Accelerated BSN Programs in Wisconsin

Program Length & Format

• 12-month (in-person format)
• Program uses multiple session lengths: 2-week, 7-week, and 8-week sessions plus two short winterim sessions
• Clinical coursework delivered in-person; classroom and simulation on campus in Madison, WI
• Clinical student-to-faculty ratio 7:1

Admission Requirements

• Earned non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Cumulative GPA minimum 2.75 (college-level or most recent 60 credits)
• Minimum 2.75 GPA in prerequisite math and science courses; minimum grade of C required in each
• Prerequisite math and science courses must have been taken within 8 years of admission to first nursing course
• Residency required (in-person learning)

Prerequisites

• Statistics or College Algebra (or higher), 3 credits
• General Psychology, 3 credits
• Lifespan Development Psychology, 3 credits
• General Chemistry I with lab, 4 credits
• Anatomy & Physiology I with lab, 4 credits
• Anatomy & Physiology II with lab, 4 credits
• General Microbiology with lab, 4 credits
• Pathophysiology, 3 credits (may be completed in first session of program)
• At time of application, prerequisites must be completed or in progress

Deadlines

• Fall cohort: application opens August 15; priority deadline February 1; final deadline June 1; decisions for applications submitted before priority deadline issued Feb 2–Feb 15; decisions for later applications approximately 1 month after receipt
• Spring cohort: application opens March 1; priority deadline June 1; final deadline November 1; decisions for applications submitted before priority deadline issued June 2–June 15; decisions for later applications approximately 1 month after receipt

Application

• Apply through NursingCAS; manual entry of all courses including prerequisites required
• Upload full transcript history to NursingCAS and request official transcripts from all prior institutions to NursingCAS
• Upload resume and pay NursingCAS application fee
• If admitted, submit official high school transcripts to Edgewood University Office of Undergraduate Admissions when requested
• Admitted students must accept offer by the date on the offer letter and submit a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit within 30 days (applied toward final semester tuition)

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed by School of Nursing Admissions Committee (nursing faculty); recommendations made to the Dean; Dean makes final admission decisions
• Admission factors: cumulative GPA, science/math GPA, prior academic records, credits completed
• Program enrollment capped at 21 students per cohort (fall and spring)
• Priority given to applicants with prerequisite GPA ≥ 3.0; additional considerations include CNA licensure, prior healthcare experience, professional/personal achievements, second-language proficiency, and volunteer experience
• After priority deadline, admissions operate on rolling basis

Cost & Financial Aid

• Program cost listed at $45,000 (includes nursing courses, clinical fees, lab fees, ATI testing, on-campus parking during classes)
• Items not included in tuition: textbooks, clinical attire/materials; additional assessment/testing packages and travel costs may apply
• Federal and private loans may be available; Stafford Loan maximum cited as $12,000
• $1,000 nonrefundable deposit required upon admission (due within 30 days)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical requirement: 600 clinical hours
• Over 80 community partner sites for clinical placements across southcentral Wisconsin and northern Illinois
• Example clinical partners: SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital (Madison), American Family Children’s Hospital, UnityPoint Health-Meriter, UW Hospitals and Clinics, Veterans Administration Hospital
• Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation (CHES) with three simulated patient rooms, control rooms, audio-visual live-feed capability, high-fidelity mannequins across the lifespan, low-fidelity mannequins, and task trainers

Credit Transfer

• Post-baccalaureate students considered to have fulfilled general education requirements except COR courses; must still meet School of Nursing prerequisite requirements
• Prerequisite courses may be accepted as transfer equivalents
• Official transcripts from all prior institutions required; course entries in NursingCAS must match official transcripts

Contacts

• Amy Brinks, On-Campus ABSN Program Contact; Office: (608) 663-4124; Email: [email protected]
• Program address: 1000 Edgewood College Dr, Madison, WI 53711

Program Length & Format

• 20-24 months (24 months if science prerequisites are needed)
• Total credits: 120 semester credit hours
• Format: On-campus core nursing classes at Brookfield, Wisconsin campus with some online components
• Dual credit option available for select graduate courses towards MSN degree
• Clinicals, labs, and simulation experiences included

Admission Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED, or GED) required
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary institution or equivalent foreign degree required
• Cumulative GPA requirements:
  • 3.50-4.00: no science prerequisite or TEAS test required
  • 3.00-3.49: minimum 3.00 GPA in designated college science courses, no TEAS required
  • 2.50-2.99: composite TEAS score of 66 or higher required
• Science GPA calculated from Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Biology, Chemistry, and Microbiology; two courses must be included
• Minimum grade of B (80%) required in Anatomy & Physiology for transfer credit

Prerequisites

• Required science courses:
  • Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses (4 credits)
  • Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses (4 credits)
  • Principles of Nutrition (2 credits)
  • Microbiology (3 credits)
  • Chemistry (3 credits)
• Mathematics: Statistics (3 credits)
• Required science courses must be completed with at least a B (80%) grade; maximum two attempts allowed
• Other general education courses must be completed with at least a C (70%) grade

Selection Process

• Rolling admissions with no set application deadlines
• Admission decisions based on cumulative GPA, science GPA, TEAS score, and space availability
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition and fees estimated using Herzing University Tuition Wizard; contact school for specific costs
• Waived enrollment fee for program start date January 5th
• Transfer credit policies may reduce total tuition by up to 90 approved credits from prior degree

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical hours integrated throughout program with 630 total clinical hours
• Simulation lab experiences included for skill development
• Clinical sites located in Brookfield and surrounding community healthcare facilities

Credit Transfer

• Block transfer credit of at least 35 semester credit hours awarded for general education and open elective courses from previously earned bachelor’s degree
• Additional transfer credits for program support and non-clinical nursing courses evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Contacts

• Herzing University Brookfield/Milwaukee Campus
• Address: 15895 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield, WI 53005
• Administrative offices: 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 210, Milwaukee, WI 53203
• Toll-Free contact available; call for admissions and financial aid inquiries

Program Length & Format

• 16-month accelerated program over four consecutive, year-round semesters including summer
• Full-time with 14-17 credit hours per semester
• Clinical hours approximately 660 hours; lab hours approximately 180 hours
• Program start twice yearly: August/September and January

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited institution required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA from undergraduate degree preferred; minimum 2.7 GPA considered on case-by-case basis
• All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to program start
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions required

Prerequisites

• Anatomy and Physiology: 1 year (minimum 8 credits)
• Chemistry: 1 year (minimum 6 credits)
• College Math: minimum 3 credits
• Statistics: minimum 3 credits
• Microbiology: minimum 3 credits
• Nutrition: minimum 2 credits
• Developmental Psychology: minimum 3 credits
• Bioethics or any ethics course: minimum 3 credits
• All prerequisites must be completed before beginning the nursing program

Deadlines

• No fixed application deadline; applications accepted until cohort is full
• Admission occurs twice a year corresponding to program start dates

Application

• Online application with submission of official transcripts
• Confirmation of prerequisite course completion required before program start
• Personal statement or essay requirements not specified

Selection Process

• Interview required only if undergraduate GPA is between 2.7 and 3.0
• No interview if GPA is above 3.0
• Admission decisions based on GPA and space availability

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Approximately 660 clinical hours and 180 lab hours required
• Clinical experiences include medical/surgical, mental health, critical care (adult and neonatal), sub-acute rehabilitation, children’s hospital, community agencies, and school systems
• Simulation training conducted in the Ruehlow Nursing Complex, a technology-based simulation center
• Students participate in at least 15 simulation activities

Credit Transfer

• CLEP credit accepted for some prerequisite courses with minimum score of 60: Developmental Psychology, College Mathematics or College Algebra, Precalculus (with Trigonometry), Calculus
• CLEP credit may fulfill prerequisites but does not grant college credit for math courses

Contacts

• Program Coordinator: Havilah Normington, DNP, RN, APNP
• Contact through MSOE School of Nursing, 1025 North Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3109

Program Length & Format

• 12-month accelerated program
• 52 credit hours total
• Nursing theory courses delivered 100% online
• One two-week on-campus residency including lab and a 56-hour clinical
• Clinical rotations completed in or near student’s home community when possible

Admission Requirements

• Admission to University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and completion of a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum bachelor’s degree GPA 2.5; applicants with GPA below 2.5 may submit TEAS results meeting or exceeding national BSN program mean scores
• Minimum pre-nursing GPA 3.0 across College of Nursing prerequisites
• All prerequisite courses require minimum grade of C (no C- or CD)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification with clinical component required
• Successful criminal background check required for clinical placement
• Residency in an approved state for the duration of theory and clinical components

Entrance Exams

• TEAS: required only if bachelor’s degree GPA is below 2.5; proficiency must meet or exceed national BSN program mean scores
• TOEFL: required for applicants whose prior degree was completed outside the U.S. when instruction was not in English (see International Students for minimum score)

Prerequisites

• Six science prerequisites (lecture and laboratory required): Biological Concepts (Bio 105 or 230), Anatomy (Bio 211), Physiology (Bio 212 or 319), Microbiology (Bio 233 or 309), Chemistry I (Chem 101 or 105), Biochemistry or Chemistry II (Chem 102 or 106); at least 4 of 6 science courses must be completed at time of application; if more than four completed, GPA uses best four grades; two-semester A&P sequence must be completed at same institution
• Other prerequisites: English Composition (ENG 101 or WRT 188/287/288/310), General/Introductory Psychology (Psych 101 or 102), Growth/Development/Health Across Lifespan (Nursing 200, Psych 391 or Ed Found 377), and 6 credits of general education from prior bachelor’s degree
• Additional nursing prerequisites (required with grade C or higher but not included in admission GPA): College-level Math (Math 104 or higher or statistics), Speech/Public Speaking (Comm 111 or equivalent)

Deadlines

• February cohort application available May 1 of prior year
• May cohort application available October 1 of prior year
• October cohort application available February 1 of prior year
• Background check due one week after Accelerated BSN application submission
• Non-refundable $5,000 tuition deposit due within two weeks of acceptance

Application

• Step 1: Apply to UW–Oshkosh as transfer student/second undergraduate degree; send official transcripts to Office of Undergraduate Admissions, P.O. Box 2423, Oshkosh, WI 54903-2423
• Step 2: Complete Accelerated BSN application after NetID activation; upload required documents
• Required documents: CNA/LPN/EMT/MA certification (if EMT or MA include Manager-Supervisor Assessment), resume (maximum 2 pages), four required essays uploaded as one document
• Essay format: one page per essay, double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt Times New Roman; include full name and essay title on each page
• Step 3: Complete criminal background check via specified tracker service within one week of application (cost paid by applicant)
• Step 4: Admissions decisions communicated via UWO email

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed on a first-received, first-considered basis until cohort is filled
• Each cohort admits 30 students
• Selection factors include prerequisite course GPA, CNA experience, geographic area/clinical site availability, review of written statements, and phone interviews for eligible applicants
• Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition for the 12-month program: $50,338 (includes course software and NCLEX-RN prep course); same rate for in-state and out-of-state students
• Non-refundable $5,000 tuition deposit required within two weeks of acceptance; deposit required before financial aid can be awarded
• Federal loans available based on need and eligibility; FAFSA grants not available for second-degree students
• Additional expected costs: uniforms, textbooks, standardized tests, criminal background check fees, CPR certification, immunizations/titers, transportation, lodging during residency, stethoscope and clinical supplies

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Total clinical hours: 728 hours across six rotations
• Clinical rotation hours by course: Adult Health I 56 hours (on-campus residency), Adult Health II 112 hours over five weeks, Obstetric or Mental Health 112 hours over four weeks, Pediatric or Geriatric 112 hours over four weeks, Community Health 168 hours over six weeks, Clinical Synthesis 168 hours over five weeks
• Clinical courses use preceptor model for five rotations; preceptor qualifications and placements coordinated by Accelerated BSN administrators
• Clinical sites preferred within 65 miles of student home community; students may be required to travel and work any shift including nights, weekends, holidays
• Skills lab and clinical credit ratios: Health Assessment Lab 1:1 (14 hours per credit), Skills Lab 3:1 (42 hours per credit), Clinical Courses 4:1 (56 hours per credit)

Credit Transfer

• Transfer credit guidance available for UW System and Wisconsin Technical College courses via university transfer resources
• Out-of-state or private institution course transfer requires comparison of course descriptions; official credit evaluation provided after applying to UW–Oshkosh
• Prerequisite credits do not expire

International Students

• Submit course-by-course credential evaluation reporting grades, credits, and degree assessment via National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
• TOEFL iBT minimum score: 71; send scores directly to UW–Oshkosh (institution code 1916) when instruction was not in English

Contacts

• Accelerated BSN Option advisors: Donna Johnson (Undergraduate Nursing Office) and Kim Calmes (Accelerated BSN Option Advisor)
• General program phone: (920) 424-0777; Admissions phone: (920) 424-3164
• Admissions transcript address: Office of Undergraduate Admissions, UW Oshkosh, P.O. Box 2423, Oshkosh, WI 54903-2423
• Program office address: School of Nursing and Health Professions, Clow Social Science Center, Room S210, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901
• Oregon capacity inquiry email: [email protected]