Accelerated Second Degree BSN

A Kent State nursing student poses as another nursing student cares for a patient in the background

Kent State's Accelerated BSN, developed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as few as 15 months.

Built on the foundation of our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, the Accelerated Second Degree BSN (ABSN) concentration prepares practitioners for professional nursing, helps them understand their role in society and prepares them for graduate study. The program emphasizes professional knowledge, skills, and compassionate nursing practices.

Learning through a combination of classroom, laboratory, and supervised clinical setting instruction, Kent State nursing students graduate with a substantial foundation of nursing knowledge for clinical practice.

Accelerated BSN students will need critical thinking skills, strong written and oral communication, and the time, support, and resources to commit to an intensive four or five-semester, full-time sequence.

Graduates of this program meet educational eligibility requirements to take the National Certification and Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).

Why Kent State? We offer you:

Individual advising, program planning and guidance by experienced academic advisors
Clinical experiences at major hospitals and health care facilities throughout northeastern Ohio
Hands-on learning experiences in our state-of-the-art simulation laboratory
A 90%+ average NCLEX pass rate
High graduate placement — you will be in demand

Daytime, Evening, & Weekend Options

Kent State offers three Accelerated BSN cohort options to meet the needs of a wide range of students. Each cohort option is distinct with different start dates and duration.

Daytime Cohort (admits fall, spring, & summer)

The Daytime Cohort is a four (4) semester sequence.

This cohort will have traditional classroom hours (generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Clinical hours are generally 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Class and clinical will be any day Monday through Friday, but clinical may occur on Saturday or Sunday.
Clinical rotations will occur at any number of facilities in Northeastern Ohio, especially those facilities concentrated in Summit (Akron) and Cuyahoga (Cleveland) counties. Students may also have clinical in Mahoning (Youngstown), Stark (Alliance), Trumbull (Warren), or Portage (Ravenna) counties.
The Daytime Cohort accepts students for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

Summa [Evening/Weekend] Cohort (admits fall 2020)

The Summa Cohort is a five (5) semester sequence.

This cohort typically has class on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Kent campus. Clinical hours will primarily be from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; however, a weekday clinical may be required during the third, fourth, and fifth semesters.
Clinical rotations will typically take place at Summa Health Systems in Akron. Three exceptions are NURS 30020, which will be held at Akron Children's Hospital; NURS 40020, which will be held at multiple locations throughout Summit County, and; NURS 40045, subject to preceptor location and shift availability.
The Summa Cohort accepts applicants every-other-Fall (even years). The Summa Cohort will next be offered in Fall 2020.

Cleveland [Weekend] Cohort (admits fall 2019)

The Cleveland Cohort is a five (5) semester sequence.

This cohort typically has class on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at a facility in Cleveland. Additional coursework will be required on Saturday and/or Sunday at various locations, including the Kent campus. Students can typically expect to have class on the Kent campus once a weekend in the 1st term and multiple times per term the remainder of the sequence.
Clinical hours will be primarily on Saturday and/or Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; however, a weekday clinical may be required during the third, fourth, and fifth semesters.
Clinical rotations and the majority of courses will take place at University Hospitals. Clinical placement for NURS 40045 is subject to preceptor location and shift availability.
The Cleveland Cohort accepts applicants every-other-Fall (odd years). The Cleveland Cohort will next be offered in Fall 2019.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Accelerated BSN concentration is a two-step process. First, you must apply and be admitted to the university as a post-undergraduate degree-seeking student. This requires a completed baccalaureate degree with a cumulative 2.75 GPA or higher.

Second, upon completion of all prerequisite courses, you may apply to the ABSN professional nursing sequence. Admission is competitive and based upon a formula (explained during the ABSN Information Forums).

The requirements are:

A cumulative 2.75 GPA or higher.
A minimum science prerequisite GPA of 2.75, and a minimum of a grade of C in each course/equivalent: Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, and Chemistry.
A college-level algebra course (or higher) with a minimum grade of C.

Preference will be given to applicants who have completed the following courses prior to cohort admission: Human Growth and Development, Human Genetics, Science of Human Nutrition, and/or Statistics.

How to Apply

Curriculum

You will begin with courses that demonstrate the core foundations of the nursing profession and its historical roots. The capstone preceptorship will expose you to research and professional-practice concepts that will ensure your ability to be a nurse leader and healthcare advocate.

Throughout the program, you will study life-span and cultural diversity issues while applying evidence-based practice to the profession.

Required Courses View All Requirements in University Catalog

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what transfers?

Students must apply and be admitted via undergraduate admissions to receive a full transcript evaluation.

Prospective students are encouraged to utilize the Transfer Credit Guide
Prospective applicants should apply to Kent State University as a post-undergraduate, degree-seeking student in the Nursing major. You will need to send official transcripts to Kent State Admissions. The Transfer Center will conduct an official evaluation of all transfer credits.

Can I have a job while going through the sequence?

Some students have worked while in the sequence, mostly part-time in the evenings or weekends. Students in the Summa cohort or Cleveland cohort can work part-time during the regular work week. It can be done, but we highly recommend that you focus more on the sequence than work because it is an intensive program. Students who work more than 16 hours a week are less likely to complete the sequence.

Do I need references?

No references, letters of recommendations, resumes, etc. are required upon applying to the ABSN program. Admission is determined through a formula consisting of cumulative GPA, science GPA, and the completion of auxiliary degree requirements. Attend an ABSN Information Forum for an in-depth discussion regarding how we determine admission to the ABSN professional nursing sequence.