Accelerated BSN Programs in Arizona

Program Length & Format

• 12-month
• Program consists of five 8-week terms, one 2-week term, and one 3-week term
• On-campus format at Phoenix campus
• Two start dates per year: January and August

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing discipline from an accredited institution required before program start
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of C (2.0) or higher
• Prerequisites include science courses completed within the last 10 years

Entrance Exams

• No entrance exams (TEAS, HESI) required

Prerequisites

• General Sociology (3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours)
• General Psychology (3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours)
• Developmental Psychology covering lifespan (3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours)
• Ethics (3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours)
• Statistics (3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours)
• Human Nutrition (2-3 semester hours or 3-4.5 quarter hours)
• Human Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology I (4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours)
• Human Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology II (4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours)
• General Chemistry (4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours; cannot be introductory or combined courses)
• Microbiology (4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours)
• At least two of the following must be completed before application deadline: General Chemistry, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology
• All prerequisites must be completed before program start, preferably 45 days prior
• C (2.0) minimum grade required for each prerequisite
• 10-year limit applies to Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, General Chemistry, and Microbiology

Deadlines

• Fall (August) start: priority deadline April 1; final deadline May 1
• Spring (January) start: priority deadline September 1; final deadline October 15
• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis within these periods
• Last date to submit all application materials for fall: May 1; for spring: October 15

Application

• Submit online application through NursingCAS
• Personal statement 
• Names and contact information for three professional and/or academic references (letters not required at application)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, including international transcripts with course-by-course evaluation if applicable
• Resume is optional
• Must indicate preferred campus (Phoenix or Omaha) and option to be considered for another campus

Selection Process

• Admission decisions made on rolling basis up to each deadline
• Applications reviewed based on GPA, prerequisite grades, personal statement, references, and other components
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• Waitlist may be formed if qualified applicants exceed available seats
• Phoenix campus admits up to 56 students per cohort

Wait List Policies

• Waitlists established after application deadlines if necessary
• Waitlist valid only for the term applied to

Cost & Financial Aid

• Total tuition: $55,425 for complete program (covers three semesters)
• Semester fees include:
  • University Fee: $815 per semester (Fall and Spring only)
  • Technology Fee: $315 per semester (Fall and Spring only)
  • Accelerated Nursing Academic Program Fee: $1,500 per semester
• Estimated total cost of attendance for August start (Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer):
  • Approximately $105,663 including tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and travel
• Estimated total cost of attendance for January start (Spring semester plus Summer/Fall):
  • Approximately $105,663 including tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and travel
• Federal Nursing Loan with 5% interest rate available
• Creighton is a Yellow Ribbon School; veteran benefits accepted

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Over 900 clinical hours required
• Clinical rotations in specialties including Critical Care, Community and Population Health, Labor and Delivery/Obstetrics, Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics, Psychiatric and Mental Health
• Clinical sites in Phoenix area include Dignity Health, Valleywise Health, Destiny Springs Healthcare, Aurora Behavioral Health, and Children’s Rehabilitative Services
• Simulation training included, based in Phoenix Medical Quarter facilities

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite courses may be transferred if completed at accredited institutions and meeting semester/quarter hour requirements
• AP credits accepted only if official transcript states transfer credit with minimum grade of C
• No CLEP credit accepted
• Courses with “P” grade accepted only if “P” equals C (2.0) or higher

International Students

• F-1 visa supported only for Spring cohorts, not Fall
• Official course-by-course transcript evaluations required for non-U.S. coursework
• Prerequisites must be completed before issuing I-20
• English proficiency scores required if degree earned outside U.S. or approved countries:
  • Minimum TOEFL 100, IELTS 7, or Duolingo 120 within last 2 years
• English proficiency may be waived for degrees from designated English-speaking countries
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) limitations: students may not be eligible for another OPT if already used 12-month OPT at bachelor’s level

Contacts

• Nursing Admissions Office
  2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178
  Phone: 402.280.2000 or 800.544.5071
  Email contact available through university admissions portal

Program Length & Format

• 16 months
• Total degree credit hours: 123
• Accelerated portion credit hours: 63
• Coursework modality: primarily online with local in-person nursing skills labs and supervised clinical rotations
• Program sites: multiple state locations (Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah)

Admission Requirements

• Non-nursing baccalaureate degree or minimum of 60 non-nursing college credits from an accredited institution
• Cumulative programmatic GPA of 3.0 or higher on the 60 credits applied to the ABSN program
• Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.25 or higher
• Background check required (background check result expires 6 months from date ordered)

Entrance Exams

• HESI A2 required with minimum scores:
  • Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary: 80%
  • Math: 80%
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology: 75%

Prerequisites

• Science prerequisites (grade C or higher, completed within 7 years): BIO-202, BIO-202L, BIO-205, BIO-205L, BIO-319, BIO-322, CHM-101, CHM-101L
• Developmental/behavioral prerequisite: PSY-357 (Lifespan Development)
• Prerequisite GPA requirement: cumulative prerequisite GPA 3.25 or higher; prerequisites must be completed within the past 7 years for transfer

Deadlines

• Program start frequency: three start dates per year at each ABSN site
• Prerequisites and required transfer credits must be completed prior to starting core nursing courses

Application

• Complete online inquiry form and application for ABSN program
• Official transcripts from each accredited institution attended
• HESI A2 score report
• Order Grand Canyon University background check prior to program start

Selection Process

• Pre-admission interview: informal phone interview scheduled by admission counselor
• University counselor reviews unofficial transcripts and creates a pre-enrollment plan
• Final admission requires submission of official transcripts and meeting all program requirements

Cost & Financial Aid

• Campus tuition rate: $850 per credit hour for nursing courses
• Prerequisite course rate: $425 per credit hour
• Estimated tuition for accelerated portion (63 credits at $850/credit): $53,550 (does not include ancillary fees)
• Ancillary fees may include health insurance, clinical placement software, books and supplies, and graduation fee

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Simulation facility: Lopes Center for Nursing Simulation
• Clinical location: supervised clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities near ABSN sites
• Representative clinical hours by course:
  • NSG-300C (Foundations clinical): 56 hours
  • NSG-320C (Adult Health Nursing I clinical): 132 hours
  • NSG-430C (Adult Health Nursing II clinical): 60 hours
  • NSG-322C (Behavioral Health clinical): 48 hours
  • NSG-444C (Transition to Practice clinical): 120 hours

Credit Transfer

• Minimum transferable credits required: 60 credits from an accredited institution for secondary applicants or completion of a baccalaureate degree
• Prerequisite credits eligible for transfer only if completed within 7 years
• Transfer credit evaluation performed by university counselor upon transcript review

Contacts

• Campus address: 3300 West Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017
• Admissions contact method: online inquiry form and assigned ABSN university counselor for pre-admission interview and pre-enrollment planning

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Grand Canyon University’s Tucson campus is designed for students who want to transition into a nursing career quickly. This 16-month, full-time program is intended for individuals who already have at least 60 college credits or hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

The Tucson campus is located at 3500 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ, which is central and accessible for students in the region, making it a convenient option for those who wish to study in Tucson.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Tucson ABSN program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Academic: A minimum of 60 college credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Specific prerequisite coursework may be required, depending on the applicant's previous academic background.
• Health and Background Checks: A health screening, including immunizations, and a background check are mandatory before enrollment.
• English Proficiency: For non-native speakers, proof of English proficiency may be required.

Entrance Exam

While the program emphasizes prior academic performance, details on specific entrance exams like the TEAS are not explicitly required but may be recommended as part of the assessment process.

Prerequisites

Applicants must have completed courses in areas such as human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry. These are essential to ensure students are prepared for the rigorous nursing curriculum.

Program Format and Clinical Rotations

The ABSN program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online coursework with in-person labs, simulations, and clinical rotations. Clinical rotations are conducted at healthcare facilities in the Tucson area, offering students hands-on experience in diverse medical settings.

Enrollment Deadlines and Start Dates

The program offers three start dates per year, allowing for flexibility in application timing. It is advisable to contact the admissions office for specific deadlines, as they may vary depending on the start date.

Tuition and Fees

The estimated tuition for the ABSN program is approximately $53,550, excluding additional fees for books, supplies, and health insurance. Financial aid options, including scholarships and loans, are available to eligible students.

Program Length & Format

• 12-month year-round accelerated plan
• 79 units total (27 preprofessional units + 52 nursing common course units)
• In-person delivery on the Flagstaff campus only
• Some online or blended coursework required
• Sequenced courses; must be completed in listed order

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university required
• Must meet program-specific preprofessional prerequisite courses prior to admission
• Individual program admission requirements apply in addition to NAU undergraduate admission

Prerequisites

• Preprofessional requirements total 27 units
• STA 270 — Applied Statistics listed among coursework
• One Human Nutrition course or any Human Nutrition course approved by an advisor (3 units)
• Prerequisite courses must be completed before admission to the nursing program

Major Requirements

• Nursing common course requirements total 52 units
• Total program units required for the Accelerated Option: 79 units
• Nursing common coursework delivered in a 12-month sequence

Deadlines

• Fall 2025 start: program start August 25, 2025; application opened July 1, 2024; application status shown as closed
• Spring 2026 start: program start January 12, 2026; application opened July 1, 2024; application deadline December 13, 2025
• Summer 2026 start: program start May 11, 2026; application opened July 1, 2025; application deadline April 11, 2026
• Fall 2026 start: program start August 24, 2026; application opened July 1, 2025; application deadline July 25, 2026

Selection Process

• Program admits 30 students per year
• Courses are sequenced; admission corresponds to cohort enrollment on Flagstaff campus

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Fieldwork or internship required as part of the program
• Simulation laboratories used by the College of Nursing for clinical skills practice

Accreditation & Licensure

• Program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Graduates eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)

Contacts

• Program location: Flagstaff campus, 1900 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
• College of Nursing address: 202 E Pine Knoll Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Program Length & Format

• 15–17 months
• 120 total credit hours
• Hybrid delivery
• Maximum cohort size 72; program start terms: Fall, Spring, Summer

Admission Requirements

• Completion of University general education requirements recommended prior to enrolling in upper-division Nursing courses
• Program professional sequence consists of 59 credit hours of upper-division Nursing coursework for admitted students

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• 1,000+ combined clinical and simulation hours
• Simulation laboratory at Gilbert campus; College of Nursing facilities also in Tucson and Phoenix
• Clinical learning in skills laboratory, simulation, acute care, community-based care, and inpatient/outpatient settings
• Level 4 includes a clinical preceptorship placement

Application

• Information sessions available for students who have not completed prerequisites
• Application Academies available for students preparing to apply
• Tours available of classrooms and simulation facilities

Contacts

• BSN-IH program location: 92 W Vaughn Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85233
• College of Nursing office location: Room 112; office hours Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm