Most accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. However, not every program with the ABSN or accelerated BSN label requires a completed degree. Some schools accept applicants who have a set number of transferable college credits, or an associate degree, plus the required prerequisites.
Your eligibility depends on the program’s admission model, your prior education, and the school’s own rules. This guide explains those models and your alternatives if you don’t qualify.
Quick Answer: Can You Enter an ABSN?
| Your education | Can you enter an ABSN? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
Non-nursing bachelor’s degree | Usually | Prerequisites, GPA, and degree conferral deadline |
Bachelor’s degree in progress | Sometimes | Whether the degree must be finished before you apply or before you enroll |
Associate degree or 60+ college credits | At some schools | Whether the program accepts degree-completion or transfer students |
No prior college credit | Usually not | A traditional BSN or ADN program |
Nursing degree or RN license | Usually a different pathway | An RN-to-BSN program |
What Are the Main ABSN Admission Models?
Accelerated BSN programs generally follow one of two admission models.
Second-degree ABSN. You must hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This is the most common model. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) describes accelerated baccalaureate programs as the fastest route to RN licensure for adults with a prior bachelor’s or graduate degree. AACN reported 340 accelerated baccalaureate programs in 2025.
Degree-completion or transfer ABSN. You can enter with substantial college credit instead of a finished bachelor’s degree. You earn your first bachelor’s degree, a BSN, in the accelerated format.
Examples of each model (verify current requirements with each school):
| School | Admission model | Stated minimum education |
|---|---|---|
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles | Second-degree | Bachelor’s degree in another field |
University of Saint Mary (Kansas) | Degree-completion | Typically 64 college credits or an associate degree |
Avila University (Missouri) | Degree-completion | 60+ college credits, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree |
Northeastern University (MA, NC, RI) | Both | Non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 college credits |
Both models rely on prior college work. That foundation lets programs focus on nursing coursework and clinical training. AACN notes accelerated students complete the same number of clinical hours as students in traditional entry-level programs, typically in 12 to 18 months.
Does Your Previous Major Matter?
Usually not. Most second-degree programs accept a bachelor’s degree in any non-nursing field, including business, the humanities, education, and engineering.
A science major can still help. It may cover several prerequisites and make courses like pathophysiology and pharmacology feel more familiar. That practical advantage differs from formal admission preference, which most programs don’t give.
Admission committees typically weigh:
- Cumulative and prerequisite GPA
- Grades in science prerequisites
- Entrance exam scores, if required (such as the TEAS)
- Personal statement, references, and any healthcare experience
AACN reports that accelerated programs typically require a minimum 3.0 GPA, though some accept lower. See What’s a Competitive GPA for ABSN Programs? and our low GPA ABSN programs.
Can You Apply Before Your Degree Is Finished?
Often, yes. Policies fall into three groups:
- Degree required at application. You must have the degree conferred before you submit.
- Apply in your final semester. You can apply while finishing and receive conditional acceptance.
- Degree required before enrollment. Conferral must happen before the program’s start date.
For example, the University of Saint Mary lets May graduates apply with conditional acceptance pending a final transcript. Summer graduates can’t start in that same year’s Summer II cohort.
Confirm the exact conferral deadline with each program. A few weeks can push you into the next cohort.
Degree Requirements vs. Prerequisites: What’s the Difference?
These are separate requirements:
- Degree or credit requirement sets basic eligibility.
- Prerequisite courses show you have the academic preparation for nursing coursework.
A bachelor’s degree does not automatically satisfy prerequisites. Many applicants with degrees still need to take several science courses.
Common ABSN prerequisites include:
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II, with labs
- Microbiology, with lab
- Chemistry
- Statistics
- Developmental or lifespan psychology
- Nutrition
Policies vary on:
- Minimum grades. Many programs accept a C. Competitive applicants usually earn higher grades.
- Course age. Some programs set time limits on science courses, such as 5 or 10 years.
- Course source. Rules differ for AP credit, community college courses, and online labs.
- Timing. Some programs require all prerequisites before applying. Others allow courses in progress.
For a full breakdown, see ABSN Prerequisites Explained.
Common Misconceptions About the Degree Requirement
“An associate degree never qualifies.”
Not always true. Second-degree programs require a bachelor’s degree. Degree-completion programs, such as Avila University and the University of Saint Mary, accept an associate degree or equivalent college credit.
“My bachelor’s degree is too old to count.”
Degree age rarely disqualifies applicants. The age of your prerequisite courses matters more, because many programs set recency limits on science courses.
“Work experience can replace the degree.”
Not at second-degree programs. Healthcare work, military service, and certifications don’t replace a required bachelor’s degree. They can strengthen your application, and some programs give them extra consideration.
“Online degrees don’t count.”
Most nursing schools evaluate an online degree like an on-campus degree when the institution holds recognized accreditation. Confirm the school’s policy, and make sure official transcripts are available.
“My school must be regionally accredited.”
Many nursing schools still use the term “regionally accredited.” Since 2020, U.S. Department of Education rules no longer formally separate regional and national institutional accreditors. If your degree comes from a nationally accredited school, ask admissions directly whether it’s accepted.
Institutional accreditation is different from nursing program accreditation. CCNE and ACEN accredit nursing programs, not the college that granted your first degree.
What Are Your Options If You Don’t Qualify for an ABSN?
| Pathway | Typical prior education | Typical length | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Accelerated BSN | Bachelor’s degree or substantial college credit | 12–18 months | BSN and NCLEX-RN eligibility |
Traditional BSN | High school diploma or some college | About 4 years (less with transfer credit) | BSN and NCLEX-RN eligibility |
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) | High school diploma plus prerequisites | About 2 years | ADN and NCLEX-RN eligibility |
Direct-entry nursing master’s | Non-nursing bachelor’s degree | About 2–3 years | Master’s degree and RN eligibility |
Key points for each:
- Traditional BSN. Best if you have little or no college credit. Transfer credits may shorten the timeline.
- ADN. Often the lowest-cost route to RN licensure. You can earn a BSN later through an RN-to-BSN program. Compare the two in ABSN vs. ADN.
- Direct-entry master’s. These programs prepare non-nurses for initial RN licensure. Many lead to generalist roles. Most don’t prepare you as a nurse practitioner. See ABSN vs. Direct-Entry MSN.
For a side-by-side look at the four-year route, read ABSN vs. BSN.
What Cost and Time Factors Should You Weigh?
Program price varies too widely to say an ABSN always costs more or less than other routes. Compare these factors instead:
- Total tuition and fees, not cost per credit
- Living expenses for the full program length
- Lost income. AACN advises accelerated students not to work during the program.
- Financial aid. AACN notes aid for accelerated programs is limited. Employer tuition repayment is one alternative.
- Time to first RN paycheck. A shorter program can offset higher tuition.
Browse our cheapest ABSN programs to compare costs.
How to Confirm Your Eligibility
Ask each program:
- Do you require a completed bachelor’s degree, or do you accept college credits or an associate degree?
- When must my degree be conferred: at application or before enrollment?
- Which prerequisites must be finished before I apply?
- Do you set minimum grades or time limits on science courses?
- Which institutional accreditors do you accept for prior coursework?
The Bottom Line
Most ABSN programs require a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, and your major rarely matters. But the requirement isn’t universal. Some accelerated programs accept 60 or more college credits or an associate degree.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, focus on prerequisites, GPA, and conferral deadlines. If you don’t, look for degree-completion ABSN programs, or compare traditional BSN and ADN routes.
Start your search in our ABSN program directory, or browse online ABSN programs. Still deciding? Read Is an ABSN the Right Fit for Your Career Change?