Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option (BRNCO)

Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option (BRNCO)is designed for students who have graduated from an associate degree or diploma nursing program and wish to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Students must have a current unencumbered Colorado RN License prior to beginning the first nursing course.  Students are admitted twice a year in the fall and spring semesters.  Students and can choose between full-time or part-time completion options in the fall.   Spring admittance is offered on a part-time basis on the Auraria Campus only.*

Admission Requirements

  • Graduate of an associate degree or diploma program in nursing.
  • Current unencumbered Colorado license to practice as a registered nurse (RN).
  • Accepted students must provide a copy of a current Colorado RN license by the start of the first semester.
  • Please note that it is strongly recommended that students successfully complete a statistics course before beginning the nursing program. 
  • Applicants applying for the full-time option must have no more than 6 credits of non-nursing courses required to complete the BSN degree remaining at the start of the nursing program.  Applicants who will have more than 6 credits of non-nursing courses to complete at the start of the nursing program must apply as part-time students.  Non-nursing courses include courses outside of the BRNCO curriculum such as general studies, electives, statistics, and a multicultural course required to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Application Deadlines:  February 15th for a fall start; September 15th for a spring start.

Admission Process

  • Apply for admission to the University through the Office of Admissions and Records at: www.msudenver.edu, telephone: 303∙556∙3058.
  • Attend a mandatory orientation session with the Department of Nursing before beginning nursing courses.
  • Send official transcripts from all colleges attended directly to:  Metropolitan State University of Denver, Office of Admissions and Records, Campus Box 16, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362.  Once you've been accepted to MSU Denver as a degree-seeking student and Transfer Services has received your official transcript, they will e-mail and mail you an official transfer credit evaluation within 7 to 10 days.  If you don't receive one within this time frame, please contact the Transfer Services Office at 303-556-3774.
  • Complete the BRNCO application at www.msudenver.edu/nursing and submit to the Department of Nursing by the application deadline.  Additional copies (unofficial acceptable) of transcripts from all colleges attended, a personal essay, and resume must be submitted with the BRNCO application.  Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space available basis.  Contact Ranae Shrader, Nursing Program Coordinator at rshrader@msudenver.edu or 303-556-3668 with questions regarding the nursing program or application process.
  • Optional advising appointment to review General Studies course requirements:  Contact Shaun Boulier, School of Professional Studies Advisor, at 303-556-5084 or sboulier@msudenver.edu.  Bring a copy of your transcript evaluation to the advising appointment.  Please direct transcript evaluation questions to the Transfer Services Office at 303-556-3774. 

Requirements for Graduation

  • A minimum of 120 credit hours which includes 40 credits of upper division coursework. 
  • All university requirements for General Studies, Multicultural Course, and Senior Experience.
  • One of the following statistics courses:  MTH 1210 or PSY 2310.
  • All required nursing courses in the BRNCO curriculum.
  • Elective credits as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation.

Other Information

  • Due to the rigorous demands of this program, students are urged to carefully consider home and work obligations when establishing their academic workload.
  • In addition to academic requirements, MSU Denver Department of Nursing requires other information for students offered admission including immunization records, CPR certification, drug screening, and criminal background checks.

Class Schedule

  • Full-time or part-time options available. 
  • Courses may be offered in a variety of formats: online, in-class, and/or hybrid.
  • On-campus classroom meetings and labs are scheduled on Tuesdays.  Clinical days for Community Health Nursing and Senior Experience may vary.
  • BRNCO Curriculum Progression Plan (32 KB)

Tuition and Fees

  • Tuition and fees are published in the course schedule every semester and can be viewed on www.msudenver.edu. 

BRNCO offered at Front Range Community College

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver's Extended Campus and the Department of Nursing partner with the Front Range Community College Nursing Department to offer a BRNCO degree option at the Front Range Community College Westminster Campus.
  • Admission is once a year in the fall.  Application deadline is February 15th.
  • Part-time option offered with classes held on Wednesdays.  Clinical days for Community Health Nursing and Senior Experience may vary.

* Spring semester admission is contingent on sufficient BRNCO course enrollment.