The College of Nursing has a special Accelerated BSN/MSN Pathway for academically qualified and highly motivated individuals that have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Students are admitted 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.
Students in the first 12 months of the Accelerated BSN/MSN Pathway follow the same promotion/progression policies as students in the Traditional BSN Pathway. Students have the option of enrolling in three fully-online MSN level courses – NU 578: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses, NU 545: Physio-Pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing, and NU 518: Advanced Nursing Assessment.
At the end of the 12-months of study, students are awarded the BSN degree and are prepared for the NCLEX-RN certification exam.
▼ Requirements for Admission to the Accelerated BSN/MSN Track
Admission is selective and competitive. The curriculum is intensive and 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.
- Graduate of an accredited baccalaureate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants must have completed all prerequisite course work as listed below with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (“A”=4.0) and no grade less than a “C”.
- Submission of completed application by March 15 for Fall admission (July) and July 15 for Spring admission (January) .
- Payment of $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
- Submission of Health Data Forms and evidence of health insurance.
- Admission will be contingent on a negative drug screen and results of an acceptable background check.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from other universities to the College of Nursing for review of prerequisite courses.
▼ 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 .
▼ 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
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree is awarded upon completion of this component.
Students are required to apply for registered nurse licensure upon completion of the nursing foundation component of the curriculum. Prior to enrolling in the specialty component of the curriculum students must possess their RN licenses or hold a temporary registered nurse license. Any student failing the licensure examination or allowing their temporary permit to expire will be withdrawn from the program.
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
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree is awarded upon completion of this component.
Students are required to apply for registered nurse licensure upon completion of the nursing foundation component of the curriculum. Prior to enrolling in the specialty component of the curriculum students must possess their RN licenses or hold a temporary registered nurse license. Any student failing the licensure examination or allowing their temporary permit to expire will be withdrawn from the program.
▼ 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.
- Hepatitis B Titer* or initiation of vaccine series with titer upon completion of the second semester
- MMR Titer or proof of adult immunization
- Varicella Titer or proof of adult immunization
- Flu Vaccine
- TB Test (2-step PPD test, Quantiferon Gold test, or T-spot)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccine
(Titers are required as proof of immunity for Hepatitis B, MMR, and Varicella)
*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. 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.
▼ Admission to MSN Program
Students in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program are welcome to continue their studies at USA as a graduate student. As the student nears completion of their BSN degree at USA, they may submit the College of Nursing Supplemental Application by the posted MSN application deadline. Please contact the Graduate Advisors at info@northampton.ac for additional information regarding this application process.
During this phase of the curriculum, financial aid is restricted to the types and amounts for which a graduate student is eligible.
MSN Specialties
Students may pursue the following specialties: Nursing Informatics, Executive Nursing Administration, Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Nursing or Nurse Practitioner specialty options. Students who wish to pursue nurse practitioner preparation must obtain a minimum of 2 years of clinical experience before beginning the specialty courses and have a competitive overall undergraduate GPA to compete for a seat in the NP program. All courses for the MSN degree are offered online. Clinical requirements are completed in facilities following an approval process.
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Administration
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Clinical Nurse Specialist-AG
- Adult-Geron Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Geron Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric (Family) Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Geron Acute Care NP)
- Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP)
MSN Graduation
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is awarded at the successful completion of al program requirements. Students MUST apply for graduation to be awarded their MSN degree. Applications for Graduation are found on the Registrar’s website.
Students in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program are welcome to continue their studies at USA as a graduate student. As the student nears completion of their BSN degree at USA, they may submit the College of Nursing Supplemental Application by the posted MSN application deadline. Please contact the Graduate Advisors at info@northampton.ac for additional information regarding this application process.
During this phase of the curriculum, financial aid is restricted to the types and amounts for which a graduate student is eligible.
MSN Specialties
Students may pursue the following specialties: Nursing Informatics, Executive Nursing Administration, Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Nursing or Nurse Practitioner specialty options. Students who wish to pursue nurse practitioner preparation must obtain a minimum of 2 years of clinical experience before beginning the specialty courses and have a competitive overall undergraduate GPA to compete for a seat in the NP program. All courses for the MSN degree are offered online. Clinical requirements are completed in facilities following an approval process.
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Administration
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Clinical Nurse Specialist-AG
- Adult-Geron Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Geron Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric (Family) Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Geron Acute Care NP)
- Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP)
MSN Graduation
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is awarded at the successful completion of al program requirements. Students MUST apply for graduation to be awarded their MSN degree. Applications for Graduation are found on the Registrar’s website.