Upper Iowa University CEP - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is your program accredited?
A: The UIU RN-BSN program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Arizona State Board of Nursing does not regulate post licensure programs,
therefore; state board approval for the UIU RN-BSN program is not needed.
Q: How much is tuition?
A: All Arizona residents receive a 10% tuition reduction. For UIU’s current tuition rates visit
www.uiu.edu/admissions/annualcosts/index.html. Scroll down to “Centers and Distance Learning - MESA”
Q: Can I get financial aid?
A: Yes, eligible students completing the financial aid process may qualify for federal funding.
To qualify for financial aid you need to complete the following:
1. File your FAFSA at www.fafsa/ed/gov
2. Complete the consortium agreement - this must be completed by UIU and the visiting school.
3. Accept your financial aid at https://uiufinaid.uiu.edu/NetPartnerStudent once you have completed your
financial aid file. (The financial aid office will communicate through email about documentation needed for
completing the file.)
4. Students seeking federal loan eligibility will need to complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance
Counseling, as applicable.
Q: What are the CEP admission requirements for UIU?
A: A candidate must have completed UIU’s prerequisites listed in the current brochure, request official college
transcript(s) from ALL educational institutions attended be sent to UIU and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Note: At the time of the CEP application session you attend, you may still be eligible to apply with UIU’s
prerequisites in progress though you will not rank as highly as a student who has them completed.
Q: What additional fees do you have?
A: You’ll have a $65 graduation fee at the end of your program and a $15 insurance fee before your practicum
courses near the end of your program. Aside from these two fees, there are no technology, parking, application, or
additional fees for your program.
*You can purchase new or used books from our bookstore with an added option of renting the books if you
do not need them throughout your entire program.
Q: Where is UIU Mesa Located?
A: The Upper Iowa University Mesa Center is on Alma School Road and the US60, right across from Fiesta Mall. Our
address is: 1361 S. Alma School Road Mesa, AZ 85210. Our campus is less than 5 minutes away from Mesa
Community College.
Q: Why is Upper Iowa University in Mesa?
A: UIU was invited to the city of Mesa by the Mayor of Mesa in 2012 as a part of Mesa Educates U along with four
other Universities. UIU is a private, not-for-profit comprehensive university with a long standing history of quality
education, lower tuition, and small class sizes.
Q: What is UIU’s history?
A: UIU was founded in 1857 and has a traditional, residential campus in Fayette, Iowa, and 25 off-campus locations in
the United States. UIU has face-to-face, hybrid, online, and independent study programs and 3 international centers.
You can learn more about us using the following links:
Timeline: http://www.uiu.edu/aboutuiu/history.html
Upper Iowa University At-A-Glance: http://youtu.be/iU9WxF95xog
Nursing Faculty and Staff: http://www.uiu.edu/nursing/quality.html
Q: Are classes offered face-to-face (in class) or online? What is the difference between the two?
A: At UIU you have the option of taking face-to-face, hybrid, online, or self-paced classes. Hybrid classes are a
combination of in-class coursework and online coursework. Online classes are delivered entirely over the Internet.
The online classes are NOT self-paced; there are deadlines for assignments just as in other formats. The nursing major
is offered in the hybrid and online formats. The hybrid option is approximately 75% online, and meets for a three hour
face-to-face class just four times during each 8 week term.
The curriculum and the expected outcomes are the same for both hybrid and online. You can expect to spend 12-15
hours on classwork per week per class for either the hybrid or online track. Find more information on our website,
www.uiu.edu/nursing
Q: Can I switch between online and hybrid style classes?
A: For the nursing major courses, students apply to a specific delivery method and location. This is their progression
and guarantees them access to the required courses each term. Students who wish to change location (between a
Center and another Center or Online) or delivery method (online or hybrid), must submit a request, in writing, to the
Nursing Department. Requests will be honored as long as there are openings in that location. General education
classes are offered in a variety of formats, and students can choose any available format for those courses that do not
begin with NUR.
Q: If I choose online, what kind of access will I have to my instructor and my advisor?
A: Students in the RN-BSN program are assigned an advisor within the Nursing Department. Nursing faculty and the
Academic Advisor hold office hours at the Center where they are located, and are available by e-mail and phone.
Appointments can be made during the day or early evening. Faculty and advisors also use videoconferencing and
screen sharing to meet with students virtually.
Teaching professors post office hours and contact information in their online courses and use a variety of tools to
communicate and respond to students. Appointments can be made for virtual meetings. Student e-mails or phone
calls are typically responded to within 24-48 hours.
Q: What do practicum hours entail?
A: The UIU program includes three practicum courses. Each practicum is a faculty guided, project based experience
influenced by the learner’s previous experience and/or the role of the nurse in the practice setting. This is NOT a
“traditional” pre-licensure clinical in that almost all the required hours are completed on your own schedule. The
flexibility of this method is considered a major plus by our students as it requires little additional time off of work, if
any.
Q: What classes will I need? Will my credits transfer?
A: As every incoming student brings a unique educational background to the table, prospective nursing candidates
can have their academic records evaluated by filling out the application at www.uiu.edu/nursing. The application and
evaluation are free of charge. Preadmission advising will help students know exactly what classes they will need to
complete for graduation.
Students can transfer up to 78 lower-division credits (community college or freshman/sophomore level) and up to 12
additional transfer credits from a four-year university (junior/senior level courses). The nursing major requires a total
of 35 credits. A total of 120 credits are needed for a baccalaureate degree.
Transcript evaluations may be completed when transcripts are faxed or emailed to the Nursing Program Admissions
Advisor. Fax number: 563-425-5865. Email: [email protected]
Q: Can I take some terms off?
A: No, your course progression at UIU follows the progression you’ll take with your MaricopaNursing program
therefore you will not have an opportunity to take a term off.
Q: How computer literate do I need to be?
A: All nursing students will be required to use basic computer programs, such as word processing, presentation
software and email applications at the time of enrollment. The online components of each class will be delivered
though an online Learning Management System (LMS). LMS training will be provided to you. Students need access to
the internet, a computer with microphone and speakers. The minimum technology requirements for online courses
can be found at http://help.ecollege.com/LS_Tech_Req_WebHelp/en-us/
Q: Where should I send my official transcripts? What are my next steps?
A: The information pertaining to the appropriate Maricopa Campus and partnering University will be included in a
mailed packet once you’re notified of your acceptance status by MaricopaNursing following the application session.
Q: Where should I send correspondence? Or where can I call if I have further questions?
A: All correspondence should be sent to the following address, fax number or email address:
Patricia Johnson, MS
Academic Advisor, Department of Nursing
Upper Iowa University
1361 S. Alma School Road
Mesa, AZ 85210
480-834-4620 (phone)
480-834-4362 (fax)
[email protected]