Master of Science in Nursing
Entry to the Profession
of Nursing (RN)
EARN YOUR MASTER'S IN TUCSON OR GILBERT
What Sets Us Apart
It’s never too late to follow your calling! If you have a Bachelor of Science degree in a field other than nursing but feel drawn toward a more rewarding career, the College of Nursing's Master of Science – Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) degree program offers you the opportunity to transition into becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).
Ranked #1 in Arizona and #13 nationwide among public universities, our affordable, accelerated program is designed for motivated career changers like you who want to become an RN quickly. In just 15-16 months, you’ll develop the clinical skills, leadership training, and graduate-level education necessary to confidently enter the nation’s most trusted profession.
With a consistent pass rate of over 90% on first-time NCLEX testing and an average starting salary of $88,000, our graduates don’t just earn a degree; they launch successful careers. Employers value U of A nurses for their clinical skills, leadership qualities, and compassion. From your first class to your new job, we’re with you every step of the way.
Two Campuses, One Standard of Excellence
Pursue your nursing degree at the Tucson or Gilbert campus. Wherever you learn, you’ll receive the same rigorous education, hands-on clinical training, and support from expert faculty. Both locations connect you with top-tier clinical placements across all specialty areas. In Tucson, you’ll study at a world-class research university that leads innovation in healthcare. In Gilbert, you’ll thrive in an intimate, student-centered environment with a state-of-the-art simulation lab.
Classes are offered year-round, including fall, spring, and summer semesters, allowing you to enter the workforce sooner. This full-time, in-person program progresses quickly and is designed for students prepared for a graduate-level curriculum. You will develop a solid foundation in nursing theory, systems leadership, and practical clinical experience, preparing you to become a nurse without starting your education over. Students holding a Bachelor of Science degree from ASU, NAU, U of A, and GCU may qualify for direct admission. This is just one way we make your transition into nursing as smooth as possible.
Where Learning Becomes Real Impact
Right from the start, you’ll gain hands-on experience through over 120+ hours of guided simulations and more than 550 hours of direct clinical experience. You'll work in state-of-the-art simulation labs where patients breathe, babies cry, and your decisions truly matter. These labs combine high-tech learning with personalized feedback through video reviews and reflective debriefs. They replicate real care environments, from outpatient clinics to hospitals and telehealth settings, helping you build confidence and clinical judgment in every situation. You’ll also engage in virtual reality scenarios that challenge you to think, act, and respond like a nurse in real time and under pressure.
But this program isn’t just about bedside care. As a master’s student, you’ll also learn to think at the systems level, gaining crucial insights into healthcare leadership, coordination, and delivery. You’ll develop the skills to not only care for patients but also to lead teams, improve outcomes, and drive meaningful change across complex healthcare systems.
You’ll train alongside experienced professionals at top hospitals and clinics throughout Arizona. We partner with Arizona’s leading healthcare systems to facilitate your clinical placements, allowing you to focus on learning, growth, and launching your new career with confidence.
Learn from the Best, Become Your Best
You’ll study alongside expert faculty who are not just teachers, but active bedside clinicians, innovators, and nurse leaders, bringing the latest healthcare knowledge directly into your courses. As a graduate student, you’ll benefit from their mentorship as you prepare for leadership roles in a changing health care landscape.
At the College of Nursing, you’re more than just a student. You’re part of a purpose-driven community that values your voice, experience, and goals. Our small class sizes, dedicated faculty involvement, and over 10,000 alumni ensure you'll always find support, whether it's for career advice, academic assistance, or inspiration for what’s next.
More Than a Career, It’s a Calling
The MEPN program is designed for individuals seeking more from their careers: more purpose, impact, and meaning. Many students choose this path after realizing their first career wasn’t the right fit or after witnessing the difference nurses make each day. With high demand for RNs across Arizona and nationwide, this degree offers more than just a credential; it's your path to a stable, rewarding, and purpose-driven future.
We offer financial aid, scholarships, and career support services that make becoming a nurse not only possible but also feasible. If you’re ready to convert your life experience into life-saving care, we’ll help you get there. Discover what it means to be a Wildcat Nurse and why it’s more than just a career. It’s a community, a calling, and an opportunity to lead.
Meet Our Students & Graduates

Marion Cook
“Nursing’s really special because there are a lot of cool things you can study. Where else can you go to school and see a baby born or view an open-heart surgery? As a nursing student at the UA, you get these wonderful once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.”

Melanie Begaye
“I was drawn to the UA College of Nursing through the University of Arizona Cancer Center Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) undergraduate research program. I realized that being a nurse would help me achieve my goal of returning to the Navajo Nation and promoting wellness and traditional healing.”
Request More Information
Ready to take the next step?
See the full admissions requirements and application process. Attend an information session to learn more about the program in detail. Request a tour of our Tucson or Gilbert campus, or fill out our Request for Information form to be contacted by an admissions advisor. Your future as a Wildcat Nurse begins now!
Accreditation & Affiliations
The master's degree program in nursing at The University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education www.ccneaccreditation.org.
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, and affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Western Institute of Nursing.
Disclosure Statement: DOE 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v)
In accordance with regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) by the Department of Education, The University of Arizona College of Nursing discloses that the curricula of the BSN, BSN-IH, and MEPN programs meet licensure requirements of all states and territories except the following, which have not yet been determined: California, Vermont, American Samoa, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Although The University of Arizona has sought information from other jurisdictions regarding licensure requirements, these requirements are subject to change. If you intend to seek professional licensure or certification outside of Arizona, you should contact the appropriate state licensing agency to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding licensure or certification requirements in your desired state of practice prior to accepting admission offers. For further information, please visit the Eligibility & State Authorization webpage.
**Please note: Before applying for RN licensure, the state of California requires applicants successfully complete a microbiology lab. This is not a requirement of the UA BSN or MEPN programs. Students anticipating applying for an RN license in California are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to take a microbiology lab before applying for RN licensure in California.**