Accelerated BSN Pathway

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The College of Nursing has a special Accelerated BSN Pathway for academically qualified and highly motivated individuals who wish to earn the BSN degree. Students are admitted to the Accelerated BSN program twice each year: January and July.

The pre-professional component must be completed prior to admission to the professional component in nursing. Enrollment into the pre-professional component as a nursing major does not assure the student admission to the Professional Component. 

The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College select applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Enrollment in the Professional Component is limited and competitive. Students are admitted without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or qualified disability. Students must be in good standing with all academic institutions/nursing programs that they have attended in order to be admitted to the BSN program.

Students in the Professional Component are required to complete clinical requirements. BSN students may be required to complete clinical rotations on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as well as weekdays.

 

▼   Start Date for Accelerated BSN Program

The Accelerated BSN program does not follow the University of South Alabama Academic Calendar.  Students beginning the Accelerated BSN program in the Spring semester will start classes the first week of January. Students beginning the Accelerated BSN program in the Fall semester will start classes in mid-July. Attendance on the first day of classes is required to begin the Accelerated BSN program.

NOTE: Students enrolled in the Accelerated BSN program may be required to complete more than twenty (20) hours per week during clinical courses.

▼    Application Deadlines
  • Spring Admission – Application Deadlines
    Priority Deadline - August 1st
    Final Deadline – December 8th
  • Fall Admission – Application Deadlines
    Priority Deadline – March 15th
    Final Deadline – June 1st  
▼   Requirements for Admission to the Accelerated BSN Track  

Admission is selective* and competitive. The curriculum is fast-paced. The College of Nursing reserves the right to select students determined to be the best qualified and most likely to succeed in this challenging nursing program.

  1. Submission of a completed application with a $50 fee.
  2. Applicants must have completed all prerequisite course work (as listed on this website) with a minimum GPA of 2.75 ("A"=4.0).  
  3. Minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses. 
  4. Minimum University of South Alabama GPA of 2.5 and be in good standing within the University.
  5. Submit unofficial transcripts from other universities to the College of Nursing via email (conbsn@southalabama.edu) for review of prerequisite courses.
  6. Admission will be contingent on submission of health data forms, evidence of health insurance, and CPR certification.
  7. Admission will be contingent on a negative drug screen and results of an acceptable background check.
  8. Students who have attended a Nursing program at another school are required
    to provide the following to the College of Nursing email at conbsn@southalabama.edu
    1. Letter of Good Standing (verifying student was in good moral, ethical, and legal standing with no previous disciplinary action)from the Nursing Program, signed by the Nursing Administrator of the program
    2. Transcript of all nursing courses taken with the grades earned
    3. Transfer credit will be considered upon review of course syllabi
  9. Students dismissed from a previous nursing program may be considered as follows:
    1. Admission will only be considered for the Traditional BSN program
    2. Students will compete for a seat among all other applicants to the program.
    3. All previous nursing courses will be evaluated and accepted based on college and University requirements.

* Students who apply for admission to Traditional BSN with an overall GPA of 3.75 will be offered an opportunity for admission to the Accelerated BSN pathway.  The Advising Department will contact students who meet this criterion.

▼   Prerequisites for the Accelerated BSN program

(To be successfully completed before admission to the Professional Component)

Course Credit Hours
BLY 101 & BLY 101L Life Sciences & Lab (or higher) 4

BLY 213 & BLY 214 Microbiology & Lab OR 

BMD 210 & BMD 210L Microbiology in Healthcare & Lab
4
BMD 251 Human Anatomy & Physiology I Includes Lab 4
BMD 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II Includes Lab 4
CH 101 & CH 101L Chemistry & Lab (or higher) 4
PSY 120 Introduction to Psychology 3
ST 210 / ST 305 / BUS 245 / PSY 220 (Select one) 3
Total Prerequisite Credits 26  

This evaluation by the College of Nursing is valid for only one year. It is contingent upon the Transfer Credit Articulation completed by the Office of Admissions at the time of acceptance to USA.

Students can use the USA Transfer Evaluation System to assess which credits earned at their current or former school may transfer to the University of South Alabama.  This is an unofficial course evaluation. 

Transfer Students can locate information on admission requirements, Pathway USA Program, Transfer Center, General Education/Core Curriculum, and STARS Guide on the USA Transfer Student page.

▼   Accelerated BSN Curriculum – Fall Admission
Fall Semester Credits
Fall Semester Long courses (13 weeks)  
NU 325 Health Assessment 3
NU 327 Pathophysiological Basis Nsg 3
HSC 343 Clinical Pharmacology 3
Fall 1 (3 weeks) 3
Nu 311 Clinical Nursing Skills 3
NU 312 Clinical Skills Immersion 1
HSC 342 Administration of Medication 1
 Fall 2 (3 weeks)  
CMN 350 Psych/Mental Health Nsg 2
CMN 351 Psych/Mental Health Nursing Clinical   2
Fall 3 (7 weeks)  
NU 300 Foundations Prof Nsg 5
NU 301 Foundations Prof Nsg Clinical 3
Semester Credits 26
Spring Semester Credits
Spring Semester Long course (13 weeks)  
NU 304 Evidence Based Practice 3
Spring 1 (7 weeks)  
MCN 352 Obstetric & Gynecologic Nursing Care 2
MCN 353 Obstetric & Gynecologic Nursing Clinical 2
MCN 354 Pediatric Nursing Care 2
MCN 355 Pediatric Nursing Care Clinical 2
Spring 1 (7 weeks)  
AHN 447 Adult-Geron Nsg 4
AHN 448 Adult-Geron Nsg Clinical 4
Spring 2 (3 weeks)  
CMN 420 Community Hlth Nsg 3
CMN 421 Comm Hlth Nsg Clinical 1
Semester Credits 23
Summer Semester Credits
Summer Semester Long Course (13 weeks)  
NU 414 Issues & Trends in Healthcare 3
NU 332 Clinical Nutrition 2
Summer 3 (7 weeks)  
NU 412 Decision Making & Delegation 3
NU 460 Practicum 5
Semester Credits 13

TOTAL CREDITS: 62

Graduates who wish to apply to the Master of Science (MSN) or BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs must possess an active, unrestricted nursing license.

BSN Accelerated Fall Admission Schedule Revised June 2019

▼   Accelerated BSN Curriculum – Spring Admission
Spring Semester Credits
Spring Semester Long course (13 weeks)  
NU 325 Health Assessment 3
NU 327 Pathophysiological Basis Nsg 3
HSC 343 Clinical Pharmacology 3
Spring 1 (3 weeks)  
Nu 311 Clinical Nursing Skills 3
NU 312 Clinical Skills Immersion 1
HSC 342 Administration of Medication 1
Spring 2 (3 weeks)  
CMN 350 Psych/Mental Health Nsg 2
CMN 351 Psych/Mental Health Nursing Clinical   2
Spring 3 (7 weeks)  
NU 300 Foundations Prof Nsg 5
NU 301 Foundations Prof Nsg Clinical 3
Semester Credits 26
Summer Semester Credits
Summer Semester Long Course (13 weeks)  
NU 304 Evidence Based Practice 3
Summer 1 (7 weeks)  
MCN 352 Obstetric & Gynecologic Nursing Care 2
MCN 353 Obstetric & Gynecologic Nursing Clinical 2
MCN 354 Pediatric Nursing Care 2
MCN 355 Pediatric Nursing Care Clinical 2
Semester Credits 11
Fall Semester Credits
Fall Semester Long courses (13 weeks)  
NU 414 Issues & Trends in Healthcare 3
NU 332 Clinical Nutrition 2
Fall 1 (7 weeks)  
AHN 447 Adult-Geron Nsg 4
AHN 448 Adult-Geron Nsg Clinical 4
Fall 2 (3 weeks)  
CMN 420 Community Hlth Nsg 3
CMN 421 Comm Hlth Nsg Clinical Fall 3 (7 weeks) 1
Fall 3 (7 weeks)  
NU 412 Decision Making & Delegation 3
NU 460 Practicum 5
Semester Credits 25

TOTAL CREDITS: 62

Graduates who wish to apply to the Master of Science (MSN) or BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs must possess an active, unrestricted nursing license.

BSN Accelerated Spring Admission Schedule_Revised June 2019

▼   Health Requirements

Please note the following test, titers, and immunizations are required for admission into the Nursing Program. It is very important to start working on these requirements early to allow time to complete all of them by the deadline that will be included in admission packets.

  • Two Hepatitis B adult immunizations to start clinical rotations; Third dose and follow-up titer required to continue.
  • Proof of two MMR immunizations or titer 
  • Positive Varicella titer; If negative, a booster immunization is required.
  • Flu Vaccine
  • TB Test (Initial 2-step PPD test or blood test {Quantiferon Gold test or T-spot] 1-step PPD test or blood test annually thereafter)
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (TDaP) Vaccine

*Hepatitis B immunizations may take up to 6 months to obtain the full adult series of immunizations as well as another month after the last immunization to have the titer completed. As defined by the CDC, adult immunization schedules refer to adults aged 19 years or older.

Students accepted into this BSN program in the College of Nursing are required to complete all requirements under Medical Documents Manager as listed on the Health Requirements Webpage at http://www.southalabama. edu/colleges/con/clinical/ healthrequirements.html.  All requirements should be completed no later than one month prior to the first day of classes for the professional component.  Students are not required to order a Castle Branch account until they have been accepted into the professional component.

▼   On-Campus Housing

Accelerated BSN Pathway students are eligible for on-campus university housing. Note that university housing operates on the University of South Alabama Academic Calendar. So, if you need to move in prior to the official residence hall opening date, you must contact USA Housing directly to schedule an early move-in. Early move-in is not guaranteed. You are encouraged to apply for housing and contact USA Housing as soon as possible.