University of Northern Colorado

Nursing Programs Offered

Accelerated BSN Programs
BSN Programs
DNP Programs (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN Program Details

The RN-BSN Online Program at UNC is a 16 month totally online program for working ADN or Diploma graduates, designed for completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree. The program takes sixteen (16) months or five (5) semesters to complete. Cohorts begin every Summer and continues every semester with graduation in Fall of the following year. Two (2) courses are taken per semester. Nurses are able to work full-time while completing the program.

BSN Program Details

The University of Northern Colorado School of Nursing provides a bachelor's degree program that prepares graduates for professional nursing practice and provides the foundation for graduate study in nursing. The School of Nursing offers a traditional bachelor's of science degree in nursing program – 4 years (includes one required summer) of study. To earn a bachelor's degree in nursing from UNC, students must complete 126 semester hours of credit. At least 40 hours are from the Liberal Arts courses of the university (LAC - Liberal Arts Core) with the remainder of the hours from the required nursing prerequisite support courses and nursing courses.

MSN Program Details

The Masters in Nursing program has been in operation for over 15 years with graduate faculty receiving university and professional nursing organization awards for their outstanding teaching. Fully accredited, the UNC School of Nursing is widely recognized for preparing excellent nurses and teachers. Take advantage of faculty expertise in nursing and education to advance your skills. Our approachable faculty are actively engaged in clinical practice and research to provide you with relevant experiences.

UNC offers a Masters of Science Degree in Nursing with an emphasis in Family Nurse Practitioner. Additionally, the School also offers Post Masters certificates: the Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education. Scholarships and graduate assistantships may be available to full-time and part-time students enrolled in the nursing masters program.

Through a Master of Science (MS) degree, graduates are prepared to engage in advanced clinical practice. Students can continue their current career and family life while attending school due to the program’s one-day per week class format and with some courses taught on-line. Currently the FNP emphasis is only offered as a part-time program of study.

The Emphasis in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) teaches nurses health promotion and disease management of patients with acute or chronic illness across the life span. The School of Nursing works in partnership with the Family Medicine Residency program in Greeley and other primary care sites to encourage collaborative education between nursing and medicine. Graduates can apply for national certification as an advanced practice nurse in the primary care of families.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares individuals for specialized advanced nursing practice with the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise. The DNP program prepares expert nurse clinicians with critical thinking, leadership and political policy skills needed to advocate and create changes in healthcare practice at individual, population and organizational systems levels. Education at the doctoral level builds upon and extends content acquired at the baccalaureate and masters. Graduates of the DNP program are qualified to be recognized as an Advanced Practice Nurse from the State Board of Nursing and apply for national certification.

The UNC School of Nursing DNP degree is designed for those nurses with a MSN or BSN degree who are interested in a practice focused doctorate. As a result, there are two Pathways to the DNP degree, Post Bachelors in Nursing (first class will begin Fall 2012) and Post Masters in Nursing.