5 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Colorado – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Why go on to get a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree if you’re already a healthcare professional in Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing? Because a DNP will help you develop clinical and leadership skills that will put you at the top of the Centennial State’s healthcare industry. On average, you’ll earn $124,770 annually and have your pick of dynamic employment opportunities after you graduate from one of the BSN to DNP programs in Colorado. So, what are you waiting for? Everything you need to know about the 5 best BSN to DNP programs in Colorado for 2025 is below.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN TO DNP PROGRAMS IN COLORADO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 5 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Colorado (Online & Campus).)1. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus - Aurora
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, & Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Adult-Gerontology), Family Nurse Practitioner, i-LEAD Nursing Leadership & Health Care Systems, Nurse-Midwifery, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Veteran & Military Health Care Leadership, and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
At this nursing school, based on where you find your calling, you can enroll in any one of the clinical BSN to DNP tracks such as adult gerontology acute care, adult gerontology primary care, clinical nurse specialist, family health, midwifery, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, or women’s health. Alternatively, if you are inclined towards non-clinical roles, you can opt to complete your doctorate either in health systems leadership or veterans & military health care leadership. The veteran's leadership track is one of its kind in the nation that prepares you for the healthcare management of veterans.
If you opt for any of the clinical BSN to DNP tracks, you’ll require completing around 75 credits and 1170 clinical hours. In addition to DNP core courses, the clinical tracks include advanced practice courses and courses within the chosen focus area.
The veteran’s leadership-BSN-to-DNP coursework comprises 61 credits. The program emphasizes the care of veterans, military healthcare systems, psychological healthcare for veterans and service members, roles of women during the war, and military & veteran disability evaluation.
If you choose to complete your doctorate in health systems leadership, then you’ll complete around 59 credits through a 100% online format. The i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Systems program includes courses such as relational communication, innovative leadership, health systems management, research methods, and executive leadership.
Admission Requirements: To fulfill the admission requirements of this BSN-to-DNP program in Colorado, you must have at least a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, your RN license must be active and unencumbered. To apply, you must be prepared to submit an essay, three letters of reference, and your official transcripts. Further, to qualify, you are required to have completed pre-requisite courses in research and statistics.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus BSN-to-DNP Students
• The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has affiliations with prominent healthcare organizations including, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Hospital, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where you’ll practice clinical skills under the guidance of a preceptor.• The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus nursing school, founded in 1898 has a long history of contributing to the nursing workforce. Aside from this, the school has pioneered nurse practitioner education, having founded the first NP program in the nation. So, regardless of whether you opt for any of the NP tracks or the leadership specialization, the doctoral education that you gain is built on a solid foundation of excellence in nursing education.
• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus’s BSN to DNP in health systems leadership is a 100% online program, having no residency requirements. Also, the program offers the same tuition costs for in-state and out-of-state students. So, if you choose to complete your doctorate in health systems leadership, you’ll not only take classes from the comfort of your home, you’ll even pay the same tuition costs, no matter where you live.
2. University of Northern Colorado - Greeley
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner
The coursework requires the completion of 97 credits and 1,395 hours of clinical practice. You’ll take courses in the BSN to DNP core, APRN core, FNP core, and DNP-research core courses.
The BSN to DNP core courses teach you topics such as policy, leadership & nursing issues, advanced healthcare concepts, epidemiology in advanced nursing practice, population-centered healthcare, advanced nursing theory, and leadership in health policy. Further, the APRN courses teach you advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and health promotion & disease prevention. The FNP-specific courses prepare you to provide primary care to individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Aside from this, you’ll master research core topics such as evidence-based practice, translational research methods, and design methods & analysis in healthcare research.
Admission Requirements: As a potential applicant for this BSN-to-DNP program in Colorado, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, you must have a valid RN license in your practice state. Besides, you must have at least one year of experience as a nurse. Other admission requirements include the submission of your official transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and three recommendation letters.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Northern Colorado BSN-to-DNP Students
• At the University of Northern Colorado, you’ll pay the same tuition costs, regardless of your residential status.• To accommodate the needs of working nurses, the last six semesters of University of Northern Colorado’s BSN-to-DNP-FNP program are offered entirely online.
• University of Northern Colorado’s BSN to DNP program is delivered by renowned faculty members who are experts in the field of advanced practice nursing.
3. Regis University - Denver
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Regis’s BSN to DNP program trains you in three advanced practice fields; family health, neonatal care, and psychiatric mental health. The program is offered through on-campus and online classes, taking almost three to four years to complete.
As a graduate of this program, you’ll earn an MSN along the way to your doctorate. After completing the MSN and NP courses, you’ll take the national certification exam and continue with the program to complete the remaining doctoral courses. While the MSN and NP portion of the curriculum is hybrid, the DNP courses are offered entirely online to allow you to pursue your career as a nurse practitioner.
Regardless of the BSN to DNP track you choose, you’ll require completing 74 to 79 credits and at least 1000 hours of clinical training.
All the BSN to DNP tracks include core courses that teach you advanced physiology & pathophysiology, health care policy, applied statistics, health informatics, epidemiology & health promotion for populations, and health system decision-making. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the NP certification exam in your chosen population focus.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for this BSN-to-DNP program in Colorado, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Additionally, your RN license must be valid and current. To apply, you are required to submit your official transcripts, a resume, a two-page personal statement, and three professional recommendations. Besides, it is preferred that you have at least two years of nursing work experience to enhance your chances of admission.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Regis University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Regis University nursing school, being a Catholic Jesuit university, will provide you with an environment where you’ll develop the professional skills and attitude to transform health.• Regis University’s nursing school’s dedicated faculty and success coaches train you for professional success within your chosen area of practice.
• Regis University not only ranks among the best nursing schools in the nation but is also counted as one of the most military-friendly schools as per the U.S. News & World Report.
4. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs
Specialties Offered: Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult/Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The BSN to DNP coursework comprises around 70 credits. Offered through a combination of online and on-campus learning, the program starts with core courses and ends with a DNP quality improvement project.
The required core courses that are common for both the BSN to DNP tracks teach you advanced healthcare policy, ethics & law, clinical nursing for evidence-based practice, healthcare economics & finance, organizational systems leadership & quality improvement, and statistics. Also, both the BSN to DNP tracks comprise courses in clinical pharmacotherapeutics, advanced health assessment, and advanced pathophysiology. Further, each BSN to DNP track comprises courses that prepare you for the healthcare care management of your chosen population focus.
Admission Requirements: This BSN-to-DNP program in Colorado is open to licensed registered nurses who have an accredited BSN. To qualify, your GPA must be at least 3.0. Additionally, you must submit your official transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Colorado at Colorado Springs BSN-to-DNP Students
• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs nursing school consistently gets ranked by the U.S. News & World Report for the top-quality education it provides.• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs nursing school has a rich experience of more than 100 years of training compassionate nurses who are committed to health improvement. The BSN to DNP program leverages this valuable experience, to develop a curriculum that is aligned with the evolving needs of the nursing field.
• The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs nursing school enjoys partnerships with prominent healthcare organizations across the nation. As a BSN to DNP student, you’ll be able to take advantage of this extensive network by securing desirable clinical placements.
5. Colorado Mesa University - Grand Junction
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Comprising 78 credits this BSN-to-DNP program in Colorado also includes 1000 hours of clinical practice. In addition to didactic courses in graduate core and FNP specialty, the program includes clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings, 80% of which are in primary care and the remaining in various nursing specialties.
The BSN-to-DNP coursework requires you to complete courses in evidence-based practice, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, health promotion & disease prevention, and mental & behavioral health. Also, the program includes topics such as diagnostic testing, primary care of rural and underserved populations, advanced quality improvement & leadership, and statistics for health sciences.
Admission Requirements: To apply to Colorado Mesa University’s BSN to DNP program, you must be prepared to submit your official transcripts, three letters of professional & academic recommendation, an essay, and a copy of your active and unencumbered RN license.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Colorado Mesa University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Colorado Mesa University nursing school offers one of the lowest tuition costs in Colorado. Further, the school provides several funding opportunities through scholarships and financial aid opportunities.• Colorado Mesa University nursing school’s small-sized classes provide a close-knit learning environment where not only will you enjoy personalized attention, but you’ll also find plenty of opportunities to connect with faculty and peers.
• Colorado Mesa University nursing school is well-equipped with clinical and simulation labs that provide students with rigorous clinical training in a safe and non-threatening environment. As a BSN to DNP student, in addition to practicing skills at the school’s labs, you’ll be provided opportunities of honing skills in a variety of clinical settings across the state.
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