CSU Launches Joint Nursing Degree Program

New 3+2 master's program combines resources of Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses to address nursing shortage

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Colorado State University is launching a first-of-its-kind program that will allow students to earn an accelerated Master of Science in nursing leadership from CSU Pueblo while completing their coursework at the Fort Collins campus. The new 3+2 program aims to address the critical shortage of registered nurses in Colorado by providing an affordable, high-quality pathway to nursing careers.

Why it matters

As the state's land-grant university system, CSU has a responsibility to help solve workforce shortages, especially in vital fields like healthcare. The new joint nursing program leverages the strengths of both the Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses to create an innovative solution to the nursing shortage impacting communities across Colorado.

The details

The 3+2 program will allow students at the Fort Collins campus to complete prerequisites for an accelerated nursing master's degree offered by CSU Pueblo's accredited School of Nursing. Up to 40 students per year will be selected for the competitive program, which includes specialized training in resilience, self-care, leadership, and working with rural and marginalized populations - all critical skills for combating burnout among nurses. After graduating, students will be licensed as registered nurses and can begin working directly with patients, with the option to later teach at nursing schools to help develop future generations of nurses.

  • The new joint nursing program was approved by Colorado's State Board of Nursing in October 2025.
  • The 3+2 program will launch in Fall 2026.

The players

Colorado State University

The state's land-grant university system, with campuses in Fort Collins and Pueblo.

CSU Pueblo School of Nursing

Accredited nursing school that has long offered multiple nursing degrees.

Roze Hentschell

Chief academic officer for all CSU campuses.

Lise Youngblade

CSU's interim provost and executive vice president, previously served as dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

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What they’re saying

“This joint B.S./M.S. degree marks a groundbreaking achievement for the CSU System. As the first collaborative academic program between two of our campuses, it reflects our shared commitment to innovation, workforce development and student-centered solutions. By uniting institutional strengths, we are creating a seamless, affordable and high-quality pathway for our students to receive the training to meet critical health-care needs in Northern Colorado and beyond.”

— Roze Hentschell, Chief academic officer for all CSU campuses (CSU press release)

“As a land-grant university, it is our responsibility and privilege to work with communities to solve workforce shortages. We are pleased to be filling a gap, and to do so with an innovative collaboration between two institutions within the CSU System that leverages our unique strengths to solve an important problem.”

— Lise Youngblade, CSU's interim provost and executive vice president (CSU press release)

What’s next

The new 3+2 nursing program will welcome its first cohort of students at the Fort Collins campus in Fall 2026.

The takeaway

By combining the resources and expertise of its Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses, CSU is creating an innovative solution to address Colorado's critical nursing shortage. The new joint degree program provides an affordable, high-quality pathway for students to earn a nursing master's degree and begin careers as registered nurses, helping to strengthen the healthcare workforce across the state.