University of Missouri-Columbia School of Nursing

Program Length & Format

• 17-month on-campus
• 61 nursing credit hours delivered over 4 semesters
• Start terms: January (spring) or August (fall)
• Includes one 10-week summer session as semester two or three depending on start term

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field must be completed before starting Accelerated courses
• Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 (no rounding)
• Official transcripts submitted to MU Admissions for GPA verification
• Resume required using the provided resume template
• Applicants must complete or be in progress with required prerequisites at time of application

Prerequisites

• Seven prerequisite courses required:
  • Chemistry (3–4 credits, lab not required)
  • Nutrition or Diet Therapy (3 credits)
  • Microbiology (4–5 credits, laboratory required)
  • Human Anatomy (4–5 credits, laboratory required)
  • Physiology (4–5 credits, laboratory required)
  • Pathophysiology (4–5 credits) — MU pathophysiology requires Anatomy and Physiology
  • Statistics (3 credits)
• Minimum grade of C required in each prerequisite course
• Prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or university

Prerequisite Completion Timeline

• January (fall-start) application cycle: at least 5 of 7 prerequisites completed at time of application; all prerequisites completed by end of spring semester
• September (spring-start) application cycle: at least 5 of 7 prerequisites completed at time of application; all prerequisites completed by end of fall semester

Curriculum

• Total nursing hours: 61 credit hours across 4 semesters
• Semester one (15 credits): Pharmacology & Nursing Implications I (4), Nursing Fundamentals & Assessment (8), Holistic Health Promotion & Wellness (3)
• Semester two (16 credits): Adult Nursing: Common Health Conditions (6), Mental Health Nursing (4), Pharmacology & Nursing Implications II (2), Introduction to Nursing Science & Informatics (4)
• Semester three (16 credits): Geriatrics & Chronic Health Conditions (4), Reproductive & Neonatal Nursing (4), Pediatric Nursing (4), Nursing Leadership & Ethics (4)
• Semester four (14 credits): Community Health Nursing (3), Community Health Nursing Clinical (1), Adult Nursing: Complex Health Conditions (7), Transition to Nursing Practice (3)

Deadlines

• To start clinical in spring term: apply by September 15
• To start clinical in fall term: apply by January 31
• Online application available at least one month prior to each deadline

Application

• Complete online program application
• Submit official college transcripts to MU Admissions
• Submit resume using the Sinclair School of Nursing resume template
• Bachelor’s degree must be completed before beginning Accelerated coursework

Selection Process

• Admissions reviewed using a holistic, space-available process
• Required materials considered include prerequisite completion, cumulative GPA, and resume
• Interview required; applicants evaluated on attributes including understanding of nursing role, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, resiliency, inclusivity, and ethical decision making
• Admission decisions influenced by program capacity and space availability

Program Capacity

• Up to 32 students admitted per fall semester and up to 32 students admitted per spring semester

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Curriculum includes classroom instruction, Simulation Center training, and clinical experiences at approved clinical sites
• Community Health Nursing Clinical listed as 1 credit within final semester
• Nursing clinical curriculum scheduled for revision beginning fall 2025 to meet accreditation standards

Cost & Financial Aid

• Estimated in-state program cost: $35,684 (illustrative)
• Grants typically not available for second bachelor’s programs
• Federal student loans may be used if borrower has remaining loan eligibility from first degree
• MU Health scholarship: $15,000 award available; application during first semester of Accelerated program; requires two-year work commitment at MU Health after graduation

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite courses may be completed at any accredited college or university
• Degree audit system imports MU coursework, transfer courses, and courses in progress for evaluation

International Students

• If English is a second language, one of the following required:
  • TOEFL iBT minimum composite score 84 and minimum speaking sub-score 26
  • IELTS minimum overall score 6.5 and minimum speaking band score 8

Contacts

• MU Sinclair School of Nursing student services phone: 573-882-0277
• General email: [email protected]
• MU Sinclair School of Nursing address: 915 Hitt Street, Columbia, MO 65211