Arizona has two institutions offering Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs across five tracks. Resident tuition ranges from approximately $19,040 for ASU’s Acute Care Certificate to $79,968 for ASU’s DNP, with program completion spanning roughly 1 to 5 years depending on degree level and enrollment pace.
School Comparison Table
| School | Est. Cost (Rounded) | High-Level Program Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | DNP: $80K (res) Primary Care Cert: $30K (res) Acute Care Cert: $19K (res) | – hybrid format — primarily online with required campus visits at orientation – only school in Arizona offering an acute care PNP certificate – Maricopa County students receive placement coordination – no GRE required; faculty interview required for all tracks – priority deadline: December 15 |
| University of Arizona | DNP: $68K Certificate: $32K | – hybrid format — online coursework with required on-campus immersions – accepts both BSN- and MSN-prepared applicants – college arranges clinical placements with approved preceptors – no out-of-state tuition differential for online students – no GRE required; priority deadline: November 1 (final: March 1) |
Arizona PNP Program Summaries
Arizona State University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Phoenix | $952 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers a hybrid Pediatric Nurse Practitioner pathway with three options: a DNP in Primary Care PNP plus graduate certificates in Primary Care PNP and Acute Care PNP. The programs combine online coursework with required campus visits in Downtown Phoenix and clinical practicum experiences, and they prepare graduates for national pediatric nurse practitioner certification in either primary care or acute care settings. The DNP is designed for BSN- or MSN-prepared nurses, while the certificates are aimed at board-certified APRNs seeking pediatric specialization or added certification...read more.
Maryville University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
100% Online | $900 cpc | Certificate / 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 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Fully Online | $915 cpc | Certificate / 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.
University of Arizona Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Tucson | $650 cpc | Certificate / MSN
The University of Arizona provides a doctoral pathway and a post-master’s certificate for pediatric nurse practitioners. The DNP track suits nurses who want full doctoral preparation with leadership and project experience. The certificate track fits advanced practice nurses who want to add pediatric primary care certification. Both options combine online coursework with structured clinical immersion and supervised pediatric clinical hours...read more.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
100% Online | $785 cpc | MSN / DNP
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.
Which Arizona PNP Program Is Right for You?
TLDR: How to Choose
Choose Arizona State University if you’re Maricopa County–based, want the only acute care PNP certificate in the state, or need maximum clinical hour depth (1,125 hours) at the doctoral level.
Choose University of Arizona if you want the fastest, lowest-cost DNP in Arizona — completing in ~2.5 years versus 4–5 at ASU — with clinical placements arranged by the college.
DNP Programs
Both Arizona schools offer DNP-level PNP programs, but they differ significantly in cost, length, and clinical scope. The University of Arizona is the faster and lower-cost option; ASU’s program runs nearly twice as long but logs more clinical hours and carries a deeper pediatric-specific curriculum.
| School | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | $68,445 | 2.5 years | 810 hrs | Hybrid |
| Arizona State University | $79,968 | 4–5 years | 1,125 hrs | Hybrid |
Worth noting: U of A’s DNP accepts applicants from both BSN and MSN backgrounds. ASU allows up to 30 prior master’s credits to transfer in, which can meaningfully reduce the timeline for MSN-prepared nurses. ASU also exceeds the AACN’s recommended 1,000 postbaccalaureate clinical hour minimum by 125 hours.
MSN Programs
No Arizona institution currently offers an MSN-level PNP program. Arizona-based nurses pursuing an MSN pathway will need to enroll in a national online program. Three fully accredited options are available with no campus visits required:
| School | Est. Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryville University | $42,300 | 20–32 months | 750 hrs | 6 per year |
| Walden University | $45,295 | ~2 years | Not published | Multiple |
| Rasmussen University | $51,130 | 27 months | Not published | Quarterly |
Maryville is the lowest-cost MSN option and reports a 92% PNCB certification pass rate — 11 points above the 2023 national average. Rasmussen’s competency-based format lets working nurses set their own pace with no weekly deadlines, and became eligible for Title IV federal financial aid in February 2026.
Certificate Programs
Arizona offers three post-master’s certificate tracks across two schools. ASU’s Acute Care PNP Certificate stands out as the lowest-cost option in the state at approximately $19,040 (resident) — and it’s the only acute care PNP pathway in Arizona. For primary care certificates, all three in-state options land within roughly $2,000 of each other on the resident cost scale.
| School | Track | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU | Acute Care PNP | $19,040 | 1–1.5 years | 600 hrs |
| ASU | Primary Care PNP | $30,464 | 1.5–2 years | 585 hrs |
| University of Arizona | Primary Care PNP | $31,590 | ~1 year 4 months | 720 hrs |
U of A’s certificate logs the most clinical hours of the primary care certificate options (720 vs. 585 at ASU) and completes in roughly 16 months part-time. ASU’s acute care certificate targets primary care PNPs or nationally certified FNPs working in pediatric settings who want dual certification — a niche pathway no other Arizona school offers.
National certificate programs are also available if in-state seat availability is a concern:
| School | Est. Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University | ~$29,087 | ~21 months | Not published |
| Maryville University | ~$31,500 | 12–24 months | 750 |
| Walden University | ~$35,690 | ~1.5 years | Not published |
Clinical Placements and Preceptor Support
Clinical placement support varies considerably between Arizona schools — and between Arizona and national alternatives.
- Arizona State University coordinates placements for students in Maricopa County. Out-of-county students must independently identify and secure approved sites and preceptors. Faculty may require students needing additional supervision to complete hours in the Phoenix area, regardless of where they live.
- University of Arizona arranges clinical placements with approved preceptors through the College — a more hands-off process for students. All sites must receive College approval before clinical hours begin.
- Maryville University allows students to complete clinicals locally in their preferred setting, with no structured placement coordinator mentioned.
- Rasmussen University provides a dedicated clinical practicum coordinator to help locate and secure clinical sites.
- Walden University offers its Practicum Pledge® program, which includes a structured site-matching process that escalates to a dedicated field placement team if a student cannot independently secure a match.
For students outside the Phoenix metro, Walden’s Practicum Pledge® and Rasmussen’s dedicated coordinator model offer more proactive placement support than ASU’s out-of-county self-sourcing requirement.
Admissions at a Glance
| School | Program | Min. GPA | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASU | DNP – Primary Care PNP | 3.0 | Dec. 15 (priority); rolling after |
| ASU | Certificate – Primary Care PNP | 3.0 | Dec. 15 (priority); rolling after |
| ASU | Certificate – Acute Care PNP | 3.0 | Dec. 15 (priority); rolling after |
| University of Arizona | DNP – Pediatric NP | 3.0 | Nov. 1 (priority); Mar. 1 (final) |
| University of Arizona | Post-Graduate Certificate – Pediatric NP | 3.0 | Nov. 1 (priority); Mar. 1 (final) |
Both Arizona schools require a minimum 3.0 GPA and neither requires GRE scores. ASU additionally requires a faculty interview and three professional letters of recommendation for all tracks. University of Arizona applicants must apply through NursingCAS first, then complete a separate Graduate College application upon recommendation.