Program Overview
A Christ-centered accelerated BSN with a rare hands-on edge — Anderson’s School of Nursing trains students in a cadaver lab reserved exclusively for nursing students, offers medical mission opportunities abroad, and posts a 95%+ five-year NCLEX pass rate, with flexible entry for those holding 59 college credits or a prior bachelor’s degree.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) at Anderson University prepares students for registered nurse careers across pediatric, surgical, adult, and geriatric care, integrating Christ-centered values with rigorous clinical training. The 15-month, full-time track runs across four semesters of seated, on-campus instruction at Anderson’s main campus, beginning each fall in August, and is designed for individuals who hold at least 59 transferable college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
Anderson stands out for its hands-on learning environment — including a cadaver lab reserved exclusively for nursing students, a rarity among nursing programs — and for faith-based service opportunities such as medical mission trips abroad.
Graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-RN and are prepared for leadership roles and graduate study.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Anderson University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), with full approval from the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Anderson University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The School of Nursing reports strong NCLEX-RN pass rates that consistently exceed the national average — over the recent five-year span, its BSN graduates posted a 95% or higher first-time pass rate, including a 100% rate in 2020. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet competitive academic and testing requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 59 credit hours
- Minimum 3.0 science GPA
- TEAS exam score of at least 60% (older scores accepted)
- Science prerequisites (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry) completed within the last five years
- A personal interview may be required
Applications are accepted annually with a November 15 deadline for the following August start. Required materials include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a completed online application with a $40 fee. Accepted students must complete a drug screening, background check, immunization requirements, and proof of liability insurance before starting classes.
Curriculum
The 123-credit-hour curriculum includes 63 nursing core credits and 19 cognate credits in biology, chemistry, and psychology.
NUR 310 – Pathophysiology
Examines disease processes and how they affect the body’s normal function. Covers key physiological changes in major body systems.
NUR 311 – Pharmacology I
Introduces basic pharmacological principles, including drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and safe medication administration.
NUR 312 – Pharmacology II
Continues Pharmacology I with a focus on advanced drug therapies, side effects, and interactions in clinical practice.
NUR 320 – Foundations in Nursing
Covers fundamental nursing skills, patient care techniques, and the role of nurses in healthcare settings. Includes lab and clinical components.
NUR 322 – Mental Health and Wellness
Explores psychiatric nursing concepts, mental health disorders, therapeutic communication, and treatment strategies.
NUR 324 – Adult Health
Focuses on nursing care for adults with acute and chronic conditions, emphasizing assessment, interventions, and patient education.
NUR 350 – Skills Practicum
Provides hands-on practice in essential nursing skills, including wound care, IV therapy, and patient monitoring.
NUR 352 – Health Assessment
Teaches comprehensive health assessment techniques, including history taking, physical examination, and diagnostic interpretation.
NUR 355 – Introduction to Research in Nursing
Introduces research methods in nursing, including evidence-based practice, study design, and data analysis.
NUR 420 – Childbearing
Covers maternal and newborn nursing, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
NUR 421 – Childrearing
Focuses on pediatric nursing, covering growth and development, common childhood illnesses, and family-centered care.
NUR 423 – Community Health Nursing
Explores public health nursing principles, disease prevention, and healthcare delivery in community settings.
NUR 425 – Critical Care
Prepares students to care for critically ill patients, covering advanced monitoring, life support, and emergency interventions.
NUR 451 – Issues in Professional Nursing
Discusses ethical, legal, and professional issues in nursing, including healthcare policy and advocacy.
NUR 453 – Leadership and Management
Develops leadership and decision-making skills for managing patient care, healthcare teams, and clinical settings.
NUR 457 – Clinical Preceptorship
Provides a supervised, hands-on clinical experience where students apply nursing knowledge in real-world healthcare settings.
NUR 459 – Senior Seminar
Integrates nursing concepts and prepares students for transition to professional practice and NCLEX-RN licensure.
Clinical training includes high-fidelity simulations and hands-on patient care, and the final semester features a clinical preceptorship to prepare students for real-world nursing roles.
More detail is available in the Anderson University catalog.
Tuition
Estimated tuition for the ABSN program is about $56,960, based on a per-credit rate of $890. The full degree is 123 credit hours, but ABSN students typically transfer in 59 credits and complete approximately 64 credit hours at Anderson ($890 × 64 = $56,960).
Additional fees may apply, including a nursing program fee ($2,000 across junior and senior year), a technology fee ($300 per semester for full-time students), a health and wellness fee ($250 per year), and a student government fee ($100 per year).
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and required fees page.
Other Nursing Programs
Anderson University offers additional nursing pathways, including a traditional BSN, an RN to BSN, and graduate-level nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificates). The ABSN program is not available online, as it requires in-person clinical training and classroom instruction.