DeSales University Department of Nursing

Program Length & Format

• 15 consecutive months
• Credit hours: 63
• Format: In-class, day program with in-person clinical and lab components
• Program start: May each year

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major from an accredited college or university
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (3.0 required for ABSN+ applicants)
• Completion of required prerequisites within 5 years of program start
• Functional abilities essential for nursing practice must be met
• Provisional acceptance contingent on negative FBI fingerprinting and nationwide criminal background check

Entrance Exams

• International applicants whose native language is not English: TOEFL iBT required
• TOEFL requirement: total score 100 with minimum speaking score 26; test must be within two years of application

Prerequisites

• Required courses (must be completed within 5 years): Anatomy & Physiology I w/ lab; Anatomy & Physiology II w/ lab; Microbiology w/ lab; Physiological Chemistry w/ lab (must include general, biochemistry, organic); Probability and Statistics; Therapeutic Nutrition (taught by a Registered Dietitian); Human Development (full lifespan)
• Minimum grade: C or higher in each prerequisite; maximum of three C grades accepted; C- does not qualify
• For ABSN+ applicants: A or B grade requirements for A&P I & II, Microbiology, and Physiological Chemistry as specified for that option
• Applicants may apply with prerequisites in progress; three of seven prerequisites must be completed or in progress with visible grades to be considered for interview

Deadlines

• Annual application deadline: January 1
• Program cohort start: May each year

Application

• Required items: completed application, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, two professional recommendation letters, personal essay (maximum 2 typed pages), current resume
• International transcripts: official WES or other NACES-approved credential evaluation required for degrees from outside the U.S.
• Nursing coursework from other institutions will not transfer except NU305 Therapeutic Nutrition
• Accepted applicants must submit a $500 nonrefundable seat deposit to secure placement; deposit credited toward tuition upon matriculation

Selection Process

• Applicants reviewed on a rolling basis; select applicants invited for interview until cohort is filled
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission; admission decisions are final
• Offers of admission are provisional pending FBI fingerprinting and nationwide criminal background check; positive results revoke provisional acceptance with no appeals

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition for 2025-26: $48,800 total
• Tuition payment schedule: four flat term payments of $12,200 each (Summer I, Fall, Spring, Summer II)
• Tuition includes nursing coursework, fees, standardized testing, and NCLEX-RN preparatory review; rates subject to annual increases beginning May (Summer I session)
• Two ABSN-specific scholarships: Dr. Caroline Hollshwandner Scholarship and Stabler Scholarship, each up to $5,000
• Costs borne by student: background checks, FBI fingerprinting, immunizations, clinical clearance, and other clinical requirement expenses
• DeSales alumni eligible for one free 3-credit ABSN course subject to eligibility; contact [email protected] or 610-282-1100 x1509 for details

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical hours and facilities: same clinical hour requirements as traditional BSN; clinical placements with community healthcare partners and approved clinical sites
• Clinical clearance requirements: physical exam, immunizations (Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B series), TB screening, annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations as required by clinical partners; Hepatitis B series must be completed before April of first year
• Simulation facilities: clinical skills lab with 12-bed inpatient and 12-bed outpatient practice environments; human patient simulators including birthing room and AI-enabled manikin; standardized patient suite with waiting room and 8 exam rooms
• Digital recording system (EMS) used for capture and review of simulation and standardized patient encounters
• Affiliating clinical agencies may deny student participation for positive drug tests, criminal records, pending charges, or inability to provide required health documentation

Credit Transfer

• All nursing courses must be completed at DeSales University except NU305 Therapeutic Nutrition, which may transfer
• Prerequisite courses may be completed at any accredited institution or by CLEP where applicable
• All transcripts from degree-granting institutions outside the U.S. require evaluation by a NACES-approved service (e.g., WES)

International Students

• TOEFL iBT required for applicants whose native language is not English (total 100; speaking 26 minimum; test within two years)
• International transcripts require a WES or other NACES-approved credential evaluation submitted to DeSales University (institutional reporting code 002021)

Contacts

• Office of Admissions: DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034
• School of Nursing contact email: [email protected]
• Phone: 610-282-1100, ext. 1509