Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University’s College of Nursing is based in Flagstaff, with additional nursing options delivered in Tucson, Yuma, and at the North Valley campus in Phoenix, plus online formats for post licensure study. The Flagstaff nursing address is 202 E Pine Knoll Dr, on NAU’s main campus. Flagstaff sits off I-17 and I-40, so students commuting in tend to come from Flagstaff, the surrounding mountain towns, or down the I-17 corridor.
NAU is a public university nursing program with multiple entry points: pre licensure BSN pathways (Traditional BSN and Compressed BSN), an Accelerated BSN for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and online BSN completion routes for licensed RNs (RN to BSN, Associate to BSN, and the Concurrent Enrollment Program with Arizona community colleges). At the graduate level, students can continue into MSN study, DNP preparation, and Family Nurse Practitioner training, with much of the graduate coursework offered online.
Pre licensure admissions typically include a separate College of Nursing application and the HESI A2. The Traditional BSN is structured as four semesters with summers off, while the Compressed BSN runs four consecutive semesters including summer. The Accelerated BSN is an intensive 12 month plan; NAU lists it as 79 credits and notes additional admissions requirements beyond university admission. For BSN prerequisite planning, NAU outlines a 30 to 32 unit pre professional set that includes anatomy and physiology (with labs), nutrition, psychology, and statistics.
Clinical preparation is supported with on campus simulation labs, and NAU describes extensive clinical hours across Arizona, including community and public health settings, with an emphasis on rural and Indigenous health in the Southwest. The CCNE accredits NAU’s baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post graduate APRN certificate programs.
On NCLEX outcomes, NAU’s average weighted NCLEX RN pass rate is 94.5%, compared with the Arizona 2024 state average of 93.7%.
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
Northern Arizona University (NAU) offers several pathways for students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), including traditional, accelerated, and compressed formats. The primary campus is in Flagstaff, Arizona, with additional options available at campuses in Tucson, Yuma, and Phoenix’s North Valley.
Admission Requirements
To apply for NAU’s BSN program, students must first be admitted to the university and complete specific prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0. These prerequisites include courses in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology. Students are allowed to have up to five prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application, but all must be completed before starting the program.
A key requirement for admission is the HESI A2 entrance exam, which assesses applicants in areas such as anatomy, reading comprehension, and math. This exam is only offered once per application cycle, and scores from other institutions are not accepted.
Application Deadlines
NAU has specific application periods depending on the start term:
- Spring admission: Applications are accepted from July 1 to September 10, with the HESI A2 exam to be completed by September 15.
- Fall admission: Applications open on February 1 and close on March 25, with the HESI A2 deadline being April 1.
- Summer admission (for Accelerated BSN): Applications are accepted from October 1 to November 6, with the HESI A2 exam required by November 16.
Program Location and Accessibility
The main campus in Flagstaff offers a four-season climate and is well-suited for students who enjoy a mix of outdoor activities and small-city living. The other campuses provide flexibility for students across the state, with programs available in urban settings like Phoenix and Tucson, as well as in the more rural Yuma.
Alternative Programs in the Area
Students might also consider other nursing programs in Arizona, such as those offered by Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, which provides a comprehensive BSN program and several advanced nursing degrees.
The Northern Arizona University graduate program in nursing is designed to prepare nurses for advanced level practice in rural areas. The program offers specialties in three tracks.
The MSN program is open to all qualified applicants who possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an Associate of Science Degree with an additional baccalaureate degree in another field.
Admission Requirements:
- Admission to Graduate College
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Minimum of 3.0 grade point average in all prior nursing coursework
- Completion of undergraduate prerequisite courses (below) with a minimum of a ‘B’ grade or higher
- Descriptive and inferential course from an accredited college or university
- Nursing Research
- Health Assessment Course
- Current, valid and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Arizona or the Arizona Board of Nursing regulations regarding multistate licensure or eligibility to obtain an Arizona license
- Preference will be given to applicants who have relevant clinical experience, meet the minimum nursing experience for the specialty as well as life experience
- 3 professional recommendations
- Personal Statement elaborating interests, professional and personal goals and detailing experience
- Interview with faculty maybe required
- The GRE is not required for admission
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Accreditations
Nursing Programs Accreditations
- Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Institutional Accreditations
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
