In a diverse teaching and learning environment, the College of Nursing prepares nurse clinicians, researchers, and leaders; delivers exemplary health care; and discovers and applies new knowledge to improve human health in Colorado and beyond. The college was founded in 1898, and the bachelor’s program was established in 1920, one of the first west of the Mississippi. The master's program began in 1950. The college instituted the first nurse practitioner and school nurse programs in the United States in 1965. The college has one of the oldest (established 1978) research doctoral programs in the West, and in 2005, the College of Nursing became one of the first seven schools in the nation to introduce the new doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program. Several programs are involved with Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and provide in-state tuition for students from qualified states. Nursing students are working toward the following degrees: bachelor of science, master of science, doctor of nursing practice or doctor of philosophy. Continuing education post-master's certificate programs and postdoctoral studies are also available. Master’s specialties include adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, health care informatics, nurse midwifery, nursing leadership and health care systems, pediatric nurse practitioner and women's health care nurse practitioner. The college features active faculty practices at more than 12 primary care, case management, consultative and nurse midwifery sites. The College of Nursing has three endowed chairs and three endowed professorships. Eighteen faculty are fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, and 10 are fellows in specialty and practical societies.