Last Updated: October 5, 2026
Program Overview
Augusta offers a traditional BSN and an accelerated entry-level MSN–Clinical Nurse Leader for graduates with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
Augusta’s BSN is a traditional program. Second-degree students may apply, but the university identifies its upper-division BSN as full-time study with no summer enrollment. The accelerated second-degree option awards an MSN, rather than an accelerated BSN.
The BSN nursing sequence spans four fall/spring semesters after prerequisite core coursework. Current BSN admissions are for the Augusta Health Sciences campus; the former ABSN label and Augusta/Athens BSN comparison do not describe the current advertised pathway.
Accelerated MSN–Clinical Nurse Leader
Applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can consider Augusta’s accelerated graduate-entry pathway. The university’s MSN–Clinical Nurse Leader overview describes an 18-month program that prepares graduates to pursue RN licensure.
The BSN admissions, curriculum and tuition below describe the traditional undergraduate option. MSN requirements, costs and applications are separate.
Traditional BSN Admissions
BSN Start Terms and Final Deadline
BSN cohorts begin in fall and spring. The published final deadline for fall 2027 is March 15, 2027; January 15, 2027 is early consideration. NursingCAS processing and references take time, so submit a complete application well before the final deadline.
Admission requires both academic preparation and a complete application. Early submission is encouraged because the program may admit competitive applicants before the final deadline.
Academic requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 overall GPA across all attempted college coursework (no grade replacement)
- Minimum math/science GPA: 3.0. The admissions page identifies college algebra or higher, statistics, anatomy and physiology I and II, microbiology, and two sequential laboratory science courses in biology or chemistry; obtain an individual prerequisite evaluation.
- All prerequisites must be passed with a C or higher; 30 core credits must be completed at time of application, including at least 3 of 8 courses from prerequisite core areas D and F
- Nursing Scholars: The freshman Scholars pathway has separate continuation requirements; its 3.5 GPA standard is not the general BSN admission minimum.
ATI TEAS Exam:
- ATI TEAS minimum adjusted individual total score: 75.
- TEAS must have been taken within two years of the current application cycle.
- Taken at the AU testing center (scores auto-submitted) or official proctored location (scores must be sent directly from ATI)
Application materials — submitted through NursingCAS:
- NursingCAS application ($65 fee; transfer students add a $25 AU supplemental application)
- Official transcripts from every institution attended
- Two written responses (300 words max each): one on a pressing healthcare concern, one on academic challenges and successes
- Two references — must be college instructors, one instructor plus one workplace supervisor, or one athletic coach; references must have known the applicant at least three months
Post-acceptance requirements:
- Criminal background check and urine drug screen (12-panel)
- AHA BLS CPR certification
- Immunizations submitted to Student Health after acceptance — PPD/TB test within 90 days of first class day
- Annual flu vaccine required each enrollment year
Applicants previously dismissed from another nursing program must submit a letter from that program’s dean. Two or more nursing course failures at another institution disqualify the applicant; no transfer credit is given for prior nursing coursework, only up to 60 hours of core.
Curriculum
The traditional BSN schema contains 60 upper-division nursing credits across four fall/spring semesters, with no summer enrollment. Foundational assessment and practice lead into adult, mental health, maternal/child, community and transition courses.
Prerequisites and Transfer Conditions
All core prerequisites must be completed with a C or better before entering the nursing major. At least 30 core credits and 3 of 8 prerequisite area D/F courses must be done at the time of application.
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II (BIOL 2251/2252, 4 cr. each)
- Foundations of Microbiology (BIOL 2260, 4 cr.)
- Introduction to Human Development (PSYC 2103)
- College Algebra or higher (MATH 1111+)
- Elementary Statistics (MATH 1401)
- Two laboratory science courses in sequence in biology or chemistry, subject to core and transfer evaluation.
- One guided elective (sociology, psychology, Spanish, global issues, or related)
Core coursework precedes the nursing major. Second-degree and transfer evaluations determine remaining degree requirements; the admissions page describes the full degree as 124 credits, while the linked nursing schema covers the 60-credit upper-division sequence.
Required Courses and Credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NURS 3800 — Essentials of Pathophysiology | 3 | This course explores key pathophysiological concepts essential for nursing practice, focusing on disease processes across the lifespan. |
NURS 3801 — Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 | Students develop skills for performing comprehensive health assessments, including physical, mental, psychosocial, and environmental factors, with hands-on laboratory practice. |
NURS 3802 — Introduction to Nursing Practice | 7 | An introduction to professional nursing, this course examines health, illness, and death while integrating assessment, clinical skills, and evidence-based care. |
NURS 3803 — Health Promotion and Nutrition | 2 | This course emphasizes nursing’s role in promoting wellness, disease prevention, and nutrition’s impact on health maintenance across the lifespan. |
NURS 3804 — Essentials of Pharmacology | 3 | Students learn foundational pharmacologic concepts, focusing on drug classifications, safety, and clinical applications within nursing practice. |
NURS 3805 — Adult Health Nursing I | 6 | This course covers nursing care for adults with chronic health conditions, emphasizing critical thinking and evidence-based interventions in clinical and simulated settings. |
NURS 4802 — Maternal/Child Nursing | 6 | Students focus on nursing care for childbearing women, children, and families, using critical thinking and evidence-based strategies in diverse clinical settings. |
NURS 4800 — Mental Health Nursing | 3 | This course explores nursing care for individuals with mental health conditions, emphasizing therapeutic communication, comprehensive assessment, and evidence-based interventions. |
NURS 4801 — Adult Health Nursing II | 6 | Building on previous coursework, this course addresses acute and chronic conditions, including multi-system concerns, through evidence-based nursing care in diverse settings. |
NURS 3806 — Geriatric Nursing | 3 | Students examine aging-related health concerns, wellness promotion, pharmacotherapy, and chronic illnesses, with clinical and simulated experiences enhancing critical thinking. |
NURS 3807 — Introduction to Nursing Research | 3 | An introduction to nursing research, this course covers the research process, evidence-based practice, and identifying potential areas for nursing inquiry. |
NURS 4803 — Leadership, Management, and Contemporary Nursing Topics | 3 | This course explores nursing leadership, management strategies, and the impact of sociopolitical, economic, ethical, and professional issues on healthcare. |
NURS 4804 — Synthesis of Advanced Nursing Concepts | 3 | Students integrate nursing knowledge through case-based learning, addressing complex health conditions across physical, mental, and social dimensions. |
NURS 4805 — Community and Public Health Nursing | 4 | Focusing on public health principles, this course examines community assessment, vulnerable populations, and global health trends through clinical experiences. |
NURS 4806 — Transition to Professional Nursing Practice | 5 | This capstone course synthesizes nursing knowledge and skills for entry-level practice, reinforcing clinical competence through diverse hands-on experiences. |
The university-linked traditional BSN schema assigns 15 credits to each of four terms. Follow the sequence approved for the entering cohort.
Clinicals
The traditional BSN schema totals 765 combined laboratory, simulation and clinical hours. These are not 765 direct patient-care hours. The fall-entry map allocates 180, 180, 180 and 225 combined hours across its four terms.
Simulation and attendance: Skills practice and simulated patient care support assigned clinical experiences. Current BSN admissions identify the Augusta campus; MSN campus choices should be reviewed separately.
Placement clearance: Students pay for required background checks and a 12-panel urine drug screen. Clinical partners can refuse placement after reviewing results; inability to secure a placement can prevent completion and lead to dismissal.
Tuition
Estimated resident BSN tuition: $18,348 for the four upper-division terms, using the 2026–27 nursing tuition rate of $4,587 per semester at 10 or more credits. This figure excludes prerequisite courses, fees and living expenses; it is not an MSN tuition estimate.
For out-of-state BSN students, the published rate is $15,652 per term at 10 or more credits, or $62,608 over four terms before fees.
Mandatory university fees of $675 per term add $2,700 over four terms. The university also lists a BSN exam fee of $270, immunization tracking of $25 and nursing liability insurance of $17; confirm when each charge applies.
The current undergraduate tuition schedule distinguishes nursing rates and residency categories. This current-rate estimate spans the verified sequence; future academic-year rate changes can increase the actual bill.
Accreditation
Augusta’s BSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Graduates may seek RN licensure through NCLEX-RN and the applicable licensing-board requirements.
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