Program Overview
A 1:8 clinical instructor-to-student ratio, Ohio-wide rotations, and a 93.15% NCLEX pass rate feed a strong employer pipeline that includes Cleveland Clinic, Nationwide Children’s, and OSU Wexner Medical Center.
Ashland University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 15-month, in-person second-degree program for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Delivered at the Dwight Schar College of Nursing on the Mansfield campus, it packs 64 credit hours into four semesters and keeps clinical groups small at a 1:8 instructor-to-student ratio, backed by a state-of-the-art simulation center.
Outcomes are a strength: Ashland’s 2024 NCLEX-RN pass rate was 93.15%, surpassing both the Ohio average (89.55%) and the national average (91.92%).
Clinical rotations run across Ohio health systems, and recent graduates have been hired by Cleveland Clinic, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Akron Children’s, OhioHealth, University Hospitals, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
The program is accredited and meets RN licensure requirements in all 50 states (excluding Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories).
Admissions and Prerequisites
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and a 2.0 GPA in science prerequisites completed within the last 10 years. Students must also pass a background check and drug screening and meet essential clinical health and functional requirements before beginning clinical coursework.
Required prerequisites include Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry with lab, and Statistics. (Note: Ashland’s College of Nursing is currently not accepting transfer credit from other nursing programs due to recent curriculum changes; non-nursing and science prerequisites may still transfer in with a grade of C+ or better.)
Curriculum
The curriculum includes foundational and advanced nursing coursework such as Health Assessment, Psychiatric Mental Health, Maternal/Newborn Health, Adult Health Concepts, and Community & Global Health, culminating in a capstone preceptorship and leadership training.
NUR 105 Nsg. Concepts & Values
Introduces students to the core values, history, and professional expectations of nursing. Emphasizes ethics, communication, and caring as foundational concepts in nursing education.
NUR 225 Patho/Pharm. I
Covers foundational pathophysiology and pharmacology concepts related to cellular biology, genetics, fluid balance, immunity, and cardiovascular and neurological systems. Focuses on disease mechanisms and drug therapies.
NUR 226 Patho/Pharm II
Continues the study of disease processes and pharmacologic treatments, focusing on systems such as pulmonary, renal, endocrine, and gastrointestinal, as well as anti-infectives and micronutrients.
NUR 301 Health Assessment
Develops skills in holistic patient assessment across the lifespan. Emphasizes theory and hands-on techniques to support clinical decision-making.
NUR 304 Health Found. I
Teaches foundational nursing skills and concepts including communication and the nursing process. Students begin applying these in adult care settings.
NUR 306 Health Found II
Builds on Health Foundations I with advanced physical assessment, critical thinking, and psychomotor skills for patient care across the lifespan.
NUR 310 Psychiatric/Mental Health
Explores mental health promotion, illness prevention, and therapeutic nursing care. Emphasizes relationship-centered communication and evidence-based interventions.
NUR 311 Adult Health Concepts: Regulation & Transport
Focuses on caring for adults with acute and chronic conditions related to regulation and transport. Includes simulation and clinical experiences.
NUR 312 Adult Health Concepts: Prot., Sensation & Mobility
Covers nursing care related to protection, sensory function, and mobility in adults. Students apply clinical judgment through labs and simulations.
NUR 336 Genetics in Nursing and Health Care
Introduces genetic concepts relevant to patient care. Emphasizes standards for genetics in nursing practice and implications for health and illness.
NUR 410 Complex Health Alt.
Prepares students to care for patients with complex health needs using holistic and evidence-based approaches. Clinicals focus on high-acuity care settings.
NUR 420 Community/Global Health
Applies the nursing process to community and global health. Examines public health systems, vulnerable populations, and global health challenges.
NUR 425 Trends and Issues in Global Health
Analyzes how political, social, legal, and economic factors affect healthcare delivery locally and globally. Encourages global health awareness in nursing.
NUR 428 Leadership, Mgt. of Health Organizations
Covers theories of leadership, change, and healthcare management. Prepares students to evaluate systems and promote safety and collaboration in practice.
NUR 430 Advanced Simulation
Engages students in high-fidelity simulations to enhance decision-making and care for complex medical-surgical patients in a controlled environment.
NUR 435 Capstone Preceptorship
Provides intensive clinical practice under preceptor supervision. Students synthesize prior learning and prepare for NCLEX-RN and professional transition.
NUR 438 Maternal/Newborn Health
Prepares students to care for women and families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Focuses on holistic, culturally competent, and family-centered care.
NUR 440 Pediatric Health
Covers nursing care for children from infancy through adolescence. Emphasizes developmental, family-centered, and evidence-based approaches to pediatric care.
NUR 460 Theoretical Foundations in Health Research
Introduces nursing theory and research fundamentals. Students learn to evaluate and apply research to support evidence-based practice.
More curriculum detail is available in the Ashland course descriptions and the accelerated program catalog.
Clinical Experience
Clinicals take place in hospitals, community agencies, and long-term care facilities throughout Ohio, with a 1:8 clinical instructor-to-student ratio and simulation-center practice before live rotations. Students are responsible for transportation to clinical sites.
Tuition and Scholarships
For the most recently published cohort (beginning Fall 2024), the estimated total cost is about $39,230 over the four-semester program (excluding housing and meals), broken down as:
- Tuition (12-19 hours): $8,700/term × 4 = $34,800
- Tech fee: $270/term × 4 = $1,080
- Course fees: ~$900/term × 3 = $2,700 (varies by course)
- Program fee: $650 (one term)
Confirm current cohort pricing directly, as published rates change by cohort. Eligible students may receive a Choose Ohio First scholarship worth $3,000 per academic year, awarded through a state grant to support students in STEM-related fields. See the official accelerated nursing tuition page for details.
Outcomes and Additional Tracks
Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN, with a 93.15% first-time pass rate in 2024 — above the Ohio and national averages. The degree also prepares students for leadership and specialty roles or further graduate study. Ashland additionally offers Traditional and Advanced Entry BSN tracks. The accelerated program is not available online and requires in-person attendance for all coursework and clinical experiences.
- Duration: 15 Months
- Tuition: $44,000
- Location: Ashland, OH
- Application Deadline: May 15
- Program Web Page