AO BSN: FAQs
ADMISSIONS
How do students apply for this program?
When can the application be submitted?
Is the GRE required?
How many students are admitted to the program each May?
Can international students apply for this program?
Is the application online?
PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK
Does the student have to complete all nine prerequisite courses before applying for the program?
Does the student have to complete the prerequisite courses at MSU?
How can a student determine what is an appropriate equivalent
course to complete at institutions other than MSU?
How can a student enroll for prerequisite courses at MSU if they
have not previously attended?
Is there a time limit on the eligibility of completed
prerequisites?
PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS
What degree will a student earn if they complete this program?
How long is the program and when can students begin the required
courses?
Will there be enough time to complete the requirements for a BSN
in just 14 months?
How is the program coursework structured?Are students able to work while enrolled in the program?
Can students attend the program part-time?
CLINICAL PLACEMENTS
How many clinical hours are included in this program?
Where do students complete the clinical requirements?
Do students have their choice of placement?
Is transportation provided to clinical placement locations?
FINANCIAL AID
Is financial aid available?
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
What types of careers in the nursing profession are open to those
with a BSN?
Questions and Answers
ADMISSIONS
How do students apply for this program?
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Application for the Accelerated Second Degree program requires a candidate to
submit separate applications, one each to MSU and the College of Nursing.
Candidates should submit a Transfer Admission Application to MSU with a major
preference code of 4023. Along with the application submitted to the College of
Nursing, a candidate will also include an essay, two letters of recommendation,
and a resume.
When can the application be
submitted?
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Applications for this program will be available in July with a deadline of
December 15th, for consideration to begin the program the following May.
Applications are not carried forward from one year to the next.
Is the GRE required?
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The Accelerated Second Degree BSN is a baccalaureate degree program. The
College of Nursing does not require the GRE entrance exam.
How many students
are admitted to the program each May?
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This program admits 50 people to begin each May. Notification for admissions
begins the first of February.
Can international students apply for this program?
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International students may apply for admission and are encouraged to contact
the MSU Office of Admissions and the Office for International Students
and Scholars for
assistance with application and visas inquiries.
Is the application on-line?
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The College of Nursing application
is available on-line. The PDF can be filled out and saved. But, it
must be turned in as a hard copy with your essay, two letters of
recommendation and a resume.
PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK
Does the student have to complete all nine prerequisite courses
before applying for the program?
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Completion of the prerequisite courses is a condition for admission into the
program. Prerequisite courses need not be completed prior to submitting an
application for admission into the program, with the exception of Anatomy and
Physiology. All prerequisite courses however, must be complete by the start of
the program in May if admission is granted.
Does the student have
to complete the prerequisite courses at MSU?
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Prerequisite coursework need not be completed at MSU. It may be completed at
any accredited and recognized college or university that offers an equivalent
course to the requirement.
How can a student
determine what is an appropriate equivalent course to complete at institutions
other than MSU?
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MSU’s transfer
equivalency website is a good resource to use when determining
equivalent courses. For all courses not listed as direct equivalents, please
review the Accelerated Second Degree Course review instructions and submit the Course Review Form along with the course syllabus. These
requests must be received no later than November 1.
How can a student enroll for prerequisite courses at MSU if they
have not previously attended?
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There are two ways to enroll for prerequisite courses at MSU.
Option 1 is to apply for undergraduate admission into MSU. If admitted under this process, a student is required to declare a non-nursing major while completing prerequisite coursework. The nursing major is only available as an option for students who have already been admitted into the nursing program.
Option 2 is to apply for enrollment as a Lifelong Education student. The purpose of the Lifelong Education status is to permit and facilitate access to MSU courses (on-campus, off-campus, or workshop) for persons not wishing to pursue an undergraduate or graduate MSU degree. This status is limited to persons who have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent. Lifelong Education is a non-degree seeking status requiring a much shorter application process.
Is there a time limit on the eligibility of completed prerequisites?
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Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology must have been completed within the
previous 10 years leading up to the anticipated start date for the program.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS
What degree will a student earn if they complete this program?
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Students that complete the Accelerated Second Degree program at MSU earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
(BSN).
How long is the
program and when can students begin the required courses?
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This program is 14 months in length, encompassing four semesters at MSU
(summer, fall, spring, and summer). The program begins each May. Candidates
must, however, complete 9 prerequisite courses prior to being formally admitted
into the program.
Will there be enough time to complete the requirements for a BSN
in just 14 months?
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The curriculum of the Accelerated Second Degree program is patterned after the
curriculum of our Traditional Nursing program. The Traditional program requires
4 semesters of nursing study over two years. The Accelerated program allows
students the opportunity to complete the 4 semesters of nursing study by
successively enrolling in the required coursework and eliminating summer
semester breaks. All theory hours, clinical hours, and learning objectives are
the same for both programs.
How is the program coursework structured?
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For the Accelerated Second Degree program, theory (classroom) and clinical
(experiential) instruction are accomplished on separate days. Theory
instruction is completed on campus in East Lansing and is one day a week with
the exception of summer. Clinical instruction is completed off campus and may
occasionally include weekends.
Are students able
to work while enrolled in the program?
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We strongly recommend that students in this program choose not to work. The
time commitment and the degree of flexibility that the program requires make
holding any type of employment difficult. Most students find that they spend
between 40 to 70 hours per week devoted to the various aspects of this program
(attending class, studying, etc).
Can students
attend the program part-time?
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There is no part-time option available.
CLINICAL PLACEMENTS
How many clinical hours are included in this program?
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There are approximately 765 total clinical hours in this four semester program.
Where do students complete the clinical requirements?
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Clinical experiences are completed in a variety of locations throughout Southeast, West and Mid-Michigan.
Do students have
their choice of placement?
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Students are assigned to a clinical location, but their preferences are taken
into consideration.
Is transportation provided to clinical placement locations?
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No. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from their clinical locations. Many students car-pool to clinical locations.
FINANCIAL AID
Is financial aid available?
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Most students are eligible for some form of Federal Financial Aid, however,
what is available is likely to be limited causing most students to need
additional sources of aid. Other sources of aid can include scholarships,
grants, and alternative education loans, to name a few. MSU College of Nursing scholarships are available. The application deadline is March 1st.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
What types of careers in the nursing profession are open to those
with a BSN?
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There are many possibilities open to a BSN prepared nurse in today’s nursing profession. In
addition to positions at the entry point of the profession, BSN prepared nurses
are also eligible to pursue graduate study at either the masters or doctoral
level. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is a good resource to
consider when exploring both short and long-term career options. You
may also find additional information at Discover Nursing at this link
