Online Master's in Nursing Program Overview
The next step in your nursing career starts here. The fully online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offered by the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers multiple tracks:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
You can play a critical role in reaching underserved populations and meeting primary care and behavioral health needs left by physician shortages. Nurse practitioners in all specialties improve patient outcomes and public health by building connections and offering holistic care. UCCS’s MSN graduates are creating positive change as nurse practitioners in clinical settings like family practices, internal medicine, senior clinics, mental health, and college health.
In the online MSN program, you’ll learn to:
- Provide holistic care to each patient using theories and scientific evidence
- Promote health and prevent disease for individuals, families, and communities
- Provide leadership that leads to high quality, safe patient care and optimal outcomes
- Evaluate emerging trends, policy issues and problems in healthcare
- Collaborate with other healthcare teams to provided patient-centered, culturally competent and ethical patient care
The Master of Science in Nursing program is designed to help registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree from an ACEN or CCNE accredited institution earn an advanced degree that will prepare them to become a nurse practitioner.
The MSN program is offered fully online, plus 630 required clinical hours over the program. UCCS provides placement oversight and guidance; however, you will be responsible for identifying preceptors in your area. The MSN program offers both synchronous and asynchronous sessions, along with videos, group activities and discussions, online exams, case studies and simulation opportunities, which you can attend either in-person or remotely.
Choose your pace; this program can be taken either full-time or part-time, so you can find a rhythm and workload that aligns with your personal and professional needs. This program is usually completed in 36 months, depending on the course load you choose.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Online with Clinical Component
Delivery Method

$837*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate In-state

$939*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate Out-of-state

Priority Application Deadline

Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline

47-48
Credit Hours
MSN Course Overview
This online program is taught by faculty who also teach at the Colorado Springs campus. That means you are receiving the same high quality curriculum and instruction as students on campus.
The Adult-Gerontology and Primary Care tracks require 47 credits to graduate, whereas the Psychiatric Mental Health track requires 48 credits for completion. Courses during the fall and spring semesters are 16 weeks long, and summer courses last 8 to 11 weeks.
You will learn from doctorate-prepared faculty members who are knowledgeable, experienced, and attentive. Most of our graduate nurse practitioner faculty maintain active APRN practices, which means you are also building your network of professional connections while you study.
The MSN program concludes with a final evidence-based practice project where you will have the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills to work.
We know going back to school as a working nurse can be challenging, but online learning at UCCS offers the benefit of flexibility, with the option of taking a course load that meets your needs. Most students complete the program in approximately three years (36 months).
MSN Program Specialty Tracks
All three tracks prepare students to meet the requirements for national certification and prescriptive authority.
Manage the unique needs of people as they age.
Care for people across their entire lifespan, including preventing and managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Help patients manage psychiatric disorders and substance abuse both in primary and acute care settings.
Example Courses
Provides knowledge of cellular mechanisms and the clinical application of therapeutic drugs by practitioners in primary and acute health care settings. Educates Advanced Practice Nursing students about common drug uses, drug categories, and integrative health therapies.
Explores the foundation and techniques of advanced health assessment across the life span. This course requires 45 contact hours of precepted assessments.
Synthesis of pathophysiologic concepts for therapeutic assessment, diagnosis, management, and intervention fundamental to advanced practice nursing across the life span in various health care settings.
Completion Time
We know going back to school as a working nurse can be challenging, but online learning at UCCS offers the benefit of flexibility, with the option of taking a course load that meets your needs. Most students complete the program in approximately three years (36 months).
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, the post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Colorado Commission of Higher Education (CCHE)
1600 Broadway
Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
303-862-3001
Colorado State Board of Nursing
Department of Regulatory Agencies
1560 Broadway, Suite 110
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7855

MSN Degree Career Outlook
Graduates of the MSN program typically work in advance practice registered nurse roles as nurse practitioners in their specialty track.
The median annual wage for nurse practitioners in the United States in 2022 was $125,900 or $60.53 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The outlook for this grouping of occupations—specifically advanced practice registered nurses like nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives—is good, projecting much faster than average growth from 2022 to 2032 at 38%.
After Earning Your MSN Degree
Once you earn your MSN, you will be prepared to take a national certification exam for your specialty and, after passing, apply for licensure in your state of permanent residence.
If you want to continue your education to a terminal degree, you can pursue a doctoral degree program in nursing. There are two paths: a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Ph.D. A DNP degree prepares you for clinical and hospital/organizational leadership roles, whereas the Ph.D. in Nursing is focused on preparation for teaching, academic, and research-related roles.

Take the First Step
Complete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Tuition and Fees
At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you are making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all the options available to fund your education.
We are here to answer your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you can focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to corporate tuition assistance programs, we will work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
You can find cost per credit estimates at the top of this page. This program has a small $60 application fee required upon submission of your application. Please contact an Enrollment Navigator for more information about any costs associated with your application and to help estimate your total tuition costs.
You may be eligible to pursue scholarships. Each year, UCCS awards $100 million in financial aid, and you can explore options through the UCCS Financial Aid Office.
Western Region Graduate Program (WRGP/WICHE)
Students from the following states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States) have the opportunity to pay a reduced tuition rate which is currently equal to in-state tuition.
In State Cost Per Credit:
$837
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Out of State Cost Per Credit:
$939
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education. Our Enrollment Navigators can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to transfer credits and corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree. Complete the formComplete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a UCCS Online program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
- Scholarships | You may be eligible for scholarships at UCCS. We offer many scholarships and grants to students who are ready to earn their degrees and achieve success. Between both UCCS-offered and external scholarships, our students earned more than $10 million in scholarship awards last year alone.
UCCS Online is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a UCCS Online student, you will have access to the UCCS Veteran and Military Affairs, which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success. UCCS is a proud home campus to many veteran and military students.
Eligible veteran and military students may use veteran benefits, military tuition assistance, and/or financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with UCCS Online include:
- Waived application fee for active duty and veterans
- Military benefits approved program
Connect with our Enrollment NavigatorsConnect with our Enrollment Navigators to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
All students are automatically opted in to the TAAP program with the choice to opt out. The TAAP program provides all your course materials for one flat fee per credit hour. That means no more time spent searching for, ordering, and paying out of pocket for your own course materials.
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits as part of their employee compensation program. Generally, these policies determine a set number of credit hours per year that the company will pay for on behalf of the student/employee. Some policies place a cap on eligible tuition dollars and related expenses while others reimburse employees on a per-credit-hour basis. Get in touch with your organization's human resources department to learn more about your educational benefits.

Admissions Information
The MSN program has a rolling admissions process, which means applications are reviewed as they are received. There are three MSN starts per year in the spring, summer, and fall semesters.
To be considered for this program, you must have:
- A bachelor’s degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited institution with an upper division major in nursing and a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
- A current unrestricted registered nurse license from the state where you practice during practicum rotations
- A passing score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if your native language is not English
- Essay questions located on application
- A curriculum vitae or résumé
- A completed application submitted by the posted deadlines below plus a small application fee of $60
Due to individual state regulations, UCCS is only accepting students from the following states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- California
- Florida
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Wyoming
UCCS accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process. However, submitting your application by the preferred deadlines is advisable.
Our stated application deadlines are as follows, but we admit students up to a week before the semester starts. We have also started admitting students mid-semester before Session B begins.
- Fall Semester: August 5
- Spring Semester: January 5
- Summer Semester: May 5
- Fall 2025 – August 25, 2025
- Spring 2025 – Jan 21, 2025
- Summer 2025 – June 9, 2025
MSN Success Stories
I was fortunate that I interviewed and was offered a family nurse practitioner position during my clinical experience at UCCS. Since graduating in December 2021, I was able to complete my board certification and start employment as a primary care and urgent care nurse practitioner in rural Colorado.
– Devon G. '21, MSN

Expand Your Opportunities
Earn an education that creates opportunity. Start the admissions process with an enrollment advisor by filling out the form on this page today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you are looking for more autonomy in your career or advanced roles in nursing, you will need the credentials employers are seeking, especially licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). While it does require a considerable time and monetary commitment, your master’s degree can increase your earning potential and open doors to greater professional fulfillment in the years ahead. This MSN program prepares you for the national certification exam to become a nurse practitioner.
UCCS also offers a Post Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate program. It is designed to expand your knowledge and prepare for clinical roles as a nurse practitioner in family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult-gerontological nurse practitioner, or the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) track. The post master’s certificate requires 34 credit hours for FNP and AGNP tracks and 35 credit hours for the PMHNP track. Each track is offered fully online with no on-campus requirements; however you must complete 630 hours of preceptor practice to be successful.
During fall and spring terms, courses are typically 16 weeks long. During the summer term, classes range from 8-11 weeks long.
The student-to-faculty ratio for the MSN program is 24:1. For clinical oversight, six students are assigned to one faculty member.
It typically takes two weeks following receipt of your completed application for the committee to make an admissions decision and notify you. Because this is a rolling admissions process, applications are reviewed as soon as they are received, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive a notification about your admissions.
No, our MSN and Post-Master’s programs are focused on primary care nurse practitioner roles. They are not intended to prepare you for emergency room or urgent care settings, so you will need to seek an acute care nurse practitioner program for those career goals.
Online learning will offer you the flexibility to study at the best place and time for you. You can choose a sustainable pace for your lifestyle, which can help you consider your current career, family, and other commitments outside of school.
Additionally, at UCCS Online, our online programs are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, which means you are earning the same high quality degree as traditional students, and your diploma will not mention that your degree was earned online.