Accelerated BSN Programs in New Jersey

Program Length & Format

• Accelerated BSN (Second Degree) requires 88 total credits
• Nursing prerequisite: 25 credits prior to nursing courses
• Nursing major coursework: 62 credits
• Curriculum may allow completion of the third semester during summer session if cohort size is sufficient
• full-time
• Clinical and laboratory courses held on campus and at affiliated healthcare facilities
• Simulation labs integrated into curriculum for clinical skill development

Admission Requirements

• Must hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) prior to admission
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 overall on all undergraduate coursework
• Nursing prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of B- (80%) or higher
• Science prerequisite courses must be no older than five years at time of application
• Prerequisites may be repeated once; both attempts considered for admission
• All nursing major courses must be completed at Caldwell University
• Criminal background check required before clinical placement
• Submission of a personal essay stating reasons for pursuing nursing
• One letter of recommendation from a college professor
• Résumé detailing academic and professional background
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

Entrance Exams

• No standardized entrance exams
• HESI standardized testing used during program for progression and remediation

Prerequisites

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)
• Principles of Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)
• Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
• General Psychology I (3 credits)
• Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)

Deadlines

• April 1

Selection Process

• Selection based on academic performance (GPA) and completion of prerequisite coursework
• Applicants ranked higher if transcripts confirm prerequisite completion
• Interview required with faculty prior to admission decision
• Interview assesses academic readiness, motivation, and alignment with program expectations

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical experiences offered at healthcare agencies and community centers in the region
• Clinical clearance requires immunizations, CPR certification, criminal background check, drug screening, and professional liability insurance before placement
• Simulation labs feature adult, birthing, and pediatric manikins with high fidelity computer control
• Simulation scenarios cover emergency procedures, quality and safety, leadership, delegation, and evidence-based practice
• Open lab hours available for independent skills practice with prior faculty instruction and scheduling
• Clinical and laboratory attendance mandatory; make-up required for absences

Credit Transfer

• Transfer credit accepted for prerequisites with grades of B- or higher completed within five years
• All nursing major courses must be completed at Caldwell University; no nursing course transfer credit accepted
• Official transcript evaluation provided after admission

Contacts

• Nursing Admission inquiries: contact Caldwell University Nursing Transfer and Second Degree Application office via university website
• General Nursing Department: School of Nursing and Health Services at Caldwell University accessible through official university contacts (not listed specifically)

Program Length & Format

• 15-month full-time accelerated BSN (ABSN)
• 56 credit hours of ABSN coursework; total BSN requires 120 credits
• Summer start; cohort begins in May
• Hyflex class options for classroom courses; in-person clinical and laboratory sessions
• Program expected time commitment approximately 40 hours per week

Admission Requirements

• Earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA minimum 3.0
• Prerequisite courses must be taken within the last 10 years and meet minimum grades specified

Prerequisites

• Human Anatomy and Physiology: 8 credits with lab; minimum grade B-
• General Chemistry: 4 credits with lab; Introduction to Chemistry not acceptable; minimum grade B-
• Microbiology: 4 credits with lab; minimum grade B-
• Statistics: 3 credits including descriptive and inferential statistics; Introduction to Statistics not acceptable; minimum grade B-
• All prerequisites must be from a regionally accredited university

Deadlines

• Recommended application deadline: December 1 for the 15-month cohort starting the following May
• Admissions are processed on a rolling basis

Application

• Submit undergraduate transfer student application online
• Prerequisite courses may be taken at Fairleigh Dickinson University as a non-degree seeking student
• Contact Enrollment Services at 201-692-2214 for application assistance

Selection Process

• Admissions reviewed on a rolling basis
• Students admitted into cohort that begins in Summer (May start)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• In-person clinical and laboratory components included in coursework
• Course schedule by semester with credit totals:
  • Summer I: 19 credits (includes Foundations of Nursing I & II, Comprehensive Health Assessment, Pharmacotherapeutics, Pathophysiology, Major Elective)
  • Fall I: 15 credits (includes Nursing Management of Adults I, Women/Newborn & Families, Children & Families)
  • Spring I: 14 credits (includes Nursing Management of Psychosocial Problems, Social Determinants of Health, Information Systems, Utilization of Healthcare Research)
  • Summer II: 8 credits (includes Nursing Management of Adults II, Prep for Success)

Credit Transfer

• Students receive 45 general education credits from prior baccalaureate degree
• Students receive 19 credits for completing program prerequisite courses
• 56 credits required to complete the ABSN curriculum
• Prior learning credit for major elective and select MEDT course requirements considered on a case-by-case basis

Contacts

• Dr. Sylvia Cabassa, Director, Entry-Level Nursing Program — (201) 692-2880
• Enrollment Services — (201) 692-2214

Program Length & Format

• 16-month
• Total program credits: 67
• Full-time schedule with predetermined class times, labs, and clinical rotations
• Two delivery options:
  • Hybrid (online coursework, in-person labs in Parsippany)
  • On-Ground (courses and labs in Rutherford)

Admission Requirements

• Either a non-nursing bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or at least 60 non-nursing college credits
• For applicants with 60 credits, minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0

Prerequisites

• RELS 310 listed as a co-requisite in the ABSN curriculum
• Requirement of at least 60 non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree (see Admission Requirements)

Deadlines

• Hybrid ABSN start dates each year: January, May, September
• On-Ground ABSN start date each year: September

Application

• First step: contact an admissions counselor for eligibility review and application instructions
• Submission of previous college and high school transcripts for review by admissions staff

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations at Atlantic Health System and other healthcare providers in the Newark area
• Nursing labs at Parsippany off-campus facility for Hybrid students and at Rutherford campus for On-Ground students
• Nursing Resource and Simulation Center available at Parsippany and Rutherford learning sites

Contacts

• Felician University admissions office, 300 Kimball Drive, Suite 502, Parsippany, NJ 07054
• Felician University campus, One Felician Way, Rutherford, NJ 07070

Program Length & Format

• 15-month full-time accelerated BSN program
• Four consecutive semesters including summer
• Classes and clinicals scheduled 3-4 days per week
• Clinical shifts may occur any day of the week, including weekends, between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm
• Students complete coursework and clinicals in a fixed sequence as a cohort

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in any field required
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 recommended for competitive admission
• Review includes overall undergraduate GPA and prerequisite course grades
• History of multiple course failures, repeats, or withdrawals may disqualify applicants
• No recommendation letters accepted or reviewed

Prerequisites

• Must be completed prior to program start (conditional acceptance allowed with up to two prerequisites in progress)
• General Chemistry or Organic Biochemistry or General Chemistry II with lab (4 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs (8 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
• Nutrition (3 credits)
• Any Ethics course (3 credits)
• Science prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of enrollment (effective Spring 2025)
• Prerequisites can be completed online if they include a lab
• Courses must be from Rutgers University-Camden or regionally accredited institutions
• Nursing courses from other nursing schools usually not accepted

Deadlines

• Spring semester application deadline: October 1
• Fall semester application deadline: February 1
• Transcripts should be submitted within two weeks of application

Application

• Submit online application via Rutgers Camden Office of Undergraduate Admissions
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• List any courses in progress on the application and provide transcripts for them
• No recommendation letters required
• Completion of all prerequisites recommended before starting program

Selection Process

• Holistic review of applications following deadline
• Decisions made by early November for spring admits and early April for fall admits
• No interviews required

Cost & Financial Aid

• Estimated total program cost including books and supplies: approximately $42,000 (in-state, 2023-2024)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations assigned by the School of Nursing-Camden’s Center for Academic Resources, Engagement, and Services (CARES)
• Clinical sites include hospitals and healthcare agencies in southern New Jersey and the Delaware Valley
• Clinical practice and simulation training integrated into the curriculum
• Clinical shifts may be scheduled any day including weekends and evenings

Contacts

• Email for program questions: [email protected]
• SNC Center for Academic Resources, Engagement, and Services (CARES) phone: 856-225-6281

Program Length & Format

• 14-month accelerated curriculum delivered over 4 semesters
• 63 credits of nursing coursework required at Rutgers
• Full-time, in-person instruction at Newark campus
• Classes generally held during daytime; clinicals scheduled day, evening, or weekends
• Clinical partnerships with 200+ sites across New Jersey

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from a regionally accredited institution
• First-degree cumulative GPA minimum: 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification for adult, child, infant, and AED
• Completion of required prerequisite coursework prior to admission as specified

Entrance Exams

• HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2): Anatomy/Physiology and Math portions required for all students entering the program as a diagnostic during new student orientation
• HESI A2 diagnostic results do not affect admission decisions

Prerequisites

• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, undergraduate level, 4 credits
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, undergraduate level, 4 credits
• Microbiology with Lab, undergraduate level, 4 credits
• Organic Biochemistry or General Chemistry II, undergraduate level, 3 credits
• Nutrition (course on nutrients and functions), undergraduate level, 3 credits
• Statistics (descriptive and inferential), undergraduate level, 3 credits
• Life Span: A Holistic Approach or Developmental Psychology (must cover newborn to elderly), undergraduate level, 3 credits
• General Psychology, undergraduate level, 3 credits
• Introduction to Sociology, undergraduate level, 3 credits
• Grade requirements: C+ or higher for Life Span/Developmental Psychology and Nutrition; C or higher for all other prerequisites
• All science prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of application
• All four science prerequisite courses must be completed with grades prior to application submission
• CLEP score of 50 or higher accepted for Introductory Psychology and Introductory Sociology only
• Prerequisites may be completed online and across multiple 2- or 4-year regionally accredited colleges

Deadlines

• Application open date for spring and summer admission: August 1
• Spring admission application deadline: November 1
• Summer admission application deadline: February 1
• Spring admission decisions begin to be released in October; summer decisions begin to be released in February
• Example: Spring 2026 applications accepted until November 1, 2025

Application

• Online application required (application opens August 1 for each cycle)
• Official transcripts required from all postsecondary institutions; electronic or postal submission accepted
• Proof of bachelor’s degree required
• Proof of current American Heart Association BLS certification required
• Complete application with all transcripts typically receives an admission decision 4–6 weeks after deadline
• Letters of recommendation are not required and will not be reviewed

Selection Process

• Application review is a comprehensive process; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• Admission offers limited by available seats
• Interviews are not required for admission

Cost & Financial Aid

• Second-degree students qualify for financial aid
• On-campus housing available to second-degree students

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical placements through 200+ partnerships across New Jersey
• Clinical scheduling may include day, evening, and weekend shifts
• Students advised to have reliable transportation for clinical sites and potential travel to other campuses
• Simulation center orientation included in academic orientation; HESI A2 administered during orientation
• Clinical sites may require additional screenings such as drug testing or fingerprinting; criminal history background check required for clinical courses

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite credits may be accepted from multiple regionally accredited 2- or 4-year institutions
• Nursing courses completed at another nursing school are not accepted for transfer

Contacts

• Transcript mailing address: University Enrollment Services Admissions Processing, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 65 Davidson Road, Room 308, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8097
• RU-info phone: (732) 445-4636; Fax: (732) 445-8088
• Clinical Clearance Voicemail: 972-972-8544
• Office of Disability Services–Newark: Paul Robeson Campus Center 219, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Newark, NJ 07204; Phone: 973.353.5375
• On-boarding contact for new student resources: Valeria Montoya (contact information provided to admitted students)

Program Length & Format

• 14-month program, 62 credit hours, cohort model
• Locations: Freehold, NJ (Fall and Spring start); Nutley, NJ Interprofessional Health Sciences campus (Spring start only)

Admission Requirements

• Minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or WES evaluation
• Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended required
• Personal statement/essay (500 words or less) and two letters of recommendation required; current resume recommended

Entrance Exams

• TOEFL required for ESL applicants unless degreed from a U.S. accredited college or university
• TOEFL minimums: total score 84; reading 22; listening 22; speaking 26; writing 24
• TOEFL must be taken within the past 5 years for ESL applicants

Prerequisites

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs (8 credits)
• Organic Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Nutrition (2 credits)
• Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• Ethics (3 credits)
• Science prerequisites must have grade of C+ or better and be completed within 5 years; non-nursing prerequisites must have grade of C or higher

Deadlines

• Fall start (Freehold only): application opens in November; completed application deadline May 1
• Spring start (Freehold and Nutley): application opens in February; completed application deadline September 1

Application

• $65 non-refundable application fee
• Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
• Personal statement/essay (500 words or less) and two letters of recommendation; resume recommended
• Prior to enrollment in clinical courses: required immunizations, medical history, liability insurance, criminal background check, and American Heart Association BLS CPR certification

Selection Process

• Admission limited to applicants holding a baccalaureate or higher degree
• Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 required; science prerequisites C+ or higher and non-nursing prerequisites C or higher required for acceptance
• Students must complete all courses in each ABSN semester with at least a C+ to progress; subject to College of Nursing progression and dismissal standards

Cost & Financial Aid

• $65 application fee

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical settings include hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, and community-based agencies
• Program includes simulation and skills lab experiences and a Synthesis Practicum & Seminar course (NUTC 4019) in the accelerated sequence

Credit Transfer

• For course equivalencies and transfer questions, contact the Assistant Program Director (see Contacts)

International Students

• ESL applicants must submit TOEFL taken within past 5 years unless they hold a degree from a U.S. accredited college or university
• TOEFL minimums: total 84; reading 22; listening 22; speaking 26; writing 24

Contacts

• Megan Kushner, Assistant Program Director
• Main campus: 400 South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079; (973) 761-9000
• Nutley campus (Interprofessional Health Sciences): 123 Metro Boulevard, Nutley, NJ 07110; (973) 542-6200

Program Length & Format

• 15-month
• full-time
• Hybrid format: mix of online courses and in-person/hybrid courses and clinical experiences
• Program composition: 26 credits online, 34 credits hybrid
• Nursing curriculum organized across four 16-week terms

Admission Requirements

• Submission of all official transcripts; transcript review takes 5–7 business days
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 preferred
• Advising appointment with W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions required to review prerequisites
• Personal statement (1–2 pages or approximately 500–800 words) addressing background, motivation, program readiness, and examples of professional competencies
• Resume optional
• All clinical compliance requirements must be met before clinical practicums, including drug screen, immunizations, professional liability insurance, and major medical health insurance

Entrance Exams

• ATI TEAS Exam required for applicants without a previously completed bachelor’s degree
• Required scores: 70% or higher in each TEAS subcategory
• Applicants may retake the TEAS; a 30-day wait time is recommended between attempts; official TEAS scores expire one year after exam date
• TEAS requirement waived for applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree

Prerequisites

• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab — 4 credits (grade C / 73 or better)
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab — 4 credits (grade C / 73 or better)
• Microbiology with Lab — 4 credits (grade C / 73 or better)
• Chemistry or Pathophysiology — 3 credits (grade C / 73 or better)
• Nutrition — 3 credits (grade C / 73 or better)
• Statistics — 3 credits (grade C / 73 or better)
• All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to acceptance into nursing courses

Deadlines

• Admissions offered three times per year with application deadlines:
  • Winter cohort: September 1
  • Spring cohort: January 1
  • Fall cohort: May 1
• Applications remain active for one year from submission

Application

• Complete online application and submit all official college transcripts
• Pay application fee: $50
• Submit official ATI TEAS score report (if applicable) sent directly from ATI
• Submit personal statement (1–2 pages / ~500–800 words)
• Upon acceptance, pay nonrefundable program deposit: $500 within seven days to secure cohort placement
• Clinical compliance documentation required before clinical placement (drug screen, immunizations, CPR, criminal background check, proof of insurance)

Selection Process

• Application files reviewed by the Accelerated BSN Program Admissions Committee using a holistic review process
• Meeting minimum requirements establishes eligibility but does not guarantee admission
• Selections based on program capacity and the overall applicant pool
• Applications reviewed year-round; admissions offered on a first-come, first-served basis when seats are available

Wait List Policies

• Applicants accepted after cohort seats are filled will be invited to join the next available cohort
• Application remains active for one year and may be considered for subsequent cohorts within that period

Cost & Financial Aid

• Estimated total tuition cost: $46,140
• Application fee: $50
• Program deposit: $500 nonrefundable (applied to first tuition payment)
• Clinical Learning Technology Fee: $525 per hybrid course
• Estimated additional costs: course materials $400, uniform and supplies $300, clinical compliance $450, professional liability insurance ~$30, graduation audit fee $298
• End-of-program licensure costs: New Jersey Board of Nursing application $200; NCLEX-RN exam fee $200
• BAYADA Scholars track total program tuition: in-state $58,500; out-of-state $75,000; books and supplies fee for new students $3,300; clinical lab technology fee $525 per clinical course
• Financial aid and scholarship options available through the university (details provided by financial aid office)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical experiences at regional university-affiliated acute care and non-acute care facilities
• Clinical rotations scheduled one or two days per week for up to 12 hours per day
• Simulation and Skills Lab includes dedicated simulation rooms (maternity, homecare/community)
• Simulation sessions are video recorded for learner review; Open Lab hours available for practice
• Clinical placement subject to partner facility requirements; facility partners may deny placement based on background check or vaccine status

Credit Transfer

• TESU accepts transfer credits; prerequisite courses taken at TESU transfer toward Accelerated BSN application requirements
• Some general education courses offer test-for-credit options (check with School of Nursing advisor)
• No time limit on fulfilling prerequisite course requirements, provided all are completed prior to acceptance

International Students

• Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by an external credential evaluation agency (agency requirements available from the School of Nursing)
• TOEFL testing may be required at the discretion of the School of Nursing regardless of native language if there is concern about English communication ability

Contacts

• W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions, Thomas Edison State University
• Address: 301 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08618

Program Length & Format

• Core ABSN nursing courses begin in the summer semester (May) and continue through the fall, spring, and the following summer
• Degree completion documented with BSN conferral in August following program start
• Accepted students may take prerequisite courses at WPU in the spring semester if needed
• WPU permits accepted ABSN students to enroll in up to 19 credits in the spring semester

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the initial baccalaureate degree
• Applicants with an associate degree are not eligible for the ABSN program
• Applicants graduating in December or May may apply; coordination with Undergraduate Admissions required

Prerequisites

• BIO 1120 General Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits with lab)
• BIO 1130 General Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits with lab)
• BIO 1700 Basic Microbiology (4 credits with lab)
• PSY 1100 General Psychology
• PSY 2110 Life Span Development
• MATH 1300 Elementary Statistics
• CHEM 1330 Chemistry for the Health Sciences (4 credits with lab) or two-series general chemistry with lab (General Chemistry I & II)
• NUR 3500 Nursing Research (registration at WPU restricted to nursing majors)
• PBHL 2240 Therapeutic Nutrition (registration at WPU restricted to nursing majors)
• BIO 3120 Advanced Anatomy & Physiology (prerequisites: A&P I & II and CHEM 1330); BIO 3120 must be taken at WPU
• A&P I and A&P II cannot be taken in the same semester; both are prerequisites for BIO 3120

Academic Policy

• A grade of C- or below in a nursing prerequisite course eliminates a student from acceptance into the ABSN program, even if the course has been repeated
• After acceptance, a grade of C- or below in a prerequisite or nursing major course precludes progression in the ABSN program
• Students who do not progress may transition into the generic nursing program and must follow the Nursing Student Academic Standards Policy

Transfer Credit

• Transfer courses must be completed at an accredited institution
• Courses from New Jersey community colleges are transferable if equivalent
• Science courses must be less than ten years old
• Initial transcript and course evaluations performed by the Transcript Evaluation Office
• Upon acceptance, the nursing academic advisor may review similar courses for equivalency; students may provide course descriptions and syllabi for appeals

Application

• Applications accepted online
• Application period: September 1 through October 1 each year
• Application is not complete until application fee is paid and all transcripts have been received by the Undergraduate Admissions Office
• It is not required to have all prerequisites completed before applying

Selection Process

• Selection factors include cumulative GPA and number of prerequisites completed

International Students

• International transcripts must be evaluated by an international accrediting service to confirm program legitimacy and U.S. equivalency; eligibility depends on evaluation outcome

Contacts

• ABSN Program Coordinator: Dr. Erin Graulich
• Undergraduate Admissions contact for application coordination: Missy Matera
• University address: 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470
• University phone: (973) 720-2000