Marian University

Marian University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, founded in 1851 by the Sisters of St. Francis. The university is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and opened their first medical school in 2013. The campus is about four miles northwest of the downtown Indianapolis area, located on 200 acres of land. The campus includes the Lake Sullivan Sports Complex, which hosts local and school sporting events. For the Fall 2017 school year, the university admitted close to 3,500 students. The university is organized into five colleges and schools. The nursing programs are offered through the Leighton School of Nursing, which was founded in 1977.

The nursing programs offered at Marian University can prepare students for a career in nursing. Options include LPN, ADN, RN to BSN, accelerated BSN, and traditional BSN programs. The ADN is accredited by the ACEN, while the nursing education programs and baccalaureate degree programs are accredited by the CCNE. Several of these programs are offered online, providing greater flexibility for working students. While the traditional BSN program is offered on-campus, the remaining programs include accelerated online courses. When completing the traditional 4-year BSN program, students have the chance to gain clinical experience at local hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Not reviewed yet

Updated on: 26 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

16-month accelerated program delivered across four full-time semesters
Hybrid format: online coursework combined with in-person skills/simulation labs and clinical rotations
Three annual start terms: January, May, August
Clinical placements begin in the first semester and continue throughout the program

Admission Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree required for second-degree applicants or required number of non-nursing college credits for transfer applicants
Minimum prior degree GPA of 2.8
Completion of all program prerequisites within specified grade and overall GPA requirements
Transfer applicants must complete an Associate of Science in Health Sciences (ASHS) from Marian University prior to entry

Prerequisites

All program prerequisites must be completed before entry into the ABSN curriculum
Prerequisite courses are available online through Marian University Online
Transfer pathway requires completion of Marian’s ASHS to satisfy prerequisite requirements

Application

Four-step process: contact an admissions advisor, complete a preliminary review, submit the ABSN application, complete prerequisites
Three annual application cycles aligned with January, May, and August start dates
Applicants must meet GPA and prerequisite completion requirements before program start

Selection Process

Admission contingent on completion of required coursework and meeting GPA/prerequisite standards
Applicants with prior degree GPA below 2.8 may be reviewed through an additional conditional process
Transfer applicants accepted after completion of the ASHS pathway and meeting admissions criteria

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Clinical rotations scheduled beginning in the first semester and continuing each semester
In-person skills and simulation lab sessions required; lab attendance typically at least two days per week during lab periods
Nashville site clinical partner: Ascension Saint Thomas; learning center located within Ascension Saint Thomas West and operates with hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday–Friday

Credit Transfer

Transfer admissions path available in Indianapolis and Nashville
Transfer students must complete Marian University’s ASHS program prior to entering the ABSN program to satisfy prerequisites