The accelerated BSN option is an intense 18-month, on-campus option for students who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a field other than nursing. PLEASE NOTE: The Accelerated BSN is no longer a summer start program. The next application will occur in January 2025 to start classes in the Fall 2025 semester.
Why is our Accelerated BSN program a good choice for nurses?
By integrating professional, theoretical and liberal-arts knowledge, the undergraduate program prepares nurses to provide direct and indirect care to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations. Graduates can function as providers, designers, and coordinators of care and as members of the nursing profession. Graduates may also choose to continue their education in advanced practice, educator, leadership care management and research roles.
Requirements
Following admission to the program students complete 61 credit hours of nursing courses over 4 semesters.
A non-nursing bachelor’s degree must be completed before starting Accelerated courses.
A 3.0 cumulative GPA or greater is required to apply. Your GPA will be verified through the MU Admissions Office upon acceptance to the university. Official transcripts must be submitted to the MU Admissions office.
Students who have been successful in the Accelerated BSN have demonstrated an ability to handle a fast-paced intense learning environment. They possess organizational and time management skills and are highly motivated.
The Accelerated BSN has a twice a year start date beginning in January or August. This includes either a spring, summer, fall and spring session or a fall, spring, summer and fall session. All regular scheduled MU breaks and holidays are observed.
Financial planning for a second degree is crucial. Investigating your financial/tuition options is highly recommended. Go to MU Financial Aid to explore your options
International Requirements
If English is your second language, successfully passing TOEFL or the IELTS is required. Applicants must achieve a minimum composite score of 84 and minimum speaking sub-score of 26 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an overall score of 6.5, with a minimum speaking band score of 8 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Prerequisite Course Requirements
There are seven prerequisite courses. At the time of application, you must have completed five of the seven prerequisites and be currently enrolled in no more than two of the remaining prerequisites.
Chemistry – 3-4 credit hours (does not require a lab)
Nutrition or Diet Therapy – 3 credit hours
Microbiology – 4 to 5 credit hours (lab requirement)
Human Anatomy – 4 to 5 credit hours (lab requirement)
Physiology – 4 to 5 credit hours (lab requirement)
Pathophysiology* – 4 to 5 credit hours
Statistics – 3 credit hours
*MU’s Pathophysiology course prerequisite is Anatomy and Physiology
Prerequisite Completion Timeline
January Application:
· 5 of the 7 prerequisite courses must be completed before applying.
· All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester.
September Application:
· 5 of the 7 prerequisite courses must be completed before applying.
· All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the fall semester.
Prerequisite courses may be taken at any accredited college or university. Depending on the college or university, certain courses may be required as a prerequisite to these requirements. Completion of prerequisite courses require a minimum grade of C.
Funding Your Education
Estimated in-state cost for the BSN program is $36,000* for the Accelerated BSN.
Typically, grants are not available since this is a second bachelor’s program. Traditional student loans can be used if a student did not use all of their available loans during their first degree. Students in financial need should also consider utilizing the Nursing Federal Loan program. Please consult with MU Financial Aid to learn more about financing your program.
Another option to finance your program is the MU Health scholarship. Students can apply for this scholarship during their first semester in the Accelerated program. This option requires the student to work at MU Health for two years after they graduate. MU Health provides $15,000 towards the program and pay back is not required as long as the student works with MU Health for two years following graduation from the Accelerated program.
Students are also encouraged to seek internal, departmental scholarships. These scholarships may be applied to the fall and spring semesters.
The School of Nursing also keeps a list of external scholarships.
*Program cost is for in-state tuition and illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your state of residence, transfer hours, course choices at Mizzou and your academic progress. See more about tuition from the Cashier’s Office.
