5 Schools • 1 Online • 3 Mostly Online • 1 Hybrid
Arizona has five PMHNP programs offering MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways. Programs are delivered in online, mostly online, and hybrid formats, with estimated resident tuition ranging from about $9,200 to $70,600. Most MSN and DNP pathways take 2 to 4 years to complete.
Northern Arizona University offers the lowest tuition, the University of Arizona runs the state’s top-ranked DNP, and the University of Phoenix is the only option for RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. Compare each school’s online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
Programs at a Glance
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Arizona State University | Hybrid | Phoenix immersions 2–3 times per semester | $605 cpc | DNP • Certificate | Highest clinical hours |
| Grand Canyon University | Mostly Online | Two immersions (3-day and 2-day) | $750 cpc | MSN | Accessible admissions |
| Northern Arizona University | Online | None stated | $399 cpc | MSN • Certificate | Lowest tuition |
| University of Arizona | Mostly Online | On-campus intensives (frequency not stated ) | $1,053 cpc | DNP • Certificate | Top-ranked DNP |
| University of Phoenix | Mostly Online | One 5-day residency | $540 cpc | MSN • MSN Bridge | Non-nursing bachelor’s RNs |
PMHNPOnline.com Online Format Classification
- Online: No routine campus visits required.
- Mostly Online: Coursework is online with one or more required campus intensives.
- Hybrid: Regular online and on-campus instruction.
- Campus: Most coursework takes place in person.
These classifications are based on each program’s actual campus attendance requirements rather than the school’s marketing terminology.
Choosing Best PMHNP Program for You in Arizona
Which Program Fits Your Goals?
Best Overall Value
Northern Arizona University pairs the state’s lowest per-credit rate ($399) with CCNE accreditation and a certificate starting near $9.2K.
Strongest DNP
The University of Arizona’s DNP-PMHNP is ranked #19 nationally by U.S. News and finishes in just 2.5 years.
Most Clinical Training
Arizona State’s DNP requires 1,125 practicum hours — the highest total in the state and above ANCC recommendations.
Best for Working Nurses
The University of Phoenix offers up to 8 start dates per year, a single 5-day residency, and a fixed-tuition guarantee through graduation.
Best for Non-Nursing Bachelor’s RNs
Phoenix’s 61-credit Bridge MSN is the only Arizona pathway that doesn’t require a BSN.
Most Accessible Admissions
Grand Canyon accepts a 2.8 GPA — or 2.5 with qualifying GRE/GMAT scores — the lowest bar in Arizona.
Arizona DNP PMHNP Programs
Two schools offer doctoral PMHNP pathways, and they take opposite approaches. Arizona State’s 85-credit DNP is the longer, clinical-heavy option at a lower resident price, while the University of Arizona’s 67-credit program trades cost for speed and national ranking. Both accept bachelor’s- and master’s-prepared nurses.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Arizona State University | ~$51.5K (resident) | 3–4 years | 1,125 |
| University of Arizona | ~$70.6K resident | 2.5 years | 720 |
- Fastest DNP: University of Arizona — 2.5 years full-time versus 3–4 at ASU.
- Most clinical hours: ASU — 1,125 versus 720, exceeding ANCC recommendations.
- Transfer advantage: ASU — up to 30 master’s credits may apply toward the 85-credit requirement with committee approval.
- Placement support: ASU arranges clinicals only for Maricopa County residents; everyone else self-arranges. UA’s placement process is not clearly stated.
Arizona MSN PMHNP Programs
Three schools offer MSN pathways, all built around online coursework with limited campus travel. Northern Arizona undercuts the field at roughly half of Grand Canyon’s cost, while Phoenix adds the state’s only bridge entry for RNs without a BSN.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Grand Canyon University | ~$40K | 2.5–3 years | 750 |
| Northern Arizona University | ~$19.2K | 2–2.5 years | Not clearly stated |
| University of Phoenix | ~$30.4K | ~30 months | Not clearly stated |
| University of Phoenix (PMHNP Bridge NSN) | ~$35.7K | ~34–36 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest MSN cost: Northern Arizona — ~$19.2K, less than half of Grand Canyon’s price.
- Only published clinical total: Grand Canyon at 750 hours; NAU and Phoenix do not state totals ⚠️ — a key question to ask both schools.
- Bridge entry: Phoenix — RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees add 9 bridge credits, then complete the standard curriculum.
- Enrollment restriction: Grand Canyon admits students from only 10 states, including Arizona.
Arizona Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP Programs
Three schools offer certificate routes with sharply different price points and entry rules. NAU is the budget option and the only one open to non-NP master’s graduates, while ASU and Arizona both require an existing APRN credential.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Arizona State University | Graduate Certificate | ~$16.9K (resident) | 1–1.5 years | 585 |
| Northern Arizona University | Post-Graduate Certificate | ~$9.2K–$14.4K | 1–1.5 years | Not clearly stated |
| University of Arizona | PMHNP Certificate | ~$35.8K resident; ~$53.7K nonresident | 1.25 years | 720 |
- Lowest certificate cost: NAU — from ~$9.2K for master’s-prepared NPs; non-NP MSN graduates take a 36-unit plan at ~$14.4K.
- Most clinical hours: University of Arizona — 720, matching its full DNP requirement.
- APRN-only entry: ASU requires board certification in another APRN specialty, and UA requires an APRN master’s or doctorate; NAU is the only door for non-NP master’s nurses.
- Widest price gap: UA’s resident certificate runs nearly four times NAU’s low end for a similar timeline.
Arizona PMHNP School Summaries
Arizona State University PMHNP Program
Phoenix | $605 cpc | Certificate / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
ASU is the most campus-dependent program in Arizona — students travel to Downtown Phoenix for orientation and immersions 2–3 times every semester, making it practical only for nurses within reach of the metro area. What that buys is depth: 1,125 practicum hours in the DNP, clinical training in both urban underserved and rural shortage areas, and arranged placements for Maricopa County residents (others find their own sites). Up to 30 prior master's credits can shorten the 85-credit DNP substantially. Best for Phoenix-area nurses who want maximum clinical preparation...read more.
Grand Canyon University PMHNP Program
Phoenix | $750 cpc | BSN-MSN / MSN | Mostly Online
GCU's single MSN track wraps online coursework around two campus immersions — a 3-day and a 2-day — and embeds 750 clinical hours across the psychiatric course sequence. Its distinguishing features are at the front door: a 2.8 GPA threshold (2.5 with test scores), transfer credit up to 12 hours, and a curriculum taught through a Christian worldview. Enrollment is limited to 10 states. At $750 per credit it's the priciest MSN in Arizona. Best for nurses whose GPA shuts them out elsewhere and who value faith-based framing...read more.
Northern Arizona University PMHNP Program
Flagstaff | $399 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN | Mostly Online
NAU is Arizona's value leader and its rural-health specialist. At $399 per credit, the MSN lands near $19.2K and the certificate can dip near $9.2K — prices no competitor approaches. The curriculum threads rural theory, policy, and a rural-community capstone throughout, aimed squarely at nurses serving shortage areas. Coursework is structured online, though the final clinical course requires in-person engagement and one assessment course includes weekly labs whose location is not clearly state . CCNE accreditation is clearly named. Best for cost-driven nurses, rural practitioners, and non-NP master's graduates locked out of the other certificates...read more.
University of Arizona PMHNP Program
Tucson | $1053 cpc | Certificate / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
Arizona's flagship brings the credentials: a DNP ranked #19 nationally, CCNE accreditation, small cohorts of about 30, and the fastest doctoral timeline in the state at 2.5 years. Both the DNP and certificate carry 720 clinical hours, and the 2.75 GPA minimum is forgiving for a program of this caliber. The costs are equally distinctive — $1,053 per credit makes it Arizona's most expensive option at every level, and nonresident pricing exceeds $105K for the DNP. Campus intensives are required but their frequency is not clearly stated. Best for nurses who want a nationally ranked doctorate and can absorb flagship pricing...read more.
University of Phoenix PMHNP Program
Phoenix | $540 cpc | BSN-MSN | Mostly Online
Phoenix is built for logistics: up to 8 start dates a year, a tuition guarantee locking rates through graduation, transfer credit from 5,000+ institutions, and exactly one campus obligation — a 5-day residency with competency checkoffs. Its Bridge MSN is the only Arizona pathway for RNs holding non-nursing bachelor's degrees. The tradeoffs deserve attention: no total clinical hour figure is published ⚠️, clinical experiences are described only as embedded in coursework, and admission requires three years of work experience. CCNE accreditation is clearly stated. Best for working RNs who need scheduling flexibility above all — but ask hard questions about clinical hours before enrolling...read more.
Other Online PMHNP Options
Arizona nurses can also enroll in national online programs such as Walden University and Purdue Global, which offer RN-to-MSN entry points and clinical placement support that most Arizona schools leave to the student. These options suit nurses outside Maricopa County who want help securing preceptors, or those who don’t meet the APRN-credential requirements at ASU and Arizona’s certificate programs. ASU’s SARA membership works in the other direction, letting it enroll distance students across participating states.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
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.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
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.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
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.
FAQ
How many PMHNP programs are available in Arizona?
Five: Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Phoenix.
Are there fully online PMHNP programs in Arizona?
Northern Arizona comes closest — no campus visits are stated, though its final clinical course requires in-person engagement. Every other Arizona program requires campus travel, from a single 5-day residency at Phoenix to visits 2–3 times per semester at ASU.
Which Arizona PMHNP program has the lowest tuition?
Northern Arizona University at $399 per credit — roughly $19.2K for the MSN and as little as ~$9.2K for the certificate.
Which Arizona schools offer DNP pathways?
Arizona State University (85 credits, 1,125 clinical hours) and the University of Arizona (67 credits, ranked #19 nationally).
Which programs require campus visits?
ASU requires Phoenix immersions 2–3 times per semester, Grand Canyon requires two immersions, Phoenix requires one 5-day residency, and the University of Arizona requires intensives of unstated frequency.
Can clinicals be completed near where I live?
ASU arranges placements only for Maricopa County residents; students elsewhere find their own approved sites. The other schools’ placement processes are not clearly stated, so confirm preceptor support before enrolling.
Can I enroll without a BSN?
Yes, two ways: the University of Phoenix Bridge MSN accepts RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, and NAU accepts ADN nurses who hold a bachelor’s in another field.