6:00 pm MT
May 15, 2025 Thursday
Meeting Link
Application Dates
Applications for Fall 2025 cohorts are closed.
Traditional and Accelerated Spring 2026 cohort applications will open on July 1, 2025 at 8:00am and close September 1, 2025 at 5:00pm MT.
Applications for Fall 2026 Traditional Nursing Option will open December 1, 2025 until February 15, 2026 at 5:00pm MT.
The nursing application is free, however the Casper Assessment costs $66. More information on the Casper Assessment will be provided after you apply.
Nursing Applications
Traditional Nursing Option
Traditional Nursing OptionAccelerated Nursing Option
Accelerated Nursing OptionTraditional and Accelerated Nursing Options
Traditional Nursing Option (TNO)
- For students working on their first bachelor’s degree
- Cohorts begin in fall and spring terms
- 4-term program without summer courses
- On-campus
Accelerated Nursing Option (ANO)
- Must have a previous bachelor’s degree
- Cohorts begin in spring semesters
- ANO cohorts will begin in fall starting in fall 2027
- ANO eligible students can also apply to the TNO program (you must submit an application for both)
- 4-term continuous program that includes summer courses
- On-campus
Application Process
There are two steps to apply to the nursing program.
Application Step 1: Apply to the university
TNO and ANO students must apply to MSU Denver and choose the Undeclared Pre-Nursing major. The application is free for in-state and out-of-state students, and $50 for international students. Submit your transcripts so the evaluation team can review them for any possible course transfers, and then review your general studies and nursing prerequisites on the Degree Progress Report on the Student Hub.
If you think you have courses that will transfer, you can explore further using the Transfer Toolbox.
IMPORTANT: Being accepted to the university as a Pre-Nursing major does not mean you have been accepted into either the Traditional or Accelerated nursing programs. You must also apply to the nursing program using your MSU Denver credentials once you are eligible.
Application Step Two: Apply to the Nursing Program
TNO Application
TNO Application
ANO Application
ANO Application
Eligibility Requirements
Students must meet the general studies and nursing prerequisite requirements to be eligible to apply. Please see the information below.
Nursing Application Information
TNO Fall Cohort Applications open on December 1 at 8:00am and close February 15 at 5:00pm MT
TNO Spring Cohort Applications open on July 1 at 8:00 am and close September 1 at 5:00pm MT
ANO Spring Applications open on July 1 at 8:00 am and close September 1 at 5:00pm MT
If you are a applying for a Spring cohort you may take your final general studies and prerequisite courses in the preceding Fall term.
- example: If you are applying for Spring 2026, you can take your final courses in Fall 2025
If you are applying for a Fall cohort you must finish all requirements in the preceding Spring term.
- example: If you are applying for Fall 2025, you must finish all requirements in Spring 2025.
TNO applicants must complete Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Literacy requirements to be eligible. TNO applicants can have up to two remaining general studies requirements outside of the three courses listed above and apply to the program.
ANO applicants have already satisfied their general studies requirement with their previous bachelor’s degree.
Courses may be either MSU Denver courses or equivalent courses from another institution and approved by MSU Denver’s transcript evaluation team.
- BIO 2310 Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIO 2320: Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIO 2000: Microbiology for Nursing (BIO 2400 General Microbiology also accepted)
- ITP 4600: Clinical Pathophysiology
- NUT 2040: Introduction to Nutrition
- PSY 2210: Psychology of Human Development
- MTH 1210: Introduction to Statistics (PSY 2310 also accepted, but does not count as Quantitative Literacy course)
- CHE 1100 & 1150: Principles of Chemistry with Lab (CHE 1800 & 1801 also accepted)
NOTE: A&P I, A&P II, Microbiology, and Chemistry must include a lab component. We do not accept transfer courses with online labs.
Students must earn a letter grade of a “C” or higher in each course to fulfill the requirement, and must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA in these courses.
All applicants are required to complete the Casper Assessment as part of their nursing application. The Casper Assessment is an open-response situational judgment test that asks what you would do in a tough situation, and why. It helps determine behavioral tendencies of applicants pursuing people-centered professions.
Applicants will receive registration instructions after applying to the nursing program. The assessment costs $66.
We highly encourage you to explore and understand what the Casper Assessment is measuring and how it works. You can get more information on Acuity’s Website.
Applications are scored on a 10-point scoring system using these breakdowns in three categories.
1. GPA in the eight nursing prerequisites:
- 3.75 – 4.0 = 4 points
- 3.5 – 3.749 = 3 points
- 3.25 – 3.499 = 2 points
- 3.00 – 3.249 = 1 point
- 2.75 – 2.99 = 0 points but may apply
2. Casper Assessment – up to 4 points possible. Points are awarded based on the z-score ranking provided by Acuity.
3. Courses taken at MSU Denver:
- 24+ credits = 2 points
- 12 – 23 credits = 1 point
- 0 – 11 credits = 0 points but may apply
Virtual Information Sessions
6:00 pm MT
June 11, 2025 Wednesday
Meeting Link
6:00 pm MT
July 10, 2025 Thursday
Meeting Link
6:00 pm MT
August 12, 2025 Tuesday
Meeting Link
Pre-Nursing Advising
Make sure you are on track!
Pre-Nursing is available to support you as you work towards nursing program eligibility. They can help with your general studies and prerequisite course planning, transfer credits, and the nursing application requirements.
- Schedule a Pre-Nursing advising appointment by calling 303-615-1099 or emailing [email protected].
- Virtual drop-in and walk-in appointments are on Tuesdays 10 am to noon.
- Pre-nursing is located in West Classroom Room 153
Early Admissions Opportunities
Military and International Students
We reserve one spot for international students and one spot for military students in every Traditional and Accelerated cohort.
FAQ
The estimated tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 school year are $40,613.79. This cost does not include the nursing prerequisite or general studies courses. Additional costs for books, supplies, insurance, and other items may also be required.
This program does not receive state funding so the cost is the same for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. This program does not qualify for College Opportunity Funds (COF).
Please visit MSU Denver’s scholarship and financial aid pages for more information.
Please note that any student who holds a previous bachelor’s degree does not qualify for the Federal Pell Grant, but may qualify for federal education loans and work-study.
Scholarships do become available throughout each year, and we share them with admitted nursing students as we get them.
Yes. If you are admitted into the program you must successfully pass a background test and drug screen.
View the criminal background list for more information.
The drug screen will test for controlled substances including marijuana and marijuana derivatives. Re-testing is not allowed.
Yes. Admitted students will be required to complete the following immunizations. There are no exceptions. Students may be denied clinical placement or progression in the program if items are not kept current at all times.
- TDAP
- MMR
- Hep B
- Negative PPD (TB)
- Varicella
- Flu vaccine
- COVID vaccine
You will complete at least 750 clinical hours throughout the program. Majority of clinicals are in the Denver metro area, but students may occasionally be as far north as Greeley or as south as Colorado Springs. It is important for students to have reliable transportation.
Students will complete clinicals in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care, out-patient facilities, schools, and other settings. Shifts will vary, but typically students shifts are 7am-7pm. Some shifts may include weekend and night shifts.
Yes. Please view our accreditation page.
Working full-time is not recommended. The program is very time intensive between, courses, lab, simulation, and clinicals.
Some students do work during the program, but it requires strong time management skills, communication skills with their employer, and a flexible job. The nursing program must come first.
The average GPA fluctuates between terms and ANO and TNO programs, however it is consistently around a 3.5 average.
Yes. We admit students who have not taken courses at MSU Denver every term. However, if you have not taken courses with us, you will not earn any of the 2 possible MSU Denver points on the application. This means you need to make sure you have a strong GPA and do well on the Casper Assessment.
The admissions manager will calculate every attempt taken within the last 9 semesters from application cycle and average the grades.
You have options. We encourage students who were not accepted to connect with one of our Pre-Nursing advisors. The advisors can review your application and discuss steps to strengthen a future application attempt, or they will help you consider alternative routes.
We also highly encourage you to explore other health related fields that may interest you.
Department of Nursing
Mailing Address:
Department of Nursing
Campus Box 72
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362