MSU Denver offers on-campus Traditional and Accelerated Nursing Options leading to a nursing bachelor’s degree, plus a separate online RN-to-BSN completion option. Applicants to the pre-licensure nursing options must complete the prerequisites and Casper assessment. High-school seniors can pursue a separate Direct Entry pathway that reserves a future place after its conditions are met.
- Program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Credential
- BSN
- Location
- Denver, Colorado, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- February 15, 2027 (Fall 2027 Traditional and Accelerated Nursing Options application deadline)
- Length
- Four nursing-program terms for TNO or ANO
Casper Requirement for Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing
Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper is required. Apply to the nursing program first, then follow the registration instructions sent to applicants. Casper may be taken after the nursing application deadline. The assessment costs $70.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- MSU Denver university application, followed by the program’s TNO or ANO nursing application using MSU Denver credentials
- Applications open
- December 1, 2026
- Application fee
- Nursing application: free. University application: free for in-state and out-of-state students; $50 for international students. Casper assessment: $70.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2027 Traditional and Accelerated Nursing Options application deadline | February 15, 2027upcoming 5:00 p.m. MT |
| Fall 2027 university application deadline for first-time international students | June 15, 2027upcoming |
| Fall 2027 university application deadline for international students transferring from another U.S. institution | July 1, 2027upcoming |
Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing Admissions Statistics
- Average GPA: Approximately 3.5 among admitted Traditional and Accelerated Nursing Option students; the average fluctuates by term and option.
The reported admitted-student average varies by term and nursing option.
Eligibility Requirements for Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing
- Degree / credits
TNO applicants complete the required general studies and nursing prerequisites; applicants with a prior bachelor’s degree may also apply. ANO requires a prior bachelor’s degree. TNO applicants may apply with up to two general studies requirements remaining, but Written Communication, Oral Communication and Quantitative Literacy must be complete.
- Residency
Out-of-state applicants qualify equally.
- Language proficiency
International applicants must provide qualifying proof of English proficiency through an accepted score or exemption before admission.
Admission pathways
- Traditional Nursing Option (TNO): On-campus pre-licensure option; four terms without summer courses.
- Accelerated Nursing Option (ANO): On-campus pre-licensure option requiring a prior bachelor’s degree; four continuous terms, including summer.
- High School Direct Entry: Separate application pathway for high-school seniors to reserve a future TNO place.
- Online BRNCO (RN-BSN): For RNs or eligible associate-degree nursing students; not an online pre-licensure option.
Other requirements
- Transcripts: Submit transcripts for university admission and evaluation of transfer coursework.
- Background check and drug screen: Admitted nursing students must pass both; the drug screen includes marijuana and marijuana derivatives, and retesting is not allowed.
- Immunizations: Admitted students must meet TDAP, MMR, hepatitis B, TB screening, varicella, influenza and COVID vaccination requirements.
Selection Factors Metropolitan State University of Denver Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| BIO 2310 Anatomy and Physiology I | required Lab required. |
| BIO 2320 Anatomy and Physiology II | required Lab required. |
| BIO 2000 Microbiology for Nursing | required BIO 2400 General Microbiology also accepted; lab required. |
| PUB 4600 Clinical Pathophysiology | required |
| NUT 2040 Introduction to Nutrition | required |
| PSY 2210 Psychology of Human Development | required |
| MTH 1210 Introduction to Statistics | required PSY 2310 also accepted but does not satisfy Quantitative Literacy. |
| CHE 1100 and CHE 1150 Principles of Chemistry with Lab | required CHE 1800 and 1801 also accepted; lab required. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Admission points use GPA in eight nursing prerequisites. Grades from every attempt within the last nine semesters are averaged when a prerequisite is retaken.
- Minimum
- A cumulative GPA of 2.75 across the eight nursing prerequisites is required; each prerequisite must have a grade of C or higher.
- Competitive
- The admitted-student prerequisite-GPA average is approximately 3.5, varying by term and option.
Strategic applicants retake older courses, as this directly increases points for direct-admit seats.
Admissions tests
- English proficiency (required for some applicants): For international applicants unless exempt. Accepted minimums include Duolingo 105, IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 on the old scale or 4.0 on the new scale, PTE Academic 49, and other scores listed by International Admissions.
Experience and volunteer hours
Not required.
Health-profession volunteer, employment, organization or club hours are not required for High School Direct Entry, although documented hours can earn up to two points. Regular TNO/ANO scoring uses MSU Denver course credits, not dedicated hours.
How applicants are ranked
Regular TNO/ANO applications receive up to 10 points: prerequisite GPA, up to four; Casper z-score ranking, up to four; and MSU Denver coursework, up to two. High School Direct Entry uses a separate ten-point ranking based on unweighted high-school GPA, Casper and optional health-profession hours, with GPA as a tiebreaker.
Interview Format at Metropolitan State University of Denver
Specific interview formats are not detailed; focus on Casper and GPA points for direct-admit consideration.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing
- Program length
- Four nursing-program terms for TNO or ANO
- Structure
TNO is on campus without summer courses; ANO is on campus and runs continuously, including summer. The online BRNCO is an RN-to-BSN option, not a pre-licensure track.
- Campuses
- Denver
The BSN curriculum is tailored to background. The accelerated option emphasizes clinical skills and diverse patient care scenarios. Students complete hands-on training; the handbook outlines policies for progression. Traditional track is for high school graduates and transfers; accelerated compresses coursework for experienced applicants; online provides flexibility while maintaining rigor.
Campus and facilities
Located in Denver, Colorado. Facilities include advising centers and clinical simulation labs essential for BSN training. Campus affiliations provide Colorado-based clinical rotations. Student life emphasizes collaboration; transfers and out-of-state students integrate quickly. Support is available via nursing advising.
Tuition and Funding at Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Four-term nursing program, nonresidents or residents without available COF: Estimated $42,206; excludes general studies, prerequisites, books, supplies and insurance.
- Residents with COF: Tuition and fees depend on COF eligibility; consult the nursing program and university tuition information for an estimate.
Scholarships may become available and are shared with admitted nursing students.
Metropolitan State University of Denver's Mission and Values
MSU Denver positions its undergraduate nursing program as a leader in Colorado, emphasizing excellent faculty, diverse student perspectives, and accessible routes to a BSN degree. The program culture fosters practical skills through hands-on training.
MSU Denver's nursing programs are affordable and top ranked. We offer traditional, accelerated, and online routes to earn a BSN.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report strong learning experiences, particularly in the accelerated BSN track for those with prior bachelor's degrees. Matriculated students describe it as a place where they "realize now how much I learned," especially in the accelerated BSN format for career changers. Matriculated nurses report comprehensive learning, preparing them for licensure exams. Students from various regions report positive experiences applying, and transfers and out-of-state students report integrating quickly, including completing prerequisites amid busy schedules. Out-of-state students report positive integration into the Denver campus.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing Application
- Check the eight prerequisite courses and calculate your prerequisite GPA; retaken attempts within the last nine semesters are averaged.
- Apply to MSU Denver as Undeclared Pre-Nursing, then submit the nursing-program application when eligible.
- Review Casper’s format, then follow the registration instructions sent after your nursing application.
- Contact pre-nursing advising to review course planning and transfer credits.
More About Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing
- Nursing advising email
nursingadvising@msudenver.edu
- Nursing advising phone
303-615-1600
Frequently Asked Questions About Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Nursing
Does MSU Denver Undergraduate Nursing require Casper?
Yes. TNO and ANO applicants complete Casper and receive registration instructions after applying.
What is the minimum GPA for MSU Denver Nursing admissions?
The eight nursing prerequisites require a cumulative 2.75 GPA, with C or higher in each course.
Are interviews part of selection?
The published TNO/ANO scoring criteria are prerequisite GPA, Casper and MSU Denver course credits.
How competitive is admission?
TNO/ANO applications are scored out of ten points; the admitted-student GPA average is approximately 3.5 and varies by term and option.
What are tuition costs for the BSN program?
The school estimates $42,206 for the four-term nursing program for nonresidents or residents without available COF; costs vary with COF eligibility and exclude prerequisites and other expenses.
Can out-of-state students apply?
Yes. The university application is free for out-of-state students.
What tracks are offered?
On-campus TNO and ANO are pre-licensure options; the online BRNCO is for RNs or eligible associate-degree nursing students.
How do I contact nursing advising?
Email nursingadvising@msudenver.edu or call 303-615-1600.
Sources
- Traditional and Accelerated Nursing Options
- High School Direct Entry Nursing Option
- Prospective Nursing Students
- Undergraduate International Admissions
- Undergraduate International English Proficiency Requirements
Last updated: September 26, 2026