Arizona State University PNP Programs (Pediatric Nurse)

Arizona State University (Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation) offers 3 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks:

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (DNP)
Graduate Certificate – Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Graduate Certificate – Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

All three tracks are delivered in a hybrid format — primarily online but requiring students to travel to the Downtown Phoenix campus for up to one week at program orientation and two to three times per semester.

The DNP is a 84-credit doctoral program open to BSN- or MSN-prepared nurses, with up to 30 master’s-level credits transferable to reduce the load. The two graduate certificates are designed for board-certified APRNs adding a pediatric specialty — one targeting primary care and one targeting acute care settings.

Program Tracks Overview

Program	Est. Tuition (Resident / Non-Resident)	Est. Duration
DNP – Primary Care PNP	$79,968	~4–5 years full-time
Certificate – Primary Care PNP	$30,464	~1.5–2 years
Certificate – Acute Care PNP	$19,040	~1–1.5 years

_{Tuition estimates based on Fall 2026 rates of $952/credit (resident) and $1,622/credit (non-resident). Mandatory per-semester fees (student-initiated, graduate support, technology, surcharge) are additional and vary by enrollment load. See the ASU tuition page for full fee schedules.}

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The estimated tuition cost for the ASU DNP Primary Care PNP program is approximately $79,968 (resident) or $136,248 (non-resident) in tuition alone across 84 credit hours, typically completed in approximately 4–5 years on a full-time basis; students who transfer up to 30 prior master’s credits may complete the program more quickly.

DNP Curriculum

The program requires 84 credit hours distributed across four components: required core, concentration, other requirements, electives/research, and a culminating experience. Any previously completed coursework submitted for gap analysis credit must have been finished within the past five years (or the applicant must be actively board-certified and practicing).

Required Core (13 credits)

DNP 704 – Principles of Evidence-based Care in Advanced Practice (4 cr)
DNP 705 – Health Care Outcomes Management (3 cr)
DNP 708 – Systems Thinking in a Complex Healthcare Environment (3 cr)
DNP 709 – Individual and Innovation Leadership in Healthcare Practice (3 cr)

Pediatric Primary Care Concentration (22 credits)

DNP 643 Developmentally Based Care of the Well Child (3)
Offers information for theory-based developmental care of well children. Includes anticipatory guidance for parents and/or children/teens.

DNP 644 Well Child Advanced Practicum (3)
Clinical application of theories, concepts and principles as they relate to the developmentally based care of the well child.

DNP 645 Management of Common Problems in Pediatric Primary Care (3)
Provides health promotion and disease prevention strategies for the advanced nursing care of all children and families.

DNP 646 Management of Common Problems in Pediatric Primary Care Practicum (5)
Facilitates development of advanced clinical skills in the assessment and management of child health, health surveillance and promotion.

DNP 647 Management of Complex and Chronic Health Problems in Pediatric Primary Care (3)
Third pediatric didactic course focuses on assessment and management of childhood complex and chronic health problems and special health conditions.

DNP 648 Management of Complex and Chronic Health Problems in Pediatric Primary Care Practicum (5)
Clinical course assists students in developing advanced clinical skills in decision making with chronically ill or special needs pediatric patients.

Other Requirements (40 credits)

DNP 601 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 cr)
DNP 602 – Evaluating Research for Practice (3 cr)
DNP 604 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology Across Lifespan (4 cr)
DNP 605 – Advanced Health Assessment Across Lifespan (3 cr)
DNP 608 – Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across Lifespan (3 cr)
DNP 609 – Advanced Practice Nursing Role (1 cr)
DNP 641 – Advanced Health Assessment Pediatrics (3 cr)
DNP 642 – Applied Pharmacotherapeutics for Pediatrics (3 cr)
DNP 679 – Biostatistics: Principles of Statistical Inference (3 cr)
DNP 703 – Innovation in Communication: Scholarly and Professional Writing (2 cr)
DNP 711 – Healthcare Policy and Innovation (3 cr)
DNP 712 – Clinical Residency and Management (12 cr)
DNP 715 – Dynamics and Principles of Information in Health Care (3 cr)

Electives and Research (6 credits) – approved course list available from the academic unit.

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

DNP 707 – Disseminating Evidence to Advance Best Practice in Health Care and Health Policy (3 cr)

See the official curriculum page for more details.

DNP Clinicals

The program includes 1,125 practicum hours — exceeding the AACN-recommended minimum of 1,000 postbaccalaureate hours. Students complete 13 credit hours (585 clock hours) of pediatric-specific practicum in a community setting, in addition to the broader clinical residency requirement.

Students in Maricopa County have clinical placements coordinated by the program; placement is not guaranteed for students outside Maricopa County
Out-of-county students must independently identify and secure approved clinical sites and preceptors
Clinical rotations available in health profession shortage areas — both urban underserved and rural settings
Faculty may require students needing additional supervision to complete hours in the Phoenix area
Graduates meet eligibility requirements to sit for a national primary care PNP certification exam

DNP Admissions Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (last 60 hours of BSN, or full MSN GPA)
Current, unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical practicums will occur
Unencumbered Arizona RN license or compact state RN license (Arizona Board of Nursing requirement)
Three professional letters of recommendation
Resume, goal statement, and admission essay
Graduate admission application and application fee
Health and safety requirements: background clearance, substance screen, and required health documents
Interview with program faculty (required)
No admission exam required
Gap analysis review required for any previously completed courses submitted for credit
One year of clinical experience in the specialty population preferred
Priority deadline: December 15 (applications reviewed on space-available basis after this date)

California residents should review ASU’s state authorization page for program-specific enrollment restrictions.

Graduate Certificate – Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The estimated tuition cost for the ASU Primary Care PNP Graduate Certificate is approximately $30,464 (resident) or $51,904 (non-resident) in tuition across 32 credit hours, typically completed in approximately 1.5–2 years on a full-time basis.

Certificate Curriculum

The program totals 32 credit hours, all required core courses. It is designed for board-certified APRNs in a different specialty seeking primary care PNP certification, or for doctorate-level nurses entering pediatric primary care. Any gap analysis coursework must have been completed within the previous five years.

Required Core (32 credits)

DNP 640 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology Pediatrics (4 cr)
DNP 641 – Advanced Health Assessment Pediatrics (3 cr)
DNP 642 – Applied Pharmacotherapeutics for Pediatrics (3 cr)
DNP 643 – Developmentally Based Care of the Well Child (3 cr)
DNP 644 – Well Child Advanced Practicum (3 cr)
DNP 645 – Management of Common Problems in Pediatric Primary Care (3 cr)
DNP 646 – Management of Common Problems in Pediatric Primary Care Practicum (5 cr)
DNP 647 – Management of Complex and Chronic Health Problems in Pediatric Primary Care (3 cr)
DNP 648 – Management of Complex and Chronic Problems Pediatric Primary Care Practicum (5 cr)

See the course catalog for more details.

Certificate Clinicals

Students complete 585 clock hours (13 credit hours) of pediatric practicum experiences in a community setting. Site coordination follows the same Maricopa County model as the DNP — in-county placement assistance provided; out-of-county students secure their own approved sites.

Practicum rotations span well-child visits through complex chronic pediatric presentations
Clinical rotations in urban underserved and rural health profession shortage areas available
Sites must receive approval from Edson College before students begin any clinical experience
Graduates meet eligibility requirements for the national primary care PNP certification exam

Certificate Admissions Requirements

Both a bachelor’s AND master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution required
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (last 60 hours of BSN, or full MSN GPA)
Must be board-certified in a different APRN specialty (required)
Current, unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical practicums will occur
Unencumbered Arizona RN license or compact state RN license
Three professional letters of recommendation
Resume, goal statement, and admission essay
Graduate admission application and application fee
Health and safety requirements: background clearance, substance screen, and health documents (submitted after admission)
Interview with program faculty (required)
No admission exam required
Gap analysis review required for previously completed coursework
One year of clinical experience in the specialty population preferred

Graduate Certificate – Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The estimated tuition cost for the ASU Acute Care PNP Graduate Certificate is approximately $19,040 (resident) or $32,440 (non-resident) in tuition across 20 credit hours, typically completed in approximately 1–1.5 years on a full-time basis.

Certificate Curriculum

The program totals 20 credit hours, all required core. It targets primary care PNP board-certified nurses (or nationally certified FNPs practicing in pediatric settings) seeking additional certification in acute care. The curriculum focuses on assessment and management of chronic, complex acute, and life-threatening pediatric illnesses.

Required Core (20 credits)

DNP 606 – Principles of Pediatric Acute Care I (3 cr)
DNP 607 – Advanced Pediatric Acute Care Practicum I (7 cr)
DNP 619 – Principles of Pediatric Acute Care II (3 cr)
DNP 620 – Advanced Pediatric Acute Care Practicum II (7 cr)

Certificate Clinicals

Students complete 600 hours of direct patient care with a nurse practitioner or physician preceptor across two practicum courses (14 combined credit hours). These clinical hours are required by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board for eligibility to sit for the national acute care PNP certification exam.

Two sequenced acute care practicum rotations (Practicum I and II)
Sites span critical care, emergency, inpatient hospitalist, specialty, and transport settings
Maricopa County residents receive placement coordination; out-of-county students identify their own approved sites
Clinical rotations available in underserved urban and rural health profession shortage areas

Acute Care Certificate Admissions Requirements

Both a bachelor’s AND master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution required
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (last 60 hours of BSN, or full MSN GPA)
Must be nationally certified as a primary care PNP — or be a nationally certified FNP actively working in a pediatric setting
Current, unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical practicums will occur
Unencumbered Arizona RN license or compact state RN license
Three professional letters of recommendation
Resume, goal statement, and admission essay
Graduate admission application and application fee
Health and safety requirements: background clearance, substance screen, and health documents (submitted after admission)
Interview with program faculty (required)
No admission exam required
Gap analysis review required for previously completed coursework
One year of clinical experience in the specialty population preferred

Tuition

ASU charges graduate tuition at $952 per credit (resident) and $1,622 per credit (non-resident) for the 2026–2027 academic year.

International students are billed at $1,770 per credit. Per-semester mandatory fees — including a student-initiated fee (~$220–$404), graduate student support fee ($75–$150), advanced technology fee ($50–$100), and tuition surcharge ($25–$175) — are assessed on top of per-credit tuition and vary based on enrolled hours each term.

Certain programs may carry additional differential tuition; students should use ASU’s Tuition and Cost of Attendance Estimator to confirm program-specific totals.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

Arizona State University is regionally accredited, and these programs are housed within the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation at the Downtown Phoenix campus. ASU participates in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements), enabling distance education delivery to most states; California residents should verify program-specific eligibility via the ASU state authorization webpage.