University of Phoenix

About the University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is an accredited institution offering nursing education programs designed to prepare graduates for licensure and professional practice. The nursing profession continues to experience significant demand nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that approximately 3.1 million registered nurses were employed across the United States as of 2022, with the field projected to add roughly 193,100 openings per year through 2032 due to retirements, population growth, and an aging patient population requiring increasingly complex care.

University of Phoenix holds accreditation from CCNE. Programmatic accreditation from agencies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) ensures that the curriculum meets nationally recognized standards, that graduates are eligible for professional licensure, and that credits are transferable to graduate programs. Employers — particularly hospitals pursuing Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — strongly prefer graduates from accredited programs.

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024 (BLS), with salaries varying by specialization, experience level, and geographic location. Nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically earn 10–20 percent more than those with an associate degree, and the BSN is the required foundation for advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner (median salary $129,210), clinical nurse specialist, and nurse anesthetist (median salary $223,210). The National Academy of Medicine has recommended that 80 percent of the nursing workforce hold a BSN or higher to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the healthcare system.

Programs Offered

• DNP — Online, $51,840 total, 36 mo program, 55% grad rate
• MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner — Online, $46,080 total, 36 mo program, 55% grad rate
• MSN — Nursing Education — Online, $34,560 total, 24 mo program, 55% grad rate
• MSN — Nursing Informatics — Online, $34,560 total, 24 mo program, 55% grad rate
• MSN — Nursing Leadership — Online, $34,560 total, 24 mo program, 55% grad rate
• RN to BSN — Online, $16,200 total, 24 mo program, 55% grad rate

Admissions Information

The general overall admission rate reported for University of Phoenix in 2025 is 97.66%. No specific acceptance or admission rate for the nursing programs was located in official UOPX sources.

• GPA Requirements: Undergraduate (e.g., RN‑to‑BSN): High school GPA is not used as an admissions criterion, provided the applicant holds a high school diploma or equivalent. Graduate Programs (e.g., MSN): Require a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Some Master of Science in Nursing specializations may specify a 3.0 GPA minimum.
• TEAS/HESI Thresholds: No mention of TEAS or HESI exam requirements or threshold scores was found on official UOPX pages.
• Program‑specific or Wait‑list Notes: For RN‑to‑BSN programs (both traditional and competency‑based): Applicants must hold an active, unrestricted/unencumbered RN license, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma from an accredited institution, and—for the competency‑based track—at least one year of full‑time clinical RN experience within the past five years. No references to wait‑lists or program capacity-based delays were found in official UOPX sources.

Schedule & Format Flexibility

• Delivery mode: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is delivered 100% online, with all courses typically 8 weeks long. RN to BSN programs (standard and competency‑based) are online, with instructional portion of courses delivered fully online; only hands‑on direct‑care clinical hours (45 hours) are in‑person locally. Nursing courses (generic) are online, available 24/7/365, one‑at‑a‑time 5–8‑week format. No mention found of hybrid or fully on‑campus formats.
• Scheduling flexibility / start options: Courses are offered one at a time, typically 5–8 weeks long, online, with frequent start dates. For bachelor's programs (including nursing), there are up to 20 start dates per year; master's programs up to 17 starts per year. DNP can be started 4 times per year, based on student schedule. No mention of evening, weekend, or multiple cohort start formats.
• Asynchronous vs synchronous coursework: Nursing-related online courses are asynchronous, accessible any time (24/7/365), allowing students to attend on their schedule.

Program-Specific Details

• DNP: Minimum GPA: 2.5. Courses are offered one at a time, typically 5–8 weeks long, online, with frequent start dates.
• MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner: Minimum GPA: 2.5. Courses are offered one at a time, typically 5–8 weeks long, online, with frequent start dates.
• MSN — Nursing Education: Minimum GPA: 2.5. Courses are offered one at a time, typically 5–8 weeks long, online, with frequent start dates.
• MSN — Nursing Informatics: Minimum GPA: 2.5. Courses are offered one at a time, typically 5–8 weeks long, online, with frequent start dates.
• MSN — Nursing Leadership: Minimum GPA: 2.5. Courses are offered one at a time, typically 5–8 weeks long, online, with frequent start dates.
• RN to BSN: Courses are offered one at a time, typically 5–8 weeks long, online, with frequent start dates.

What to Consider When Evaluating a Nursing School

• Accreditation: Ensure the program holds programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), in addition to regional institutional accreditation.
• NCLEX Pass Rates: First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are a key indicator of program quality. The national average is approximately 87–89 percent, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Look for programs that consistently meet or exceed this benchmark.
• Clinical Partnerships: Strong clinical partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations ensure students get diverse, high-quality hands-on experience during their training.
• Student Support Services: Academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, and NCLEX preparation resources contribute to student success and licensure exam readiness.
• Career Placement: Some schools maintain partnerships with healthcare employers that facilitate hiring of new graduates, which can ease the transition from education to practice.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — May 2024; National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), NCLEX Examination Statistics.