Contact the School of Nursing
Need financial aid?
Find out about loans, grants and scholarships available to nursing students on our financial aid page.
Nursing course curriculum
Review course progression plans for each semester of your nursing study. This includes nursing pre-requisite courses as well.
Tuition & costs
Get information about NAU tuition and nursing program costs.
Undergraduate admissions
How to apply to the School of Nursing
The Northern Arizona University School of Nursing offers several ways to complete your BS in Nursing. In order to be eligible to apply to one of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, you must have completed the pre-requisites and liberal studies requirements. These requirements can be completed at NAU or at another approved institution.
Apply to Northern Arizona University
Before applying to the School of Nursing, students must first apply to NAU. If you have already been accepted, continue reading to learn how to apply to the NAU School of Nursing.
Four steps to join the School of Nursing
- Choose your path: Not sure which degree is right for you? Find descriptions of our available undergraduate degrees.
- Complete pre-requisites: Pre-requisites can be completed either at NAU or at another accredited institution.
- Apply to Northern Arizona University: For all programs except CEP, students must first apply to NAU.
- Apply as a first-time freshman
- Apply as a transfer student
- Other undergraduate applications
- Apply to the School of Nursing: Applications differ depending on the path you choose :
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accordion Closed
The NAU School of Nursing has begun to use CASPer as part of our application process. All students will be required to complete the CASPer exam on or before January 17th for summer admission. CASPer exams are available once per month and twice during the application cycle. For more information on the exam, registration, and cost, please read the information sheet.
**NOTE: this program admits 30 students every summer (May) semester
Application open date: November 1
Application deadline: January 10
Kaplan exam open date: November 6
Kaplan deadline: January 15
CASPer deadline: January 17
CASPer exam: see available dates on the CASPer website
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher (you may have the courses in progress in the semester you are applying). All prerequisite courses must be completed by the beginning of the program.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in prerequisite courses. Please note, the minimum GPA of 3.0 does not guarantee admission to the program. Most successful applicants have a GPA well above 3.0.
- Proctored KAPLAN Admissions Exam The exam results will be used as part of the process of screening and ranking applicants (results will be downloaded by the School of Nursing).
- Complete and submit the following for Nursing Admissions:
- completed online application
- upload unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended with application
- complete the Kaplan Admissions Exam
- complete the CASPer Exam
Please note: A complete application must be submitted to take the Kaplan Admissions Exam. Detailed instructions for the Kaplan Admissions Exam are located in all applications.
*Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.
American Indian Program, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accordion Closed
The NAU School of Nursing has begun to use CASPer as part of our application process. All students will be required to complete the CASPer exam on or before September 15th for spring and April 1st for fall admissions. CASPer exams are available once per month and twice during the application cycle. For more information on the exam, registration, and cost, please read the information sheet.
**NOTE: this program admits 10 students every fall semester
Application open date: February 1
Application deadline: March 25
Kaplan exam open date: February 6
Kaplan and CASPer deadline: April 1
CASPer exam: see available dates on CASPer website
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher (you may have the courses in progress in the semester you are applying). All prerequisite courses must be completed by the beginning of the program.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in prerequisite courses. Please note, the minimum GPA of 3.0 does not guarantee admission to the program. Most successful applicants have a GPA well above 3.0.
- Proctored KAPLAN Admissions Exam The exam results will be used as part of the process of screening and ranking applicants (results will be downloaded by the School of Nursing).
- Complete and submit the following for Nursing Admissions:
- completed online application
- upload unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended with application
- complete the Kaplan Admissions Exam
- complete the CASPer Exam
Please note: A complete application must be submitted to take the Kaplan Admissions Exam. Detailed instructions for the Kaplan Admissions Exam are located in all applications.
*Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accordion Closed
The NAU School of Nursing has begun to use CASPer as part of our application process. All students will be required to complete the CASPer exam on or before September 15th for spring and April 1st for fall admissions. CASPer exams are available once per month and twice during the application cycle. For more information on the exam, registration, and cost, please read the information sheet.
**NOTE: This program admits 30 to Flagstaff, 30 to Tucson, and 20 to Yuma every fall and spring semester.
Spring Admission (January):
Application open date: July 1
Kaplan exam open date: September 20
CASPer exam: see available dates on CASPer website
Application deadline: September 10
Kaplan and CASPer deadline: September 15
Fall (August):
Application open date: February 1
Kaplan exam open date: February 6
CASPer exam: see available dates on CASPer website
Application deadline: March 25
Kaplan and CASPer deadline: April 1
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher (you may have the courses in progress in the semester you are applying). All prerequisite courses must be completed by the beginning of the program.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in prerequisite courses. Please note, the minimum GPA of 3.0 does not guarantee admission to the program. Most successful applicants have a GPA well above 3.0.
- Proctored KAPLAN Admissions Exam The exam results will be used as part of the process of screening and ranking applicants (results will be downloaded by the School of Nursing).
- Complete and submit the following for Nursing Admissions:
- completed online application
- upload unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended with application
- complete the Kaplan Admissions Exam
- complete the CASPer Exam
Please note: A complete application must be submitted to take the Kaplan Admissions Exam. Detailed instructions for the Kaplan Admissions Exam are located in all applications.
*Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.
* There is a separate application for the American Indian Program.
Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) Accordion Closed
- You must apply through your local community college and its nursing program. Participating schools include:
- Only the applicants accepted to a participating Arizona community college’s Nursing program will be evaluated by NAU’s Advising team for further acceptance into the CEP.
- To ensure prerequisites are meeting program requirements, students are encouraged to meet with their community college/NAU nursing advisors.
- Students must attend a CEP Information Session prior to applying to the program at their participating community college/NAU.
- Final determinations of transfer credits will be made by NAU admissions and participating community college committee members.
- Application and acceptance to Northern Arizona University (NAU) School of Nursing is completed after eligibility into the CEP is determined.
Mid-AAS track Accordion Closed
The Mid-AAS program lets you work on your BSN degree while mid-way through your associates RN licensure and is part of the RN-BSN program.
- Enrollment in 3rd or 4th semester at a regionally accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program in Arizona.
- An advisor approval form (page 7) confirming good academic standing in the ADN program, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- No more than three (3) deficient non-nursing courses, includes Liberal Studies, Diversity, and Pre-Professional courses.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in pre-professional coursework. Any pre-professional courses taken outside the state of Arizona must be approved by the Curriculum Committee.
After your acceptance to the university, complete the BSN Mid-AAS application for the School of Nursing.
Option for Registered Nurses, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Accordion Closed
After your acceptance to the university, complete the application to the School of Nursing. A complete application packet must include all of the following:
- completed RN-BSN application
- copy of current RN license from state where you will be doing the project-based portions of the curriculum indicating the year you were first licensed
- applicants in the semester of their associate degree RN program must provide written approval of the advisor from the associate degree RN program
- unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended
**NOTE: course descriptions are required for all pre-professional courses taken outside the state of Arizona
Complete application packets will be reviewed by the School of Nursing on the 15th of each month. You will be notified by mail of your admission status.
To be eligible for the RN-BSN program applicants must:
- have graduated from a state or nationally accredited registered nurse program or currently enrolled in the third semester of an associate degree program in nursing.
- have maintained a GPA of 2.75 in pre-professional courses (3.0 GPA if not already an RN)
- maintain a current RN license from the state in which you will be doing the project-based portions of your nursing curriculum OR evidence of current enrollment in the final semester of an associate degree RN program in the state of Arizona. Applicants in their third semester of an associate degree RN program must have a 3.0 GPA in the Nursing program and the approval of their advisor from the associate degree RN program.
Following admission to the university and the School of Nursing, nursing courses are open to:
- Any Registered Nurse
- Students in their last semester of an associate degree nursing program in the state of Arizona with a GPA of 3.0 and approval from their faculty advisor. Students not holding an RN license are eligible to take NUR 307, NUR 330, NUR 320, NUR 321, NUR 390W, NUR 420, and NUR 424, but are not eligible to enroll in NUR 427, NUR 450C and NUR 408.
Personalized Learning
NAU’s Personalized Learning program enables registered nurses to earn their bachelor of science in nursing degree through our fully accredited, competency-based, Personalized Learning online program. This innovative program allows students to set their own pace, and complete lessons according to their own timeline. With no deadlines and no set schedules, it’s the ideal online degree program for busy RN’s to advance their career.
Admission decision: once a decision has been made, you will be notified by the School of Nursing. If accepted into the School of Nursing, you must reply observing NAU requirements and deadlines.