Grand Canyon University

GCU (in Phoenix) is a large, private university with nursing programs housed in the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions. Students can enter at multiple points depending on where they are in their career, including an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), BSN (pre-licensure), Accelerated BSN (ABSN), RN to BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, and a Family Nurse Practitioner track. Delivery formats vary by program, with options that include on-campus, online, and hybrid structures; even in online pathways, required clinical, practicum, immersion, and field experience hours are completed in person.

The main Phoenix campus is in the west-central part of the city, near major east-west routes like W Camelback Rd, and within a short drive of neighborhoods such as Alhambra and Glendale; typical commute times can vary widely with Phoenix rush-hour traffic, especially if you are coming from the East Valley (Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert) or the far Northwest Valley.

GCU uses on-campus simulation resources, including the Lopes Center for Nursing Simulation. The pre-licensure BSN description outlines immersive simulation suites with a control room, a nurses’ station, four hospital rooms, and debrief rooms, which are used during the third and fourth years.

In the BSN pre-licensure pathway, coursework is structured to align with core areas tested on the NCLEX-RN, with topics that include health assessment, adult health, behavioral health, pediatrics, obstetrics, pharmacology, informatics, evidence-based practice, ethics, and healthcare policy. Students also complete an evidence-based project capstone, and the program describes a Transition to Practice Nurse Residency option that pairs eligible students in a one-to-one preceptorship at host healthcare locations prior to the last semester.

On outcomes, the program’s average weighted NCLEX-RN pass rate is 94.1%, slightly above the Arizona state RN average of 93.7% (2024). For an additional snapshot, GCU reports a 2024 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 97.17% for Phoenix, Arizona. GCU is a Christian university; nursing coursework and simulation center materials reference Christian worldview and values, and students of different backgrounds typically attend. Tuition figures shown on program pages include $8,250 per semester for the campus BSN (pre-licensure) and $850 per credit for the ABSN track.

Updated: 12 Oct, 2025

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

Updated: 31 Jul, 2024

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:

Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing from a program accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC
Complete pre-requisite courses in research, statistics and health assessment
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.