Steps to apply for graduate programs

Apply to the School of Nursing’s online graduate programs

We are thrilled that you’re interested in joining the School of Nursing at Northern Arizona University for your graduate education. You will complete an online application for the university through the Graduate College, which will then be sent to the School of Nursing for review. There is no separate graduate nursing application.

Master of Science in Nursing

*If applying to the Advanced Practice track, we recommend 3–5 years of general nursing practice before applying. However, students may begin their core courses sooner and will be considered on an individual basis.

Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

To apply for this certificate program, you’ll need:

• a completed Graduate College application
• a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
• a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all nursing coursework for the master’s degree
• RN licensure: a current RN license, in good standing, to practice as a registered nurse in Arizona OR eligibility to obtain an Arizona license or meet the Arizona Board of Nursing regulations regarding multi-state licensure
• recommendations from three professional persons knowledgeable about your potential to work effectively in advanced professional and scholarly roles
• a comprehensive statement about your experiences, interests, and goals
• a structured interview with faculty may be required

Learn more about the Family Nurse Practitioner certificate.

Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

To apply for this certificate program, you’ll need:

• a completed Graduate College application
• a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited program
• a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all nursing coursework for the master’s or doctorate in nursing program
• RN licensure: a current RN license, in good standing, to practice as a registered nurse in Arizona OR eligibility to obtain an Arizona license or meet the Arizona Board of Nursing regulations regarding multi-state licensure
• recommendations from three professional persons knowledgeable about your potential to work effectively in advanced professional and scholarly roles
• a comprehensive statement about your experiences, interests, and goals
• a structured interview with faculty may be required

Learn more about the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Prescriptive Authority Endorsement

To be admitted to the program and ultimately obtain prescription rights, you’ll need:

• CNS certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification, or an equivalent organization as determined by the Board
• a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited institution
• an RN/APRN license in good standing
• an intent to apply (or already submitted application) for APRN prescribing authority in Arizona

Learn more about the Clinical Nurse Specialist course bundle.

Doctor of Nursing Practice