University of Arizona Online BSN-to-DNP Programs: AGACNP, FNP, PNP, PMHNP

The University of Arizona (UA) College of Nursing (CON) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with four specializations plus a dual specialization:

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
  • Dual Specialization FNP/AGACNP
  • Dual Specialization FNP/PMHNP
  • Dual Specialization PNP/PMHNP

Coursework is delivered mostly online with three campus visits in Tucson, Arizona, plus clinical practicums at approved sites local to the student. Campus visits include a one-week Residential Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) each summer, and a Clinical Skills Intensive (CSI) before entering clinical preceptorships. Both part-time and full-time study plans are available and the degree takes 2.5 to 3.5 years to complete.

The dual specializations require attendance at a total of five campus intensives. These students attend three RISE and two CSI experiences. The dual specializations require one additional year of courses (three semesters), and a total of 1,440 clinical hours, plus DNP project hours.

Other exciting options for DNP students include the Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) and the Rural Telehealth Certificate Program (RTCP). DNP students can choose to pursue certificates through either of these programs.

RHPP students take three additional courses that focus on rural and medically underserved populations. In addition, these students serve at least one semester in an approved rural clinical setting.

RTCP certificate students take three additional courses focusing on technology use in rural health systems and communities. RTCP students complete 90 hours of telehealth which can be applied to the 720 clinical hour requirement.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the highest nursing degree that nurse practitioners may earn and which may eventually become the required degree for nurse practitioners. The DNP focuses on nursing leadership, nursing theory, quality improvement in healthcare, evidence-based practice, health assessment, healthcare promotion and maintenance, and illness management.

DNP Graduates are eligible to take certification exams in their chosen specialty: AGACNP, FNP, PNP, or PMHNP. DNP graduates may seek employment in primary care clinics, private practice, hospitals and emergency rooms, acute care settings, government facilities, schools and rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, research institutions, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare situations.

The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The BSN to DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ.

What to Expect from the University of Arizona Online DNP Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the BSN to DNP program must hold a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Candidates must hold a current, unencumbered RN license and keep it in good standing throughout their program. Application materials include an application, two recommendations, all transcripts, a current resume or CV, and optional other credentials the applicant might perceive to reflect their abilities. No interview is required for BSN to DNP applicants.

State Restrictions: There are no state restrictions for the University of Arizona BSN to DNP program in the 50 U.S. states. Students in American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands are not eligible to study in this program. Students from all states outside of Arizona should always check with their State Board of Nursing as well as the College of Nursing through the University of Arizona to verify enrollment eligibility.

Study Plan: The BSN to DNP program takes 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis or 3.5 years on a part-time basis. Students pursuing the dual DNP specializations add one full year of three semesters to their program, while those pursuing the RHPP or RTCP additional certificate add one to two semesters, or take more classes during certain semesters. The University of Arizona admits BSN to DNP students in the Fall only in cohorts, however dual DNP students may procure authorization to begin in the Spring. The average cohort sizes for the specializations are as follows:

  • AGACNP: 20 students
  • FNP: 60 students
  • PNP: 10 students
  • PMHNP: 30 students

BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program comprises 64 to 68 credits and includes a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours, with at least 720 completed in the area of specialty, and the rest on the DNP project. The dual FNP/AGACNP specialization comprises 89, the dual FNP/PMHNP comprises 87 credits, and the dual PNP/PMHNP comprises 86 credits. The dual programs require 720 credits for each specialty for a total of at least 1,440 clinical specialty hours plus DNP project hours. Courses for all specializations include Statistical Inference for Evidence-Based Practice; Methods for Scholarly Inquiry; DNP Forum; Philosophy and Theory for the DNP; Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology; Health Policy and Economics; Evidence-Based Practice; Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing; Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare Teams; Evaluation Methodologies for Safety and Quality Improvement; Health Assessment; Healthcare Informatics: Theory and Practice; Theories of Leadership and Organizational Management; and Population Health for DNPs. As well, DNP students complete DNP Project courses to complete a DNP project.

  • AGACNP Specialization Courses: Pharmacology in Acute Care; Adult-Gerontology: Diagnosis and Management of Chronic and Acute Illnesses I-II; Cardiac Rhythm Analysis and Interventions; Women’s Health in Advanced Practice Nursing; Adult-Gerontology Traumatic Injury and Emergent Illness; Advanced Practice Nursing Issues in the Care of Older Adults; Clinical Residency
  • FNP Specialization Courses: Pediatric Health Assessment; Pediatric Pharmacotherapeutics; Pediatrics in Advanced Practice; Introduction to Primary Care; Women’s Health in Advanced Practice; Advanced Primary Care; Advanced Practice Nursing Issues in the Care of Older Adults; Clinical Residency
  • PNP Specialization Courses: Pediatric Health Assessment in Advanced Practice; Pediatric Pharmacotherapeutics; Care of the Well Child and Adolescent; Diagnosis and Management of Acute and Chronic Conditions in Children and Adolescents; Women’s Health in Advanced Practice Nursing; Clinical Residency
  • PMHNP Specialization Courses: Psychopharmacology; Pediatric Pharmacology; Introduction to Behavioral Health Therapy Across the Lifespan; Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I-II; Advance PMHNP III: Focus on Children and Adolescents; Advanced Practice Nursing Issues in the Care of Older Adults; Clinical Residency
  • Dual Specialization Courses: Dual specialization DNP students take all required courses for all DNP specializations plus the required specialization courses. Clinical hours equal 1,440 and these students attend three RISE and two CSIs.

Rural Health Certificate Courses: The Rural Health certificate comprises nine credits and includes the following courses: Conceptual Foundations for Rural Health Nursing; Rural Health Systems; Rural Community Health; and Clinical Residency. The residency must be served at an approved rural site, and the DNP Project must be rural-focused. As well, students choosing to add this certificate must participate in RHPP activities including the annual RHPP Interprofessional Rural Health Conference.

Rural Telehealth Certificate Courses: The Rural Telehealth certificate comprises nine credits and includes the following courses: Technology for Expanding Healthcare Capacity; Conceptual Foundations for Rural Health; and Clinical Residency. In addition, depending on the semester offered, students take either Rural Health Systems or Rural Community Health.

Online Experience: The University of Arizona utilizes D2L Brightspace as its online Learning Management System (LMS) and offers the student the course Launch Pad, which walks them through the D2L system and makes sure students know where everything is located and accessed, as well as how to communicate with faculty and peers online. Students will need to use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari internet browsers. Online students have access to faculty and academic advisors who guide them through the entire DNP process and meet frequently with students to make sure they are meeting personal and academic goals, clinical sites are approved, and questions are answered. Students have access to the Think Tank Online Tutoring, Student Academic Success Specialists, the UA Library and librarian consultations, the Blue Chip Leadership program, an enrollment team, academic skills coaching, a Disability Resource Center, the Wildcat Career Network, and the UA Bookstores.

On-Site Requirements: BSN to DNP students completing a single NP specialization are required to come to the Tucson, AZ campus for two, one-week Resident Intensive Summer Experiences (RISE) and one Clinical Skills Intensive (CSI). Dual specialization students attend three RISE intensives and two CSIs. During RISE, students collaborate with peers in their cohort as well as faculty and faculty advisers. In addition, students begin courses for their specialization, learn more about their program and coursework, and can find out about funding opportunities. CSIs focus on skill development in preparation for clinical practicums.

Paying for the University of Arizona Online DNP Programs

The online DNP program costs $991 per credit plus fees for both in-state and out-of-state students. Travel expenses for campus visits are not included. Prospective DNP students should contact the UA College of Nursing for more details.

Graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal loans according to the FAFSA. In addition, grants and scholarships may be available through the University of Arizona as well as a limited number of fellowships to students pursuing the RHPP certificate who serve their rural clinical rotations in Arizona. Other options for funding include tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts through employers, and community and organizational funding.

University of Arizona

APRN Programs

BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP Dual Specialty – FNP/AGACNP
BSN to DNP Dual Specialty – FNP/PMHNP
BSN to DNP Dual Specialty – PNP/PMHNP

Campus Address

1305 N. Martin
Tucson, Arizona 85721

University of Arizona – BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

3

Credits Needed to Graduate

67

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,220

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

None

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

67

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$70,551.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$70,551.00

University of Arizona – BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

3

Credits Needed to Graduate

68

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,220

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

None

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

68

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$71,604.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$71,604.00

University of Arizona – BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

3

Credits Needed to Graduate

64

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,220

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

None

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

64

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$67,392.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$67,392.00

University of Arizona – BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

3

Credits Needed to Graduate

67

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,220

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

None

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

67

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$70,551.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$70,551.00

University of Arizona – BSN to DNP Dual Specialty – FNP/AGACNP

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

FNP & AGNP – Family Nurse Practitioner & Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

5

Credits Needed to Graduate

89

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,940

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

None

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

89

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$93,717.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$93,717.00

University of Arizona – BSN to DNP Dual Specialty – FNP/PMHNP

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

FNP & PMHNP – Family Nurse Practitioner Practitioner & Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

5

Credits Needed to Graduate

87

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,940

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

None

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

87

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$91,611.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$91,611.00

University of Arizona – BSN to DNP Dual Specialty – PNP/PMHNP

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

PNP & PMHNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

5

Credits Needed to Graduate

86

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,940

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

None

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

86

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$90,558.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$1,053.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$90,558.00

Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.

Sara Navratil

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.