Have a question about the College of Nursing graduate programs? Review our frequently asked questions below to find the answer.
1. Why should I earn my MS in nursing degree?
2. Why should I consider a nursing program at the Anschutz Medical campus?
3. Do I have to decide on a specialty option when applying?
4. How much does it cost?
5. How do I establish residency to receive in-state tuition?
6. Can I receive financial assistance?
7. How competitive is the admission process?
8. What is considered in the admission’s process?
9. Is the GRE required?
10. How long will it take to complete the program?
11. Can I work during the program?
12. Are classes offered online?
13. Are there clinical requirements?
14. What are the prerequisite courses for the MS program?
15. Do I need a RN License?
16. Do you have TOEFL and/or TSE (TES of Spoken English) requirements?
17. How do I apply?
18. When do I apply for the program?
19. Where do I send my transcripts?
20. How do I know when my application is complete?
21. My recommender is having trouble submitting a recommendation, what should I do?
22. When will I receive my admission decision?
23. Regarding letters of recommendation, what is an academic reference?
24. How and where do I get my nursing accreditation?
25. Where can I get more information about the nursing programs?
1. Why should I earn my MS in nursing degree?
The Master of Science degree provides the opportunity for advanced study in selected areas of nursing science, professional foundations and specialized professional nursing practice and leadership. Return to top
2. Why should I consider a nursing program at the Anschutz Medical campus?
The College of Nursing, founded in 1898, created the country’s first school nurse programs and the first nurse practitioner programs in the world. Faculty in the advanced practice specialty options maintain clinical practices and are certified in the areas. The college touts the use of innovative multi-disciplinary curriculum, numerous national rankings, and real-world experience through multiple clinical placements in addition, the program employs teaching and clinical instruction supplemented by simulation technology. Return to top
3. Do I have to decide on a specialty option when applying?
Yes, determining what you’re passionate about now will likely bring you a more fulfilling career in the future. Research that particular area, talk to an advanced practice or leadership nurse in the specialty of your interest to ensure you truly have a passion for that particular specialty option. When applying, cater your essay to appeal to the faculty within the specific specialty option. Return to top
4. How much does it cost?
The program will cost approximately $25, 000 for in-state residents (calculation based on 48 credit hours). A current schedule of tuition and fees is available on the Bursar's Office tuition web page. Return to top
5. How do I establish residency to receive in-state tuition?
The requirement for in-state residency status is that students must live in Colorado 1 year to receive in-state tuition. Please see the Registrar’s page for more information. Return to top
6. Can I receive financial assistance?
Yes. Numerous scholarships are awarded to new and continuing students by the College of Nursing and outside organizations. You will want to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Contact the Financial Aid Office on the Anschutz Medical Campus at 303.724.8039 located in Education 2 North, 3rd Floor. Return to top
7. How competitive is the admission process?
Depending on the specialty option, the selection process can be competitive. For the advanced practice specialty options, we receive about 6 applications for every student seat. Return to top
8. What is considered in the admission’s process? Evaluation committees make decisions based on the following: the cumulative college grade point average (should be at least 3.0) for all attempted undergraduate college work, the grade point average of Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing coursework, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation. Return to top
9. Is the GRE required?
No, but if your cumulative grade point average is below a 3.0, the GRE is recommended. Return to top
10. How long will it take to complete the program?
Most students successfully complete the program in 2 to 3 years. Program completion depends on the specialty option and your life commitments. However, you will need to complete the programs within 5 years. Return to top
11. Can I work during the program?
Depending on the specialty option, you may be able to work either part-time or full-time. If you are interested in an advanced practice specialty option, your work ability may be limited due to the clinical component. Please view question 13 for more information on clinicals. Return to top
12. Are classes offered online?
There are four core courses and Health Promotion offered online. All other courses are only offered on-campus. For those students who are applying from rural communities in Colorado, we do offer our specialty courses via ITV. This option is only for students outside the 7 county metro area. Return to top
13. Are there clinical requirements?
Yes, for all nurse practitioner specialty options. If you are in the Denver metro area, we will arrange clinicals for you. If you are in a rural area, outside of the metro area, you are required to find your own clinical placements. Please note that clinical placements are Monday-Friday. We do not offer weekend clinical placements. Students must be flexible with their schedules to accommodate clinical placements. All clinicals must be completed in Colorado. Student should move to Colorado to complete this portion of the program. *There are no clinical requirements for i-LEAD and Health Care Informatics. Return to top
14. What are the prerequisite courses for the MS program?
Yes, there are two required courses needed for admission; the completion of a research course and a statistics course. Both must be completed with a grade of C or better at regionally accredited institution. Return to top
15. Do I need a RN License?
At the time of application, you will need to submit a copy of your RN license. Depending on the specialty option, for clinical purposes, once you are accepted a Colorado RN license will be required. Return to top
16. Do you have TOEFL and/or TSE (TES of Spoken English) requirements?
If your primary spoken language is not English, you will need to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores as part of the application process. Return to top
17. How do I apply?
You should review the complete admissions information on the College of Nursing website and select the specific graduate program applying to before beginning the application process. Our application is completely online. Return to top
19. Where do I send my transcripts? You will need to send one copy of your official transcripts from every college or university attended, regardless of the year, course, or institution. To be considered "official", transcripts need to be sent (mailed or emailed) directly from the institution. You may have your institution e-mail the eTranscripts to: nursing.transcripts@ucdenver.edu or mail them to the address below:
Office of Student Affairs & Diversity University of Colorado
College of Nursing C288-6
13120 E 19th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80045 Return to top
20. How do I know when my application is complete?
When your application is complete, an application processing team member will email you. Return to top
21. My recommender is having trouble submitting a recommendation, what should I do?
If your recommender did not receive an email, you may send the following form to him/her.
MS Recommendation Form.pdf. You may email this form to nursing.admissions@ucdenver.edu, or fax it to 303-724-1710, or send it to the address below.
Office of Student Affairs & Diversity University of Colorado
College of Nursing C288-6
13120 E 19th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80045 Return to top
22. When will I receive my admission decision?
If you are applying for fall term, you should receive an admission decision in April. If you are applying for spring term, you should receive your admission decision in September. Return to top
23. Regarding letters of recommendation, what is an academic reference?
An academic reference refers to someone (professor, instructor, advisor, mentor) who can speak to your academic readiness, preparation, and achievements. She/he does not need to be in the nursing field. Return to top
24. How and where do I get my nursing accreditation?
Proof of nursing accreditation from the awarding institution(s) where you received your nursing degree is required. The nursing accreditation information must show accreditation at the time you were awarded the degree.
There are 2 accrediting bodies for nursing programs, the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Educations) and the NLN/NLNAC (National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission). Please access the links below to find accreditation information for your appropriate nursing program. If you do not find the information on the web pages, please contact the school directly and have a school official send me an email with the nursing accreditation information.
1. CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Educations)
2. NLN (National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission, also known as NLNAC):
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25. Where can I get more information about the nursing programs?
Attend an Information Session. At the information session, you will be able to meet with faculty and current students, tour the campus, and ask admission and financial aid questions. You may also email and a Student Affairs Specialist can answer questions. Return to top