Colorado Nursing Doctorate Degree Programs

American Sentinel University: DNP Program Review
American Sentinel University, 2260 South Xanadu Way, Suite 310, Aurora, CO 80014.
Established in 1988, American Sentinel University enrolls over 1,000 students in its various online programs which offer training in nursing, business, technology and related healthcare fields. The college is based in Aurora, Colorado and also Birmingham, Alabama though classes are delivered through online education programs.

American Sentinel University offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program with a focus in education or leadership. The DNP in Executive Leadership trains nurses to become leaders in the healthcare setting. The doctoral program is unique in that students with a masters degree in fields other than nursing such as education and business are eligible to apply. However, in order to apply to the doctoral program, all applicants should be nurses with three years of senior level experience. Students with a masters degree in a field other than nursing should also have 3 years of experience in nurse leadership. Prerequisites for students without a Master of Science degree in nursing include a bridge course for transition into the program

The DNP Educational Leadership provides training to aspiring nurse educators. Admission requirements for the education-focused DNP program include being a nurse educator with a minimum three years of leadership experience. Applicants should note that this experience should be within the past 10 years.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs: DNP Program Review

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway

Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs was established in 1965, though the campus was established in 1876. The University of Colorado has campuses in Aurora, Denver and Boulder in addition to the Colorado Springs Campus. Over 7,000 students are enrolled at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

The DNP program offered at the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a 100% online degree program. The application deadline is annually in March, with the program commencing in August. Admission requirements for nurses seeking to apply to the program include a minimum GPA of 3.3 in undergraduate nursing degree program and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the previous graduate nursing program. Students should have graduated from an NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) Accredited Program. Additional requirements include 3 letters of recommendation from nurse educators, certification in the advanced specialization of Nurse Practitioner
(NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and an RN (Registered Nurse License). GRE scores are not required for admission to the DNP program.

The application process to the DNP program at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is very simple. To apply to the DNP program, students are required to complete the online application and mail a hard-copy of addition materials. An in-person or telephone interview may be required as part of the admissions process.

University of Colorado Denver: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review

1200 Larimer St

Denver, CO 80204

The University of Colorado Denver campus was established in 1912. The college is part of the University of Colorado system, established in 1876, which includes the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

The University of Colorado Denver offers two doctoral programs, both a DNP and PhD in nursing program. The PhD in Nursing program is a hybrid program, allowing students to complete nursing courses online with limited campus visits. The doctorate nursing programs provides training to nurses who seek to disseminate knowledge through research activities. Through the NEXus (Nursing Education Exchange) program, nursing students at the University of Colorado Denver are able to pursue additional nursing training through elective courses offered through the NEXus program. Both nurses with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and Masters of Science in Nursing are eligible to apply to the PhD in nursing program.

As with the PhD in Nursing program, the DNP accepts applications from students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing. Students with a BSN will earn an MSN and develop an advanced practice specialization while completing the DNP degree. MSN applicants who already have a specialization will maintain their specialization throughout the DNP program.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship have been awarded to nursing students at the University of Colorado Denver in previous academic years. The benefits extend to out-of-state students who in some cases may be able to secure a reduction in tuition. Nursing scholarships are awarded according to a student’s future career goals and specific areas of focus in research and studies.

University of Northern Colorado: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review

2101 10th Ave

Greeley, CO 80631

Based in Greeley, Colorado, the University of Northern Colorado offers training towards bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs. The university has an additional campus in the area of Lowry located in Denver, Colorado. The University of Northern, Colorado was founded in 1889.

The PhD in Nursing program at the University of Northern Colorado is focused in nursing education. As there is a current shortage of nursing educators, a career as a nurse educator is a viable option for graduates of PhD in Nursing Programs. Admission requirements to the PhD in Nursing Education program include a bachelors of science in nursing or masters of science in nursing (or related field) and GRE scores. Students from certain states are not eligible to apply for the PhD program, which is delivered primarily through online instruction. The minimum GPA required to apply to the nursing doctorate program is 3.0.

The DNP program admits both bachelors and masters students in two separate tracks. Students in the DNP program may pursue the Nursing Education certificate to obtain the training necessary to teach in nursing education programs. Admission requirements to the DNP program include a minimum 3.0 GPA and graduation from a program that is accredited by a nursing body (CCNE or NLNAC).

Application deadline for all doctoral nursing programs is February each year.