Grand Canyon University

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 Grand Canyon University offers the Master of Science Degree in a range of nursing programs.  The MSN programs include specialties in advanced nursing practice, nursing administration, leadership, education, public health and informatics.

The different graduate specialties develop core theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for practice at the graduate level. The program includes foundational courses in nursing theory, health policy, nursing research, ethical practice and healthcare systems financing.

The Master’s in Nursing, specialties include clinical practice hours ranging from 150 to 650 hours.  Students in all specialties are required to develop an evidence based project which shows the integration of theoretical knowledge in the different programs.

Many of the specialties in nursing at Grand Canyon are offered in the traditional campus format while the education and leadership programs being offered in an online format.

Admission Requirements:

1. Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing from a program accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC
2. Complete pre-requisite courses in research, statistics and health assessment
3. Have current, valid and unencumbered License to practice in the state of residence

Applicants seeking to specialize in advance practice are recommended to get in contact with the State Board of Nursing to determine the requirements for certification as a nurse practitioner or advance practice nurse in their state of residence.