Accelerated BSN Programs in Iowa

Program Length & Format

• requires completion of 124 total credits
• 62 credits of general education prerequisites completed before program start
• 62 credits completed at Allen College in the BSN program
• On-campus program format

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution not required, but applicable credits needed
• Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum GPA of 2.9 in core prerequisite courses including English composition, oral communication, sociology, psychology, human growth and development, anatomy & physiology I and II with labs, microbiology with lab, chemistry with lab, human nutrition, and statistics
• Grade of C or higher required in core general education prerequisite courses
• Grade C- or higher in remaining general education courses
• Completion of 62 general education credits before beginning nursing courses
• One of the following must be completed prior to starting the program:
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
  • Health Support Professional (HSP) certification
  • Successful completion of Allen College NU 250 Clinical Skills I
• Applicants from other nursing programs require a letter of good standing
• English proficiency required for non-native speakers
• Review includes academic history, work experience, leadership, community service, diversity, and other life experiences

Prerequisites

• Completed general education prerequisite courses totaling 62 credits
• Humanities (15 credits), including written composition and oral communication
• Social sciences (15 credits) including introductory sociology, psychology, lifespan growth and development, electives in psychology/sociology and other social sciences
• Natural sciences and mathematics (18 credits), including anatomy & physiology I and II with labs, general chemistry with lab, microbiology with lab, human nutrition, statistics, and one natural science elective
• Additional courses (14 credits), including a diversity elective and general electives

Deadlines

• Scholarship applications usually open late fall through late January or early February
• Admission application deadlines vary by semester; rolling admissions with minimum documents needed prior to review
• Application review requires 3-4 weeks after completion

Application

• Online application form with $50 non-refundable fee
• Additional application questions submitted via email
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted; foreign transcripts require evaluation by Educational Perspectives as a Catalog Match
• Official AP score reports if applicable
• Letter of good standing required if transferring from another nursing program

Cost & Financial Aid

• Undergraduate tuition per credit hour: $707
• Laboratory fee per credit hour for lab/clinical components: $59
• Graduation fee in final semester: $275
• ATI Complete Package fee charged during first two terms: $2,950
• Annual professional membership fees: $40
• Example semester tuition: $12,726; semester fees: $1,573; total direct costs per semester approx. $14,299
• Estimated total tuition and fees for program: $42,897
• Estimated indirect costs (room, board, transportation, personal) per semester approx. $7,600; total indirect approx. $22,800
• Total estimated cost of attendance: $65,697
• Financial aid options include Iowa Tuition Grant, Federal Pell Grant, SEOG, Rural Student Grant, Last Dollar Scholar program, various scholarships, federal and private loans, and work-study positions
• Additional expenses may include criminal background checks, CPR classes, uniforms, travel, and other course-specific costs

Contacts

• Admissions email: [email protected]
• Admissions phone: (319) 226-2014
• Financial Aid phone: (319) 226-2003; email: [email protected]
• Registrar phone: (319) 226-2014
• School of Nursing phone: (319) 226-2028
• Mailing address: Allen College, 1825 Logan Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa 50703

Program Length & Format

• Full-time 
• Program length: 12 months
• Cohort start: Spring semester (January) each year
• Location: Campus of UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's hospital, Sioux City, Iowa
• Total program credits: 120 (56 nursing credits, 64 prerequisite credits)

Admission Requirements

• High school graduate or HiSET/GED with minimum cumulative GPA 2.50
• ACT composite score minimum 19 (or equivalent)
• Completion of 64 prerequisite credits with cumulative GPA minimum 2.80
• Applicants evaluated on high school record, quality of coursework, ACT results, college record (if applicable), application essay, and shadowing experience (varies by program)

Entrance Exams

• ACT composite score minimum 19 for general admission
• TOEFL required for applicants for whom English is a second language: iBT minimum 61 or PBT minimum 500

Prerequisites

• Completion of 64 prerequisite credits prior to enrollment
• Natural sciences and math total 18 credits: Anatomy & Physiology I (4), Anatomy & Physiology II (4), Microbiology (4), Nutrition (3), one 3-credit science elective
• Social and behavioral sciences total 27 credits, including General Psychology (3), Developmental Psychology (3), Introduction to Sociology (3), Ethics (3), plus additional electives to reach 27 credits
• Humanities/other total 19 credits, including English Composition (3), Humanities electives (12), Other elective (4)

Curriculum (Nursing Coursework)

• Semester I (Spring): 21 credits (NUR300, NUR305, NUR315, NUR320, NUR330, BIO321)
• Semester II (Summer): 17 credits (NUR335, NUR345, NUR350, NUR410)
• Semester III (Fall): 18 credits (NUR400, NUR405, NUR415, NUR430, NUR440)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics, schools, and community agencies
• Program housed on UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's hospital campus
• Access to the College Clinical Simulation Center
• Some clinical sites may require background checks; costs may be incurred by the student

Application

• Submit online application through St. Luke's College admissions portal
• Official academic transcripts required
• Application essay required
• Shadowing experience may be required depending on program
• Applicants encouraged to submit all required documents in advance

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed on a continual basis
• ABSN cohort begins each Spring; admission timing aligned with cohort start
• Applicants must meet college and program-specific requirements for consideration

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition for bachelor's degree programs: $620 per credit hour
• Program credits: 120 total
• Accelerated Bachelors Nursing ATI one-time fee: $2,580
• Books and uniforms estimate for bachelor programs: $800
• Enrollment fee (non-refundable): $100; General fee (annual): $1,000; Summer fee: $150

International Students

• Proof of legal United States residency required
• Official certified translated academic documents required
• TOEFL iBT minimum 61 or PBT minimum 500 required if English is a second language
• Letter of recommendation from a secondary school official and financial documentation showing available funds required
• St. Luke's College does not authorize requests for temporary or student visas

Contacts

• St. Luke's College, 2800 Pierce St, Sioux City, Iowa 51104
• Phone: (712) 279-3149