Second Degree BSN (Accelerated BSN)

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN) is designed for the individual who already has completed a baccalaureate program in another area of study from a regionally accredited college or university and wishes to obtain a degree in nursing.

The Accelerated BSN is a four semester program beginning in the summer semester.  Admission occurs at summer semester only.  Students will progress through the curriculum taking the courses as they appear in the program plan.  Students will complete the program in August of the next year with a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

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Second Degree BSN (Accelerated BSN) program brochure

Second Degree BSN (Accelerated BSN) Curriculum Guide

Applicants must meet specific admission requirements and all prerequisite science courses must be completed within five years of application to the program.

Application deadline

The deadline to apply for the May 2013 class is December 1, 2012

Information packet

• Accelerated BSN Information Packet:
  1. General Information Letter
  2. Prospect Record Form (application)
  3. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
  4. Background Check Information 
  5. Student Handbook

Admission requirements

1. Admission to The University of Akron
2. Full-time status
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. Resume
6. A 500-word personal statement addressing how you can contribute to the field of nursing
7. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four year college or university
8. Completion of the prerequisite courses prior to beginning the first nursing course
9. Prerequisite science courses completed within five years of application to the program. Science courses must have a lab component.
10. Prerequisite science courses must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Important note:  Completion of all admission criteria does not guarantee admission to the accelerated program.

Admissions procedure

Copies of your transcripts should be submitted along with the Prospect Record Form to the Student Success Center in the College of Health Professions. You will receive a written evaluation of the prerequisites you have completed along with those that need to be completed.  From this point forward, the student must maintain close contact with the coordinator in order to ensure proper progression towards entry into the program.

Prerequisites may be completed at any regionally accredited university or community college.  This course work must be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to the summer of entry into the program.

If you are not a University of Akron student, you will receive written instructions on how to formally apply to the University of Akron and the School of Nursing once prerequisites are completed.  If you are currently a University of Akron student, you will receive instructions on how to formally apply for the accelerated program.

If you are interested in applying for this program and have any questions, Bonita Byrd, the administrative assistant for the accelerated option, is available to contact for assistance.

Prerequisite courses

• 8 credit hours Chemistry (any combination of inorganic, organic, biochemistry) with lab
• 8 credit hours Anatomy and Physiology with lab
• 3 credit hours Microbiology with lab
• 3-4 credit hours Developmental Psychology
• 3-4 credit hours Science of Nutrition
• 3 credit hours Introduction to Ethics
• 3-4 credit hours Basic Statistics or Stats for Everyday Life 

Background check

The college requires entering students to submit to a background check.