Accelerated BSN Programs in North Carolina

Program Length & Format

• Full-time, campus-based, 16 months (four semesters)
• Total credit hours: 58
• Students take between 12 and 16 credit hours per semester
• Program includes 6 credit hours of electives with a graduate credit option
• Clinical credit conversion: 1 credit hour = 56 clinical hours

Admission Requirements

• prior bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
• DUSON-Trinity College Curriculum Bridge available for Duke Trinity College students to transition during senior year
• ABSN program ends Spring 2026 and is not admitting new students

Program Curriculum (credit distribution by semester)

• Semester 1 total: 14 credit hours
• Semester 2 total: 16 credit hours
• Semester 3 total: 16 credit hours (includes a 3-credit elective)
• Semester 4 total: 12 credit hours (includes a 3-credit elective)
• Course examples with credit hours: Nursing 388 (6), Nursing 389 (4), Nursing 474 (5), Nursing 484 (7)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical placements at Duke-affiliated hospitals and community sites, including local and global placements
• Center for Nursing Discovery simulation facility; facility described as accredited and endorsed by two international simulation organizations
• Clinical groups kept small (no numeric size provided)
• Community global health immersion trips cited with example countries: Rwanda, Tanzania, Guatemala

Credit Transfer

• Electives may be taken at the School of Nursing or other Duke schools/colleges with instructor permission
• Electives include a graduate credit option for 6 credit hours

Cost & Financial Aid

• Need-based ABSN scholarship available to newly admitted students
• Scholarship awards may cover up to 100% of tuition over four semesters

Contacts

• Assistant Dean: Stephanie Gedzyk-Nieman, DNP, MSN, NC-MNN
• Program code: R-BSN; Degree designation: Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Department: School of Nursing
• Mailing address: Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Program Length & Format

• 64 semester hours
• Curriculum delivered in block format over 12 months (January to December)
• Designed for full-time study Monday through Friday; may include nights and weekends

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with minimum graduating cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Completion of required prerequisites with a grade of C or better on the first attempt is preferred
• CNA I listing with N.C. Nurse Aide I Registry required
• TEAS test results must meet or exceed the National Mean
• Writing sample required; interview may be required for further consideration
• After admission: proof of current immunizations, negative drug screen, and background check required

Entrance Exams

• TEAS required
• TEAS score must meet or exceed National Mean; applicants may retake until benchmark is met

Prerequisites

• Up to 2 prerequisite courses may be in progress at time of application with proof of enrollment
• Required prerequisites: BIOL 221 General Microbiology (4); FCS 157 Introduction to Human Nutrition (3); FCS 260 Introduction to Human Development (3); PSYC 101 General Psychology (3); MATH 224 Statistics (3); NURS 415 Healthcare in a Global Society (3)
• Required prerequisites with 5-year expiration: CHEM 104 General Chemistry I (3); CHEM 114 General Chemistry I Lab (1); BIOL 350 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4); BIOL 351 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4)

Deadlines

• August 1 through October 1 (new and readmitted students)

Application

• Submit university undergraduate application as a second-degree student; select Nursing (Accelerated BSN) as major
• Submit official transcripts from every college or university attended; review begins after all transcripts received
• Complete ABSN Entry Option Internal Application including TEAS Individual Score Report, CNA I Registry with N.C. Board of Nursing, and personal statement
• Students must have completed bachelor’s degree at time of university application

Selection Process

• Admission decisions based on applicant qualifications within the applicant pool
• Review may include evaluation of transcripts, TEAS score, personal statement, CNA I registry status
• Interview may be required; the school will contact you for additional requirements

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite courses may be completed at accredited community colleges, colleges, or universities and transferred to meet university degree requirements
• Applicants should consult the Transfer Credit Articulation Tool to determine course equivalency

Contacts

• School of Nursing, Noble Hall, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411; Phone: 336-334-7750
• Office of Extended Learning (for taking prerequisite courses at N.C. A&T): Phone: 336-334-7810
• CNA I Registry requirement: N.C. Nurse Aide I Registry / N.C. Board of Nursing (NCBON)

Program Length & Format

• 14–15 months (less than 1.5 years)
• Full-time cohort model
• No online option; in-person coursework and clinical rotations
• Students assigned to fixed clinical schedules; schedule not customizable

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in any major
• Minimum 3.2 undergraduate cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum 3.2 math or science GPA
• No more than two math or science course failures; three failures results in ineligibility
• Math/science prerequisite courses must be taken within five years of application
• Physical health sufficient for nursing practice required
• Fluency in speaking, reading and writing English required

Entrance Exams

• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) required
• Minimum TEAS score: 70
• TEAS must be taken in person at NCCU Nursing Building
• TEAS cost: $71
• Maximum two TEAS attempts per application cycle with at least 30 days between attempts
• Recommended TEAS attempt for Accelerated applicants by February of application year

Prerequisites

• Required courses (may be taken at accredited colleges; online acceptable if accredited):
  • MATH 1100 College Algebra and Trigonometry (3)
  • BIO 1300 Molecules and Cell Functions (4)
  • BIO 1610 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
  • CHEM 1000 Physical Science Related to Chemistry (3)
  • CHEM 1500 Chemistry and Human Life (3)
  • BIO 1620 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
  • FOOD 2200 Introduction to Human Nutrition
  • PSY 2100 General Psychology
  • BIO 2510 Introduction to Microbes and Disease (4)
  • Elementary Statistics (any statistics course)
• Minimum grade of C in each prerequisite
• All prerequisites must be completed prior to the start of nursing classes

Deadlines

• Nursing Student Services application deadline for Fall entry: June 1 (annual)

Application

• Two-step process: (1) apply to NCCU undergraduate admissions; (2) file Accelerated B.S.N. application with Nursing Student Services by June 1
• Applicants must meet with a Nursing Student Services (NSS) advisor prior to submitting the Accelerated application
• Required documents:
  • Completed online Accelerated B.S.N. application (link provided by NSS advisors)
  • Official post-secondary transcripts to Undergraduate Admissions
  • Unofficial transcripts to Nursing Student Services
  • Attendance at one informational session with Nursing Student Services
• Incomplete applications not considered

Selection Process

• Application files reviewed by Admissions Committee
• Admission decisions issued by Nursing Student Services (decisions made by June for Fall admission)
• Only formally accepted students are registered in upper-division nursing courses by NSS advisors
• Mandatory orientation session required prior to start of classes
• Candidates not offered admission receive either wait-list status or denial
• Nursing Student Services notifies wait-listed candidates individually if space becomes available
• Wait-list offer of admission is not guaranteed

Cost & Financial Aid

• TEAS exam fee: $71
• Admitted upper-division students required to pay for uniforms, books, background check, drug screening, clinical testing and supplies, liability insurance, and CPR certification
• Costs for those requirements listed as varying in the range of $25 to $75 (per source)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations assigned by program; rotation sites limited to official program sites
• Clinical sites may be located up to one hour from NCCU campus
• Students may rotate through multiple clinical sites over the program

Credit Transfer

• Nursing courses completed at other institutions are not accepted as transfer credit for the ABSN
• Prerequisite courses may be transferred from regionally accredited colleges or community colleges
• Students who have failed a nursing course at another institution are ineligible for admission to the Accelerated option
• Only one math/science prerequisite retake allowed to be calculated in the nursing GPA

Contacts

• Nursing Department main office: 3401 New Nursing Building
• Department chair telephone: (919) 530-7232
• Office of Undergraduate Admissions: 1801 Fayetteville St., Durham, NC 27707; (919) 530-6100

Program Length & Format

• 3 semesters (one-year accelerated format)
• 61 credit hours total
• Start terms listed: January 2025 and May 2025

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, or senior year status with at least 90 credit hours and expected graduation before program start
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in most recent 3 semesters or most recent 30 credit hours (whichever is greater)
• Minimum 3.0 GPA across the eight required prerequisite courses

Entrance Exams

• TEAS exam required with passing score of 65 or higher

Prerequisites

• Microbiology with laboratory
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I with laboratory
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II with laboratory
• General Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Nutrition
• Introductory Statistics of Social Sciences
• Institution and Society

Deadlines

• Spring 2026 Accelerated BSN Track:
  • Application opens: July 22, 2025
  • Priority deadline: September 10, 2025
  • Application deadline: November 21, 2025

Application

• Submit the Queens Application (nursing applicants advised to use Queens Application)
• Submit official transcripts showing bachelor’s degree or current enrollment and expected graduation date
• Ensure all application materials are fully submitted prior to the deadline

Selection Process

• Only fully submitted applications are reviewed
• Admission decisions typically released within six weeks of the application deadline

Cost & Financial Aid

• Program credit hours: 61
• Estimated Cost of Attendance totals shown: $38,002 (Summer 2025); $78,070 (Fall 2025 + Spring 2026)
• ABSN program fee: $1,050
• ABSN track billed at per credit hour tuition rate (per-credit rate not specified)
• Additional first-semester expenses estimated at $1,000 to $1,500 for items such as books, uniforms, background checks, immunizations, and drug screenings

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Curriculum includes clinical course sequence across three semesters (examples: Fundamentals of Nursing; Pathophysiological Processes; Comprehensive Health Assessment; Medical-Surgical Nursing I & II; Pharmacological Therapeutics; Mental Health Nursing; Pediatric Nursing; Women’s Health; Community Health Nursing; Professional Practice)
• Simulation facility: Hunt Nursing Simulation Center

Contacts

• Admissions counselor phone: 704-337-2212
• Student Financial Services phone: 704-337-2225

Program Length & Format

• 4-semester 
• Full-time enrollment required across fall, spring, and summer semesters
• Clinical rotations and coursework take place on-campus and at local health care sites
• No part-time or online options available

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite science courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology)
• Science prerequisites must be completed within 5 years prior to application
• General Psychology and Statistics prerequisites must be completed within 10 years
• Eligible to return to all previously attended institutions

Prerequisites

• Anatomy with lab
• Physiology with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• General Psychology
• Statistics
• All prerequisites must be completed before application submission

Deadlines

• Application deadline: September 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
• Classes begin in May 2026

Application

• Apply online at applynow.unc.edu
• $30 non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts sent directly from institutions to UNC School of Nursing
• Personal statement essays required, combined maximum length of six pages (two pages per essay)
• Essays must be double-spaced, font size 11 or higher, include legal name and page numbers

Selection Process

• Admission decisions based on academic performance, prerequisite GPA, essays, community service history, and skills relevant to nursing
• Admission letters emailed approximately 14-16 weeks after application deadline
• No interviews required

Wait List Policies

• Waitlisted applicants notified by email if a space becomes available before courses start
• Waitlist does not carry over to following term
• Reapplication required for future terms; no guarantee of admission or waitlist placement

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations held at healthcare facilities in Orange County and surrounding counties in North Carolina
• Clinical experience integral to curriculum; specific hours and sites vary

Credit Transfer

• Transfer credit evaluated through transcript review; prior coursework including graduate-level considered in GPA calculation
• Course evaluation form available for self-assessment of prerequisite completion

International Students

• English language proficiency required for applicants from non-English speaking countries
• Acceptable tests and minimum scores: TOEFL iBT 100, TOEFL ITP Plus for China 627, IELTS 7.0
• Foreign coursework requires official course-by-course evaluation with US equivalency assessment

Contacts

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 919-966-4260
• Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Mailing address: UNC School of Nursing, Office of Student Affairs, 211 Manning Drive, Campus Box 7460, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460

Program Length & Format

• 16-month accelerated program spanning 4 continuous semesters
• Classes held at Biltmore Park instructional site, Asheville, NC
• Full-time schedule with 2-3 days of in-person classes and 1-3 days of clinical experiences weekly
• Clinical rotations primarily in Buncombe County and surrounding Western North Carolina areas

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate (and graduate if applicable) coursework
• All prerequisite courses must be completed with grade of C or higher
• Must complete at least 3 of 4 science prerequisites by application deadline

Entrance Exams

• TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam required, most current ATI version
• Official TEAS scores must be sent directly from ATI to WCU nursing program
• TEAS scores considered as part of a holistic admissions process
• Average TEAS scores for accepted applicants historically range between 85-89%

Prerequisites

• Science prerequisites (4 courses, 3 must be completed by application deadline):

  • Introductory Chemistry with Lab (CHEM 132, 4 credits)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (BIO 291, 4 credits)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (BIO 292, 4 credits)
  • Etiology of Infectious Disease with Lab (ENVH 260/261, 3 credits, Microbiology)

• Additional nursing prerequisites (must be completed before program start):

  • Human Nutritional Needs (ND 330 or equivalent 300-level course)
  • Pathophysiology for Nursing (NSG 346 or equivalent 300-level course)
  • Applied Statistics (MATH 170, 3 credits)
  • General Psychology (PSY 150, 3 credits)

Deadlines

• Application deadline occurs annually in January
• Application information for next cycle available mid-October of the preceding year

Application

• Submit application via NursingCAS platform
• Official transcripts required from all post-secondary institutions attended
• TEAS scores sent directly from ATI required with application
• Criminal background check required before program start
• Proof of current Health Care Provider CPR certification required
• Immunization documentation required
• Personal statement and resume submitted as part of the application process to support holistic review

Selection Process

• Admission decisions based on TEAS score, GPA, prerequisite grades, resume, cover letter, and interview performance
• Holistic admissions approach including consideration of experiences and attributes beyond academic metrics
• Interview required as part of the selection process
• Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission
• Class size capped at approximately 55 students per cohort

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition and fees (2025-2026):
  • Resident: $3,524.78 (includes $1,182.28 health insurance fee, waivable with proof of coverage)
  • Non-resident: $5,524.78 (includes same health insurance fee)
• Additional estimated costs:
  • ExamSoft: $75
  • Books: $100
  • ATI package: $550
  • Virtual simulation: $100
  • Nursing lab supplies: $125
  • Liability insurance: $15
  • Uniform: $250
  • CastleBranch background screening: $125
  • CPR certification: $85
  • Immunizations: varies
  • NCLEX review book: $50
  • Additional background checks and drug screens: $30-45 each
• Optional costs include nursing pin, graduation regalia, and Sigma Theta Tau membership (by invitation)
• Financial aid available through WCU scholarships and federal loans
• PEN Scholars program provides academic support for disadvantaged students

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations in acute care, restorative, and community-based settings
• Clinical specialties include medical-surgical, intensive care, emergency department, pediatrics, labor and delivery, mental health, home health, primary care, hospice, rehabilitation, and others
• Clinical sites primarily located in Buncombe County and Western North Carolina with occasional travel beyond the region
• Simulation labs integrated into curriculum to provide hands-on practice aligned with clinical experiences

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisites and prior coursework evaluated by WCU Registrar’s Office for transfer equivalencies
• No official transcript evaluation prior to application; lookup tools available for some courses
• WCU may accept higher-level courses or online alternatives with approval
• Transfer credit from online providers like StraighterLine considered on a case-by-case basis
• All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher before program start

International Students

• International applicants may apply
• Additional application requirements for international students coordinated through WCU admissions international office
• Contact WCU International Student Services for specific guidance on applying and documentation needed

Contacts

• Email for program questions: [email protected]
• Email for prerequisite course transfer inquiries: Registrar’s Office and nursing department contacts listed on WCU ABSN website
• Virtual open houses offered multiple times annually, led by faculty
• Campus visit requests managed via nursing program email contact

Program Length & Format

• Full-time
• 15 months
• Follows same plan of study as Traditional BSN delivered in a 15-month timeframe
• Includes clinical and interprofessional clinical experiences and simulation

Admission Requirements

• bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required
• Complete all admission criteria and nursing prerequisite courses except NUR 2313 prior to applying
• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.6
• Minimum science GPA 2.6
• Grade of C or better required in prerequisite nursing science courses; two attempts allowed to achieve C or better
• All science courses must have been completed within the past 10 years at time of application

Entrance Exams

• TEAS required
• TEAS score valid for 2 years
• TEAS may be taken up to three times with at least 30 days between attempts within a one-year period
• "Proficient" academic preparedness level preferred; test results at any level will be considered

Prerequisites

• All nursing prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application except NUR 2313
• NUR 2313 - Introduction to Professional Nursing cannot be transferred; Accelerated BSN students take NUR 2313 after admission
• Prerequisite courses may be completed at accredited community colleges, colleges, or universities and transferred to WSSU

Deadlines

• application period: July 15 - September 5 
• TEAS and all admission requirements must be submitted on or before the application deadline

Application

• Upload TEAS Individual Performance Profile showing section scores, total score, and academic preparedness level in the application portal
• Must disclose all institutions attended; failure to disclose may result in retraction of admission or dismissal
• If admitted, submit all official transcripts to the Registrar’s Office for processing before the end of the first semester in the nursing program

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Program includes in-person clinical experiences tied to specialty coursework
• Program includes simulated hospital and virtual clinical learning experiences

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite courses completed at accredited community colleges, colleges, or universities may be transferred to meet degree requirements
• NUR 2313 cannot be transferred and must be taken at WSSU by students in the Accelerated BSN program