Academic Programs

Entering the Profession

I am not yet a nurse.  What entry program is right for me? 

Our BSN Program is available as 4-semester, upper division study (completion of junior and senior academic years) after completion of required Pre-Professional Nursing prerequisite courses and general education courses.  You may begin your studies at The University of Arizona for the Pre-Professional Nursing portion and apply for admission to the BSN Professional Program at the end of your sophomore year or enter as a transfer student. If you have a university degree outside of nursing, you may complete either the BSN Professional Program as a second bachelor’s degree or the Master's Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) Professional Program.

Our Master’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) Professional Program to earn a Master of Science (MS) in nursing can be completed in 15 months is available to you if you already have a bachelor's or higher degree outside of nursing, and if you have completed the required prerequisite courses. 

Each program's curriculum incorporates rigorous classroom, laboratory and clinical field learning of professional nursing.  Upon completion of either BSN or MEPN degree programs you are eligible to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensure examination (NCLEX-RN).  Each program requires a competitive application with similar, but distinct admission requirements.

Advancing in the Profession

I am a nurse.  What advanced practice program is right for me? 

We offer two doctoral programs:  the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a major in nursing science.  A “First in Arizona” Dual DNP/PhD option is now available upon admission to either of the doctoral programs.  These programs can be taken ONLINE or in hybrid fashion (online classes with on-campus mentoring).  Both doctoral programs are designed especially for building a virtual ‘community of scholars’.  In each of the initial 3 years, all doctoral students are expected to attend an on-campus, one-week Resident Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) with an emphasis on applied skill essentials (practice and/or science) and face-to face peer and mentor networking. 

Our "First in Arizona" Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will prepare you in a strongly experiential learning way for delivering and improving evidence-based advanced nursing practice as a nurse practitioner in one of three specialties (family, pediatric or adult acute care).  Although part-time study is possible, our DNP curriculum taken full-time is a 3 year, 43-46 unit post-master’s advanced practice degree program or a 4-year, 74-77 unit post-baccalaureate program. 

Using a highly mentored approach, our highly recognized PhD program is designed to prepare you for the discovery, dissemination, and translation of nursing and healthcare knowledge.  Although part-time study is possible, our PhD curriculum taken full time is a 2 year, 64 credit (includes 23 transfer credits) post-DNP degree, a 3-year, 64 unit post-master’s degree, or a full time, 4-year, 79 unit post-baccalaureate degree. 

Graduate Certificate within the nurse practitioner specialties of Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner are available to post-master’s students, not seeking a doctorate.  Each specialty is a 4-semester, part-time opportunity for the working RN.  Web delivery of course content is supplemented with campus experiences for learning and health assessment skill demonstration and evaluation.

 U.S. News & World Report (2008-2012) has ranked the College of Nursing’s graduate programs among the top 6% in the United States.