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Post-BSN to DNP

M.S. Nursing and DNP Dual Degree

Earn your master's and doctorate in one program.

The increasing complexity of patient care, the volume of knowledge available today, and the very important need for the profession of nursing to help guide the future of health care policy and practice mean that it’s critical for nurses to advance beyond the master’s level. This is an important time for health care policy in this country, and an important time for the profession of nursing.

Your DNP will prepare you to elevate nursing to the next level and make a meaningful and positive impact. Be at the forefront of emerging roles and complete population-focused applied research with your selected patient population as part of the DNP program. Graduates are awarded both the Master of Science (MS) in Nursing and the DNP upon successful completion of all requirements.

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Jennifer Duecker, Assistant Director of Enrollment

Hear from Jennifer as you explore college options. We’ll send details on scholarships, deadlines and financial aid.

Program Snapshot

Program Format
On-campus, online and synchronous web-based classes

Credits for Completion
74-79 credit hours

Tuition for the 25-26 Academic Year
Master's courses: $1,055/credit hour
Doctoral courses: $1,108/credit hour

See cost of attendance

Master's Studies

Master's-level courses are taught through classroom instruction or web-based synchronous classroom participation. A total of 630 clinical hours are required for the M.S. portion of the program. Upon completion of the master's course work, students can progress directly into the doctoral program. Students also have the option to pause their enrollment for a year, which allows them to pursue board certification as a nurse practitioner, increasing their earning potential before they begin their doctoral studies.

Master's Specializations

person wearing scrubs applies bandage to small girl's arm

Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization

Students who choose to specialize as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) focus on providing primary care nursing across the lifespan, looking holistically at the physical, emotional, social and spiritual side of care. Regis offers two formats for the FNP, a campus based format and synchronous virtual classroom format. Preparation for national certification is incorporated into the curriculum, with Regis FNP graduates having one of the highest pass rates in the U.S.

nurse holds newborn up to maternity ward glass

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Specialization

The NNP specialization combines advanced knowledge in nursing theory, health care policy, ethics and leadership related to the role of the advanced practice nurse with intensive courses reflecting the unique learning needs of the NNP - including clinical management of the high-risk newborn as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Graduates are prepared and eligible to take the National Certification Corporation (NCC) examination.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization

In the PMHNP specialization, students gain the skills necessary to assess, diagnose, plan, intervene and treat clients with mental illnesses. Upon graduation, students in this specialization are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, are able to enroll on the Colorado Advanced Practice Registry and will be eligible to obtain in-state Prescriptive Authority (RXN).

Doctoral Studies

The final years of the program include online DNP courses with no on-campus requirements. This flexible format allows you to work as a nurse practitioner while you earn your DNP. Students are required to take core nursing courses at both the master's and doctoral levels. Clinical hours for the two programs total 1000.

Doctoral Specializations

nurse points to heart monitor

Advanced Leadership in Health Care (ALHC)

The DNP with the ALHC specialization is for those with a background in nursing leadership. By becoming a leader in our nursing community, you’ll go on to help improve the practice of nursing and patient outcomes, while strengthening health care delivery overall.

nurse holds a stethoscope to a patient's skin

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN)

The DNP with the APRN specialization is for those with a background as an advanced practice nurse. A DNP degree will increase your level of clinical education and help strengthen your leadership abilities.

Program Details

Get all the details on our Post-BSN to DNP program, including course requirements and application materials.

View Academic Catalog

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Excellence in Nursing Education

As one of the top nursing schools in Colorado, the Loretto Heights School of Nursing has been training generations of nursing professionals since 1948. Our graduates are recognized for their knowledge, competence, compassion, ethics and leadership abilities, as well as their commitment to social justice and community service.

The Loretto Heights School of Nursing (LHSON) at Regis University in Denver, Colorado is fully accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (AACN-CCNE).

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How to Apply

To apply directly to the Post-BSN to DNP program, you will need

Completed online application through NursingCAS
- Select the application for your chosen M.S. (FNP, NNP or PMHNP)
Nursing bachelor's degree from an NLN or AACN-CCNE accredited program
Official transcripts sent directly to NursingCAS
Resume including professional and volunteer experience
Two-page personal statement per NursingCAS instructions
Three professional recommendations (one from a current employer or supervisor)
Admissions interview may be required.

Eligibility:

Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0-point scale
A grade of "C" or better in all undergraduate nursing courses
Eligibility pending successful completion of drug screening and criminal background check
Health assessment and physical examination indicating appropriate immunizations and physical ability to meet the objectives of the DNP program
Additional eligibility requirements are listed on the Application Requirements page

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year:
$1,108 per credit hour for doctoral courses
$1,055 per credit hour for master's courses
Total program credits: 74-79 credit hours
Tuition is one part of the overall cost of attendance, which includes all expenses students may have, including basic living costs. For more information about tuition, fees and your estimated cost of attendance, visit the relevant Cost of Attendance pages. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Additional fees may include background check and drug screen costs, application fees and clinical fees, among others. Credit hours required for program completion are calculated based on the number of clinical hours completed during your master's program.

Regis offers a variety of scholarships, grants and other programs to help you pay for school. Visit Financial Aid for more information.

View Application Requirements

Visit Financial Aid

Admission Deadlines

FNP
Application Opens: Sept. 1
Rolling admissions
Application Deadline: Feb. 1
Program Start: May

NNP
Application Opens: Dec. 1
Application Priority deadline: April 1
Application Deadline: July 1
Program Start: Aug.

PMHMP
Application Opens: Sept. 1
Application Deadline: Feb. 1
Interviews: Dec., Jan., Feb.
Program Start: May

All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on the application deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

The four- to five-year program includes completion of a Master of Science in Nursing degree (FNP or NNP) after two years, and DNP after completion of all final two to three years. The DNP portion of the program can be completed in either a two-year or three-year option depending on each student's preferred pace. Students may opt to complete only the MS portion, but are encouraged to complete the full program.

The Post-BSN to DNP program does allow students the opportunity to maintain employment. However, students may need to decrease hours in order to meet the clinical demands during the program.

We recommend that applicants have a minimum of two years of professional experience, although all BSN-prepared nurses are eligible to apply. For those interested in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) option, it is required that you have 2 years of Level III NICU experience.

You are eligible to apply, but admitted students must have a completed statistics course prior to taking NR 602 in the program. Regis University offers several statistics courses and offers one specific to health care professionals (MT 274 Statistics for Health Professionals). We allow students to enroll in these courses as non-degree-seeking students. Additionally, the course can be taken at any regionally accredited college or University including community colleges. For those in the Colorado area looking at the community college offerings, MAT 135 Introduction to Statistics will fulfill this requirement.

A Culture of Excellence

The Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice Dual Degree is offered by the historic Loretto Heights School of Nursing within the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions.

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