to cultivate leadership capabilities and evidence-based practice competencies. The curriculum prepares graduates to navigate complex healthcare environments, advocate for diverse patient populations, and implement innovative healthcare delivery strategies. With a focus on holistic, lifelong learning, the program equips nurses to become transformative healthcare professionals.

• Hybrid DNP program format
• Family Nurse Practitioner concentration
• Advanced clinical practice focus
• Interprofessional collaboration emphasis
• Evidence-based practice integration
• Leadership development curriculum
• Patient-centered care approach

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP concentration at CSU Pueblo offers an intensive program for nurses dedicated to advanced mental health care. Featuring 1,320 practicum hours and a comprehensive hybrid curriculum, students develop expert-level clinical skills in psychiatric healthcare. The program prepares nurses for national certification, emphasizing evidence-based practice and advanced clinical expertise. Graduates are equipped to address complex mental health challenges across diverse patient populations and settings. With a rigorous academic approach and extensive practical training, the program develops highly qualified mental health professionals capable of providing compassionate, sophisticated psychiatric care.

• Hybrid delivery method
• 1,320 total practicum hours
• Prepares for national certification
• 87 total program credits
• 3.0 minimum GPA requirement
• 4-year comprehensive program
• Advanced evidence-based curriculum
• Comprehensive mental health focus
• Flexible admission pathways

CSU Pueblo's Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP concentration prepares advanced practice nurses for high-complexity healthcare environments. The campus-based program combines 83 total credits with 1,320 practicum hours, ensuring comprehensive clinical and leadership training. Designed for registered nurses, the curriculum focuses on evidence-based practice, scholarly expertise, and advanced clinical skills. Students develop capabilities to excel in acute and gerontological care settings, with opportunities for national certification. The program's stringent requirements, including a 3.0 GPA and B-grade minimum, ensure graduates meet the highest professional standards.

• 83 total program credits
• 1,320 total practicum hours
• Requires 3.0 GPA minimum
• Concurrent Master's degree awarded
• Prepares for national certification exam
• Advanced clinical training focus
• Leadership and scholarly skills development
• Evidence-based practice emphasis
• Campus-based program

Colorado State University Pueblo's Population Health DNP concentration offers an innovative hybrid pathway for nurses seeking advanced leadership roles. Targeting experienced professionals, the program develops strategic skills for addressing complex health challenges at population levels. Students learn evidence-based interventions, leadership competencies, and advanced clinical approaches. Requiring a BSN with a 3.0 GPA and active RN licensure, the program prepares nurses to transform healthcare through data-driven, comprehensive population health strategies. The flexible format supports working professionals committed to advancing nursing practice and improving community health outcomes.

• Hybrid learning format
• Population Health focus
• 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
• Active RN license required
• February 15th application deadline

The University of Northern Colorado's PhD in Nursing Education is a comprehensive online program tailored for experienced nurses seeking advanced academic leadership roles. This four-year post-master's pathway prepares scholarly professionals to address critical faculty shortages through innovative teaching strategies and transformative research. With fully online coursework and minimal campus visits, students benefit from flexible learning, competitive $734 per credit tuition, and no GRE requirement. The program demands a minimum 3.0 master's GPA, active RN licensure, and recommends prior teaching experience, positioning graduates to significantly impact nursing education and healthcare training.

• Online PhD in Nursing Education
• 66 total credit hours
• 4+ years to complete
• $734 per credit hour
• No GRE required
• Fully online coursework
• 5-day summer orientation
• Master's GPA 3.0+ required
• RN licensure mandatory
• Teaching experience recommended

University of Northern Colorado's post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice provides advanced practice nurses a flexible online pathway to elevate healthcare leadership capabilities. This two-year, part-time program spans 44 credit hours, emphasizing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership. Designed for practicing Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), the curriculum prepares graduates to drive meaningful policy changes and enhance patient care across organizational levels. The terminal practice-focused degree requires 1,000 clinical hours, positioning nurses to transform healthcare delivery and expand their professional impact.

• Online, part-time program
• 44 total credit hours
• 2+ years to complete
• Targets practicing MSN/APNs
• Develops healthcare leadership skills
• Terminal practice-focused nursing degree
• Requires 1,000 clinical hours

The University of Northern Colorado's DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program offers a comprehensive five-year pathway for working nurses to become advanced clinical experts. This hybrid program combines online and in-person learning, requiring 84 credit hours and 1,125 clinical hours. Participants develop critical thinking and leadership skills focused on primary care health promotion across diverse patient populations. With no GRE requirement, competitive $734 per credit tuition, and a focus on underserved communities, graduates qualify for national certification and potentially increase their salary to a median of $121,610, transforming healthcare delivery.

• 5-year part-time doctoral program
• 84 total credit hours
• Hybrid learning format
• 765 clinical practice hours
• No GRE required
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• One year clinical experience
• $734 per credit hour
• Colorado RN license needed
• Minimum 1,125 clinical hours

University of Northern Colorado's DNP with Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration provides a rigorous five-year pathway for experienced BSN nurses to become advanced clinical professionals. This hybrid program blends online learning with weekly on-campus sessions, emphasizing primary care health promotion and disease management across patient lifespans. With 84 total credits and 1,125 clinical practicum hours, students develop critical leadership and policy skills targeting underserved populations. The program features no GRE requirement, $734 per credit tuition, and prepares graduates for a terminal nursing degree with extensive clinical expertise.

• 5-year part-time doctoral program
• Hybrid learning format
• 1,125 clinical practicum hours
• No GRE required
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• One year clinical experience
• 84 total credit hours
• $734 per credit tuition
• Colorado RN license required
• Terminal degree for nurses

Regis University's DNP to Ph.D. program represents a cutting-edge pathway for experienced nurses seeking advanced research and educational leadership roles. By implementing an innovative 'dissertation by publication' approach, the program enables doctoral candidates to generate meaningful research throughout their academic journey. Emphasizing advanced research methodologies and nursing education strategies, graduates develop comprehensive skills in quantitative and qualitative research. The program integrates Jesuit values and provides a transformative educational experience within the Loretto Heights School of Nursing. No specific entrance exam requirement is highlighted, offering flexibility for prospective doctoral students.

• DNP to Ph.D. pathway
• Dissertation by publication
• Advanced research focus
• Nursing education emphasis
• Loretto Heights School of Nursing
• AACN-CCNE accredited program
• Jesuit values integration
• Quantitative/qualitative research
• Teaching healthcare professionals
• Leadership development

Regis University's Post-BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program offers a comprehensive educational pathway for nursing professionals. Spanning 4-5 years, students complete 74-79 credit hours through a flexible hybrid format, balancing online and on-campus learning. The dual MS and DNP degree track prepares graduates to deliver advanced clinical care with a specialized focus on family healthcare. Students accumulate 1000 clinical hours and are positioned to pursue national certification. With competitive tuition rates and a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA requirement, the program emphasizes leadership development and transformative healthcare practice. No specific entrance exam is mentioned for admission.

• Dual MS and DNP degree
• Family Nurse Practitioner focus
• 74-79 total credit hours
• Hybrid on-campus/online format
• 4-5 year program completion
• Master's: $965/credit hour
• Doctoral: $1,018/credit hour
• 1000 total clinical hours
• High national certification pass rates
• Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA

Regis University's Post-BSN to DNP program with a Rural and Underserved Communities concentration provides a distinctive pathway for nurses committed to addressing healthcare disparities. The hybrid learning format accommodates working professionals, allowing part-time study over 4-5 years. Integrating a Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice, students develop advanced clinical skills tailored to challenging rural healthcare environments. With 1000 total clinical hours and competitive tuition ranging from $71,810 to $80,420, the program prepares Family Nurse Practitioners to lead innovative community health interventions. No specific entrance exam requirement is highlighted, supporting accessibility for diverse nursing professionals.

• Dual MS and DNP degree
• Hybrid learning format
• 74-79 total credit hours
• Rural FNP concentration option
• High national certification rates
• AACN-CCNE accredited program
• Clinical hours: 1000 total
• Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA
• Optional part-time progression
• Leadership and clinical focus

Colorado Mesa University's DNP with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration delivers an innovative hybrid program targeting nurses aspiring to advanced clinical leadership. Strategically designed for working professionals, the curriculum emphasizes rural healthcare delivery and comprehensive patient care across all life stages. Students complete 1000 clinical hours while benefiting from online coursework flexibility. The program uniquely prepares graduates for national FNP certification through advanced training in pharmacology, health assessment, and quality improvement methodologies. Military-friendly and CCNE-accredited, this terminal nursing degree equips practitioners with scholarly project experience and competitive advanced practice skills.

• Online/hybrid program format
• 1000 total clinical hours
• CCNE accredited program
• Advanced practice nursing degree
• National certification eligible
• Rural healthcare focus
• Terminal clinical nursing degree
• Scholarly project required
• Competitive admission process

Colorado Mesa University's DNP-FNP program offers a comprehensive pathway for registered nurses seeking advanced primary care expertise. Spanning 74 semester hours with 1000 clinical practice hours, the hybrid online format accommodates working professionals' schedules. Emphasizing evidence-based practice and health policy, the curriculum develops critical leadership competencies across diverse patient populations. Requiring a bachelor's degree and minimum 3.0 GPA, the program strategically prepares nurses for advanced practice roles. With a focus on rural health experiences and comprehensive clinical training, graduates emerge as highly skilled primary care practitioners ready to transform healthcare delivery.

• Online hybrid program format
• 74 semester credit hours
• 1000 clinical practice hours
• Bachelor's in nursing required
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Focuses on primary care
• Advanced practice preparation
• Leadership skill development
• Evidence-based curriculum
• Rural health experiences

Colorado Christian University's online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Visionary Leadership equips advanced practice nurses to revolutionize healthcare systems through strategic leadership and evidence-based approaches. The comprehensive 30-credit program integrates biblical principles with advanced nursing competencies, preparing professionals for transformative roles in healthcare administration and policy development. Students complete the program in two years, with 525 clinical experience hours that emphasize systemic improvements and innovative leadership strategies. CCNE-accredited and designed for working professionals, the program offers flexibility without campus residency requirements, enabling nurses to advance their careers while maintaining current employment.

• Online DNP with Visionary Leadership focus
• 30 credit hours total
• Completed in two years
• No campus residency required
• 525 clinical experience hours
• CCNE accredited program
• Designed for working nurses
• Biblical worldview integration
• Prepares for leadership roles
• Evidence-based practice project