Nursing: Accelerated BSN 15 month 2nd Degree, Bachelor's

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) and Accelerated BSN Plus (ABSN+) Admissions Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major from an accredited college or university with a graduating cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (or 3.0 for the ABSN+ program) or higher on a 4.0 scale.*
• Entrance exams are NOT required.
• No additional application is needed for the ABSN Plus program.

ABSN Program Prerequisite Requirements:

Completion of the following courses or course equivalents, either at DeSales University or another accredited college or university, within 5 years of entering the Accelerated BSN Program, with a grade of “C” or higher**:

• BI263: Anatomy & Physiology I w/ Lab - 4 credits
• BI264: Anatomy & Physiology II w/ Lab - 4 credits
• BI252: Microbiology w/ Lab - 4 credits
• CH107: Physiological Chemistry w/ Lab (must include all 3 topics: general, biochemistry, and organic) – 5 credits
• MA111: Probability and Statistics - 3 credits
• NU305: Therapeutic Nutrition – 3 credits+
• PS240: Human Development (must cover full lifespan: conception to death) - 3 credits

ABSN+ Program Prerequisite Requirements:

Completion of the following courses or course equivalents, either at DeSales University or another accredited college or university, within 5 years of entering the Accelerated BSN Plus Program, with a grade of “B” or higher**:

• BI263: Anatomy & Physiology I w/ Lab - 4 credits
• BI264: Anatomy & Physiology II w/ Lab - 4 credits
• BI252: Microbiology w/ Lab - 4 credits
• CH107: Physiological Chemistry w/ Lab (must include all 3 topics: general, biochemistry, and organic) – 5 credits

Completion of the following courses or course equivalents, either at DeSales University or another accredited college or university, within 5 years of entering the Accelerated BSN Plus Program, with a grade of “C” or higher**:

• MA111: Probability and Statistics - 3 credits
• NU305: Therapeutic Nutrition – 3 credits+
• PS240: Human Development (must cover full lifespan: conception to death) - 3 credits

* Applicants may submit an application with degree program still in progress
** Applicants may submit an application with prerequisite courses in progress
+ Must be taught by a Registered Dietician

Three (3) of the seven (7) prerequisite courses must be completed, or currently in progress with visible grades, in order to secure an interview and receive decision for the ABSN program.

Prerequisite courses require a minimum grade of “C” or higher. A maximum of three (3) “C’s” out of the seven (7) prerequisite courses will be accepted. Submission of four (4) or more “C’s” will result in revocation of your provisional acceptance.

Due to the competitive nature of this program and seat availability, demonstrating minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the DeSales Accelerated nursing program. All decisions are final.

Learn how to apply

In the DeSales University Accelerated BSN program, your courses will move quickly. However, you'll have the benefit of supportive, hands-on faculty to guide you through the program.

Here's a glimpse at a sample schedule for the 15-month Accelerated BSN program. All nursing classes are held on-campus at the Center Valley site.  

Summer I Semester

Session 1 (begins in mid-May)

• NU 205 - Fundamentals of Nursing
• NU 215 - Health and Physical Assessment

Session 1-2

• NU 220 - Pharmacology

Session 2 (July through mid-August)

• NU 230 - Therapeutic Nursing Interventions

Fall Semester

• NU 320: Health Risk Models and Research
• NU 335: The Chronically Ill Adult
• NU 350: Nursing of the Childbearing Family
• NU 380: Healthcare Informatics

Spring Semester

• NU 340: Mental Health Nursing
• NU 365: Nursing Care of Children
• NU 370: Nursing of the Older Adult
• NU 430: Nursing of the Acutely Ill Adult

Summer II Semester

Session 1 (mid-May through June)

• NU 440: Community and Public Health Nursing

Session 1-2

• NU 452: Senior Integrating Seminar

Session 2 (July through mid-August)

• NU 454: Clinical Nursing Internship

DeSales University is home to some of the most advanced simulation technology in a university setting.

Simulation captures the key characteristics and behaviors of real life clinical events and gives students the opportunity to practice clinical skills, repeat procedures, fine-tune processes, and observe the impact of their choices — all without harm to patients. 

The DeSales family of Human Patient Simulators (HPS)

HPS, also known as high-fidelity manikins, are life-like models of the human body with software/computer equipment components to mimic human bodily functions. The HSC maintains several HPSs, including a pregnant mother and new-born infant.

Clinical Skills Lab 

Our clinical skills suite provides both a 12 bed in-patient and a 12 bed out-patient practice environment. Students can practice a wide variety of clinical skills with low fidelity mannequins. Task Trainers help students gain expertise in technical procedures and clinical skills such as foley catheter placement or pelvic examination for undergraduate students and more advanced skills such as central line placement or peripheral IV insertion, for our graduate students.

Standardized Patient Program

This on-campus suite replicates a functioning healthcare office, complete with a waiting room, and 8 fully equipped examination rooms. Standardized Patients are real people who are specially-trained to portray different patient scenarios, where they are treated as real patients by DeSales students. They actively participate in the instruction, practice, and assessment of the physical examination skills of our students, nurses, and physician assistants. Become a standardized patient 

Education Management

Our Education Management Solutions, Inc. system (EMS) provides a comprehensive solution for the labs;. Digital AV software and hardware allow faculty to capture both the simulations and standardized patient environments for further review. The results provide a digital video record of individual and team performance, which assist in evaluating a student’s performance when faced with realistic clinical challenges.

2023-24 Academic Year

Tuition: $48,800

Tuition payable each term:

• Summer I  - $12,200
• Fall - $12,200
• Spring - $12,200
• Summer II - $12,200

Tuition covers costs of all nursing coursework, all fees, standardized program testing, and NCLEX-RN preparatory review. Each semester is billed separately and is due before the next semester begins. Tuition is the same cost regardless of your state of residence.

*All rates are subject to annual increases beginning May (Summer I Session).

• Accelerated BSN Program Information Sheet 2023-2024

ABSN Withdrawal Refund Policy

We're glad you're interested in applying for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at DeSales.

As part of the application process, we ask that you carefully review these guidelines prior to applying. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.  

• Apply directly to DeSales
  Annual Deadline: January 1

ABSN/ABSN+ Application Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major from an accredited college or university with a graduating cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (or a GPA of 3.0 for ABSN+ program) or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Completed prerequisite coursework.
• Official transcripts of all coursework taken at any accredited university or college 
  • Electronic official transcripts can be sent to: gradadmissions@desales.edu
  • Paper official transcripts can be mailed to: 
    DeSales University
    ATTN: Admissions Office
    2755 Station Ave.
    Center Valley PA 18034
  • Nursing courses from other universities or institutions will not transfer; all nursing courses, with the exception of NU 305 Therapeutic Nutrition, must be completed at DeSales University.
  • All transcripts from any degree-granting institution outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES approved evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Inc., with the resulting report submitted directly to the address above.  Please visit naces.org for additional information. DeSales University’s institutional reporting code is 002021
• ABSN Personal Statement — Explain how the program will help you achieve your professional goals and your motivation to become a nurse.
• Copy of current résumé.