May 25, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Nursing, B.S.N. Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree


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Advisement for the major is available from the School of Nursing .

Nursing, B.S.N. Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum Guide  (Suggested Plan of Study) 

There are four types of students who may seek an undergraduate degree (B.S.N.) in nursing:

  • Traditional undergraduate students (first bachelor’s degree)

  • RNs with an associate’s degree in nursing and no previous bachelor’s degree

  • RNs with an associate’s degree in nursing and an unrelated bachelor’s degree

  • Second bachelor’s degree students

Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree Program

The School of Nursing offers an Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor’s Program for non-nursing college graduates leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The curriculum, acknowledging the education, career and life experiences of the individual, requires fewer pre-requisites for the nursing courses than the basic baccalaureate nursing program of study. Students may complete the second bachelor’s degree in three semesters of full-time study. They also must provide their own reliable means of transportation to various clinical sites throughout the region and are responsible for all travel expenses.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Accelerated Second Degree Program, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students from all majors (including diploma or associate degree-prepared registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in non-nursing majors) are eligible to apply for admission.

Applicants for admission to the Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor’s Program must first meet all University requirements and be admitted to the University by the Admissions Office. Once admitted to the University, applicants are reviewed by the School of Nursing for admission to the Second Degree Program. Admission is competitive and is based on evaluation of the applicant’s overall qualifications.

In order to be eligible for admission to the Accelerated Second Degree Program, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A minimum cumulative grade point average for previous academic work of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is generally more competitive.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the English language if an international student. Additional Salisbury University requirements for admission of international students must be met. All international applications will be reviewed by a University international student admissions counselor.

  • Proof of completion of academic coursework: basic statistics (equivalent to MATH 155 ), microbiology (equivalent to BIOL 211 ), anatomy and physiology I and II (all body systems, equivalent to BIOL 215  and BIOL 216 ), general chemistry (equivalent to CHEM 121 ), and pathophysiology (equivalent to HLSC 301 ). Coursework with a C or higher is generally recommended. Pathophysiology must be completed with a C or better. All prerequisite requirements must be completed no later than one month prior to the first day of class. (Failure to do so may result in losing your seat in the class).

NOTE: Admission to the University does not guarantee acceptance into the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program. Enrollment in the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing program is a two step process:

  • Admission to the University, and

  • Approval and Admission by the School of Nursing.

Application to the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program requires that students submit an application directly in the Centralized Application Service (CAS). First consideration for program acceptance will be given to applicants who have submitted required application materials in their entirety by Januart 15 pior to the fall start date. Submit transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended through CAS as part of the application process before January 15 for consideration for admission into the nursing program for fall. This is a competitive application process and is based on an evaluation of students’ overall qualifications. Eligibility and application requirements to apply for admission consideration may be found at School of Nursing website. All second bachelor’s degree students must meet the enrollment requirements listed previously in this section.

Enrollment Requirements

  • Students in health care professions must meet certain requirements for regular physical examinations and provide evidence of immunity from communicable diseases in conformity with the recommendations for Health Care Workers provided by the Centers for Disease Control. These recommendations are subject to change. Details and updated requirements are available on the School of Nursing website.

  • Due to changing clinical site and agency regulations, SU students who accept admission to the nursing program will be asked to undergo one or more criminal background checks and drug testing in order to participate in clinical rotations. It is the students’ responsibility to have the background checks and drug testing completed.

  • Current certification in Basic LIfe Support for Healthcare Professionals by the American Heart Association is required. The course must be one designed for a health care provider.

Checklist

This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.

Pre-Professional Requirements


In order to be eligible for admission to the Accelerated Second Degree Program, complete the following with a grade of C or higher:

Major Requirements


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