College of Nursing

Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program

The College of Nursing offers an accelerated course of study for a baccalaureate degree in nursing. This program is for students with a baccalaureate or higher degree in another field.

Students must meet Graduate School admission criteria upon application to the baccalaureate component to facilitate progression from the baccalaureate to the master’s or doctoral degree programs.

Courses and course sequencing in the accelerated baccalaureate option parallel the existing baccalaureate curriculum. However, the student with additional academic preparation is expected to master and apply concepts to various populations without content repetition.

The accelerated baccalaureate curriculum begins each fall and is completed in four semesters of fulltime study.

Minimum Application Requirements

• A baccalaureate or higher degree from a nationally accredited college or university in a field other than nursing
• 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale), calculated on the most recent 60 credits taken toward the bachelor’s degree or a cumulative 3.0 GPA toward a masters or doctoral degree
• Preprofessional courses in human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, human growth and development, human nutrition and statistics must be completed with minimum grades of C before summer enrollment. Only one prerequisite science course may be taken during the application semester and all preprofessional courses must be completed within the past seven years.
• One professional and one academic reference attesting to the applicant’s potential for accelerated study.
• A statement explaining the applicant's change in career, expectations of the program and anticipated plans for graduate education (1-2 typed pages, double-spaced)
• Resume / curriculum vitae
• Prior version of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test: minimum scores of 500 on each of the verbal and quantitative sections, or
  Current version of the GRE: a minimum score of 153 in the verbal section and 144 in the quantitative section; the analytical writing measure section is optional.

Before Enrolling in Nursing Courses:

• Compliance with college health policy requirements and immunizations
• Certification in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for healthcare providers
• Proof of current health insurance coverage
• Criminal Background Check

Curriculum Plan for Accelerated Baccalaureate Studies