Accelerated BSN Programs in Illinois

Program Length & Format

• Direct Transfer option: entry at sophomore year; degree completion in 3 years for students who completed required prerequisites
• Second-degree (accelerated) option: 2-year program for students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field

Admission Requirements

• Direct Transfer: available to students with 13 or more completed credit hours and required prerequisites
• Second-degree: requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in a non-nursing field
• Joint Degree option: enrollment through partner colleges Culver-Stockton College or Quincy University for prerequisite year

Prerequisites

• Direct Transfer applicants must have completed required prerequisite courses prior to entering sophomore year
• Proof of enrollment acceptable for prerequisite courses not yet completed (for Joint Degree applications)

Application

• Joint Degree option: submit application to one of the partner colleges and official transcripts to the partner college; provide proof of enrollment in required prerequisites not yet completed
• Direct Transfer and Second-Degree options: submit application to Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing (BRCN) and official transcripts to BRCN

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Nursing classes and clinical experience begin in the sophomore year for Joint Degree and Direct Transfer pathways
• Clinical experiences occur across multiple settings for a three-year period
• Simulation Center available for student training

Partner Institutions

• Culver-Stockton College
• Quincy University

Contacts

• Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences, 3609 N. Marx Drive, Quincy, IL 62305
• Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a department of Blessing Hospital

Program Length & Format

• 15-month
• begins in May and runs through the following August
• Full-time cohort model with start during May Interim each year
• Total program credit hours: 59
• Term credit distribution: Summer (13 hours), Fall (15 hours), Spring (14 hours), Final Summer (17 hours)

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of college coursework
• All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to program start
• Applicants must meet Bradley University and Department of Nursing admission standards

Prerequisites

• Science and quantitative prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology (with lab); Fundamentals of Chemistry (with lab); Organic Chemistry; Microbiology; Pathophysiology; Nutrition; Statistics
• Behavioral and developmental prerequisites: Developmental Psychology; Abnormal Psychology

Selection Process

• Cohorts begin during May Interim and follow a prescribed sequential curriculum
• Cohort size capped at eight students

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Practicum credit total across program: 22.0 credit hours (practicum courses include Fundamentals Practicum; Adult Health I and II Practicums; Maternal-Newborn Practicum; Nursing of Children Practicum; Psychiatric/Mental Health Practicum; Community Health Practicum; Senior Practicum I and II; Leadership Practicum)
• Clinical sites in the Peoria area include OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, UnityPoint Methodist and Proctor hospitals, Pekin Hospital, Salvation Army, Tazewell County Health Department, Heddington Oaks skilled care center
• Pre-practicum requirements: rubella and rubeola immunity documentation or titers; Hepatitis B series; two-step tuberculin skin test or negative blood test; tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis within 10 years; varicella titer or vaccination; CPR/BLS Health Care Provider certification; drug screen; fingerprint background check; student nurse liability insurance; personal health and hospitalization insurance; seasonal flu vaccine by October 31 each year

Contacts

• Department chair: Borton
• Senior Academic Director of Online Education: Erickson
• Associate Dean for Student Success: Grugan
• Professional staff: Daly; McKenzie

Program Length & Format

• 15-month program, summer-to-summer sequence
• 65 credit hours required for the Accelerated BSN major
• Full-time enrollment
• On-campus delivery; clinical rotations in-person

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution required prior to summer enrollment
• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.50; middle 50% GPA range 3.23–3.67
• All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to program start
• Official transcript showing C or better in Human Anatomy & Physiology I OR Microbiology required at time of application
• Admission limited and based on space availability and applicant pool competitiveness

Prerequisites

• Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHE 110/112 or 140)
• Statistics (NUR 138, ECO/GPOL/PSY 138, MGT 100 or MAT 150)
• Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY 110)
• Lifespan Development Psychology (PSY 213)
• Microbiology and Society (BSC 160)
• Human Physiology and Anatomy I (BSC 181 or KNR 181/183)
• Human Physiology and Anatomy II (BSC 182 or KNR 182/184)
• Nutrition in the Life Span (FCS 102)
• Medical Terminology (HSC 105)
• Grade of C or better required in each listed prerequisite

Deadlines

• Application opens August 1 (annual)
• Applications for Summer 2026 remain open until program capacity is reached
• Applicants informed of admission status in December

Application

• Official college transcripts for all non-ISU coursework required
• Submit a 500-word essay responding to the program values statement (describe relevant personal, work, or volunteer experiences and alignment with values)
• Supporting documents must be received by the Office of Admissions for application review
• Health and safety compliance required prior to nursing course registration: drug testing, criminal background check, physical examination, immunizations, TB testing, influenza vaccination as applicable

Selection Process

• Admission decisions based on space availability and applicant pool competitiveness
• Factors considered: college courses completed, credit hours completed, grades in prerequisite courses, cumulative GPA, essay quality, healthcare experience, CNA certification (recommended but not required)
• Meeting minimum requirements does not ensure admission
• Review and interviews for applicants after the priority deadline at the college’s discretion

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Eight courses include a clinical component across 4–5 semesters within the 15-month sequence
• Clinical placements within a 90-minute driving radius of Bloomington-Normal
• Typical clinical schedule may include evening and weekend placements on two to three days per week
• Students responsible for personal transportation costs to clinical sites
• Simulation facilities include Nursing Simulation Lab (room 127B) and use of high-fidelity manikins and virtual reality
• Multiple NUR courses have co-requisite clinical or lab sections (a01 sections)

Credit Transfer

• Course equivalency resources available for Illinois community colleges and other institutions
• Applicants may submit a form requesting review of higher-level or transfer courses that differ from listed prerequisites; reviews conducted by Assistant Dean for Student Services

International Students

• Must meet International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions

Contacts

• Barbra Oldenburg, office 127B Nursing Simulation Lab, phone (309) 438-2252
• Accelerated BSN Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Student Success and Engagement (title listed for program advising)

Program Length & Format

• 6 semesters
• 1 pre-term semester followed by 5 clinical semesters
• Part-time option available: 7–8 semesters
• Course format: 8-week accelerated courses
• Delivery modes: on-campus and blended/hybrid formats; daytime, evening, and weekend sessions
• Campus locations: Oak Brook (Lewis University) and St. Augustine College, Chicago

Admission Requirements

• Minimum admission GPA: 3.0
• Degree Completion pathway: completion of general education and nursing prerequisite courses, minimum GPA 3.0, and pass required entrance exam
• Career Transition pathway: applicants with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major
• Science and nursing prerequisite courses must be satisfied prior to admission
• Assessment test required if ACT/SAT criteria are not met

Entrance Exams

• ACT accepted in lieu of assessment: composite >=22 with reading >=22 and math >=22
• SAT accepted in lieu of assessment: composite >=1100 with reading >=560 and math >=540
• If ACT/SAT not available, TEAS must be taken and passed on the first attempt
• If TEAS cannot be taken, KAT may be taken at Lewis University

Prerequisites

• Completion of required science prerequisite courses
• Completion of required nursing prerequisite courses
• Completion of general education coursework required for Degree Completion pathway

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical sequence spans the 5 post–pre-term semesters
• Clinical placements at hospitals and primary care facilities in Chicago and surrounding suburbs
• Program coursework includes Health Assessment Across the Lifespan, Pharmacotherapeutics, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Children/Adolescents/Families, and Critical Care

Contacts

• Physical address: 1 University Parkway, Romeoville, IL 60446
• Campus locations for program coursework: Oak Brook and St. Augustine College (Chicago)
• Admissions contact: Office of Admission (Lewis University)

Program Length & Format

• 16-month, full-time 
• 67 credit hours listed in curriculum table
• Onsite option: in-person courses at Health Sciences Campus, Maywood, IL
• Hybrid option: online coursework plus on-campus laboratory, simulation, and clinical sessions
• Clinical learning experiences at Chicago-area healthcare facilities

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution required
• Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0
• Applicants may apply with prerequisites in progress but must complete prerequisites before starting the program
• Prerequisite courses must be from regionally accredited institutions; courses from self-directed online learning platforms are not accepted

Prerequisites

• 33 total prerequisite credit hours required: 15 science credits and 18 non-science credits
• Science courses (15 credits): Organic Chemistry or Chemistry for Health Professionals with lab (4 credits, minimum grade C, completed within 5 years); Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs (total 8 credits, minimum grade C, completed within 5 years); Microbiology (3 credits, minimum grade C, completed within 5 years)
• Non-science courses (18 credits): Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development (3 credits, minimum grade C-, completed within 5 years); Historical or Literary Knowledge and Inquiry (3 credits); Statistics (3 credits); Philosophical Knowledge (3 credits); College Writing (3 credits); Theological or Religious Knowledge (3 credits)
• Science survey/fundamental courses are generally not accepted for science prerequisites; consult the Assistant Dean of the BSN Program for course suitability

Deadlines

• Fall term application deadline: July 1
• Spring term application deadline: November 15
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Application

• Required documents: official transcripts, personal statement, prerequisite completion form, two letters of recommendation, resume/CV
• Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to Loyola University Chicago; transcripts sent by the applicant are considered unofficial and official transcripts are still required
• Letters of recommendation should be from professional and/or academic references

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
• Applicants must satisfy course and credential requirements before beginning the program
• Consult the Assistant Dean of the BSN Program for prerequisite/course suitability questions

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Simulation and virtual reality used as learning modalities
• Simulation laboratory experiences completed in person at the Health Sciences Campus
• Clinical learning experiences conducted at Chicago-area and Chicagoland health care facilities
• Final semester includes a 120-hour Clinical Role Transition course with an experienced nurse preceptor

International Students

• Official English language proficiency exam required for applicants whose native language is not English
• Official transcript evaluation required for non-U.S. educational credentials; transcript evaluation cannot be waived

Contacts

• Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, 2160 S 1st Ave., Maywood, IL 60153; (464) 220-9835
• Financial Aid Office, Sullivan Center · 6339 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660; 773.508.7704

Program Length & Format

• Four semesters including summers
• full-time
• Total required credit hours: 120 (curriculum change effective Spring 2022 reduced from 122)
• Applicants must have completed all general education prerequisites before program start

Admission Requirements

• Minimum cumulative college GPA for program application: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• General college admission minimums listed: 2.5 cumulative college GPA; 2.5 high school GPA; ACT 19 or SAT 980
• Submission of complete application and payment of application fee required
• Official transcripts required from each college and university attended
• Students must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0 each semester while enrolled; if below 3.0, one semester allowed to raise GPA or submit change-of-major to standard pre-licensure program

Prerequisites

• Required prerequisite courses (must be completed to be admitted):
  • Anatomy & Physiology I with lab — 4 credit hours
  • Anatomy & Physiology II with lab — 4 credit hours
  • Microbiology with lab — 4 credit hours
  • Composition I — 3 credit hours
  • Composition II — 3 credit hours
  • Introduction to Psychology — 3 credit hours
  • Introduction to Sociology — 3 credit hours
  • Introduction to Philosophy — 3 credit hours
  • Math Concepts or Algebra or higher — 3 credit hours
  • Statistics — 3 credit hours
  • Social Science elective — 3 credit hours
  • Humanities elective — 3 credit hours
  • Fine Arts elective — 3 credit hours
  • Oral Communication — 3 credit hours
• Prerequisite coursework must meet a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for program admission

Application

• Submit online application through Methodist College application portal and pay application fee
• Send official transcripts from every college/university attended to [email protected]
• Submit high school and any college transcripts early to expedite application and course planning

Credit Transfer

• Verify transferability of courses using the Transferology tool for Methodist College
• Early transcript submission recommended to assist academic advising and transfer evaluation

International Students

• Students living outside Illinois must confirm program meets home-state licensure requirements with their state licensing board prior to enrollment
• Clinical or internship requirements may vary by state; students are responsible for meeting state-specific licensure eligibility

Contacts

• Methodist College address: 7600 N. Academic Drive, Peoria, IL 61615
• Admissions phone: (309) 672-5513
• Transcripts and registrar contact: [email protected]

Program Length & Format

• Three semesters plus one summer session
• total 65 or 66 credit hours depending on accelerated UG‑to‑Grad option
• Full-time, on-campus classroom instruction plus clinical experiences
• Program start: fall term only; full-time cohort begins in August
• Class/clinical schedule may require attendance up to five days per week

Admission Requirements

• Application period: September 15 through March 1; application deadline March 1 or until program is full
• Submit a NursingCAS application and official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (uploaded to NursingCAS)
• Bachelor’s degree (any major) from an accredited institution completed by end of the spring semester preceding fall enrollment
• Final degree GPA 3.0 (4.0 scale) as recorded by the degree‑granting institution
• Prerequisite course GPA minimum 3.0 (4.0 scale); grade of C or better required in each prerequisite

Prerequisites

• Required courses (must be completed prior to application or by May 31 prior to fall enrollment unless an exception approved): ENG 101; PSYC 111; CHEM 120A or equivalent (no lab required); BIOL 240A; BIOL 240B; BIOL 250; STAT 107 or STAT 244; PHIL 225, 320, or 321; NURS 234 (life span development)
• All prerequisite courses must have a grade of C or better
• All science courses must be completed within seven years of program admission

Deadlines

• Application window opens September 15 and closes March 1 (or until option is full)
• Remaining prerequisites must be completed by May 31 prior to fall enrollment unless prior exception approved
• Program begins in the fall term only

Application

• Complete and submit the NursingCAS online application
• Upload official transcripts for all postsecondary institutions attended to NursingCAS
• Applicants selected for admission must provide official documentation of completed degree and prerequisite courses by May 31
• Admitted students must comply with SIUE School of Nursing health mandates prior to the first day of the initial term

Selection Process

• Applications are reviewed when NursingCAS application and required documentation are complete
• Admission is limited by available seats; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• Applications received after the deadline are reviewed on a space‑available basis
• Successful applicants are admitted directly into the School of Nursing

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Curriculum includes classroom instruction and clinical practicum courses across the program (see sample curriculum for course sequence and credit distribution)
• Senior assignment/capstone completed in final clinical/leadership courses with a project presentation requirement
• Students may be required to travel to clinical sites; transportation to clinical sites is the responsibility of the student

Credit Transfer

• Up to 25% of the nursing curriculum (maximum 16 semester hours) may be accepted as transfer credit for the accelerated post‑baccalaureate option
• Proficiency/transfer policies apply to specific nursing courses and older coursework (portfolio requirement may apply for nursing coursework older than five years)

Contacts

• NursingCAS application: https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/
• School of Nursing general contact/email: [email protected]
• School of Nursing website: https://www.siue.edu/nursing/

Program Length & Format

• four-semester, summer start, full-time; in-person coursework plus clinical experiences
• BSN-Basic: five-semester (spring start, full-time), six-semester (fall start, full-time), eight-semester part-time (fall start); in-person coursework plus clinical experiences
• BSN-Completion (BSN-C): full-time four-semester or part-time seven-semester; summer, fall, spring starts depending on prerequisites; online didactic with lab and in-person clinical components
• Clinical experiences begin in first semester for all BSN pathways

Admission Requirements

• BSN-Accelerated: baccalaureate or higher degree in a non-nursing discipline OR two years of healthcare experience; minimum GPA 3.0 on 4.0 scale; completion of required prerequisites with minimum grade C (2.0)
• BSN-Completion: proof of unrestricted RN license; minimum GPA 2.5 on 4.0 scale
• BSN-Basic: pathway-specific admission documents referenced by program option (five-, six-, eight-semester) available via program PDF links

Entrance Exams

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required for applicants not fluent in English
• NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Examination required for LPN advanced standing (eligibility for advanced credit for NUR 330 and NUR 332)
• Lab exam for NUR 334 required for Military Medic advanced standing (5 credit hours awarded upon successful completion)

Prerequisites

• BSN-Accelerated required courses with credits: Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4); Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4); Human Growth and Development (3); Medical Terminology (2–3); Microbiology with lab (4); Nutrition (3); Statistics (3)
• Applicants without a bachelor’s degree must also complete prior to first semester: Anthropology (3); College Algebra (3); English Composition I (3); English Composition II (3); Ethics (3); Humanities (3); Oral Communication (3); Psychology (3); Sociology (3)
• BSN-Completion: prior associate degree or diploma in nursing and NCLEX-RN passed (implicit prerequisite for BSN-C admission and credit award)

Deadlines

• Admissions reviewed on a rolling basis for all BSN pathways
• Review of a completed applicant file requires 3 to 4 weeks
• BSN pathway start terms: BSN-A summer start; BSN-B five-semester spring start, six-semester fall start, eight-semester part-time fall start; BSN-C summer/fall/spring starts depending on prerequisites

Application

• Online application: https://www.trinitycollegeqc.edu/future-students/Application
• Application fee: $50.00 (pay online or by telephone)
• Official post-secondary transcripts required from all institutions attended (email: [email protected])
• Application materials may be submitted as completed; all materials must be received before admission consideration

Selection Process

• Complete applicant files reviewed on a rolling basis after all materials are received
• Review timeline for a completed file: 3 to 4 weeks
• Advanced standing decisions for LPN and military medic pathways contingent on successful completion of specified challenge or lab examinations

Cost & Financial Aid

• BSN-Accelerated 2025–2026 estimated institutional costs first year: tuition $25,092.00; fees $2,980.00; total $28,072.00
• BSN-Accelerated 2025–2026 estimated non-institutional first-year costs: housing & food $12,862.00; textbooks $2,250.00; uniforms $300.00; supplies $200.00; personal computer $800.00; transportation $2,010.00; personal expenses $2,690.00; federal loan fees $132.00; first-year cost of attendance $49,316.00
• BSN-Accelerated second-year estimated institutional costs: tuition $23,698.00; fees $2,960.00; total $26,658.00; second-year non-institutional subtotal $20,426.00; second-year cost of attendance $47,084.00

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical experiences include patient care placements beginning first semester (site details provided after admission and via curriculum documents)

International Students

• TOEFL required for applicants who are not fluent in English (TOEFL information: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html)
• Official transcripts required from all post-secondary institutions attended

Contacts

• Admissions email: [email protected]
• General admissions phone: (309) 779-7700
• Program admissions representative email: [email protected]
• Institution address: 2122 25th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
• Fax: (309) 779-7748