Welcome to Arkansas State University!

2nd Degree Accelerated

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

College: College of Nursing and Health Professions

Department: Nursing

Degree Availability

The Second Degree Accelerated BSN program will transition to an online format beginning March 4th, 2024. Didactic courses will be presented online, while practicum courses will remain in-person in the Jonesboro, AR area. One or more rotations may occur in Memphis, TN, but that will depend on the availability of clinical space. Students will be informed of travel requirements the term before they are expected to travel.  The first cohort will begin in Spring 2024, Session II (March 4th). Prerequisites will remain the same as listed on this page, with a prerequisite GPA of at least 3.0 required for admission. The HESI admission exam will no longer be required for admission to this program. The official website for the Online 2nd Degree Accelerated BSN program can be found here. For more information, please email nursinginfo@astate.edu or call (870) 972-3074.

2nd Degree Accelerated BSN Applications now open. Apply here!  

For application instructions, please see the "Admission Process" tab below.

DEADLINE for Spring Session II 2024 Start:

February 19, 2024

Description

The nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level is a professional who has acquired a well-delineated and broad knowledge base for practice. The role of a baccalaureate graduate is multifaceted and developed through extensive study in the areas of liberal education, professional values, core competencies, core knowledge and role development. This knowledge base prepares the beginning baccalaureate graduate to function as a provider of direct and indirect care to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations.

The baccalaureate graduate is also a member of the profession and a designer, manager and coordinator of care. Additionally, the baccalaureate prepared nurse has a background in teaching, research and management skills which lays the foundation for leadership positions and graduate education.

Curriculum

The School of Nursing offers students who have earned a Bachelors degree in another field the opportunity to complete an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing option. The course of study for the BSN degree is completed in 14 months.

Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Undergraduate Bulletin.

Undergraduate Bulletin Reference
2022-23 Undergraduate Bulletin Click here.
2021-22 Undergraduate Bulletin Page 385
2020-21 Undergraduate Bulletin Page 360
Visit the bulletins page >>

Careers

Career opportunities include a variety of work settings such as hospitals, clinics, home health environments, schools, industries, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and public health units.

  • Admission Criteria

    Admission Criteria

    All prerequisite course work, including Bachelor degree earned, must be completed by the end of the Spring semester for Summer admission to the program.

    Beginning fall 2021, student selection will be based on competitive scores in regards to cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, and interview. Special consideration will be made for those with Spanish proficiency and/or a degree in a clinical health care field.

    • Earned Bachelors degree
    • Cumulative GPA 2.5 or better AND GPA of 3.0 or better in prerequisite courses.

    Required Courses*

    The required courses that must be completed with a "C" or higher by the end of the Spring semester for Summer admission to the program.  These courses are listed below, and can be found in the most recent Undergraduate Bulletin.

    • BIO 2103 AND 2101, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health and Laboratory 
    • BIO 2203 AND 2201, Human Anatomy/Physiology I and Laboratory 
    • BIO 2223 AND 2221, Human Anatomy/Physiology II and Laboratory 
    • CHEM 1043 AND 1041, Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry I and Laboratory OR CHEM 1013 AND 1011, General Chemistry I and Laboratory 
    • ENG 1003, Composition I 
    • ENG 1013, Composition II 
    • PSY 2013, Introduction to Psychology 
    • SOC 2213, Introduction to Sociology
    • Statistics elective - 3 credit hours 
    • HIST 2763, The United States to 1876 OR HIST 2773, The United States Since 1876 OR POSC 2103, Introduction to United States Government 
    • MATH 1023, College Algebra MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as a prerequisite

    *All course attempts will be considered in the calculation of prerequisite GPA.*

    ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

    The College of Nursing and Health Professions requires a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure/certification.

    International Students

    Students from non-English speaking countries or for whom English is not a native language must take one of the following tests:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 83 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT), 570 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test.
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 and a spoken band score of 7.
    • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a score of 56.

    The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States who were not U.S. citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal non-immigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. In contrast, the term native born refers to people residing in the United States who were U.S. citizens in one of three categories: 1) born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) born in United States Insular areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; 3) born abroad to at least one U. S. citizen parent.

    Exemption

    You may be exempt for the English proficiency testing if you are foreign born but attended school in the United States since kindergarten. For the exemption you must provide official school records showing continuous enrollment in U. S. schools since kindergarten.

    TOEFL Information

    The TOEFL is available at the A-State Testing Center. When taking the exam off campus, the report code for A-State is 6011.

    English as a Second Language Program

    Students who do not meet the required English language proficiency may enroll in A-State’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the English Language Academy. Potential students enrolled in the ESL program must maintain an average of 85 or higher in levels 0 through 4. In the final or 5th level of the ESL program an average of 90 or higher must be maintained. Upon completion of the ESL program, the potential student must take the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Upon successfully meeting the proficiency requirement, potential students are eligible to apply to the BSN Program.

  • Admission Process

    How to Apply

    To apply for the 2nd Degree Accelerated option, candidates should follow the below steps:

    1. Apply for admission to A-State as a 100% online student (domestic US students apply here and international students apply here). For assistance with the application, please contact A-State Online Admissions at (866) 621-8096 or (870) 972-2920.
    2. Apply for admission to the Second Degree Accelerated BSN program. Admission to the 2nd Degree Accelerated option is available in Spring 2 (March) and Fall 2 (October) each year. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as there is a limited class size in each admitted cohort.
    3. Submit the following prior to the application deadline:
    • APPLICATION: Submit the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Application as referenced above.
    • TRANSCRIPTS: Submit official (sealed) transcripts from ALL institutions you have attended since High School (except A-State transcripts) to A-State Online (PO Box 2520, State University, AR 72467 or astateonline@astate.edu). 
    • LETTER OF STANDING:  If you have previously attended a nursing or any professional program that you did not complete, you must have the program Dean/Director send a letter stating your standing when you left the program. This letter must be sent to astateonline@astate.edu for processing.
    • ENGLISH PROFICIENCY:  Documentation of English Proficiency, if applicable.  

    Deadline

    INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Applications are reviewed after the application deadline and are NOT reviewed on a first come, first served basis with the exception of those qualifying for early admission.

    Limited Availability

    Class size is limited and all applicants may not be accepted into the program. Interested individuals are encouraged to seek an advisor early to ensure that all prerequisite courses are completed in a timely manner.

    Student selection will be based on prerequisite GPA, and cumulative GPA, with special consideration for those with Spanish proficiency and/or a degree in a clinical health care field.

    Based on recent legislation in Arkansas, students admitted to professional programs that lead to licensure upon graduation are required to have a successful background check to complete formal admission. 

  • Prerequisites

    To be considered for admission, the following prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better before the start of your first class in the program:

    BIO 2103 AND 2101, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health and Laboratory

    BIO 2203 AND 2201, Human Anatomy/Physiology I and Laboratory

    BIO 2223 AND 2221, Human Anatomy/Physiology II and Laboratory

    CHEM 1043 AND 1041, Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry and Laboratory OR CHEM 1013 AND 1011, General Chemistry I and Laboratory

    ENG 1003, Composition I

    ENG 1013, Composition II

    PSY 2013, Introduction to Psychology

    SOC 2213, Introduction to Sociology

    Statistics elective - 3 credit hours

    HIST 2763, The United States to 1876 OR HIST 2773, The United States Since 1876 OR POSC 2103, Introduction to United States Government

    MATH 1023, College Algebra, MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as a prerequisite

  • Program Tuition & Fees

    Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

     
    Costs
    Total Tuition & Fees
    (paid via $265.00 per credit hour)
    $18,020.00
    Additional Estimated Costs
    Books
    $900 first semester,
    $50-$500 later semesters
    Uniforms (prices vary depending on personal preference)
    $100 - $200
    Annual Malpractice Insurance
    $55 - $100
    ATI Standardized Tests/Books/Web Modules
    $400.00 per semester
    Examsoft Testing Software
    $40.00 per semester
    AHA BLS CPR Certification
    $30-$50 biannually
    Arkansas State Board of Nursing Application
    approx. $100.00
    Criminal Background Check
    approx. $50
    NCLEX-RN Exam
    approx. $200.00
    Annual Drug Screening
    $40
    Additional Costs
    • Access to a Laptop Computer (Chromebooks are not acceptable)
    • School Pin (optional): $40
    • Annual TB Mask Fitting: $30
    • Watch (with a second hand): $25-$50
    • Stethoscope: $20-$150
    • Bandage Scissors: $10
    • Pen Light: $5
    • Mask / Facial Covering: $10
     

  • Program Statistics

    BSN Pass Rates

    • 2023- 100% (2nd Degree ABSN Only) 
    • 2022- 93%
    • 2021- 91.2%
    • 2020- 95.1%
    • 2019- 94%
    • 2018- 95.7%
  • Licensure Information

    Applying for RN Licensure

    Upon completion of the BSN program, the student is eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse. A first time applicant for any licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing will have a state and national criminal background check. Any offense identified in section §17-87-312 of the Nurse Practice Act may prohibit a graduate from obtaining a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Arkansas.

    Although an appeal may be possible, there are offenses that permanently disqualify an applicant from a license. A complete list of criminal acts that prevent licensure as a registered nurse can be found at the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website (www.arsbn.org) and on the nursing website. If students have any reason to believe that they may be ineligible to write the NCLEX-RN, they should discuss this matter with someone knowledgeable about nursing laws and/or contact the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN).


Accredited by ACEN

ACEN LogoThe BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, Telephone: (404) 975-5000, http://acenursing.org/.

The BSN program is also approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.