DNP Programs in Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado's Online PhD in Nursing Education emerges as a transformative program for ambitious registered nurses seeking advanced academic leadership roles. Strategically designed for professionals passionate about reshaping healthcare education, this comprehensive four-year doctoral pathway offers flexible online coursework with minimal campus engagement. Graduates develop sophisticated research methodologies and innovative teaching strategies, addressing critical faculty shortages while positioning themselves at the forefront of nursing pedagogical advancement. With competitive tuition, no GRE requirement, and a focus on professional development, the program empowers nurses to become influential educators and thought leaders in academic and clinical settings.

• 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 represents an advanced healthcare leadership program tailored for experienced advanced practice nurses. This meticulously crafted 44-credit online curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, systems leadership, and quality improvement methodologies. Designed for working professionals, the part-time format enables nurses to elevate their expertise while maintaining current clinical responsibilities. Graduates emerge as transformative healthcare practitioners equipped to drive meaningful policy changes, implement innovative care strategies, and address complex systemic challenges across diverse healthcare environments.

• 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 Doctor of Nursing Practice with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration offers a comprehensive five-year pathway for ambitious nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. This rigorous hybrid program prepares practitioners to deliver exceptional primary care across diverse patient populations, with a strong emphasis on health promotion and disease management. By combining online coursework and extensive clinical practicum, students develop critical leadership skills and advanced practice competencies. The program's competitive tuition, comprehensive curriculum, and focus on underserved communities position graduates to make significant contributions to healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

• 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 Doctor of Nursing Practice specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner offers an intensive five-year program designed to transform experienced BSN nurses into advanced clinical experts. The hybrid learning model integrates online instruction with strategic in-person sessions, providing a comprehensive approach to primary care practice. Emphasizing health promotion, disease management, and care for underserved populations, the curriculum develops sophisticated clinical reasoning and leadership capabilities. With extensive clinical practicum hours and a terminal degree focus, graduates are prepared to address complex healthcare challenges and drive meaningful patient-centered interventions across diverse medical settings.

• 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 roles. By employing an innovative 'dissertation by publication' model, the program enables students to generate meaningful scholarly work throughout their academic journey. Graduates emerge with sophisticated research skills, theoretical expertise, and comprehensive understanding of nursing education strategies. The program's interdisciplinary approach integrates Jesuit values, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and leadership development, positioning graduates as transformative healthcare professionals capable of driving significant improvements in nursing practice and education.

• 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 program delivers a comprehensive advanced practice pathway for nurses targeting Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. Spanning four to five years, students complete 74-79 credit hours through a flexible hybrid format, balancing theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical training. The program uniquely combines Master of Science in Nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice, preparing graduates to lead healthcare transformation. Emphasizing population-focused research and advanced clinical skills, students gain 1000 total clinical hours and are primed for national certification in family nursing practice.

• 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 offers a specialized track focused on Rural and Underserved Communities within the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. This innovative dual-degree pathway prepares healthcare professionals to address complex patient care challenges in medically marginalized regions. The hybrid learning format accommodates working nurses, with coursework extending 4-5 years and comprehensive clinical training. Students develop advanced practice skills tailored to rural healthcare contexts, emphasizing community-centered approaches and leadership in addressing healthcare disparities.

• 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 Christian University offers an innovative online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a concentration in Visionary Leadership, tailored for nurses aiming to lead transformative changes in healthcare. This 30-credit, CCNE-accredited program can be completed in two years, requiring 525 clinical hours without the need for campus residency. It uniquely blends advanced nursing practices with a biblical worldview, preparing graduates for top-tier roles in healthcare administration and policy. Ideal for working professionals, the curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and leadership skills, culminating in a capstone project that addresses real-world healthcare challenges.

• 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

Colorado Mesa University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration provides an innovative educational pathway focused on advanced clinical training. The program uniquely targets rural and underserved healthcare populations, offering a robust hybrid learning environment that balances online coursework with extensive clinical immersion. Students complete 1000 clinical hours while developing sophisticated skills in pharmacological management, comprehensive health assessment, and systemic quality improvement strategies. The curriculum prepares nurses for transformative leadership roles, emphasizing evidence-based practice and national certification eligibility for Family Nurse Practitioners.

• 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 Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner program offers a comprehensive educational experience designed for working registered nurses seeking advanced practice credentials. This meticulously structured 74-semester-hour curriculum integrates rigorous online learning with extensive clinical practice, enabling students to develop sophisticated healthcare leadership competencies. The program emphasizes evidence-based interventions, health policy understanding, and holistic patient care across diverse demographic groups. Graduates emerge as highly skilled primary care professionals prepared to address complex healthcare challenges with advanced clinical expertise.

• 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 State University Pueblo's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) delivers a transformative educational experience for advanced nursing professionals. The hybrid learning model enables students to pursue high-level clinical practice while maintaining professional responsibilities. By offering a concurrent Master of Science in Nursing, the program strategically expands career opportunities. Students engage in comprehensive curriculum designed to cultivate leadership skills, evidence-based healthcare strategies, and innovative delivery models. The program emphasizes individualized study plans and professional licensure preparation, ensuring graduates are equipped to drive meaningful healthcare improvements at national and global levels.

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

Colorado State University Pueblo's DNP Family Nurse Practitioner concentration provides an intensive pathway for nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. The program meticulously develops comprehensive patient-centered care skills across patient lifespans. Students engage in scholarly inquiry, interprofessional collaboration, and systemic healthcare improvement strategies. Graduates emerge as highly skilled practitioners capable of addressing complex health challenges through evidence-based practice. The hybrid format allows working professionals to advance their clinical knowledge while maintaining professional commitments, with a curriculum emphasizing leadership development and sophisticated healthcare intervention techniques.

• 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

CSU Pueblo's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP concentration prepares advanced practice nurses for specialized mental health care delivery. This innovative hybrid program develops expert clinicians through 1,320 practicum hours and rigorous coursework. Students gain comprehensive skills in evidence-based psychiatric practice, preparing for national certification across diverse mental health settings. The curriculum strategically integrates advanced clinical training with scholarly inquiry, enabling graduates to address complex psychological healthcare needs. Flexible admission pathways and a comprehensive four-year program structure support professional development for aspiring mental health practitioners.

• 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

Colorado State University Pueblo's Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP concentration offers comprehensive training for advanced practice nurses. The program combines intensive academic coursework with 1,320 practical training hours, preparing nurses for complex healthcare environments. Students develop advanced clinical skills, leadership capabilities, and scholarly expertise specifically tailored to acute and gerontological care. Designed for registered nurses, the curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and prepares graduates for national certification exams. The program's structured approach ensures practitioners can effectively manage intricate patient care scenarios in dynamic healthcare settings.

• 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

CSU Pueblo's Population Health DNP concentration provides an innovative hybrid pathway for nurses seeking advanced population-level healthcare strategies. Tailored for working professionals, the program cultivates nurse leaders capable of transforming healthcare through strategic interventions. Students develop sophisticated clinical skills, evidence-based population health techniques, and leadership competencies to address complex systemic health challenges. Requiring a BSN with minimum 3.0 GPA and active RN licensure, the program prepares nurses to implement comprehensive health improvement strategies across diverse community contexts.

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