The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree represents the highest level of preparation in nursing practice based on nursing science, and prepares leaders for nursing practice. The DNP program offered by the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) will build upon the base of a BSN in Nursing and experience in clinical practice.

The BSN to DNP program trains nurses to become leaders in improving the healthcare system. The focus of the program is to teach them how to use science and theories to create better models of care for patients.

Graduates will have the skills to lead healthcare change, analyze the healthcare system, think critically, work well with others, and use technology to improve patient care. They will also learn the importance of ethical, safe, culturally sensitive, and cost-effective care for all patients.

The program ends with a project that shows what the nurse has learned and how they can make a positive impact on healthcare.

Upon admission to the BSN-DNP program, the student must complete a minimum of 70 credits at the graduate level and earn at least 70 credits to graduate with a doctorate at UCCS. Students must maintain a B grade or better in all courses.

A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained to remain in the program. A successfully defended DNP project is required. The student must complete all degree requirements within seven years.

The final requirement of the DNP program is a quality-improvement project consisting of a paper, poster, and presentation.

BSN-DNP (PMHNP) Full-Time
NURS 7010: Theoretical Foundations of Reflective Practice
NURS 7070: Population Based Health Care for Improving the Nation’s Health
NURS 6120: Research and Knowledge Translation in Nursing
NURS 6740: Advanced Pathophysiology
NURS 7200: Organizational Systems Leadership (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 6730: Health Assessment (45 contact hrs of clinical)
NURS 7080: Clinical Nursing Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice 
NURS 7120: Evaluation of Clinical Research & QI Projects
NURS 6280: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics 
NURS 7090: Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship for Advanced Practice Nursing
NURS 6800: Mental Health Assessment & Interventions Across the Lifespan 
NURS 8050: DNP Project I
NURS 6801: (135 hrs clinical) Adult Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP
NURS 8051: DNP Project II 
DNP PROJECT PROPOSAL DEFENSE
NURS 6802: (135 hrs clinical) Geriatric Psychiatric Diagnosis & Management for the PMHNP
NURS 8052: DNP Project III
NURS 6803: (135 hrs clinical) Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP 
NURS 7030: Advanced Health Care Policy, Ethics and Law (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 8053: DNP Project IV
NURS 6985: (225 hrs clinical) Final Synthesis Practicum PMH option 
NURS 8054: DNP Project V DNP PROJECT DEFENSE

BSN-DNP (AGNP) Full-Time 
NURS 7010: Theoretical Foundations of Reflective Practice
NURS 7070: Population Based Health Care for Improving the Nation’s Health
NURS 6120: Research and Knowledge Translation in Nursing
NURS 6740: Advanced Pathophysiology
NURS 7200: Organizational Systems Leadership (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 6730: Health Assessment (45 contact hrs of clinical)
NURS 7080: Clinical Nursing Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice 
NURS 7120: Evaluation of Clinical Research & QI Projects
NURS 6280: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics 
NURS 7090: Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship for Advanced Practice Nursing
NURS 6915 (5) Primary Care of Adults and Families with Acute Health Conditions (90 hrs clinical practicum) 
NURS 6960 (2) Gender Health Primary Care 
NURS 8050 (3) DNP Project I
NURS 6925 (5) Primary Care of Adults & Families with Chronic Health Conditions (90 hrs clinical practicum) 
NURS 8051 (2) DNP Project II 
DNP PROJECT PROPOSAL DEFENSE
NURS 6950 (5) Primary Care of Older Adults of Patients and Families 
NURS 8052 (1) DNP Project III
NURS 7030 (4) Advanced Health Care Policy, Ethics and Law (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 6980 (4) Synthesis Practicum (180 hours of practicum) 
NURS 8053 (2) DNP Project I
NURS 6980 (4) Synthesis Practicum (180 hours of practicum) 
NURS 8054 (3) DNP Project V 
DNP PROJECT DEFENSE

Graduates in the master's and post-master's certificate programs are eligible to apply for licensure in the states listed below; where our curriculum meets the requirements for licensure. You can learn more about the requirements for APRN licensure in Colorado by visiting the Colorado Board of Nursing APRN application page, or the state board of nursing in the state of your primary residence.

Department of Education Required Licensure Disclosure Information 

• Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a Nationally Accredited Nursing program
• BSN GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Current unrestricted Registered Nurse license from an approved state listed on our website
• All English as Second Language (ESL) applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency for admission. This requirement can be met by one of the English Proficiency Requirements.
• Submission of all required application materials by posted deadlines (all required materials are listed in the online application)

Essay Questions

The online application will require answers to several essay questions. We strongly recommend drafting your answers to these questions before beginning the application so that you can complete it in one sitting.  

Essay Questions: the first is mandatory, then choose 3 of the remaining 6 questions to answer. Responses should be 250-300 words each.

1. What are you doing to find clinical spots? (mandatory question)
2. What professional or personal life obstacles have you had to overcome to be successful in your education or career?
3. What skills or characteristics do you possess that will make you a successful practitioner?
4. What opportunities do you see that might help improve health in your state?
5. What language or cultural expertise and experience do you have that enhances your ability to practice health care?
6. What interests do you have in historical, cultural or health related topics that have spurred your intellectual curiosity?
7. What professional life experiences do you have or community service have you done where you led efforts to overcome a problem or challenge?”

Debbie Schultze

Academic Services Professional
(719) 255-4458
dschult3@uccs.edu

For information about accreditation for this and all our programs, please visit our accreditation page.

See the Bursars Office website for a tuition and fee estimate. 

Additional costs:
There are additional costs besides tuition that are incurred when obtaining licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.  

The estimated costs below may include but are not limited to an application fee (70.00-350.00), transcripts (15.00) and fingerprinting and background check (30.00-58.00). Certification board examination fees (see links below) along with professional liability insurance (600.00-1500.00). These are estimates based on the states we admit from and can change at any time. You should use the links below to find the specific state Board of Nursing (BON) website where you plan to apply for licensure in order to find the most current information.  

• https://www.aanp.org/ 
• https://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/