Highlights

Grand Canyon University is adding a new on-ramp to its nursing pipeline: a fully online, 60-credit Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing that marks the Phoenix university's first associate-level degree program.

The program does not confer registered nurse licensure on its own. Instead, it is structured to fulfill foundational coursework requirements and feed directly into GCU's accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which students with prior college experience can complete in as little as 16 months. By packaging the pre-nursing coursework as an associate degree, GCU unlocks federal financial aid eligibility for students who would otherwise pay out of pocket for prerequisite courses.

Dr. Lisa Smith, dean of GCU's College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions, said in a release that the university wants to support students who arrive at nursing from varied backgrounds and stages of life.

The announcement comes as Arizona hospitals and healthcare facilities continue to face a critical shortage of nursing professionals. GCU has expanded its nursing footprint aggressively in recent years, opening 12 hybrid accelerated BSN sites across eight states, including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Utah. According to the university, 4,116 students earned degrees across GCU's BSN, RN to BSN, and accelerated BSN programs during the 2025-2026 academic year.

GCU's nursing programs recorded a 94.67% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination in 2025, compared with a national average of 86.71%.

Why does the associate degree format matter?

Structuring the pre-nursing curriculum as an associate degree rather than a standalone certificate makes students eligible for federal financial aid, reducing upfront costs. Credits transfer seamlessly into GCU's accelerated BSN, so students are not starting over when they advance.

Enrollment details and a start date for the AS in Pre-Nursing are available at GCU's degree program page.

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  1. ktar.com retrieved 24/05/2026 02:24

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