2015-2016 Graduate Catalog

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Nursing D.N.P.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice prepares expert clinicians for advanced practice roles in hospitals, primary care clinics, specialty settings such as long term care facilities, and virtually any area they wish to practice within the healthcare industry. These highly skilled practitioners will be the leaders in healthcare delivery and care management.

Specific exceptions to the Graduate School requirements for doctoral degrees have been approved. Those exceptions relate to the dissertation proposal, dissertation, defense of dissertation, advancement to candidacy, doctoral committees, research course and credit hours. Because of the clinical focus of this degree, rigorous academic standards are maintained throughout the program and students will be required to complete a capstone project instead of a dissertation.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Emphasis (Post Bachelor’s)

Post Bachelors in Nursing – Graduates are qualified to be recognized as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Apply for national certification and be recognized as an APRN from the State Board of Nursing.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Emphasis: The post-bachelor's DNP program is for BSN nurses who are interested in a practice-focused doctorate. You will be prepared as a clinical expert with a focus on the critical thinking, leadership and political policy skills needed to advocate and create changes in healthcare practice at the individual, population and organizational systems levels. BSN to DNP graduates will provide primary care health promotion and disease management for patients with episodic or chronic illnesses across the life span, focusing on the underserved.

Admission Requirements: Post Bachelors in Nursing Pathway

  1. A bachelor’s degree in nursing from NLN/ACEN or CCNE accredited institutions.
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0
  3. Eligibility for Colorado licensure as a registered nurse.
  4. One year minimum of clinical practice is preferred.
  5. Three letters of reference from former faculty, supervisor, and/or professional colleagues.
  6. Submission of a brief sample of professional writing (maximum of 10 pages). Examples:
    • Describe a scholarly evidence based case study that best exemplifies your practice.
    • Describe a current practice related concept including its scope and significance, the patient population and the clinical setting of interest. Discuss alternative approaches described in the literature and identify an approach that you might take in addressing the concept.
  7. A resume or curriculum vitae.
  8. Career goal statement articulating “why now" for your practice doctorate.
  9. Description of practice experiences and settings.
  10. A personal interview may be required.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Nursing D.N.P. — Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Emphasis (Post Bachelor’s)

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Emphasis (Post Bachelor's)

Post Bachelors in Nursing – Graduates are qualified to apply for national certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Association of Critical Care Nurses and to be recognized as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) by the State Board of Nursing.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Emphasis: AGACNP graduates are prepared as advance practice nurses to assess, diagnose, monitor, treat and coordinate the care of acutely and critically ill adolescents, adults, elderly and the frail elderly across transitions of care. This predominantly on-line program with 2 summer intensives is designed for the practicing BSN RN to allow them to continue to work in their home environment while in school. This program of study meets the guidelines for nurse practitioner education as recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.

Admission Requirements: Post Bachelors in Nursing Pathway

  1. A bachelor’s degree in nursing from NLN/ACEN or CCNE accredited institutions.
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0
  3. Eligibility for Colorado licensure as a registered nurse (RN).
  4. One year minimum of clinical RN practice in the acute care environment is preferred.
  5. Three letters of reference from former faculty, supervisor, and/or professional colleagues addressing your capabilities to complete a clinical doctorate and to be a Family Nurse Practitioner.
  6. Submission of a brief sample of professional writing (maximum of 10 pages). Examples:
    • Describe a scholarly evidence based case study that best exemplifies your practice.
    • Describe a current practice related concept including its scope and significance, the patient population and the clinical setting of interest. Discuss alternative approaches described in the literature and identify an approach that you might take in addressing the concept.
  7. A resume or curriculum vitae.
  8. Career goal statement articulating “why now" for your practice doctorate.
  9. Description of practice experiences and settings.
  10. A personal interview may be required.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Nursing D.N.P. — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Emphasis (Post Bachelor's)

Nursing D.N.P. (Post-Master's)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Post Masters emphasis is designed for clinicians with an APRN certification. Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will be prepared as clinical experts with a focus on the critical thinking, leadership and political policy skills needed to advocate and create changes in healthcare practice at the individual, population and organizational systems levels.

Admissions Requirements: Post Masters in Nursing Pathway

  1. A master’s degree in nursing from NLN/ACEN or CCNE accredited institutions.
  2. Preparation as Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) with documentation of national certification as an APRN.
  3. Minimum of 500 clinical practicum hours in the APRN master’s program.
  4. A minimum grade point average of 3.0.
  5. Eligibility for Colorado licensure as a registered nurse and APRN.
  6. Three letters of reference from former faculty, supervisor, and/or professional colleagues that address your ability to complete a clinical doctorate.
  7. Submission of a brief sample of professional writing (maximum of 10 pages). Examples:
    • Describe a scholarly evidence based case study that best exemplifies your practice.
    • Describe a current practice related concept including its scope and significance, the patient population and the clinical setting of interest. Discuss alternative approaches described in the literature and identify an approach that you might take in addressing the concept.
  8. A resume or curriculum vitae.
  9. Career goal statement articulating “why now" for your practice doctorate.
  10. Description of practice experiences and settings.
  11. Graduate level inferential statistical methods course (SRM 602) or equivalent. Must be completed prior to beginning DNP coursework.
  12. A personal interview may be required.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Nursing D.N.P. — (Post Master's)