Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Arizona (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Children aren't merely littler versions of grownups! Their bodies exhibit significant anatomical and physiological differences, and pediatric nurse practitioners are trained to work effectively with these differences. In Arizona, pediatric nurse practitioners are a valued part of the care team in a range of therapeutic medical settings, including specialized children's hospitals, hospital pediatric units, public health agencies, private physicians' practices, and urgent care clinics. Graduates of pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Arizona make $130,170 per year, and demand for the specialized care they provide is expected to rise by a whopping 71 percent over the coming decade. Learn more by reading this list of the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Arizona.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ARIZONA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Arizona.)
1. University of Arizona - Tucson
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Graduate Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a registered nurse seeking the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Arizona, the University of Arizona is a school definitely worth considering. The University of Arizona College of Nursing is nationally recognized for its innovative approach to nursing education and its strong commitment to preparing highly qualified, evidence-based, and compassionate practitioners.
The BSN-to-DNP program offers the option to specialize as a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. You will develop a strong foundation in leadership, health systems management, and clinical reasoning as you prepare to provide care to patients from infants to 21 years of age in a variety of settings. New students are admitted in the fall each year. Additionally, you may choose to enroll part-time or full-time, choosing a schedule that supports your goals while allowing flexibility. Full-time students typically complete the program in 2.5 years, while part-time students take an average of 3.5 years to complete it.
The program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining asynchronous online didactic coursework, campus-based intensives, and face-to-face clinical practicums. This type of learning structure makes it easier to balance academic responsibilities with your personal and professional commitments while still receiving mentorship and hands-on training.
The 65-credit curriculum features classes such as Advanced Pediatric Health & Developmental Assessment, Pediatric Pharmacology, and Social Determinants & Population Health. The program includes three campus-based intensives, which include lab simulations, clinical skills workshops, and networking opportunities. Additionally, you will achieve a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours, including at least 720 hours of direct patient contact, working alongside experienced preceptors in pediatric care environments.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: If you wish to pursue the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Arizona, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution and a current, unencumbered RN license. You are required to submit two references from professional colleagues, such as a supervisor, faculty member, or program director, transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended, and a curriculum vitae. A minimum college GPA of at least 3.0 is also required. Furthermore, the DNP program requires all students to have the equivalent of one year of full-time clinical nursing experience (1,800 hours) before beginning the program's clinical year, and must hold and maintain PALS, ACLS, and BLS certifications through the American Heart Association. Clinical experience must be in one of the following areas: inpatient pediatric acute care, pediatric emergency care, pediatric intensive care, outpatient pediatric specialty clinics, outpatient pediatric ambulatory clinics or urgent care, pediatric primary care, pediatric home health, pediatric school nursing, or neonatal intensive care units.
Graduate Certificate Program Details: The University of Arizona also offers a Graduate Certificate option for nurses seeking to expand their scope of practice and become Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. The certificate program is delivered via a web-based learning format over four semesters.
This Graduate Certificate program will prepare you with a broad foundation of preparation in advanced nursing practice, including a focus on health maintenance, prevention, education, and the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health conditions. The program requires the completion of 30 credits and 720 clinical hours. You may transfer up to nine credits from your previous degree if you have completed the Health Assessment, Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing courses (the 3 P’s).
Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate program at the University of Arizona, you must hold an advanced practice nursing degree (MSN or higher) and possess a current RN license and a current national APRN certification. You are required to submit both a NursingCAS and a University of Arizona Graduate College application. Additionally, you need to provide one reference from a professional colleague, transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended, and a curriculum vitae using the DNP Applicant CV template.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The University of Arizona College of Nursing is committed to your success. The C.O.N. assists with clinical placement coordination, ensuring you gain exposure to diverse pediatric populations and healthcare systems.• If you are searching for a pediatric nurse practitioner program in Arizona that combines Christian values with ethical and holistic practice, the University of Arizona is an excellent choice. The PNP program at U-A is founded on Jesuit-inspired values, emphasizing whole-person care and demonstrating leadership and innovation.
• At the University of Arizona, the average cohort is limited to 10 students. Small cohort sizes mean personalized mentorship from faculty, preceptors, and advisors, as well as opportunities to develop strong peer support.
• The University of Arizona’s College of Nursing reports high retention and completion rates for its pediatric nurse practitioner programs. This is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a school, as it reflects student success and satisfaction.
2. Arizona State University - Phoenix
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Graduate Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with aspirations to earn a doctoral degree in nursing and you love providing care to pediatric patients, Arizona State University has a BSN-to-DNP program that could be the perfect choice for you. Through this exceptional pediatric nurse practitioner program in Arizona, you may choose to specialize in acute or primary pediatric care. You can complete the program in three to four years, depending on whether you choose to study part-time or full-time.
Coursework for the post-baccalaureate DNP pediatric NP program is primarily online. However, you are required to attend on-campus intensives for up to one week at the beginning of the program and participate in clinical skills labs and simulated training two to three times per semester thereafter. The Primary Care and Acute Care BSN-to-DNP programs require 84 and 85 credits, respectively. Additionally, all nurse practitioner students complete a total of 1,125 clinical and residency hours. A minimum of 600 hours of direct patient care must be completed under the supervision of a nurse practitioner or physician preceptor.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: You are eligible to apply to the BSN-to-DNP program if you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited, nationally recognized school of nursing. A current, unrestricted RN license in the state where clinicals will be completed, along with one year of clinical experience working in pediatric settings, is required. You need to submit a graduate application for admission, three professional letters of recommendation, a Goal Statement, an admission essay, a current resume, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all college coursework or for the last 60 credit hours of your first bachelor’s degree is required. Once it is determined that you meet all other admission criteria, an interview with program faculty will be required.
Graduate Certificate Program Details: The Graduate Certificate Program at ASU is an advanced practice nursing program designed to give nurses who have already achieved a graduate degree the opportunity to add the Pediatric Primary Care or Pediatric Acute Care NP specialization to their list of certifications. The Graduate Certificate program is offered in a hybrid learning format. Didactic courses are delivered online. You will travel to campus for orientation and participate in skills labs and simulations two to three times each semester.
A minimum of 20 credits is needed to earn the Graduate Certificate. After a GAP analysis of your previous transcripts, your advisor will determine whether additional credits are needed to meet graduation criteria and qualifications to sit for national certification exams. The Primary Care PNP Graduate Certificate program requires 585 precepted clinical hours, and the Acute Care PNP Graduate Certificate program requires 600 precepted clinical hours. Focused clinicals are arranged collaboratively with program administrators and preceptors. Whenever possible, clinicals will be arranged in your geographic area. However, if suitable sites and qualified preceptors are unavailable, you may need to travel closer to the school to fulfill the program's clinical requirements.
Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate program at Arizona State University, you must have a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from a nationally recognized and regionally accredited academic institution and a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state where clinicals will occur. In addition to submitting a graduate admission application, you must also provide a current resume, an admission essay, three professional letters of recommendation, a Goal Statement, and official college and university transcripts reflecting a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 either for all college coursework or for the last 60 credits of your first bachelor’s degree.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At Arizona State University, you will learn from faculty who are at the national forefront when it comes to advancing nursing research and discovery. Many PNP faculty members are involved in national and international endeavors to promote innovative, culturally and economically competent healthcare services for pediatric populations.• As a nurse educator, I want to emphasize the importance of finding a pediatric nurse practitioner program with a strong track record of success. One way to do this is by searching for programs that have high rankings among credible sources. For instance, the programs at Arizona State University are ranked among the top nursing programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report, a leading service recognized for its rankings of the nation’s top colleges and universities.
• In my experience as a pediatric nurse, I have seen the impact that living in medically underrepresented areas has on children in need of healthcare. One of the things I find appealing about the PNP programs at Arizona State University is that they encourage clinical experiences with multicultural and disadvantaged pediatric populations.
• Graduates of the Arizona State University pediatric nurse practitioner programs have excellent success among first-time testers on national PNP certification examinations. The high pass rate is a good indicator of how well the program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN ARIZONA?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ARIZONA EXPECT?
| Hourly | $46.04 |
| Weekly | $1,842 |
| Monthly | $7,980 |
| Annual | $95,770 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ARIZONA EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $46.04 | $1,842 | $7,980 | $95,770 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $52.10 | $2,084 | $9,030 | $108,360 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $61.50 | $2,460 | $10,660 | $127,910 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $68.49 | $2,739 | $11,870 | $142,450 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $81.84 | $3,274 | $14,190 | $170,230 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARIZONA?
| Hourly | $62.58 |
| Weekly | $2,503 |
| Monthly | $10,850 |
| Annual | $130,170 |
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF ARIZONA?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Flagstaff | $63.15 | $2,526 | $10,950 | $131,360 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $63.63 | $2,545 | $11,030 | $132,340 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale | $62.77 | $2,511 | $10,880 | $130,560 |
| Prescott | $63.38 | $2,535 | $10,990 | $131,830 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | $60.40 | $2,416 | $10,470 | $125,630 |
| Tucson | $61.07 | $2,443 | $10,590 | $127,030 |
| Yuma | $64.76 | $2,590 | $11,230 | $134,700 |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARIZONA VS. OTHER SALARIES
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARIZONA VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Arizona Pediatric NP Annual Salary | Average National Pediatric NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $130,170 | $126,175 | +$3,995 | +3.17% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARIZONA VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $158,630 | -$28,460 | -17.94% |
| Nevada | $145,990 | -$15,820 | -10.84% |
| Washington | $142,780 | -$12,610 | -8.83% |
| New Jersey | $142,420 | -$12,250 | -8.60% |
| Oregon | $142,340 | -$12,170 | -8.55% |
| Massachusetts | $141,420 | -$11,250 | -7.96% |
| New York | $140,260 | -$10,090 | -7.19% |
| Connecticut | $134,510 | -$4,340 | -3.23% |
| New Mexico | $134,310 | -$4,140 | -3.08% |
| Minnesota | $132,580 | -$2,410 | -1.82% |
| District of Columbia | $132,420 | -$2,250 | -1.70% |
| Rhode Island | $131,060 | -$890 | -0.68% |
| Hawaii | $130,220 | -$50 | -0.04% |
| Arizona | $130,170 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Delaware | $128,750 | +$1,420 | +1.10% |
| Iowa | $128,460 | +$1,710 | +1.33% |
| New Hampshire | $128,380 | +$1,790 | +1.39% |
| Texas | $127,670 | +$2,500 | +1.96% |
| Wisconsin | $126,020 | +$4,150 | +3.29% |
| Maryland | $125,680 | +$4,490 | +3.57% |
| Utah | $125,520 | +$4,650 | +3.70% |
| North Dakota | $125,460 | +$4,710 | +3.75% |
| Pennsylvania | $125,150 | +$5,020 | +4.01% |
| Illinois | $124,610 | +$5,560 | +4.46% |
| Alaska | $123,900 | +$6,270 | +5.06% |
| Vermont | $123,830 | +$6,340 | +5.12% |
| Montana | $122,390 | +$7,780 | +6.36% |
| Idaho | $122,310 | +$7,860 | +6.43% |
| Oklahoma | $122,090 | +$8,080 | +6.62% |
| Wyoming | $121,330 | +$8,840 | +7.29% |
| Indiana | $121,100 | +$9,070 | +7.49% |
| Maine | $120,720 | +$9,450 | +7.83% |
| Ohio | $120,660 | +$9,510 | +7.88% |
| Colorado | $119,790 | +$10,380 | +8.67% |
| Nebraska | $119,490 | +$10,680 | +8.94% |
| North Carolina | $119,400 | +$10,770 | +9.02% |
| Georgia | $118,970 | +$11,200 | +9.41% |
| South Dakota | $118,800 | +$11,370 | +9.57% |
| Virginia | $118,690 | +$11,480 | +9.67% |
| Michigan | $118,510 | +$11,660 | +9.84% |
| Florida | $117,550 | +$12,620 | +10.74% |
| Kansas | $117,120 | +$13,050 | +11.14% |
| Louisiana | $116,530 | +$13,640 | +11.71% |
| Mississippi | $115,370 | +$14,800 | +12.83% |
| South Carolina | $114,830 | +$15,340 | +13.36% |
| Missouri | $114,580 | +$15,590 | +13.61% |
| West Virginia | $111,410 | +$18,760 | +16.84% |
| Arkansas | $111,370 | +$18,800 | +16.88% |
| Kentucky | $108,380 | +$21,790 | +20.11% |
| Alabama | $108,040 | +$22,130 | +20.48% |
| Tennessee | $101,850 | +$28,320 | +27.81% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARIZONA VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN ARIZONA
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $130,170 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $119,190 | +$10,980 | +9.21% |
| Registered Nurse | $91,430 | +$38,740 | +42.37% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $80,710 | +$49,460 | +61.28% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $66,720 | +$63,450 | +95.10% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,950 | +$89,220 | +217.88% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARIZONA VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN ARIZONA
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $231,890 | -$101,720 | -43.87% |
| Veterinarian | $153,480 | -$23,310 | -15.19% |
| Optometrist | $150,690 | -$20,520 | -13.62% |
| Podiatrist | $144,310 | -$14,140 | -9.80% |
| Pharmacist | $133,800 | -$3,630 | -2.71% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,210 | -$2,040 | -1.54% |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $130,170 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Radiation Therapist | $101,750 | +$28,420 | +27.93% |
| Physical Therapist | $98,960 | +$31,210 | +31.54% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,510 | +$32,660 | +33.49% |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,600 | +$36,570 | +39.07% |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,460 | +$37,710 | +40.79% |
| Audiologist | $92,220 | +$37,950 | +41.15% |
| Chiropractor | $78,260 | +$51,910 | +66.33% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs In Arizona?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Arizona?
| 2 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Hour In Arizona?
| $62.58 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Week In Arizona?
| $2,503 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Month In Arizona?
| $10,850 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Year In Arizona?
| $130,170 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners In Arizona?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +71.25% |
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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