Drexel University College of Nursing

Program Length & Format

• 11-month Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) BSN program
• Full-time day program with classes five days per week; weekday, evening, and Saturday classes or clinicals may be required
• Four consecutive 10-week terms
• Majority of coursework on campus with limited online components
• New cohorts admitted in Fall (September) and Spring (late March/early April)

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; proof of conferment due by August 1 (fall) or January 15 (spring)
• Minimum overall undergraduate GPA 3.0 or minimum 3.0 GPA in most recent 60 semester hours
• Prerequisite course grades generally B or better in science courses
• Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores unless waived

Entrance Exams

• TOEFL iBT: minimum combined score 79 and speaking section 26 or higher
• TOEFL paper-based: total 550 and TSE minimum 55
• IELTS: minimum overall 6.5 and speaking section 7.5
• Duolingo English Test accepted (no numeric threshold listed in source)
• TOEFL/IELTS/DET scores valid up to two years from test date
• TOEFL code for Drexel: 2194
• Waivers available for applicants who (a) completed English Composition I and II with grade C or higher at a regionally accredited U.S. institution, (b) studied and graduated for minimum four years at a school where English is primary language of instruction, or (c) are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree
• English Composition: 3 semester credits
• Developmental Psychology (lifespan): 3 semester credits
• Human Nutrition: 3 semester credits
• Statistics: 3 semester credits
• General Chemistry I with lab: 4 semester credits
• Microbiology with lab: 4 semester credits
• Anatomy & Physiology options (semester credits):
  • Anatomy I with lab (4) AND Physiology I with lab (4), OR
  • Anatomy & Physiology I (4) AND Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4)
• Three of the four science prerequisites must be completed at time of application; the Anatomy/Physiology sequence must be two of them
• Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology must be taken within 5 years of program start; all other prerequisites within 10 years
• Prerequisites based on semester calendar; quarter-system Anatomy/Physiology may require A&P I, II, and III

Deadlines

• Fall term:
  • Priority One application deadline: October 15 (applications reviewed by November 30)
  • Priority Two application deadline: December 1
  • Rolling review begins December 2; review takes 5–6 weeks after receipt of all documents
  • Prerequisites must be completed by August 1 for fall admission
• Spring term:
  • Priority One application deadline: April 15 (applications reviewed by May 30)
  • Priority Two application deadline: June 1
  • Rolling review begins June 2; review takes 5–6 weeks after receipt of all documents
  • Prerequisites must be completed by January 15 for spring admission
• Application review begins about one year in advance; applicants may have only one active application at a time

Application

• Complete Drexel undergraduate application for ACE program
• Official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended sent directly to Drexel
• International transcripts (except study abroad) require a course-by-course evaluation from an approved agency
• Proof of bachelor’s degree conferment by program-specific deadline (August 1 or January 15)

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed after priority deadlines on a rolling basis until class fills
• Priority deadlines guarantee committee review by specified dates; rolling applicants reviewed in order received
• Application review time: approximately 5–6 weeks after receipt of complete application and supporting documents
• Admissions decisions made until class capacity is reached; if class fills before decision, applicants are notified with next-step instructions

Compliance

• Students must complete program compliance requirements including background checks and clearances; some steps completed post-confirmation
• Criminal background checks required and must be clear for program participation
• Clinical training authorization requirements may apply for international students (see International Students)

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition per term (2025–2026): $15,459
• Estimated full program tuition (11-month ACE): $61,836
• Program fees: first term $4,036; subsequent terms $50 per term
• Program not eligible for institutional aid
• Federal aid options available via FAFSA; Drexel FAFSA school code 003256
• Financing options referenced: federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, private education loans, quarterly payment plans

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical training component required
• Clinical placements include hospital settings and other healthcare sites; common employment settings for graduates listed as medical, surgical, critical care, emergency department, obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology, psychiatric, and gerontological units
• Simulation and instructional spaces located in Drexel Health Sciences Building (460,000 square feet) with simulation laboratories
• Clinical scheduling may include weekdays, evenings, and weekends

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite and transfer courses accepted from regionally accredited colleges and universities
• Minimum grade of C required for course credits to transfer
• Online courses accepted if from regionally accredited institution
• Transfer credit evaluations completed after admission
• Program and Drexel degree credit totals (quarter credits): students transfer in 134.0 quarter credits (96.0 from prior bachelor’s and 38.0 from prerequisites) and receive 84.0 quarter credits upon completion, for a total of 218.0 quarter credits required for degree

International Students

• Clinical training requires Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization for students in F-1 status
• CPT eligibility requires at least one full academic year of lawful full-time enrollment immediately prior to CPT start; students who have not met this requirement are not eligible to fulfill clinical requirements under F-1 status
• International applicants with coursework from non-U.S. institutions must submit course-by-course transcript evaluations
• Proof of financial responsibility required for I-20/DS-2019 and visa processing

Contacts

• Admissions phone for application questions and changes: 215.895.2400
• General university contact: 215.895.2000
• College of Nursing and Health Professions address: 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104