Accelerated Online BSN Admissions Requirements by Program
Nursing Colleges Search
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All registered nurses (RNs) must complete an accredited nursing education program. At a minimum, aspiring nurses need to earn an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or an associate’s of science in nursing (ASN). However, a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) is highly recommended as it demonstrates additional education and competency.
While some students may complete a BSN as their first degree, many more have only completed an associate’s or diploma but want to pursue additional education. These programs are called RN-to-BSN degrees. Many RN-to-BSN programs do not have a previous degree requirement and only ask for proof of a current, active, and unencumbered RN license.
Additionally, some students pursue a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and want to make the career switch. These students don’t need to complete a full four-year BSN and can enroll in a program that offers just the necessary nursing education.
Both types of BSN are available online in an accelerated format that can be completed in as little as a year. Some accelerated programs can take longer, depending on how much education is completed. Typical, accelerated BSN programs for non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders take the least time. Some schools call these programs accelerated bachelor’s of science in nursing (ABSN) or distance-based accelerated bachelor’s of science in nursing (DABSN), as is the case at Emory University.
Other than a previous degree or RN licensure, admission requirements include prerequisite coursework, a minimum GPA in prior coursework, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and previous work experience. Applicants must demonstrate aptitude for rigorous studies as online accelerated BSN programs are intensive.
Some programs may require applicants to take a Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) or Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) exam before applying. These tests evaluate a candidate’s academic readiness for these demanding programs or demonstrate the applicant’s current healthcare knowledge. While some schools may require all applicants to sit for these exams, some may only require it of candidates whose GPA falls below a given threshold.
There are many accelerated BSN programs available through online learning. All accelerated online BSN programs require students to complete hands-on labs and clinical experiences in person. RNs may be able to meet these at their place of employment, although attending clinicals through the program is most common. Some may require students to all attend clinicals at approved locations near the school, while others may let students find a location near their home.
Here is a list of 30 schools that offer accelerated online BSN degrees, along with their admission requirements:
| School | Degree Required to Apply | GPA | Unencumbered and Active Nursing License? | Prerequisite Coursework | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing | Non-nursing bachelor’s | N/A | No | General chemistry with lab, human anatomy and, physiology I and II with lab, microbiology with lab, nutrition, introductory statistics, human growth and development or lifespan development | Current resume |
| University of Texas at Arlington | None | 2.25 | Yes | None | None |
| Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing | Non-nursing bachelor’s | 3.0 on prerequisites, 2.75 on science prerequisites | No | 52 credits of prerequisite courses | HESI exam |
| Wilkes University | Non-nursing bachelor’s | 3.0 | No | Microbiology with the lab, human anatomy and physiology one and two with lab, chemistry with lab, elementary statistics, and principles of normal nutrition | Two letters of recommendation, statement of professional goals. Must reside in Indiana, Pennsylvania, or Vermont |
| Chamberlain University | Non-nursing bachelor’s | 2.75 | No | None | HESI exam, drug screening, background check. |
| Marymount University | Non-nursing bachelor’s | 2.8 | No | Anatomy and physiology one and two with lab, general chemistry for health science majors, developmental psychology, microbiology with lab, nutrition, sociology or anthropology, and statistical analysis | TEAS exam |
| Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Nursing | None | 2.75 | No | Physical or biological science, social science, statistics, college composition, humanities, electives, and US or Nevada constitution. | TEAS exam |
| Western Governors University | Associate’s | N/A | Yes | None | HESI exam, pass a criminal background check |
| West Coast University | Associate’s | 2.25 | Yes | None | None |
| Marian University Leighton School of Nursing | Non-nursing bachelor’s | 2.8 | No | Introduction to microbiology, human anatomy, General human physiology, elements of general and biological chemistry, abnormal psychology, and human growth and development | None |
| Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing | Non-nursing bachelors | C or higher in prerequisite coursework | No | Microbiology with the lab, human anatomy and physiology one and two with a lab, introduction to chemistry, statistics, Social and behavioral sciences, developmental psychology, and nutrition | Goal statement, current resume, and two letters of recommendation |
| University of Wisconsin OshKosh College of Nursing | Non-nursing bachelor’s | 2.5, 3.0 on prerequisites | No | Biological concepts, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, English composition, growth development and health across the lifespan, psychology, college-level math, and speech | Criminal background check, proof of residence in an approved state,and CNA certification. Current hospital employment and work experience as a CNA preferred |
| University of Indianapolis | Bachelor’s degree in any field | 2.82 | No | Human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, organic chemistry one and two, introduction to psychology, social science, philosophy, and statistics or college algebra | HESI exam |
| Arizona State University | None | 2.5 | Yes | English composition and college level math | Meet transfer admission requirements. Must reside in the US and there are restrictions on which states. |
| California State University San Marcos | ADN | 2.0, 2.5 for students with a bachelor’s | No | Statistics, oral communication, written communication, critical thinking, microbiology for health sciences, introduction to human anatomy and physiology one and two, and general, organic and biochemistry for life | At least 60 transfer units. |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | None | 2.0 | Yes | Freshman communicative skills, college algebra, chemistry for health sciences, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, introduction to psychology, human growth and development, nutrition, and intro to probability and statistics. Two sequential courses of foreign language in high school required. | 60 transfer credits |
| Franklin University | Associate’s or diploma in nursing | C or better in prerequisite courses | Yes | Contact the admissions team | High school diploma or 60 transferable credits |
| Eastern Michigan University | None | 2.5 | Yes | None | |
| Widener University | Associate’s in nursing | 3.0 | Yes | Statistics | Students who don’t have their license yet can apply and be admitted but must be licensed before classes start |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Nursing | ADN | 2.5 | Yes | 63 credit hours of prerequisites | Current immunizations, cleared background check. |
| Pennsylvania State University | None | None | Yes | Two years of a world language at the high school level | |
| Holy Family University | Bachelor’s in any field | 3.0 | No | Anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 with lab, microbiology with lab, nutrition taught by a registered dietitian, an elementary statistics | Personal statement and one letter of recommendation |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | ADN or diploma | 2.4 | Yes | None | |
| Drexel University | Associate’s or diploma in nursing | 2.0 | Yes | 30 hours of nursing credits as well as English, humanities, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, sociology, growth and development, and psychology | |
| Labouré College of Healthcare | None | 2.5 | Yes | None | |
| Rockhurst University | Bachelor’s in any field | 2.7 | No | Anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 with lab, microbiology with lab, General chemistry or organic chemistry with lab, nutrition, statistics, and lifespan and developmental psychology | Current resume and must reside in an authorized state |
| LaSalle University | None | 2.5 | Yes | None | Must be in an authorized state |
| University of Hawaii Manoa Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing | Associate’s or diploma in nursing | 2.0 for UH graduates, 2.5 for all other applicants | Yes | None | |
| Concordia University Texas | None | 3.0 | No | Chemistry with a lab, microbiology with a lab, human anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 with the lab, nutrition, intro to statistics, lifespan development, medical Spanish for healthcare professionals, and introduction to psychology | TEAS exam, CPR and basic life support certification, background check, and drug screening |
| Southern Utah University | None | 2.5 | Yes | None | Drug screening |
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterThanks to her experience writing in healthcare, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth articles on timely topics for NursingColleges.com since 2022. Her aim is to assist both students and professionals in navigating the intricate process of selecting a nursing program and understanding the ever-evolving realm of nursing education.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.