GateWay Community College was established in 1968 and originally located in downtown Phoenix as the first technical college in the state of Arizona. GCC is one of 10 accredited colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District and the only college in the district served by the Valley Metro Light Rail, making it a convenient destination for students already living in the greater Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa region. GCC recently integrated the Maricopa Skill Center to increase the number of available courses. Combined with the Maricopa Skill Center, GCC currently offers over 160 different programs providing degrees and certificates.
GateWay Community College provides a wide variety of programs in various fields, including many healthcare-related programs. The nursing programs include an Associates in Applied Sciences (AAS) degree and certificates of completion in nurse refresher and practical nursing. A transition course is available for licensed practical nurses wanting to become registered nurses. GCC also provides continuing education programs for healthcare and nursing as well as a practical nurse bridge for military veterans with a nursing background. Students interested in any of the nursing programs offered at SCC are required to attend an information session, where they will receive enrollment guidance and more information about the programs being offered.
GateWay Community College, part of the MaricopaNursing consortium, offers a comprehensive Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing program. This program is accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), preparing students for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN).
To be eligible for the AAS Nursing program, students must complete the following prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better:
Additionally, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in these courses to be placed in the queue for a cohort start date. A valid Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety is also required, along with passing the HESI A2 entrance exam.
GateWay Community College also offers a Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) for students who wish to earn both their AAS and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) concurrently. This program allows students to take courses at GateWay while simultaneously enrolled in a partner university’s BSN program, potentially completing both degrees in about the same time it would take to complete just the AAS.
GateWay Community College operates across multiple campuses in Phoenix, including the Washington Campus, Central City, and the 18th Street locations, providing accessible options for students throughout the region.
This program is a solid option for those seeking a cost-effective and flexible pathway to a nursing career, with the added benefit of progressing toward a BSN through the CEP.