Accelerated BSN Programs in Minnesota

Program Length & Format

• 12-month accelerated BSN program, January start, December completion
• 54 credit hours
• Full-time, classroom-based; classes 3–4 days per week and clinical experiences 2–3 days per week
• Cohort model with 20 students per cohort
• Clinical shifts may occur day, evening, night, and possible weekends

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate or graduate degree in a non-nursing major from a U.S. regionally accredited institution required and must appear on official transcript prior to enrollment
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all post-high-school work
• Prerequisite coursework combined GPA of 3.0 required and must be completed prior to enrollment
• Two professional references, a current resume, and a 500–750 word personal statement required

Prerequisites

• Psychology (General, Introductory, or Lifespan)
• Human Nutrition (General or Lifespan)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology covering neurological, cardiac, respiratory, GI, GU, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems; lab required; series must be completed at same institution except limited exceptions
• Microbiology with linked lab
• Chemistry (Introductory or higher; allied health or survey accepted) with linked lab; organic/biochemistry content recommended
• Mathematics: College Algebra, Statistics, or higher
• Each college-level prerequisite must be at least 3 semester credits; pass/fail courses not accepted
• Prerequisite labs must be noted on transcripts or validated by syllabus, catalog, or registrar letter
• Online prerequisite courses acceptable only from U.S. regionally accredited institutions
• Recommended that prerequisites be completed within seven years of application

Deadlines

• Applications submitted through NursingCAS between January and June for January start
• Application review begins July 1 and continues until cohort fills

Application

• Submit application via NursingCAS and select Concordia College, Moorhead MN / Accelerated BSN
• Required documents: official transcripts from all U.S. regionally accredited institutions, two professional references, one-page resume, 500–750 word personal statement, prerequisite documentation
• Transcripts sent to NursingCAS Transcript Processing Center, PO Box 9201, Watertown MA 02471
• Nonrefundable $250 deposit required to secure seat upon acceptance

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed as completed; notification by email when decision is made
• Selection factors include cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, professional references, resume, and personal statement
• Admission may be provisional pending degree and/or prerequisite completion
• Impromptu essay and/or interview may be required as part of the selection process

Cost & Financial Aid

• Program tuition listed as $39,960 and per-credit cost listed as $740 on program cost page
• Per-semester program fees listed as Spring $1,500; Summer $1,000; Fall $1,000
• Annual fees and expenses listed: Student Activity Fee $330; Technology Fee $400; Holistic Health Fee $150; professional liability insurance approximately $50 per year; textbooks and clinical attire additional
• Nonrefundable $250 deposit applied to first semester fee
• Federal Direct Student Loans may be available for a second undergraduate degree; loans not available when enrolled less than half time (<6 credits)
• Employer or regional health system funding and loan-forgiveness programs may be available (example: Sanford Health Fargo award of $30,000 with employment and service conditions)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• 500 hours of clinical practice planned and scheduled by nursing faculty
• Contracts with 15 clinical agencies for specialty and lifespan experiences
• Faculty-to-student ratio in clinical settings 1:7
• Simulation-based learning included in foundations and skills courses
• Students responsible for transportation to clinical sites

Credit Transfer

• Official transcripts required for all prerequisite and degree coursework; transcripts reviewed and verified by NursingCAS
• Online courses accepted only from U.S. regionally accredited institutions
• Each prerequisite course must be at least 3 semester credits and documented with linked labs where required

International Students

• Must hold a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university to apply
• F-1 status available for students who have recently completed an academic year of study in the U.S. to qualify for curricular practical training for clinicals
• Valid, unexpired visa required for participation in clinical activities; consult Office of Global Learning for visa guidance

Contacts

• Business Office: 218.299.3150
• Financial Aid Office: 218.299.3010
• Concordia College address: 901 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56562

Program Length & Format

• Three consecutive semesters, 12 months total
• Hybrid delivery: online coursework and synchronous webinars combined with in-person labs and clinicals
• Nursing major credits: 45 total (41 nursing credits plus a 4-credit Theology and Religious Studies course)
• Campus options: Duluth or St. Cloud (lab and clinical in-person days determined by campus)

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited college or university
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA/NA-R) registration or course completion
• Cumulative GPA minimum 3.0 for admission consideration

Prerequisites

• Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3–4 credits)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P I and II OR Anatomy + Physiology) totaling 6–8 credits; A&P I and II must be taken at the same institution
• General Chemistry (no lab) (3–4 credits) and Microbiology (no lab) (3–4 credits)
• Nutrition (minimum 2 credits)
• Pathopharmacology requirement: either a single pathopharmacology course (minimum 3 credits) OR pathophysiology plus pharmacology (3–4 credits total)
• All prerequisites must be completed prior to program start; recommended to have four prerequisites completed at application with three being science courses

Deadlines

• All applications open August 10 each year
• Duluth and St. Cloud September start: priority deadline March 15; rolling admissions until final deadline July 10
• Duluth and St. Cloud January start: priority deadline July 15; rolling admissions until final deadline October 25
• St. Cloud May start: priority deadline November 15; rolling admissions until final deadline March 7

Application

• Applications must be submitted through the institution's online application system (application portal name not specified in source)
• Transcripts for all prerequisite and prior baccalaureate coursework must be received by the College before program start
• CLEP credit accepted for prerequisite courses when CLEP exam exists

Selection Process

• Priority consideration given to applicants with a greater number of prerequisite courses completed at the time of application
• Rolling admissions following priority deadlines until final deadlines or seats are filled
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

Accepted Students (post-offer requirements)

• Submit $750 non-refundable deposit with Decision Response Form
• Complete and pass caregiver and criminal background checks (required by clinical agencies)
• Submit current CPR certificate (American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR or equivalent)
• Provide CNA/NA-R registration documentation
• Complete required online orientation module (sent approximately one month before program start)

Immunization Requirements

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): two doses or positive titers
• Tdap: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine
• Varicella: positive titer or two vaccine doses
• Tuberculosis: two-step negative Mantoux skin test (both tests negative)
• Hepatitis B: three-dose series or positive titer
• Influenza vaccination

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical settings include acute care, ambulatory care, and rural sites; placements supervised by St. Scholastica faculty or RN preceptors
• Duluth clinical sites include Essentia St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital plus other regional facilities; St. Cloud sites include CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital and agencies in the Twin Cities area
• Office of Educational Experiences secures clinical placements; students responsible for transportation, lodging, meals, and parking; some rotations may require overnight travel
• Simulation labs use low-, medium-, and high-fidelity manikins and standardized patients; lab days scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at both locations
• Credit-hour to clock-hour conversions: theory = 1 hour per credit; laboratory = 2 hours per credit; clinical = 3 hours per credit

Program Requirements and Degree

• Major credits required: 45
• Major residency credits: 16
• Minimum grade requirement for program courses: C (with specific grade requirements for certain prerequisites)
• Institutional degree requirements: total credits 120; upper-division credits 40; minimum institutional GPA 2.0

Credit Transfer

• CLEP credit accepted for prerequisite courses if CLEP exam is available
• Major residency requirement: 16 residency credits

Cost & Fees

• Tuition: $14,784 per semester (2025–26 academic year)
• Estimated additional program costs: approximately $4,200 (examples: NCLEX preparation subscription, examination security software, clinical compliance subscription, skills/simulation supplies)
• Deposit requirement for accepted students: $750 non-refundable
• Tuition rates and additional costs are subject to change; total program cost may vary based on transfer credits

Contacts

• Morgan Madden, Admissions Counselor — 218-723-6230
• Main campus address: 1200 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811, United States