MS Family Nurse Practitioner
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2027-03-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner
The Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for patients of all ages, from birth to the end of life. This program focuses on a comprehensive, holistic approach that considers patients' physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
Program Format
The program is offered in a hybrid online format, with mostly online coursework and some in-person requirements on the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.
Program Duration
The average time to complete the program is 2.5 years, which is equivalent to 8 semesters.
Exam Preparation
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) exam to become board-certified.
Clinical Placements
Clinical placements are arranged for students in Denver or Aurora, with partnerships with top clinics and hospitals in the metro area to provide high-quality, hands-on experiences.
Faculty
The program features expert faculty dedicated to student success, with many recognized locally and nationally for their excellence in nursing, education, and research.
Program Outcomes
The program has a 100% board certification exam pass rate, and it is ranked as the #1 nursing master's program in Colorado.
Program Details
What You Can Do
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, you will be able to:
- Prescribe medication
- Serve as an independent provider
- Assess, diagnose, and treat health conditions
- Educate patients about health management and disease prevention
Who You Can Care For
You will be able to care for patients of all ages, from birth to the end of life.
Where You Can Work
You will be able to work in various settings, including:
- Urgent care clinics
- Family clinics
- Internal medicine clinics
- More
Admissions
Deadline(s)
The application deadlines are as follows:
- Fall 2026: August 15, 2025 (application opens), January 15, 2026 (priority deadline)
- Spring 2027: January 15, 2026 (application opens), July 1, 2026 (priority deadline)
Requirements
To apply, you need to:
- Check the requirements, including letters of recommendation and transcript courses.
- Start your application and submit it through NursingCAS.
Curriculum
Hands-on Training
The program includes 630 clinical hours of experience working in a healthcare setting, with arranged clinical placements and preceptors aligned with your interests.
In-depth Coursework
The program features 42 classroom-based credit hours, covering advanced concepts ranging from pathophysiology to pediatric care. The program is mostly online, with opportunities for on-campus meetings, community service projects, and virtual chats.
Skills and Knowledge
Upon completion of the program, you will gain the following skills and knowledge:
- Demonstrate the ability to translate theory and evidence into a holistic healthcare approach for individuals and populations.
- Demonstrate the ability to provide and coordinate person-centered nursing care when working with patients and families within or across populations and settings.
- Implement interdisciplinary strategies to improve population health outcomes and promote health fairness for all patients, families, and communities through collaborative partnerships.
- Disseminate nursing scholarship to improve health and transform healthcare.
- Integrate quality and safety evidence to promote system effectiveness and individual performance.
- Cultivate interprofessional teams that enhance healthcare experiences and outcomes for patients, families, communities, and partnerships.
- Lead within complex systems to provide quality and cost-effective healthcare to improve health and reduce disparities among varied populations.
- Integrate informatics processes and technologies to manage and improve the delivery of safe, quality, and efficient healthcare services.
- Cultivate the future identity and ideals of the nursing profession.
- Demonstrate leadership skills that support organizational resilience as well as personal and professional well-being.
Tuition and Fees
Estimated Total Tuition
The estimated total tuition for the program is as follows:
- Colorado residents: $44,856
- Eligible western state residents: $44,856
- Nonresidents: $72,688
Additional Expenses
Additional expenses include:
- Matriculation fee: $140 (one-time)
- Other fees: $349 per term (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- Books and supplies: $2,000 (total for the program)
- CU health insurance: $2,742 (Fall), $3,838 (Spring), $1,095 (Summer) per term (may be waived with proof of comparable personal health insurance)