The University of Arizona offers 2 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Both tracks use a hybrid format that blends online coursework with required on-campus clinical immersions and supervised clinical placements.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | ~$68,445 | ~2.5 years (full-time) |
| Certificate Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | ~$31,590 | ~1 year 4 months (part-time) |
Students benefit from small cohort sizes, structured clinical placement support, and a curriculum aligned with current AACN Essentials.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program is approximately $68,445 (65 credits × $1,053 per credit) and would take 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
The DNP curriculum builds advanced pediatric primary care knowledge and leadership skills. Courses include:
NURS629: Statistical Inference for Evidence-Based Practice – 3 units
This course introduces core concepts of statistical inference and their role in evidence-based nursing practice. Students learn to analyze quantitative data and interpret statistical findings to answer clinical questions and guide practice decisions.
NURS652: Methods for Scholarly Inquiry – 2 units
This course presents key research methods used to investigate and solve clinical problems. Students learn to identify practice issues, review scientific literature, and evaluate research evidence using tools such as surveys, needs assessments, and focus groups.
NURS695B: DNP Forum – 2 units
This course introduces doctoral education for advanced practice nurses. Students examine ethics, scholarship, leadership, and scientific inquiry related to the DNP role while developing academic writing skills and using APA formatting.
NURS704: Philosophy and Theory for the DNP – 3 units
This course explores philosophical and theoretical foundations that shape nursing knowledge and advanced practice. Students study key theories, examine knowledge development in nursing science, and begin building a conceptual framework for doctoral inquiry.
NURS501: Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology – 3 units
This course reviews major physiologic and pathophysiologic processes across the lifespan. Topics include cellular biology, immunology, neurophysiology, endocrine and cardiovascular systems, and disorders affecting pulmonary, renal, and digestive function.
NURS642: Health Policy and Economics – 3 units
This course examines health policy, economics, and advocacy in healthcare systems. Students analyze policy development, compare U.S. and global healthcare systems, and explore the role of policy leadership in advanced nursing practice.
NURS751: Evidence-Based Practice – 3 units
This course teaches methods used to locate, evaluate, and apply research evidence in clinical settings. Students review research studies, guidelines, and practice data to improve care quality and translate findings into policy and practice improvements.
NURS572: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing – 3 units
This course focuses on clinical pharmacology and medication management across the lifespan. Students study drug classes, treatment selection, dosage adjustment, adverse effects, and monitoring strategies for common acute and chronic conditions.
NURS695C: Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare Teams – 1 unit
This course introduces principles of collaborative practice in healthcare teams. Students examine professional roles, communication strategies, ethics, and teamwork approaches that support coordinated, patient-centered care.
NURS752: Evaluation Methodologies for Safety & Quality Improvement – 3 units
This course examines methods used to assess safety and quality in healthcare systems. Students learn evaluation design, outcome measurement, benchmarking, and cost-effectiveness analysis to guide quality improvement initiatives.
NURS609A: Advanced Health and Physical Assessment – 3 units
This course prepares students to perform comprehensive health assessments across the lifespan. Students develop skills in history taking, physical examination, mental health evaluation, and differential diagnosis development.
NURS609C: Pediatric Health Assessment in Advanced Practice – 1 unit
This course teaches physical examination and assessment techniques for pediatric patients from birth through adolescence. Students learn pediatric anatomy, developmental assessment, and methods used to distinguish normal and abnormal findings.
NURS646: Healthcare Informatics: Theory & Practice – 3 units
This course examines the role of informatics in healthcare data management and clinical decision support. Students review information systems, data processing, regulatory requirements, and emerging trends in healthcare technology.
NURS688: Organizational Leadership and Finance in Health Systems – 3 units
This course studies leadership strategies used to manage change in healthcare organizations. Students examine emotional intelligence, financial planning, and business principles used to support system-level quality improvement and practice initiatives.
NURS542: Pediatric Pharmacotherapeutics – 1 unit
This course reviews medication management principles for pediatric patients. Students examine drug selection, dosing considerations, and safety issues specific to children.
NURS642A: Care of the Well Child and Adolescent – 5 units
This course prepares students to provide preventive and primary care for healthy children and adolescents. Students study health promotion, developmental assessment, and screening strategies while completing a clinical practicum that applies pediatric care concepts.
NURS922: DNP Project – 2 units
This course supports development of the doctoral practice project. Students conduct scholarly inquiry through research, field study, or applied investigation that addresses a clinical practice issue.
NURS642B: Diagnosis and Management of Acute and Chronic Conditions in Children and Adolescents – 6 units
This course focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric acute and chronic conditions. Students develop advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment planning skills for primary care management of children and adolescents.
NURS680: Women’s Health in Advanced Practice Nursing – 2 units
This course examines health needs of women across the lifespan. Topics include preventive care, management of common conditions, integrative care approaches, and social factors that influence women’s health outcomes.
NURS642C: Clinical Residency – 6 units
This supervised clinical experience allows students to apply advanced practice nursing knowledge in real care settings. Students participate in interdisciplinary teams while strengthening clinical judgment and patient management skills within their specialty area.
NURS753: Population Health for DNPs – 3 units
This course reviews core principles of epidemiology, disease prevention, and population health management. Students analyze health trends, evaluate population-level data, and apply evidence-based strategies to improve community health outcomes.
View the course catalog for more curriculum details.
DNP Clinicals
Students complete 810 clinical hours across specialty practicums and residency.
Clinical structure includes:
- 180 hours in PNP Specialty I
- 180 hours in PNP Specialty II
- 450 hours in PNP Specialty III
- Three required on-campus Clinical Immersions
- Virtual RISE orientation
The College arranges clinical placements with approved preceptors.
DNP Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- BSN or MSN from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in nursing coursework
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- Two professional references
- Official transcripts
- CV using DNP template
- Completion of NursingCAS and Graduate College applications
- 1,800 hours of RN experience prior to clinical year
More curriculum details are available here.
Post-Graduate Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The estimated cost for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate program is approximately $31,590 (30 credits × $1,053 per credit) and would take 1 year and 4 months to complete on a part-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate focuses on pediatric specialty coursework for master’s-prepared nurses. Courses include:
- NURS 609A Health Assessment
- NURS 609C Pediatric Health Assessment
- NURS 501 Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology
- NURS 542 Pediatric Pharmacotherapeutics
- NURS 572 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
- NURS 642A Care of the Well Child and Adolescent
- NURS 642B Acute and Chronic Conditions in Children
- NURS 642C Clinical Residency
- NURS 680 Women’s Health in Advanced Practice Nursing
More curriculum details are available in the course catalog.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 720 clinical hours through supervised pediatric rotations.
Clinical components include:
- 180 hours in primary care pediatrics
- 180 hours in acute and chronic management
- 360-hour clinical residency
- Required on-campus Clinical Immersions
- Virtual RISE orientation
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the following:
- Master of Science in Nursing with advanced practice specialty
- Active RN or APRN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- NursingCAS and Graduate College application
- Verification that the certificate is offered during the intended year
Tuition
Graduate tuition ranges from $650 to $1,332 per credit, with the PNP specialty listed at $1,053 per credit. There is no out-of-state tuition differential for online students.
Additional university and program fees may apply.
See official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
- Applications Open: August 15
- Priority Deadline: November 1
- Final Deadline: March 1
- Program Start: Fall
Applicants must submit through NursingCAS first and complete the Graduate College application upon recommendation.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The College also complies with Arizona Board of Nursing requirements and state authorization regulations.