The University of Colorado College of Nursing (CU Nursing at CU Anschutz) now offers three Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BS-DNP)
- Master of Science (MSN)
- Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC)
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DNP – AG-ACNP | $60,075 | 4 years |
| MSN – AG-ACNP | $39,249 | 2.5 years (8 semesters) |
| Post-Graduate Certificate – AG-ACNP | $12,816 | 1 year (3 semesters) |
All three tracks are delivered in a flexible hybrid online format requiring minimal in-person visits to the Aurora, CO campus.
The program maintains a 100% board certification exam pass rate and provides the critical support of coordinating clinical placements for students in the Denver metro area.
BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice – AG-ACNP
The estimated cost for the BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice program is $60,075 for Colorado residents and would take 4 years (13 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
This integrated pathway allows students to earn both their AG-ACNP Master of Science degree and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree consecutively with a single application.
The DNP prepares graduates for high-level roles in leadership, advanced clinical practice, and healthcare policy, with a core focus on evidence-based quality improvement.
DNP Curriculum
This comprehensive curriculum totals 74 credit hours, composed of 51 didactic and 23 clinical credits, building advanced clinical knowledge alongside research and leadership principles.
NURS 6243 – Advanced Pathophysiology
This course examines advanced disease mechanisms across body systems and the lifespan. Students connect epidemiology, genetics, immunology, and cultural factors to clinical signs, diagnostics, and management decisions in acute and chronic illness.
NURS 6286 – Foundations of Informatics
This course introduces informatics tools that support evidence-based decisions and safe, efficient care. Learners evaluate health technologies, use data to improve quality, and practice informatics skills that support patient engagement and leadership in learning health systems.
NURS 6222 – Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics
This course deepens knowledge of pharmacologic principles for advanced practice. Students design safe, evidence-based medication plans across the lifespan, considering diverse populations and social determinants of health.
NURS 6070 – Policy and Politics of Health
This course explores how policy shapes health, healthcare delivery, and nursing roles at all levels. Students analyze current policies, examine sociopolitical drivers, and engage directly with a policymaker or policy forum.
NURS 6761 – Advanced Assessment
This course strengthens advanced health assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. Learners refine communication, physical examination, and critical thinking to generate accurate, clinically reasoned assessments and plans.
NURS 6859 – Advanced Professional Role
This course prepares learners for the responsibilities of the advanced practice registered nurse role. Students analyze scope of practice, professional expectations, and common transition challenges, and develop strategies to function confidently as APRNs.
NURS 6009 – Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing
This course introduces philosophical, ethical, and theoretical foundations that guide advanced nursing practice. Students examine major nursing theories and ways of knowing, then build an initial practice model based on their personal nursing philosophy.
NURS 6109 – Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence
This course focuses on formulating PICOT questions and appraising evidence to address priority health problems. Learners refine skills in searching, critiquing, and synthesizing research to improve quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of care.
NURS 5981 – AGACNP Practicum I
In this first practicum, AGACNP learners apply advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning to acute and chronic conditions. Emphasis is on safe, evidence-based interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and holistic care in real clinical settings.
NURS 6600 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I
This course introduces diagnosis and management of acute conditions in adult and older adult patients. Students use advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning to prioritize urgent and emergent needs while applying systems-based acute care strategies.
NURS 5982 – AGACNP Practicum II
In this practicum, AGACNP learners expand their ability to synthesize diagnostic data and deliver patient-centered care. The focus is on advanced assessment, care coordination, and teamwork for patients with complex acute and chronic illnesses.
NURS 6620 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Diagnostics and Therapeutics
This course covers advanced diagnostics and therapeutic interventions for acutely and critically ill adults. Students interpret clinical data and practice technical skills needed to perform procedures and manage complex treatments in acute care settings.
NURS 5983 – AGACNP Practicum III
This practicum builds higher-level clinical decision-making for AGACNP learners. Students manage complex cases, coordinate care with interprofessional teams, and refine patient-centered approaches to improve outcomes in acute care environments.
NURS 6610 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II
This course continues preparation for advanced management of acute and critical conditions in adults and older adults. Students deepen their diagnostic reasoning, refine treatment strategies, and strengthen patient-centered care in high-acuity settings.
NURS 5984 – AGACNP Practicum IV
In this capstone practicum, AGACNP learners demonstrate readiness for independent practice. Emphasis is on managing complex caseloads, leading care teams, and consistently achieving strong patient outcomes in acute and critical care.
NURS 6849 – PC IV: DM III Care for the Complex Older Adult
This course focuses on managing complex health problems in older adults, including palliative and end-of-life needs. Students address optimization of function, symptom management, and the social and policy issues that affect this population.
NURS 6107 – Research and Quality Improvement Methods: Principles of Evidence
This course reviews quantitative and qualitative methods that support evidence-based practice. Students evaluate research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to guide advanced practice decisions and quality initiatives.
NURS 8020 – DNP Project Preparation
This course helps DNP students plan their scholarly project. Learners assess practice or system readiness, review relevant evidence, and incorporate ethical and regulatory requirements while drafting a formal project proposal.
NURS 6800 – Leadership, Financial Management, and Innovation
This course examines leadership theories, management concepts, and financial principles in complex health systems. Students analyze their leadership style, study economic drivers, and develop a business plan for an innovative nursing program or practice change.
NURS 6303 – Epidemiology and Health
This course introduces epidemiologic concepts, study design, and data use in clinical and policy decisions. Learners build skills in risk assessment, program planning, and translating findings into strategies for health promotion and disease prevention.
NURS 8030 – DNP Project I
In this course, DNP students begin active work on their scholarly project. They apply theoretical models, implement initial strategies under regulatory guidelines, and refine their approach based on evidence review and feedback.
NURS 6108 – Inferential Statistics and Quality Improvement: Applying Evidence
This course covers statistical techniques and their use in quality improvement. Students practice database management, descriptive and inferential statistics, and apply these tools to real nursing research and QI examples.
NURS 8040 – DNP Project II
DNP students implement their clinical scholarly project by leading a team, collecting data, and starting analysis. They use small tests of change, technology, and institutional resources, while planning for dissemination of results.
NURS 8050 – DNP Project III
In this final project course, DNP students complete data collection and analysis, then present their findings. Requirements include a scholarly paper, oral presentation, and e-portfolio that demonstrate project impact and professional growth.
More curriculum details available here.
DNP Clinicals
Students complete over 1,170 clinical hours during the DNP track through immersive experiences in acute care settings.
The clinical work trains students to become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), providing comprehensive care for complex, chronically ill patients across the adult lifespan.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Admission requires a minimum undergraduate nursing GPA of 3.0 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from a CCNE or ACEN-accredited program.
An unencumbered RN license is mandatory, along with the completion of undergraduate nursing research and statistics courses with a grade of “C” or higher. Applicants must also submit three professional or academic letters of reference and a required essay.
Master of Science – AG-ACNP
The estimated cost for the Master of Science program is approximately $39,249 for Colorado residents and would take 2.5 years (8 semesters) to complete.
This track culminates in an MSN degree, qualifying the graduate to take the board certification exam to become an independent provider in acute care settings.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN curriculum consists of 34 didactic credit hours of classroom instruction. Coursework focuses on advanced assessment, advanced pharmacology, and the foundations of healthcare informatics necessary for advanced practice.
Coursework includes:
- NURS 6243 Adv Pathophysiology 3 Didactic Credits 3
- NURS 6286 Foundations Informatics
- NURS 6222 Adv Pharm & Therapeutics
- NURS 6070 Policy and Politics of Health
- NURS 6761 Advanced Assessment
- NURS 6859 Advanced Professional Role
- NURS 6009 Theory Foundation for Advanced Nursing
- NURS 6109 Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence
- NURS 6590 Introduction to Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 5981 AGACNP Practicum I
- NURS 6600 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I
- NURS 5982 AGACNP Practicum II
- NURS 6620 Adult Gero Acute Care NP Diagnostics & Therapeutics
- NURS 5983 AGACNP Practicum III
- NURS 6610 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 2
- NURS 5984 AGACNP Practicum IV
- NURS 6630 Advanced Practice Synthesis in Adult Gerontology Acute Care
More curriculum details can be found here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN track requires students to complete 720 clinical hours of hands-on experience, preparing them to care for acutely or critically ill patients.
Placements are arranged for students in the Denver Metro area, but those outside the region must secure their own placements for program approval.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
The primary requirements include a minimum undergraduate nursing degree GPA of 3.0 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from a CCNE or ACEN-accredited institution. An unencumbered RN license, a nursing research course, a statistics course, three references, and a required essay are also necessary for a complete application.
Post-Graduate Certificate – AG-ACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate program is $12,816 for Colorado residents and would take 1 year (3 semesters) to complete.
This certificate is designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to branch out into the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty.
Certificate Curriculum
This program includes 16 total credit hours (8 didactic and 8 clinical) in the classroom, focusing on specialty courses like diagnostics and therapeutics.
Course selection for the certificate is tailored based on a transcript evaluation of the applicant’s prior graduate nursing coursework.
Certificate Clinicals
The certificate requires 360 clinical hours in a clinical setting. This intensive, focused clinical experience provides the necessary hands-on training to prepare the APRN for board certification and licensure.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
Applicants must hold a Master of Science in nursing and have relevant RN experience, preferably in an acute care setting. Other core requirements, such as a minimum undergraduate nursing GPA of 3.0 (or GRE/graduate coursework), are also evaluated during the application process.
Tuition
The estimated total tuition for the BS-DNP track for Colorado residents is $60,075, and for the MSN track, it is $39,249.
All graduate students are responsible for a one-time $140 matriculation fee and additional per-term fees.
More curriculum details are available here.
Accreditation
The University of Colorado College of Nursing is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
All advanced practice programs, including the AG-ACNP specialties across the master’s, DNP, and certificate levels, are additionally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Other Nursing Programs
The College of Nursing offers several other advanced programs, including:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN, PGC)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Adult-Gerontology (MSN, PGC)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care (BSN to DNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP)
- Master of Science in Midwifery (MSM)
- i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems (MSN for non-BSN holders)
More ACNP Programs for Colorado Residents
- Colorado State University Pueblo - Pueblo