Arizona offers five PMHNP programs ranging from $19,152 to $70,551 for master’s/DNP degrees.
Completion times span 1.25 years to 4 years depending on program type and enrollment pace.
Quick Comparison Table
Here are four institutions with physical campuses in the state.
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | DNP : $51K Certificate: $17K | – Hybrid format with 2–3 campus immersions per semester. – 85-credit DNP with 585–1,125 clinical hours based on track. – Strong focus on multicultural, rural, and underserved populations. – Credit transfer options for master’s-level coursework. |
| Grand Canyon University | MSN: $40K | – Online delivery with on-campus immersions for advanced skills. – 53-credit program with 750 total clinical hours. – Multiple state availability including AZ, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, NV, NM, NC, TX. – Transfer up to 12 credits (1/3 of program). |
| Northern Arizona University | MSN: $19K Certificate: $9K–$14K | – Online with targeted focus on rural and underserved communities. – 48–51 credits for MSN with extensive PMHNP coursework. – Certificate requires 23–36 credits depending on background. – CCNE accredited with rural health policy and family-focused courses. |
| University of Arizona | DNP: $71K Certificate: $36K | – Hybrid model with on-campus intensives and arranged clinicals. – 67-credit DNP with 720 total clinical hours. – Certificate is 34 credits with the same 720 clinical hours. – CCNE accredited with strong statewide clinical network. |
| University of Phoenix | MSN: $30K Bridge MSN: $36K | – Fully online with competency-based support and faculty mentoring. – MSN is 52 credits over ~30 months; Bridge is 61 credits over ~34–36 months. – CCNE accredited with multi-state eligibility and annual start cycles. – One mandatory 5-day residency for skill validation and clinical evaluation. |
Fully online national programs provide additional options – see list of schools serving Arizona residents below.
List of Arizona Schools with PMHNP Programs
Arizona State University PMHNP Program
Phoenix | $605 cpc | Certificate / DNP
Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers two PMHNP pathways: an 85-credit DNP program and a 28-credit graduate certificate. Both blend online coursework with on-campus immersions and require 585–1,125 clinical hours in diverse settings, including rural and underserved communities. The DNP includes advanced practice, leadership, and doctoral project components, while the certificate focuses on assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic management for APRNs in other specialties. Graduates are prepared for national PMHNP certification with training that integrates multicultural mental health care across the lifespan...read more.
Grand Canyon University PMHNP Program
Phoenix | $750 cpc | MSN
Grand Canyon University’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program blends online coursework with two required on-campus immersions, preparing nurses to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders across the lifespan. The 53-credit curriculum includes advanced sciences, leadership, informatics, research translation, and specialized psychiatric training with 750 supervised clinical hours. ..read more.
Northern Arizona University PMHNP Program
Flagstaff | $399 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Northern Arizona University offers two PMHNP pathways: an MS in Nursing with PMHNP emphasis and a Post-Graduate Certificate. Both programs integrate clinical training throughout the curriculum, focusing on serving rural and underserved communities. The master’s track combines advanced nursing core courses with specialized psychiatric mental health content, while the certificate adapts credit requirements based on prior education. Graduates are prepared for ANCC certification with full prescriptive and diagnostic authority in psychiatric mental health care...read more.
University of Arizona PMHNP Program
Tucson | $1053 cpc | Certificate / DNP
The University of Arizona College of Nursing offers two PMHNP pathways: a 67-credit DNP program and a 34-credit graduate certificate. Both tracks require 720 clinical hours, blending online coursework with on-campus intensives, including RISE sessions and a Clinical Practice Intensive. The DNP focuses on advanced psychiatric practice across the lifespan, while the certificate is designed for APRNs seeking PMHNP certification. Graduates are prepared for national board certification and to serve diverse patient populations in family, pediatric, adult, and geriatric mental health care...read more.
University of Phoenix PMHNP Program
Phoenix | $540 cpc | MSN
University of Phoenix offers online PMHNP MSN and Bridge tracks with a required 5-day on-campus residency and a tuition guarantee that locks rates from enrollment to graduation. CCNE-accredited programs feature up to eight starts per year, one-to-one support, transfer credit options, and faculty who bring extensive real-world practice. Coursework spans advanced assessment, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and psychiatric management across the lifespan with embedded clinical skill checkoffs...read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Arizona nurses seeking advanced psychiatric-mental health training can choose Walden University’s flexible online PMHNP tracks, which are recognized for meeting Arizona licensure requirements. Students benefit from the Practicum Pledge field placement team to secure clinical sites across Arizona, plus interactive virtual skills labs to build practical assessment and therapy skills. Graduates are ready for national PMHNP certification and clinical leadership in Arizona’s growing mental health sector.
Chamberlain MSN PMHNP Program
online | $735 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Chamberlain University’s CCNE-accredited PMHNP pathways include a 45-credit MSN and a 35-credit Graduate Certificate delivered through 100% online coursework with two required on-site immersion experiences. Both tracks include 650 supervised practicum hours, and Chamberlain’s Practicum Commitment helps secure qualified preceptors. Estimated tuition is $33,075 for the MSN (~2.5 years full-time) and $25,725 for the certificate (~1.5 years full-time), with over 90% of students receiving financial aid. Institutional accreditation is through the Higher Learning Commission...read more.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Purdue Global’s CCNE-accredited PMHNP pathways—Certificate, MSN focus, and MSN-to-DNP—run fully online and include VR telehealth and group therapy work. The certificate is about $20,160 over ~1.5 years; the MSN is about $32,760 over ~2 years; the MSN-to-DNP adds doctoral study after the MSN. The program is authorized for Arizona residents.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
online | $751 cpc | Certificate / MSN / RN to MSN
Wilkes University's Passan School of Nursing offers three flexible, 100% online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) tracks with consistently high board pass rates of 95.4%. The university is authorized to enroll students physically located in Arizona for its MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate programs, as it meets the state's educational requirements for APRN licensure. All tracks require 500 clinical hours, with complimentary clinical placement services included, and are designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to serve diverse and underserved populations.
Choosing the Best PMHNP Program for You in Arizona
TLDR: Quick Program Recommendations
Choose Northern Arizona University if you want the lowest tuition ($19,152 MS) with specialized focus on rural and underserved populations, plus the most affordable certificate ($9,177-$14,364).
Choose University of Phoenix if you need maximum flexibility with 8 annual start dates, 5-6 week courses, tuition guarantee, and acceptance of transfer credits from 5,000+ institutions ($30,420 MSN).
Choose Grand Canyon University if you want the most clinical hours (750) with immersive on-campus experiences and availability in 10 states ($39,750 MSN).
Choose Arizona State University if you want a DNP degree ($51,450) with the most practice hours (1,125) and multicultural clinical experiences in urban underserved and rural areas.
Choose University of Arizona if you want a top-ranked DNP program ($70,551) at a top 1% global institution with 720 clinical hours and average cohort size of 30 students.
Master’s-Level PMHNP Program Comparison
Northern Arizona University offers the lowest MSN tuition at $19,152, while University of Phoenix provides the fastest completion pathway at 30 months with maximum scheduling flexibility. Grand Canyon University requires the most clinical hours (750), exceeding many programs’ requirements.
| School | Total Cost (Residents) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University | $19,152 | 2-2.5 years | Integrated clinicals in coursework |
| University of Phoenix | $30,420 | ~30 months | 5-day residency + embedded |
| Grand Canyon University | $39,750 | 2.5-3 years | 750 hrs |
Key Differentiators:
- Clinical Hours: Grand Canyon requires 750 hours (the most), distributed across multiple courses with on-campus experiences
- Rural Health Focus: Northern Arizona specifically targets rural and underserved populations with specialized curriculum
- Transfer Credits: University of Phoenix accepts credits from 5,000+ institutions (up to 12 credits or 1/3 of program)
- Start Dates: University of Phoenix offers up to 8 annual start dates; Grand Canyon offers multiple immersive experiences
- Bridge Program: University of Phoenix offers MSN-PMHNP Bridge (61 credits, $35,685) for RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees
- Tuition Guarantee: University of Phoenix guarantees fixed rates from enrollment through graduation
- State Availability: Grand Canyon available in 10 states (AZ, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, NV, NM, NC, TX)
DNP-PMHNP Program Comparison
Arizona State University offers the most affordable DNP option at $51,450 for Arizona residents with the highest practice hour requirement (1,125 hours). University of Arizona costs more ($70,551) but provides a top-ranked program at a globally recognized institution with structured 720-hour clinical sequence.
| School | Total Cost (Residents) | Duration | Practice Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | $51,450 | 3-4 years | 1,125 hrs |
| University of Arizona | $70,551 | 2.5 years | 720 hrs |
DNP Highlights:
- Practice Hours: ASU exceeds ANCC recommendations with 1,125 hours vs. UA’s 720 hours
- Credit Transfer: ASU allows up to 30 credits from previous master’s degrees with committee approval
- Completion Speed: University of Arizona completes in 2.5 years full-time vs. ASU’s 3-4 years
- Campus Requirements: ASU requires campus visits 2-3 times per semester; UA uses periodic intensives
- Cohort Size: University of Arizona averages 30 students per cohort
- Global Ranking: University of Arizona ranks in top 1% of higher education institutions globally (CWUR 2024)
- Clinical Placement: ASU arranges placements for Maricopa County residents; others self-identify sites with approval required
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Comparison
Northern Arizona University offers the most affordable certificate starting at $9,177 for master’s-prepared NPs, while Arizona State University provides comprehensive training at $16,940. University of Arizona requires the most clinical hours (720) and offers the fastest full-time completion at 1.25 years.
| School | Cost Range (Residents) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University | $9,177-$14,364 | 1-1.5 years | Integrated clinicals |
| Arizona State University | $16,940 | 1-1.5 years | 585 hrs |
| University of Arizona | $35,802 | 1.25 years | 720 hrs |
Certificate Highlights:
- Cost Variability: Northern Arizona’s range reflects student background (23 units for current NPs, 36 units for non-NP MSN graduates)
- Prerequisites: All programs require gap analysis for courses in advanced pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, and APN role (must be completed within past 5 years)
- Clinical Requirements: University of Arizona requires the most hours (720), followed by ASU (585)
- Target Population: Northern Arizona emphasizes rural health; ASU focuses on urban underserved and rural shortage areas
- Fastest Completion: University of Arizona completes in 1.25 years full-time
- Board Eligibility: All programs prepare graduates for ANCC PMHNP certification
Admissions Requirements Comparison
| School | Minimum GPA | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University | 3.0 in nursing coursework | Rolling |
| University of Phoenix | 3.0 cumulative | 8 start dates/year |
| Grand Canyon University | 2.8 (or 2.5 with test scores) | Rolling |
| Arizona State University | 3.0 in last 60 hours | Rolling |
| University of Arizona | 2.75 | Via NursingCAS and Graduate College |
Admission Notes:
- All programs require BSN (or MSN for certificates) from accredited institutions and active RN licensure
- Grand Canyon has the lowest GPA requirement (2.5 with qualifying test scores)
- University of Phoenix requires the most work experience (3 years total, 2 clinical)
- Northern Arizona uniquely requires IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card and public health nursing course
- Arizona State University requires faculty interview for all applicants
- University of Arizona uses NursingCAS application system
- University of Phoenix does not require GRE, GMAT, or essay for admission
- ASU and University of Arizona require Arizona RN license or compact state license
- No programs require GRE for standard admission except Grand Canyon (only if GPA below 2.8)
Admissions Tip: The “Resident” Advantage & Hybrid Requirements
When reviewing Arizona programs, pay close attention to the tuition structure. Schools like ASU and the University of Arizona have significant price gaps between residents and non-residents (with U of A non-resident costs exceeding $100k). Furthermore, Arizona programs frequently use a hybrid format.
Even if the coursework is online, you should budget for travel; for example, ASU requires travel to Downtown Phoenix 2–3 times per semester, and GCU includes multi-day on-campus immersions.