Accelerated BSN Programs in Ohio

Program Length & Format

• 15-month accelerated program with 63 credit hours
• Full-time program with new cohorts beginning each August
• Intensive schedule of courses and clinical experiences
• Students should not plan to work during enrollment due to the program’s demands

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• Cumulative GPA of 2.8 (4.0 scale)
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
• All collegiate coursework is considered during review

Prerequisites

• Human anatomy and physiology I with lab
• Human anatomy and physiology II with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• General Chemistry I with lab
• Nutrition
• Prerequisites must be completed within seven years of program start date
• Minimum grade of C required in all prerequisite courses

Deadlines

• Application review is rolling with interviews beginning in October
• Tuition deposit deadline: May 1

Application

• Apply through NursingCAS
• Submit resume and essay
• Provide letters of recommendation
• Submit official college transcripts directly to NursingCAS
• International candidates require course-by-course evaluation

Selection Process

• Admission is selective based on academic performance, letters of recommendation, personal statement, life/work experience, and interview
• Interview with the admission committee is required for qualified candidates
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

Cost & Financial Aid

• Comprehensive program cost for 2025-26 is $42,644 (includes tuition, fees, textbooks, uniforms, supplies, and insurance)
• Financial aid available through loans
• Scholarships available through Choose Ohio First STEM Healthcare Scholars Program
• Alumni may be eligible for the Accelerated BSN Alumni Award

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations at hospitals, including University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, Southwest General Health Center, and MetroHealth Medical Center
• State-of-the-art nursing lab with birthing simulator and HoloLens virtual reality technology
• Approximately 700 hours of clinical experience

Program Length & Format

• Program start: each August
• five semesters (20 months)
• Two tracks: Accelerated Daytime Track (on-campus daytime classes, labs, clinicals; typically four days per week) and Flexible Hybrid Track (asynchronous lectures, weekly on-campus session, weekly clinical day)
• Typical semester credit load for Daytime track: 12–15 credit hours including clinicals
• Flexible Hybrid schedule specifics: weekly on-campus session Wednesdays 4:00–9:00 p.m.; clinicals typically one day per week (Thursday or Saturday); first-semester Thursday clinicals 7:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and on-campus class/lab 1:00–5:00 p.m.; clinicals generally scheduled 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; terms 4–5 may require weekday clinicals

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0
• Minimum average GPA for science prerequisites (microbiology, human anatomy, human physiology, organic/biochemistry or biochemistry): 2.75
• Prerequisites must be completed by the end of the semester prior to starting classes at Capital
• Four required science courses must be completed within five years of program start unless a waiver is approved by the ABSN Admissions Committee

Prerequisites

• Microbiology with lab
• Human Anatomy with lab (A&P I may be accepted)
• Human Physiology with lab (A&P II may be accepted)
• Chemistry: one semester of biological/biochemistry or two semesters of general chemistry (alternatively listed as biochemistry)
• Lifespan Development/Human Growth and Development (must cover conception through death)

Deadlines

• Priority application deadline: December 1
• Final application deadline: May 1
• Application portfolios forwarded to School of Nursing after March 15
• Recommended submission of application and required forms by June 1 to be considered for fall cohort
• Final transcript due by June 15 if baccalaureate degree graduation is pending

Application

• Required essay: 1–2 page single-spaced responding to motivation for second degree in nursing, future nursing goals, and reason for choosing Capital
• Submit three professional recommendation forms with reference letters
• Submit current résumé
• Submit all official transcripts to Capital University Admission Office, 1 College and Main, Columbus, OH 43209-2394
• Provide proof of enrollment in final prerequisite courses if applicable (must be received by March 15)

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; review and admission continue beyond stated deadlines as space permits
• Applicants who do not meet standard GPA/science criteria are reviewed case-by-case by ABSN Admissions Committee
• Cohort size limits: Daytime cohorts typically 25–50 students per year; Flexible Hybrid cohorts up to 32 students as space permits
• Notification and next steps managed by Adult and Graduate Education office; accepted students attend a day-long orientation prior to fall semester

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical experiences begin in the first semester
• Clinical sites: multiple locations across the Columbus region, including more than 80 area health care systems and major hospitals (examples listed: OhioHealth Riverside/Grant/Dublin, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The James, OSU East, Nationwide Children’s, Mount Carmel St. Ann’s)
• Agency requirements prior to clinicals: Hepatitis B series (first two doses required before first clinical course; full series required for progression to spring semester), fingerprint-based criminal record checks (BCI and FBI), on-site drug urine screen
• Additional background check required by Ohio Board of Nursing prior to NCLEX-RN licensure application
• Lab sessions included in curriculum; Flexible Hybrid track schedules lab/check-in sessions Wednesdays 4:00–9:00 p.m.

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite coursework may be completed at any U.S. accredited college or university
• A&P I and A&P II accepted in place of separate Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses
• If prerequisite courses taken at multiple institutions, course syllabi will be reviewed to confirm required content
• Five-year recency requirement for science prerequisites may be waived for applicants currently working in health care or science fields; waiver requires documented justification and is determined by the ABSN Admissions Committee

Contacts

• Capital University Admission Office, 1 College and Main, Columbus, OH 43209-2394
• Admission office phone: 614-236-6101

Program Length & Format

• 16 months / four consecutive semesters; full-time enrollment required
• 69 credit hours total
• 734 clinical hours and 201 lab hours (online ABSN figures)
• In-person track begins in January (students graduate in May of following year); online track starts in Fall and Spring
• Online coursework with two mandatory on-campus residencies and two intakes per year (Fall and Spring)

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university required
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA minimum 2.5
• Prerequisite GPA minimum 3.0
• Two of five science prerequisites must be completed at time of application; all prerequisites must be completed and official transcripts submitted prior to program start

Prerequisites

• Required courses: Anatomy & Physiology I & II with lab; Chemistry I & II with lab; Microbiology with lab; Introduction or General Psychology; Statistics; Health Care Ethics or General Ethics; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Grade requirements: Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Microbiology require grade of B or better; Chemistry I & II, Psychology, Ethics, and Statistics require grade of C or better
• Science prerequisites must be no more than 10 years old at application deadline; each prerequisite may be repeated up to two times (withdrawals not included); failing grade defined as C- or lower

Deadlines

• In-person ABSN application deadline: June 1 (annual)
• Online ABSN Fall 2026 application deadline: May 1, 2026; start date: August 22, 2026
• Applicants are encouraged to submit materials at least two weeks before the deadline; late applications considered case-by-case

Application

• Submit School of Nursing application and application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Two letters of recommendation and a résumé
• Interview and written essay required for selected applicants
• Apply to Cleveland State University four to six weeks prior to School of Nursing application deadline

Selection Process

• Selection factors: prerequisite GPA, cumulative GPA, references, résumé; interview and essay for selected applicants
• Healthcare-related experience encouraged (volunteer or job experience)
• Seat limits: 80 students for in-person track; 30 students for online track
• No ongoing waiting list; applicants not admitted must reapply

Cost & Financial Aid

• In-state tuition: $301.17 to $338.81 per credit ($21,684 total) plus $8,432 in fees (rates as of 08/28/2025)
• Out-of-state tuition: $428.95 to $482.57 per credit ($30,884.64 total) plus $8,432 in fees (rates as of 08/28/2025)
• Student loan programs available; contact Cleveland State Campus411 at (216) 687-5411

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• 734 clinical hours and 201 lab hours required (online ABSN)
• Clinical placement services provided; placement team assigns sites and coordinates preceptor details
• Two on-campus residencies for online students at a downtown Cleveland nursing laboratory
• Clinical rotations supervised by assigned preceptors and CSU clinical faculty

Credit Transfer

• Transfer applicants from other nursing programs must provide a letter from the previous program director verifying departure in good academic standing
• Acceptance of transfer coursework is not guaranteed and requires advisor/recruiter evaluation

International Students

• Submit official transcripts; credential evaluation of foreign transcripts is strongly recommended
• Provide official translation if transcripts are not in English
• Contact the Center for International Services and Programs for visa questions
• ESL applicants must contact the English as a Second Language Department for an English skills assessment

Contacts

• School of Nursing mailing address: Cleveland State University, School of Nursing, 2121 Euclid Avenue, IM 116, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
• Campus location: Center for Innovation in Medical Professions, Room 116, 2112 Euclid Avenue
• School of Nursing phone: (216) 687-3598; Recruiter/Advisor phone: (216) 687-3850
• General university phone: (216) 687-2000; School of Nursing fax: (216) 687-3556

Program Length & Format

• 15 months
• Daytime cohort: four-semester sequence with classroom hours generally 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; clinical hours generally 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Akron cohort: five-semester sequence with classes Monday and Wednesday evenings 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; clinical primarily weekends 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; offered every other Fall (even years)
• Evening & Weekend (Cleveland) cohort: five-semester sequence with classes Monday and Wednesday evenings 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; clinical primarily weekends 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; offered every other Fall (odd years)
• Delivery: in person; clinicals must be completed in Northeast Ohio and cannot be completed in other states

Admission Requirements

• Completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum 2.750 overall GPA for Accelerated Second Degree concentration
• Minimum 2.750 science GPA for Accelerated Second Degree concentration
• Minimum C grade required in all science and mathematics prerequisite courses
• Applicants who have failed out of another nursing program are not eligible

Prerequisites

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BSCI 21010 and BSCI 21020)
• Microbiology (BSCI 20021 or BSCI 30171)
• Chemistry (CHEM 10050 or CHEM 10055 or CHEM 10060)
• Human Growth and Development (NURS 20950)
• All college-level core and nursing prerequisite courses must be complete before application

Deadlines

• Fall start application window: April 1 – June 1
• Spring start application window: July 1 – September 1
• Summer start application window: December 1 – February 1
• Akron cohort next offered Fall 2026; Cleveland cohort next offered Fall 2027

Application

• Apply to Kent State University as a Post-Undergraduate Student selecting Nursing major
• After admission to Kent State, submit ABSN-specific application via the "Apply to the Professional Nursing Sequence" tab during the cohort application window
• Applicants must have prerequisite coursework completed prior to ABSN application

Selection Process

• Admission based on minimum GPA criteria and a holistic review including experiences, attributes, and metrics
• Admission is competitive; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• Program typically receives 60–120 applications per cycle with approximately 50% of eligible candidates admitted on average

Cost & Financial Aid

• Average total ABSN program cost for in-state residents approximately $30,000 for the professional nursing sequence
• Federal student loans available via FAFSA; typical award range for students with a prior degree $5,500–$12,500 per year
• College of Nursing scholarship opportunities available for students enrolled in the professional nursing sequence
• Potential employer tuition assistance or state/federal re-education grants may be available

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations at hospitals and health care facilities throughout Northeast Ohio, including sites concentrated in Summit (Akron) and Cuyahoga (Cleveland) counties and possible placements in Mahoning, Stark, Trumbull, or Portage counties
• Akron cohort clinical rotations typically at Cleveland Clinic Akron General; specific courses may use Akron Children’s Hospital or other Summit County locations
• Evening & Weekend Cleveland cohort clinical rotations in partnership with University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic
• Accelerated curriculum includes NURS 40036 Senior Competency Laboratory (2 credits) and a capstone preceptorship

Credit Transfer

• Upon admission to the professional nursing sequence, all NURS courses must be taken through Kent State University
• Remaining auxiliary degree requirements may be completed as a guest/visiting/transient student at an external institution with prior approval from the ABSN Academic Advisor

International Students

• Must provide proof of English language proficiency unless meeting Kent State exception criteria
• Proof may be submission of an English language proficiency test score or completion of English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before program entry

Contacts

• Student Services: Michelle Peacock, 330-672-7911
• College of Nursing main contact: 330-672-7930
• Kent State University general contact: 330-672-3000
• Street address: 1375 University Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242
• Mailing address: 800 E. Summit St., Kent, OH 44242

Program Length & Format

• Two tracks: 13-month track and 18-month track
• 13-month track start: first Monday in January; completion by February of following year
• 18-month track start: August each year; majority of campus-based activities scheduled evenings or weekends
• Delivery: hybrid (on-campus and online courses); campus-based class, skills lab, and clinical components

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution required
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 recommended (not required)
• At least four prerequisite courses completed at time of application
• Science courses must be passed with grade C or better; C- not accepted; science course credit does not expire
• TOEFL scores required for applicants whose native language is not English: 550 (paper), 213 (computer), 79 (internet)

Prerequisites

• English Composition
• General Psychology
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II
• Human Growth & Development
• Microbiology
• Organic Biochemistry
• At least four of the above prerequisites must be completed prior to consideration for admission

Deadlines

• Admissions: rolling admissions year-round; apply anytime
• FAFSA earliest filing date: October 1 each year
• FAFSA priority filing deadline at MCCN: March 15
• Academic term start dates listed: Fall 2025 begins August 18; Spring 2026 begins January 5

Application

• Proof of baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Documentation of prerequisite course completion with grades
• International degree holders must provide a World Education Services (WES) transcript evaluation mailed to MCCN

Selection Process

• Program admits between 60 and 70 students for each annual cycle (13-month cohort begins in January; 18-month cohort begins in August)
• Applicants must meet prerequisite and documentation requirements for consideration
• Admission decisions based on available seats and applicant qualifications

Cost & Financial Aid

• FAFSA required to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid; FAFSA opens October 1
• MCCN FAFSA priority filing deadline: March 15
• Mount Carmel Foundation scholarship awards reported: $483,737 awarded in 2023

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical components include campus-based skills labs and clinical experiences scheduled evenings, weekends, or occasional weekdays
• Center for Innovative Learning includes computer-driven human patient simulators that simulate adult and pediatric physiological responses
• Student-to-clinical faculty ratio reported as 10:1

Credit Transfer

• Transfer credit evaluated for applicability to program requirements
• Anatomy and Physiology transferred separately counted as SCIE 123 (Anatomy) and SCIE 124 (Physiology); both must be completed for full credit
• BIO 1121 A&P I and BIO 1122 A&P II from Columbus State Community College are not accepted as equivalent transfer credit

International Students

• TOEFL score requirements: 550 (paper), 213 (computer), 79 (internet)
• International transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) and mailed to MCCN

Contacts

• Office of Admissions address: 127 South Davis Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43222
• Admissions phone: 614.234.4CON

Program Length & Format

• Four semesters beginning in May and completing in August of the following year
• Program begins in the summer semester; students progress in course sequence order
• Total credit hours including prerequisites: 94–95 credits; 96–97 credits for students beginning May 2026 or after
• Progression requirement: minimum 2.3 nursing GPA and C+ or higher in each nursing course

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university
• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
• Admission to The University of Akron required
• Pre-requisite science courses must include a lab and have a minimum cumulative science GPA of 2.75
• Complete all prerequisites with a grade of C or higher; science prerequisites may not be repeated more than once to achieve the C minimum
• Ability to maintain full-time status

Prerequisites

• Total prerequisite credit hours: 30–31 (example course list includes Principles of Microbiology; Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs; General/Organic Biochemistry with lab; Developmental Psychology; Science of Nutrition; Introduction to Ethics; Statistics)
• All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the first nursing course and preferably within five years of application
• Prerequisites may be completed at any regionally accredited college or university; submit course descriptions to the advisor for transfer approval

Deadlines

• Application deadline to begin the following May: December 1 (of the preceding year)
• Applicants submitting after December 1 must contact the Student Enrollment Counselor for consideration

Application

• Submit Second Degree form (Accelerated Option) and copies of official transcripts to the School of Nursing, attention Accelerated Option
• Required documents: resume, 500-word personal statement, two letters of recommendation
• Inter-College Transfer (ICT) required for current University of Akron students transferring into the School of Nursing

Selection Process

• Applicants receive a written evaluation of completed and outstanding prerequisites after application submission
• Continued contact with the Student Enrollment Counselor or advisor is required for application progression
• Meeting admission criteria does not guarantee admission; admission decisions based on program capacity and applicant qualifications

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Annual criminal background checks and urine screens required at student expense
• Yearly TB test and annual flu vaccine required
• Maintain current BLS Certification for the Healthcare Provider through the American Heart Association

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite courses may be completed at any regionally accredited university or community college
• Students are advised to submit course descriptions prior to registration for transfer approval from the advisor/assistant director

International Students

• International applicants should contact the Office of International Programs for University of Akron admission procedures

Contacts

• Regena Ellis, Student Enrollment Counselor, School of Nursing; phone: 330-972-7554; email: [email protected]
• Don Canary, Academic Adviser II, College of Health & Human Sciences; phone: 330-972-5103
• School of Nursing, Student Success Center, Mary Gladwin Hall, Room 313; phone: 330-972-5103; campus: Akron, OH 44325

Program Length & Format

• 15-month 
• 72-credit-hour ABSN curriculum (prerequisites excluded)
• Sequence includes clinical and non-clinical courses
• Simulations integrated into all lab and clinical courses
• Coursework delivered in the university health and medical sciences facility with laboratories and classrooms

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing from an accredited institution
• Cumulative baccalaureate GPA minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Prerequisite courses must be completed within the last five years unless an exception is granted by the Nursing Program Administrator/Designee
• Minimum grades: 2.75 or better in BIO200, BIO210, BIO211, CHE110; grade of C or higher in all listed prerequisite courses

Prerequisites

• BIO 210: Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
• BIO 211: Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
• BIO 200: Microbiology with Lab
• CHE 110: Foundations of Chemistry with Lab
• MTH 123: Elementary Statistics

Deadlines

• Application deadline for May 2026 start date: April 13, 2026

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition (2025 entering cohort): $500 per credit hour
• Technology fee: $250 per term/session
• Program fee: $325 per term/session
• Parking fee: $100 per year in terms 1, 4, and 7; graduation fee: $100 one-time in fall term prior to graduation
• Summer term consists of two sessions; technology and program fees billed for each summer session

Accreditation

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation; last site visit November 2020; accreditation term granted for ten years; next site visit Fall 2030
• Ohio Board of Nursing approval effective May 25, 2022 for five years; next site visit spring 2027; Ohio Board of Nursing address: 17 South High St., Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43215-7410; phone: (614) 466-3947

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Simulations integrated into all lab and clinical courses
• Clinical experiences conducted through university clinical affiliation agreements
• Curriculum includes experience with electronic medical records systems

International Students

• Direct entry English scores: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 80 / Duolingo 105; recommended two-credit medical terminology course during first semester
• Provisional entry (no nursing courses until requirements met): IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 70–78 / Duolingo 95–100; required to complete two ESL courses and a two-credit medical terminology course; nursing and prerequisite science courses restricted until ESL courses or the medical terminology course are completed with grade C or higher
• Provisional entry (no nursing courses until requirements met): IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 61–69 / Duolingo 85–90; required to complete two ESL courses and a two-credit medical terminology course; nursing and prerequisite science courses restricted until both ESL courses and the medical terminology course are completed with grade C or higher
• International transcript evaluation available through a credential evaluation service with a 10% discount offer

Contacts

• Chris Pontius, Nursing Enrollment Coordinator
• University of Mount Union, 1972 Clark Ave, Alliance, Ohio 44601