Accelerated BSN · Arizona

Grand Canyon University

Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Pre-Licensure, Accelerated (ABSN) · Phoenix, AZ · school's own site

ActiveOnline courseworklast verified Oct 2026
Next application deadline
Not published
The school's pages give no application deadline. Confirm with the school.
Check your eligibility here
Free for your first 3 programs. We check every requirement on this page against your courses.
Program length
16 months
Format
Online courseworkHybrid: online didactic coursework plus in-person skills labs, simulation and clinical rotations at local ABSN sites
Start
Three start dates per year at each loca…Three start dates per year at each location
Admission GPA
3.0
Entrance exam
HESI A2: at least 80% in Math, Reading …HESI A2: at least 80% in Math, Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Vocabulary; at least 75% in Human Anatomy and Physiology
Prereqs expire after
7 yearsWithin the past 7 years

Prerequisites

The courses Grand Canyon University says you need before you start, as published on its own pages. Credits, labs, and minimum grades are shown where the school states them.

  1. 01
    Anatomy & Physiology IIHuman Anatomy and Physiology II · BIO-202Within 7 years. Lab BIO-202L is listed separately. Anatomy and Physiology I is not listed.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Human Anatomy and Physiology II BIO-202 3”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    credits3labrequiredmin gradeC
  2. 02
    Anatomy & Physiology IIHuman Anatomy and Physiology II Lab · BIO-202LWithin 7 years.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab BIO-202L 1”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    labrequiredmin gradeC
  3. 03
    MicrobiologyMicrobiology · BIO-205Within 7 years. Lab BIO-205L is listed separately.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Microbiology BIO-205 3”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    credits3labrequiredmin gradeC
  4. 04
    MicrobiologyMicrobiology Lab · BIO-205LWithin 7 years.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Microbiology Lab BIO-205L 1”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    labrequiredmin gradeC
  5. 05
    NutritionApplied Nutrition · BIO-319Within 7 years.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Applied Nutrition BIO-319 4”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    credits4min gradeC
  6. 06
    PathophysiologyApplied Pathophysiology · BIO-322Within 7 years.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Applied Pathophysiology BIO-322 4”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    credits4min gradeC
  7. 07
    General ChemistryIntroduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry · CHM-101Within 7 years. This is a combined general, organic and biochemistry course. Lab CHM-101L is listed separately.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry CHM-101 3”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    credits3labrequiredmin gradeC
  8. 08
    General ChemistryIntroduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry Lab · CHM-101LWithin 7 years.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry Lab CHM-101L 1”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    labrequiredmin gradeC
  9. 09
    Lifespan / Human Growth & DevelopmentLifespan Development · PSY-357Within 7 years.
    source · gcu.edu
    “Lifespan Development PSY-357 4”
    https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
    credits4min gradeC
Minimum prerequisite grade
C or higher
source · gcu.edu
“Prerequisites (C or higher within 7 years)”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
Completing prerequisites
Remaining prerequisites must be completed before secondary admission / before starting the core nursing courses
The disclaimer says prerequisites must be complete "prior to starting the core nursing courses". The application steps list completing prerequisites before applying.
source · gcu.edu
“If you have not completed any prerequisite courses, you will need to complete any remaining requirements prior to secondary admission.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Do prerequisites expire?

Prerequisite recency
Within the past 7 years
No reference date is stated.
source · gcu.edu
“If you previously completed some of these courses, they must have been completed within the past seven years for your credits to be eligible for transfer.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/prerequisites · tier 1
Attempt limits Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

GPA and grades

Minimum cumulative programmatic GPA for admission
3.0
"Programmatic GPA" is not defined. University-wide transfer admission requires a 2.25 GPA. The program page's general bachelor's admission box lists a 2.8+ unweighted high school GPA.
source · gcu.edu
“Cumulative 3.0 or higher programmatic GPA”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Minimum prerequisite GPA
3.25
The prerequisites page confirms: "you must earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 or higher in your prerequisite courses."
source · gcu.edu
“Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher in ABSN prerequisite courses”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Science GPA Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Is there an entrance exam?

Entrance exam
HESI A2: at least 80% in Math, Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Vocabulary; at least 75% in Human Anatomy and Physiology
source · gcu.edu
“HESI A2 entrance exam scores of at least: 80% in Math & Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Where can courses be taken?

Online lab policy Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu
Community college credits Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu
Pass/fail courses Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu
Credit by exam Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Application deadlines and start dates

Upcoming cycles Grand Canyon University publishes. A date without a year on the school's page is noted rather than guessed.

No upcoming application dates published. Confirm with the school.

NursingCAS Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Cost

Tuition and fees as the school publishes them. Living costs vary; the source link has the full table.

Estimated ABSN tuition
$850 per credit; 63 accelerated credits; about $53,550 total; prerequisite courses $425 per credit
The total excludes program fees: health insurance, clinical placement software, books and materials, and the graduation fee. The program page lists "Prerequisite course : $ 425 per credit". Tuition is subject to change.
source · gcu.edu
“Total estimated tuition : $53,550”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/tuition · tier 1
Application fee
None
This is a university-wide statement.
source · gcu.edu
“There is no fee to apply to GCU.”
https://www.gcu.edu/admissions · tier 1

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Other requirements

What the school asks for beyond courses and scores.

Prior degree
A non-nursing bachelor's degree OR at least 60 credits from an institutionally accredited university, depending on location
Direct entry applicants who lack 60 transfer credits can complete them at GCU before the core nursing courses. The program also accepts applicants with no college experience.
source · gcu.edu
“Non-nursing bachelor's degree or minimum of 60 credits from an institutionally accredited university, depending on the ABSN location”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Pre-admission interview
Required
source · gcu.edu
“Complete any required prerequisite coursework and participate in a pre-admission interview to assess your readiness and fit for the program.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Healthcare experience
Not required
source · gcu.edu
“You do not need prior healthcare experience to apply to our accelerated nursing program.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Background check
Must pass a background check within 6 months of the start date
source · gcu.edu
“Pass background check within 6 months of your start date.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card
Required for Arizona students
Per the GCU instructions PDF, the card costs about $70 plus fingerprinting fees and takes about 4-6 weeks to arrive.
source · gcu.edu
“Fingerprint Clearance Card (for Arizona students)”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Essays Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu
Recommendations Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu
CNA Not published. Confirm with the school.
gcu.edu

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Good to know

What the school says about the program that is not a requirement: how it selects, how many it admits, what to expect.

Format
Hybrid: online didactic coursework plus in-person skills labs, simulation and clinical rotations at local ABSN sites
The page also says: "As an ABSN student, you will complete in-person skills labs, simulation experiences and supervised clinical rotations at one of GCU's local ABSN sites and nearby healthcare facilities."
source · gcu.edu
“Complete your didactic nursing coursework online with a format designed for convenience and support.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Start dates
Three start dates per year at each location
Specific start months and dates are not published.
source · gcu.edu
“GCU's ABSN program can also help you start your nursing education as soon as possible, with three start dates each year at each of our locations .”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn/tuition · tier 1
State-specific coursework
Additional courses may be required depending on state
source · gcu.edu
“Depending on the state where student has enrolled or intends to complete the program, student may require additional courses.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1
Secondary admission credits
60 of 123 credits (or a baccalaureate degree) including 9 prerequisite courses/labs and 10 general education courses before the core nursing courses
source · gcu.edu
“Secondary Applicants must transfer a minimum of 60 of the required 123 credits or have completed a baccalaureate degree which includes nine prerequisite courses/labs and 10 general education courses prior to starting the core nursing courses, which can be completed in as few as 16 months.”
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/absn-accelerated-bsn · tier 1

Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error

Sources

Every page we read for Grand Canyon University, with when we last checked it. Tier 1 is the program's own pages; tier 2 the nursing school's general pages; tier 3 university-wide pages.

  1. Accelerated BSN Degree (ABSN) | GCU
    tier 1 · program page · checked Oct 14, 2026
  2. Admission Requirements | Start Your Journey Today | GCU
    tier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 14, 2026
  3. Visit GCU’s Campus | Schedule a Guided Tour | GCU
    tier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 14, 2026
  4. Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Program Tuition and Fees | GCU
    tier 1 · tuition · checked Oct 14, 2026
  5. https://www.gcu.edu/sites/default/files/media/documents/degree-programs/absn/accelerated-bsn/2026-level-1-fingerprint-card-instructions-non-ivp_v1.pdf
    tier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 14, 2026
  6. Academic Catalog and Policies | Grand Canyon University
    tier 3 · catalog · checked Oct 14, 2026
  7. Christian University | Privacy Policy | Grand Canyon University
    tier 3 · policy · checked Oct 14, 2026
  8. ABSN Prerequisites – Accelerated Nursing Program Prereqs | GCU
    tier 1 · catalog · checked Oct 14, 2026
Open questions we're still checking
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I is not on the prerequisite list; only A&P II is listed. Is A&P I required, perhaps as a general education course?
  • Which cities currently host ABSN sites is not listed.
  • No application windows, deadlines or start dates are published; the pages say only that there are three starts per year at each location.
  • Does the program use NursingCAS, or GCU's own application?
  • How is the "programmatic GPA" calculated?
  • Are prerequisite credits semester credits (likely, but not stated)?
  • Policy on online labs, pass/fail grades, credit by exam and repeated courses is not published.
  • The specific ABSN site locations and start months are not listed on the pages provided.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I is not in the prerequisite list; only A&P II is. It is unclear whether A&P I is required.
  • "Programmatic GPA" (3.0 minimum) is not defined.
  • It is unclear whether HESI A2 minimums apply to each section or to a combined score.
  • The pages do not say whether ABSN applicants must submit an essay or recommendations.
  • Use of NursingCAS and the application portal URL are not stated.
  • The 10 required general education courses mentioned in the disclaimer are not listed.

Something wrong here? Report an error

ABSNcheck summarizes requirements that schools publish on their own websites, with a link to each source and the date we last verified it. Schools change requirements, sometimes contradict themselves, and make individual decisions. Results show whether you meet published minimums; they are not an admission decision or a guarantee, and are not official advice from any school. Always confirm requirements with each program before you apply or enroll in a course.

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