- 2 In-State Schools, Mostly Online formats, plus 2 online options compared
Arizona has two Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) programs. Arizona State University offers Primary Care and Acute Care, and the University of Arizona offers Primary Care. Both are Mostly Online with required campus visits.
Neither school offers an MSN or a travel-free format, so this guide adds two online programs, Walden University and Maryville University, to every comparison table below.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU (in-state) | Primary Care + Acute Care | Mostly Online | Up to one week of orientation, then 2–3 Downtown Phoenix visits per semester | $952 | DNP, Certificate | Phoenix-area nurses seeking Acute Care |
| U of A (in-state) | Primary Care | Mostly Online | About 3 days in Tucson at the start of each clinical semester | $1,058.30 (tuition and fees) | DNP, Certificate | Pediatric RNs who want arranged placements |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 per quarter credit (NP coursework) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | ADN or diploma RNs who cannot travel |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | BSN nurses who want an MSN and a quick start |
Arizona eligibility: Walden restricts only its PMHNP programs in Arizona, so all five PNP pathways are open to Arizona residents. Maryville’s licensure grids list Arizona as meeting educational requirements for its PNP MSN, DNP, and certificate.
Arizona PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 2 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes, at ASU and U of A
- Acute Care: Yes, at ASU only (DNP and certificate)
- MSN: Online only (Walden and Maryville); Walden also offers RN-to-MSN
- DNP: In-state at both schools, BSN or MSN entry; also online at Walden and Maryville
- Certificate: In-state at both schools; also online at Walden and Maryville
- Format: In-state programs are Mostly Online with campus visits; online options require no campus visits
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $19K for ASU’s Acute Care certificate (resident rate)
Choosing a PNP Program in Arizona
Acute Care and Phoenix Placements: ASU
ASU is Arizona’s only route to the CPNP-AC credential, through a DNP or a 20-credit certificate. Its Acute Care DNP names no required PICU experience. The college arranges clinicals only for Maricopa County residents. Students elsewhere find their own sites and still travel to Phoenix each semester.
Arranged Placements and 810 Clinical Hours: U of A
U of A arranges placements for every student, prioritizing their home area. Its DNP requires 810 clinical hours, above the 600–750 typical for Primary Care. Full-time entry requires 1,800 hours of pediatric RN experience and PALS. Admission is fall only, and certificate students cannot use federal aid.
RN Entry and No Travel: Walden
Walden admits diploma and ADN-prepared RNs through an RN-to-MSN, which no Arizona school offers. It requires no campus visits and publishes no RN experience minimum. Students search for preceptors first; Walden’s placement team steps in only after documented unsuccessful attempts.
Six Start Dates a Year: Maryville
Maryville admits six times a year, while both Arizona schools admit once each fall. It offers a fully online MSN for BSN nurses. The trade-offs: one year of RN experience is required, and Maryville publishes no clinical hour total or placement commitment.
Arizona RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
No Arizona school offers an RN-to-MSN PNP pathway. Among the online options, only Walden does. Its Primary Care RN-to-MSN admits nurses with a hospital diploma, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Maryville’s MSN requires a BSN.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $57K (after scholarship) | ~28 months | 640 |
- Experience requirement: Walden publishes no RN experience minimum.
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN PNP programs
Arizona BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
Neither Arizona school offers a PNP master’s degree. Both admit BSN-prepared nurses directly into the DNP instead. Walden and Maryville each offer a fully online Primary Care MSN with no campus visits, giving BSN nurses a shorter, lower-cost route to certification.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $45K (after scholarship) | ~24 months | 640 |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months (full-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $42K.
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of RN experience; Walden publishes no minimum.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Arizona BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
Both Arizona schools offer a BSN-to-DNP. ASU offers Primary Care and Acute Care concentrations; U of A offers Primary Care. Walden and Maryville add fully online Primary Care DNPs. Both in-state DNPs admit once a year, each fall.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU (in-state) | Primary Care | $80K | ~4–5 years (est.) | 1,125 (585 pediatric) |
| ASU (in-state) | Acute Care | $81K | ~4–5 years (est.) | 1,170 (600 direct care) |
| U of A (in-state) | Primary Care | $70K (tuition and fees) | 2.5 years (full-time); 3.5 years (part-time) | 810 minimum |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $76K (after scholarship) | ~3.25 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $70K | 40 months | Not clearly stated |
- Shortest completion: U of A, at 2.5 years full-time, also tied for lowest tuition at $70K.
- Only Acute Care option: ASU.
- Experience requirement: U of A’s full-time DNP requires 1,800 hours of pediatric RN experience; nurses still building hours apply part-time.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Arizona MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
Both Arizona DNPs accept MSN-prepared nurses. ASU applies up to 30 master’s credits toward its DNP, but neither school publishes a separate MSN-entry price or timeline. Walden and Maryville publish totals for their online MSN-entry Primary Care DNPs.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU (in-state) | Primary Care | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | 1,125 post-baccalaureate |
| ASU (in-state) | Acute Care | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | 1,170 post-baccalaureate |
| U of A (in-state) | Primary Care | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | 810 minimum |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $71K (after scholarship) | ~3 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $64K | 36 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $64K.
- Only Acute Care option: ASU.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Arizona Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
Both Arizona schools offer a post-master’s PNP certificate, and ASU adds the state’s only Acute Care certificate. ASU and U of A require existing APRN certification. Walden and Maryville admit any MSN-prepared RN, including nurses without an NP credential.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU (in-state) | Primary Care | $30K | ~1.5–2 years (est.) | 585 |
| ASU (in-state) | Acute Care | $19K | ~1–1.5 years (est.) | 600 |
| U of A (in-state) | Primary Care | $32K (tuition and fees) | 4 semesters | 720 |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $33K | ~5–7 quarters | 640 |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $32K | 24 months (part-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: ASU’s Acute Care certificate, at $19K. It requires CPNP-PC certification, or FNP certification with pediatric NP practice.
- Only Acute Care option: ASU.
- Campus requirement: ASU and U of A require campus visits; Walden and Maryville do not.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for Arizona Nurses
Rasmussen University also appears in the Arizona directory below, alongside Walden and Maryville. Confirm its Arizona enrollment status before applying.
Maryville University PNP Programs
St. Louis | $900 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / DNP
For those seeking to specialize in pediatric primary care, Maryville University offers Arizona residents a streamlined BSN-to-DNP path that integrates master’s and doctoral competencies. Arizona students benefit from a manual-audit data methodology that ensures transparent tuition and curriculum standards across all PNP concentrations. With no waitlists for accepted students, Arizona nurses can quickly begin their journey toward becoming advanced pediatric practitioners in a variety of local clinical settings.
Rasmussen University PNP Programs
Bloomington | $925 cpc | Certificate / BSN to MSN
In Arizona, Rasmussen University offers two online Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner options: an MSN-NP track and a Post-Graduate Certificate track. Both programs use flexible, competency-based learning with local clinical practicums and a one-weekend residency, which can work well for practicing nurses in Arizona. The MSN track is designed for BSN-prepared RNs, while the certificate is for nurses who already hold an MSN, MSN-NP, or DNP.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Minneapolis | $785 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / RN to MSN
In Arizona, Walden University offers three online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner options: a DNP, an MSN, and a Post-Master’s Certificate. Each track includes pediatric-focused coursework and practicum experiences, with additional support from Practicum Pledge® and virtual learning tools. The programs are designed for working nurses who want a flexible route into pediatric primary care practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Arizona?
Two: Arizona State University in Phoenix and the University of Arizona in Tucson. Both offer DNP and post-master’s certificate pathways. Neither offers a PNP master’s degree.
Does Arizona offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. ASU offers an Acute Care DNP and an Acute Care certificate, the only CPNP-AC routes in the state. U of A, Walden, and Maryville are Primary Care only.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in-state. ASU requires up to a week of orientation plus 2–3 Phoenix visits every semester. U of A requires about three days in Tucson at the start of each clinical semester. Walden and Maryville require no campus visits.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, ASU’s Acute Care certificate is lowest at $19K for residents, and U of A’s $70K DNP is the lowest-cost in-state doctorate. Among the online options, Maryville’s $42K MSN is the lowest-cost degree.
Which schools offer a DNP?
All four. ASU offers Primary Care and Acute Care DNPs; U of A, Walden, and Maryville offer Primary Care DNPs. Each accepts both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
Usually. U of A arranges placements near home when sites are available. ASU arranges placements only in Maricopa County and can move struggling students’ clinicals to Phoenix. Walden and Maryville students complete clinicals locally but generally find their own preceptors.
Can I become a PNP in Arizona without a BSN?
Not through an Arizona school. Walden’s online RN-to-MSN admits diploma and ADN-prepared RNs and leads to Primary Care PNP certification.