Accelerated BSN Programs in Connecticut

Program Length & Format

• 15 months (cohort-based, full-time)
• Nursing coursework: 60 credit hours
• Total degree credit requirement listed with prerequisites and electives: 70 credits
• Campus locations: Fairfield, CT and Austin, TX; Austin cohorts start in January and May; Fairfield cohort starts in May

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required before enrollment
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for admission
• Final official transcript showing completed bachelor’s degree required before starting program
• Residency requirement: minimum 60 credits (including nursing) must be completed at Fairfield University; last 30 credits must be completed at Fairfield

Entrance Exams

• TOEFL required for applicants whose native language is not English; recommended scores: paper 550, internet 80; IELTS recommended 6.5
• Duolingo and Pearson Test of English are accepted alternatives for English proficiency

Prerequisites

• Science/math prerequisites (must be completed within 10 years) with grade B/3.0 or better:
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with labs)
  • Microbiology (with lab)
  • General Chemistry (with lab)
  • Developmental Psychology (Lifespan Development)
  • Statistics
• Humanities/core prerequisites: four courses (12 credits) from English, Ethics, Philosophy, Religion, History, Languages, Visual & Performing Arts with grade C or better
• Applicants may complete missing prerequisites at Fairfield or other accredited institutions; selected prerequisites may be met via challenge exams or transfer credit
• Recommendation to complete at least three science courses with labs prior to application review

Deadlines

• Austin, TX cohort starting January 20, 2026: application deadline November 1, 2025
• Austin, TX cohort starting May 18, 2026: application deadline February 1, 2026
• Fairfield, CT cohort starting May 18, 2026: application deadline February 1, 2026

Application

• Complete online application form and submit via ASDNU application portal
• Required documents:
  • Professional resume
  • Personal statement: 700–1,000 words (prompt in application portal)
  • Official transcripts for all colleges/universities attended (foreign transcripts require certified English translation and course-by-course evaluation from approved evaluator)
  • Two recommendation forms/letters (one preferably from a current employer or supervisor)
• Send original supporting materials that cannot be uploaded to:
  • Fairfield University, ASDNU Admission, Kelley Center, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
• Fairfield campus: proof of measles and rubella immunization required prior to course registration

Selection Process

• Rolling admissions: completed applications with all supporting materials are reviewed on submission
• ASDNU Admission Committee typically issues decisions within approximately two weeks after application file is complete
• All admitted students must complete compliance requirements (background check, drug screening, health documentation) prior to participating in clinical placements

Cost & Financial Aid

• Total tuition for the 15-month ASDNU program (2024–25): $55,380 (tuition fixed for program)
• Amount includes a $500 confirmation deposit (due within two weeks of admission and applied to first-semester tuition) and registration, tests, nursing labs/clinicals, and commencement fees
• Amount excludes clinical participation record fee and other student costs (uniforms, NCLEX fees, travel, etc.)
• Financial aid available for qualified students; contact Financial Aid office

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical requirements: 546 clinical hours and 112 lab hours plus additional practice time and class simulation
• Clinical placement sites listed for Connecticut and Austin cohorts, including:
  • Greenwich Hospital, Stamford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Danbury Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital
  • Milford Hospital, Griffin Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center
  • Baylor Scott & White Health (Austin, TX), Ascension Seton (Austin, TX), Central Texas Veterans Health Care Systems (Austin, TX)
• Simulation laboratory accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSiH)
• Comprehensive nationally standardized assessment program required; testing fee included for nursing students

Credit Transfer

• Transfer credit accepted from accredited colleges/universities with satisfactory grade (C or better) and course equivalency
• Acceptance of transfer credit and recency of science courses determined by Program Director and Dean
• Selected prerequisite requirements may be met via challenge exams or transfer credit
• International coursework requires course-by-course evaluation from approved evaluators (preferred: World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators)

International Students

• International applicants accepted for Fairfield, CT campus; non-U.S. citizens are not accepted for Austin, TX campus
• Additional required documents for international applicants:
  • Certificate of finances on official bank letterhead with bank seal and signature
  • Certified English translations and course-by-course evaluations of academic records (WES preferred)
  • TOEFL/IELTS (or Duolingo/Pearson) scores if native language is not English
• International transfer students in the U.S. on an F-1 visa must submit passport, I-94, previous I-20s, and SEVIS transfer form at least 30 days prior to semester start

Contacts

• ASDNU Admission phone: (203) 254-5532
• Main campus phone: (203) 254-4000
• Financial Aid contact: Kim Fetko, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, (203) 254-4125
• ASDNU mailing address: Fairfield University, ASDNU Admission, Kelley Center, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
• Austin campus address: 7951 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin, TX 78757; phone listed: (203) 404-1739

Program Length & Format

• 60-credit 
• Program duration: as few as 16 months full-time

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major from a regionally accredited college or university required prior to admission
• Must be admitted to Goodwin University before enrolling in ABSN courses
• All ABSN prerequisites and other requirements must be completed prior to applying
• Minimum recent college GPA of 3.0 based on most recent degree or a minimum of 12 credits at Goodwin University; GPAs are not rounded
• Applicants may apply up to four times

Entrance Exams

• Pre-admission examination required; administered off campus in January, May, and September
• Exam cost is the applicant’s responsibility
• Applicants may attempt the pre-entrance exam one time per semester for a maximum of six attempts
• Applicants must attain the program’s predetermined minimal score on the exam to be considered

Prerequisites

• Prerequisite courses must be completed before applying
• Minimum grade requirements:
  • CHEM 101 or equivalent: minimum grade C
  • PSY 212 (Lifespan Development) or equivalent: minimum grade C
  • STAT 167 or equivalent: minimum grade C
  • BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology I: minimum grade C+ and completed within last 5 years
  • BIO 212 Anatomy & Physiology II: minimum grade C+ and completed within last 5 years
  • BIO 235 Microbiology: minimum grade C+ and completed within last 10 years
• Any transferred prerequisite courses must be equivalent to Goodwin University courses and meet the stated grade requirements

Deadlines

• Application deadline for Fall 2026 cohort: March 31, 2026

Application

• Must complete Goodwin University application and be admitted to the university prior to ABSN enrollment
• Official college transcripts required if using coursework from another institution to meet prerequisites or admission criteria
• Applicants must register for the pre-admission exam when submitting or reactivating an application
• Accepted students required to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit to hold a place

Selection Process

• Admission decisions based on completion of prerequisites, required exam score, GPA, and available program seats
• Not all applicants who meet minimum requirements are guaranteed admission due to limited enrollment capacity
• Applications that do not meet the minimum GPA and required pre-admission exam score will not be considered or counted as an application attempt

Accepted Student Requirements

• Required before starting clinical courses:
  • Medical examination report documenting physical and emotional health
  • Required immunizations completed prior to first nursing course; Hepatitis B series may be in progress or declined with signed declination
  • Annual influenza vaccination
  • Current CPR certification (Health Provider or Professional Rescuer) from American Heart Association or Red Cross; proof submitted annually
  • Malpractice insurance obtained by student
  • Membership in National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)
  • Background check and drug screening; fees cover initial screening; student pays for a second drug screen if result is “negative dilute”; a positive drug screen not substantiated by a physician will prevent program entry
• If a clinical facility refuses placement based on background check results, the department will attempt two additional placements; if placement cannot be secured, the student will not be permitted to progress

Cost & Financial Aid

• Scholarship opportunity: CT Health Horizons initiative may provide up to $10,000 to eligible students who are Pell Grant eligible or reside in an Alliance School District (applies to ABSN, RN-BSN, MHNP programs)

Credit Transfer

• Official transcripts required for transfer of prerequisite courses
• Transferred prerequisite courses must be equivalent to Goodwin University courses and meet the minimum grade requirements
• College GPA calculation may be based on most recent degree or a minimum of 12 credits completed at Goodwin University

Contacts

• Phone: 800-889-3282
• Address: Goodwin University, One Riverside Drive, East Hartford, CT 06118

Program Length & Format

• 12–15 months
• Two cohort start dates: January and August
• Delivery: on-campus coursework at North Haven Campus with in-person clinical rotations across Connecticut
• Enrollment status: full-time only
• Degree requirement: minimum 120 credits (prerequisites, general education, nursing courses)

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university required
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.00
• All prerequisite courses must be completed within the last 5 years with grade of B- or better and completed prior to program start
• Criminal background check and drug screening required prior to mandatory orientation
• CPR for healthcare providers required prior to first nursing course and maintained throughout program

Prerequisites

• Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
• Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Statistics
• Introductory Psychology (required for Spring start)
• All prerequisites must be completed prior to program entry and within 5 years with grade B- or better

Deadlines

• January 2026 cohort application deadline: September 1, 2025; program start: January 20, 2026
• August 2026 cohort application deadline: March 1, 2026; program start: August 25, 2026
• Admissions committee review begins in February–March for August cohort and in August for January cohort; decision notifications occur in March–April and September, respectively

Application

• Required: online application and official college transcripts showing bachelor’s degree and prerequisite completion
• Required prior to orientation: criminal background check and drug screening
• Required prior to first nursing course: CPR certification for healthcare providers
• Transfer credit evaluated according to university policy

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed by School of Nursing admissions committee
• Applicants meeting minimum requirements are considered; meeting minimum does not guarantee admission
• Decision notification months: March–April for August cohort, September for January cohort

Cost & Financial Aid

• Program billed by semester; fixed program cost billed in three installments (fall, spring including J-term, summer)
• January 2026 cohort total billable charges: $60,620 (excluding student health insurance); student health insurance estimated at $3,245
• August 2025 cohort total billed charges: $87,711 (excluding student health insurance); student health insurance estimated at $3,245
• Estimated indirect costs: books and supplies $3,250; transportation $1,200; personal/miscellaneous $2,000; off-campus living varies by cohort ($20,748–$28,528)
• Financial aid: eligible to apply for grants and federal student loans; FAFSA code 001402; FAFSA opens October 1 for 2026–27 cycle

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical practicums include Core Nursing Practicum, Women/Children, Adult Care I and II, Psychiatric-Mental Health, Community and Public Health, Transition to Professional Practice
• Many clinical practica include 84 hours of supervised clinical practice
• Simulation-based education: Holistic Nursing Integration Labs and skills/health assessment labs (integration labs noted at 70 hours/semester and 5 hrs/week for listed courses)
• Standardized patient experiences integrated into curriculum
• Clinical affiliation sites: more than 300 sites; selected partners include Yale New Haven Health System, Hartford Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
• Students must provide own transportation to clinical sites

Credit Transfer

• Transfer credit from previous bachelor’s degree applied: 44 credits for Fall start example; 42 credits for Spring start example
• All transfer credit evaluated according to Quinnipiac University policy

Contacts

• Program phone: 203-582-7856
• Admissions address: Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518

Program Length & Format

• 12 consecutive months (prerequisite courses excluded)
• Two entry terms: Summer cohort and Winter cohort
• Curriculum includes on-campus theory, laboratory, simulation, and clinical practice components

Admission Requirements

• Conferred BA/BS from an accredited institution by the application term deadline
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (includes all post-secondary GPAs)
• All required prerequisites completed with grade of C+ or greater by application deadline
• No more than two repeated prerequisite courses allowed due to an initial grade below C+
• Applicants previously dismissed from a nursing program are ineligible; applicants previously enrolled in a nursing program may not transfer nursing credits and must complete the full SCSU nursing curriculum if admitted

Prerequisites

• Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 200) — 4 credits
• Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 201) — 4 credits
• Basic Microbiology (BIO 120) — 4 credits
• General Chemistry (CHE 120) — 4 credits
• Introduction to Nutrition (PCH 200) — 3 credits
• Elementary Statistics (MAT 107) — 3 credits
• Math for Natural Sciences or approved alternatives (MAT 108 or listed equivalents) — 3 credits
• Introduction to Psychology (PSY 100) — 3 credits
• Lifespan Development (PSY 219) — 3 credits
• Science prerequisites require in-person labs and must be 4 credits; separated lecture and lab each require grade C+ or higher
• No Pass/Fail grades accepted for prerequisites except Spring 2020

Deadlines

• Summer entry application deadline: December 15 (annual)
• Winter entry application deadline: July 15 (annual)
• Example cycle: Summer 2026 application opened July 16, 2025; deadline December 15, 2025

Application

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions must be submitted to the Transfer Admissions & Services Office by the application deadline
• International transcripts must include syllabi for relevant nursing prerequisites for equivalency evaluation
• Resumes and recommendation/reference letters are not accepted
• All parts of the application and supporting documents must be received for the application to be reviewed; incomplete applications will be deferred to the next application cycle

Selection Process

• Applications are reviewed only when all required materials and official transcripts have been received
• Incomplete applications are deferred one application cycle; applications still incomplete after two cycles require reapplication
• Admission requires meeting stated requirements; final admission decisions made after application review

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Program includes hospital and community-based clinical practice
• Multiple NUR courses include clinical components and laboratory/simulation components (clinical or lab noted in course listings)
• Students must complete required labs, simulation sessions, and clinical rotations as part of the curriculum

Credit Transfer

• University has no limit on number of credits that may be transferred into SCSU
• University does not specify a general expiration date for required prerequisites; program chairs may review and deny course equivalency based on program accreditation standards
• Online equivalency tool available for Connecticut regionally accredited institutions to verify course equivalencies prior to applying

International Students

• International transcripts must be accompanied by syllabi for relevant nursing prerequisite courses; courses without syllabi will not be considered for prerequisite equivalency

Contacts

• Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515
• Phone: (203) 392-SCSU

Program Length & Format

• 15-month accelerated BSN program
• Total of 120 credit hours (64 general education, 56 nursing)
• On-campus delivery only
• Cohorts start in spring and summer semesters

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing required
• Completion of prerequisite courses required before admission
• TEAS exam not required
• RN license not required

Prerequisites

• Completion of required prerequisite courses before applying (specific courses not detailed)

Cost & Financial Aid

• Federal, state, and private financial aid options available, including grants, scholarships, and loans
• CT Health Horizons Grant available for eligible students based on residence in Alliance School District, Pell Grant eligibility, income below Connecticut living wage, or financial hardship

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical experiences begin in the first fall semester
• Clinical sites include Bridgeport Hospital, schools, medical offices, and other local healthcare facilities
• Clinical hours include laboratory and simulation experiences in all nursing clinical courses
• Access to Nursing Skills and Simulation Center on campus

Contacts

• Phone: 800-392-3582
• University of Bridgeport, 126 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604

Program Length & Format

• Full-time, 12-month 
• Four campus locations: Avery Point, Stamford, Storrs, Waterbury
• Program includes in-person clinical placements with community partners and classroom instruction

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required
• Application submitted through NursingCAS
• Applicants reviewed by the CEIN Admissions Committee using a holistic review process

Deadlines

• 2027 application available in NursingCAS: December 1, 2025
• 2027 application deadline: September 1, 2026
• Rolling admissions period: February 1, 2026 – September 1, 2026
• NursingCAS verification typically takes 4–6 weeks
• UConn School of Nursing $75 application fee waiver for qualified applicants who submit by April 1, 2026
• Early applications reviewed for priority decision by end of March 2026

Application

• Submit application via NursingCAS and add University of Connecticut program on Programs List
• NursingCAS charges an application fee; UConn School of Nursing charges a separate $75 application fee (waiver conditions noted)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions must be sent to NursingCAS (electronic transcripts via Parchment or Credential Solutions accepted)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume upload required
• Two letters of reference required (no relatives or personal friends)
• Two written essay responses required; first essay: 350-word minimum on strategies for success; second essay: 350-word minimum from listed prompts
• Non-refundable deposit of $1,000 due upon acceptance, applied to first semester payment

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis by the CEIN Admissions Committee
• Holistic review considers academic record, work history, service, cross-cultural experiences, and other applicant experiences
• NursingCAS verification must be complete before review; applicants responsible for confirming submission of transcripts and references

Cost & Financial Aid

• NursingCAS fee charged by centralized application service
• UConn School of Nursing $75 application fee (waiver available for qualified applicants by April 1, 2026)
• Non-refundable program deposit: $1,000 due upon acceptance
• Bursar semester fees apply; Bursar fees do not include uniforms, equipment, transportation, university fees, or books
• Students responsible for costs of background checks, drug screens, immunizations, CPR certification, and other clinical compliance items
• CEIN program approved for Veterans Affairs education benefits (retroactive to January 2010)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• In-person clinical learning experiences required, including in-patient and outpatient placements
• Clinical partners: more than 20 community-based partner sites statewide
• Required clinical compliance: criminal background check, drug screen, CPR Basic Life Support certification (AHA BLS with AED and skill demonstration), annual TB testing, physical exam within 12 months, Tdap within 10 years, influenza vaccination, COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption, and documented immunity titers for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B
• Fingerprinting may be required by affiliating agencies
• Failure to meet clinical site compliance may prevent clinical placement and graduation

Credit Transfer

• Official transcripts from all institutions must be submitted to NursingCAS; NursingCAS rejects applications missing required transcripts
• Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited agency to establish U.S. equivalency

International Students

• Program unable to provide UConn visa sponsorship for applicants requiring an F-1 visa or Form I-20
• Applicants born or educated outside the U.S. may be required to submit English-language proficiency test scores (TOEFL iBT minimum 92 or IELTS minimum overall 8 with minimum 7 per section)
  • TOEFL iBT required for applicants born or educated outside the United States; minimum score 92
  • IELTS accepted with minimum overall band score 8 and minimum 7 on each section
  • Duolingo English Test not accepted
  • English-language test scores must be dated within two years of application unless applicant meets listed exemptions
• Applicants may be exempt from English test requirements if they meet listed residency, education, or degree-in-English criteria

Contacts

• UConn School of Nursing phone: (860) 486-3716
• Address: 231 Glenbrook Rd., Unit 4026, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001; phone 202-887-6791

Program Length & Format

• 12-month ABSN (CEIN/BS) program
• Full-time schedule starting in January
• Offered at four campuses, including Avery Point in Groton, CT
• program comprises a required 45-credit sequence in basic nursing

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field required
• Minimum cumulative program GPA of 2.5 to graduate
• Grade of C or better required in all nursing courses within the accelerated sequence
• Must meet all clinical health clearance requirements including criminal background check and drug screening

Deadlines

• Application deadline generally by September 1 for January start date

Application

• Non-refundable $1,000 program deposit required at time of admission
• Official transcripts and compliance with health/clinical clearances required before starting program
• Criminal background check and drug screen ordered after admission and instruction from program office
• Health documentation must be submitted by deadlines provided by clinical placement office

Selection Process

• Admission is selective; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance
• Deferral possible only once, requires approval by Associate Dean or Dean

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical experiences required at designated clinical sites in Connecticut
• Compliance with health clearances, immunizations, CPR certification, and criminal background check mandatory to enter clinical settings
• Clinical hours required and failure to meet hours may prevent progression
• Simulation labs incorporated in clinical skill preparation and reorientation

Contacts

• Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing 231 Glenbrook Rd., Unit 4026, Storrs, CT 06269 Phone: (860) 486-3716
• Recruitment Coordinator: Shea Kapinos (contact info not explicitly given)
• Program Director: Elizabeth Mayerson, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE
• Assistant Director: Susan Virkler, EdD, RN, CNE
• Admissions Coordinator: Heather Spottiswoode
• Director of Clinical Partnerships: Marianne Snyder, PhD, RN

Program Length & Format

• 15-month , two summers and one full academic year (May through August)
• Full-time
• Graduates awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing and eligible to sit for NCLEX-RN
• Cohort start: May each year

Admission Requirements

• Conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to program start
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework
• Grade of B- (B minus) or better in all science prerequisite courses
• Science and non-science prerequisite courses must have been completed within the last five (5) years
• Only one repeated science prerequisite course permitted
• Criminal background check and drug screening required with acceptable outcome prior to first nursing course

Prerequisites

• Anatomy and Physiology I
• Anatomy and Physiology II
• Microbiology
• Statistics
• Chemistry
• Grade of B- or better required in science prerequisites

Deadlines

• Application deadline: February 1 each year for May cohort
• Program start: May each year

Application

• Completed online application through University of Saint Joseph admissions portal
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (eTranscript accepted or mail to Office of Admissions, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117-2791)
• One letter of recommendation, academic or professional
• Program essay, one to two pages, addressing decision to transition to nursing
• Current resume
• Midterm grades and proof of enrollment required for up to two prerequisite courses in progress at time of application; final official transcripts required for full admission

Selection Process

• Admission decisions made by Director of the ASD Program in consultation with the Chair of Nursing; process centralized in the Office of Admissions
• Placement competitive and based on space availability
• Interviews may be granted for applicants who submit application and transcripts and meet minimum GPA

Cost & Financial Aid

• Accelerated Nursing Program tuition (new cohort): $12,746 per term (2024–2025 rate)
• Undergraduate nursing fee: $335 (per program fee listing)
• Estimated annual additional expenses for full-time undergraduates: books and course materials $1,200; transportation $1,026; miscellaneous personal expenses $1,626

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Nursing Education and Simulation Center location: McDonough Hall, Room 211
• Lab hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; appointments available upon request
• Simulation technology includes METIman simulation manikin, Victoria birthing simulator, pediatric high-fidelity simulator, multiple task trainers, VitalSim
• Students required to provide own uniforms, equipment, and transportation to clinical agencies
• Criminal background investigation and drug testing required prior to first nursing course

Credit Transfer

• Official transcripts required for transfer credit evaluation
• Transfer course equivalency for biology and chemistry assessed by ASD program director in consultation with natural science faculty
• eTranscript services accepted; physical transcripts may be mailed to Office of Admissions

International Students

• Official international transcript evaluation from a recognized member organization required and must be submitted to the Office of Admissions

Contacts

• Office of Admissions phone: 860.231.5216
• Mailing address: University of Saint Joseph, Office of Admissions, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117