Kent State University at Kent College of Nursing

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