Program Overview
A second-degree BSN at the heart of an upstate healthcare hub — Clemson’s Accelerated Second Degree program is based entirely at its Greenville nursing building, in South Carolina’s largest healthcare market, pairing the resources of a major public research university with affordable in-state tuition over a focused 20-month plan.
The Accelerated Second Degree (ASD) Nursing program at Clemson University is an intensive, full-time pathway for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in another field. The program spans 20 months across five consecutive semesters, starting each May.
All classes and clinical experiences are based out of the Clemson Nursing Building in Greenville, SC, with clinical rotations in the surrounding area hospital systems — placing students in one of the state’s busiest healthcare markets.
Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing and are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate nursing program at Clemson University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Clemson University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admission and Acceptance
Admission is competitive. All applicants — including former or current Clemson students — apply through undergraduate admissions as a transfer applicant.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university
- Cumulative or last-60-hours GPA of at least 3.0
- Students may apply and be accepted while still completing their previous degree and/or ASD prerequisite courses
- Students are notified of acceptance in late November; the program begins in May (summer term)
Prerequisites
Students must complete prerequisite courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics, and Nutrition before entering the program. Transfer credits are evaluated against Clemson’s Transcript Equivalency Listing (TCEL) to determine whether additional coursework is needed.
Curriculum
ASD students are full-time for five semesters. The curriculum covers health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, psychosocial and mental health nursing, gerontology, maternal-child and pediatric care, healthcare genetics, community health, and leadership.
Summer (Semester 1)
NURS 3100 – Health Assessment (3)
Introduces the principles of health, wellness, and illness with a focus on physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessments for adult clients across the lifespan. Includes instruction on interviewing techniques.
NURS 3300 – Research (3)
Covers conceptual frameworks, models, and theories in nursing. Analyzes nursing research, emphasizing ethical, moral, and legal considerations in applying findings to practice.
Fall (Semester 2)
NURS 3040 – Pathophysiology for Health Care Professionals (3)
Explores disease mechanisms and their effects on body systems. Includes pharmacologic and mechanical interventions linked to disease processes and practical patient care applications.
NURS 3400 – Pharmacotherapeutic Nursing Interventions (3)
Integrates pharmacology with nursing processes, covering drug classifications, uses, side effects, interactions, dosages, and contraindications. Emphasizes patient education and medication monitoring.
NURS 3120 – Medical-Surgical I (4)
Focuses on therapeutic nursing interventions, such as psychomotor skills, communication techniques, and teaching methods to enhance patient care.
NURS 3200 – Professionalism in Nursing (3)
Applies critical thinking to professional nursing roles. Examines historical development, medical terminology, and challenges in providing care to diverse populations within professional standards.
Spring (Semester 3)
NURS (HCG) 3330 – Healthcare Genetics (3)
Examines the impact of genetics on healthcare, including the application of genetic technologies throughout life stages. Addresses ethical issues in genetic disorders and healthcare services.
NURS 3030 – Medical-Surgical II (7)
Incorporates theoretical and scientific knowledge to deliver holistic nursing care. Focuses on health promotion, maintenance, restoration, and patient education for adults.
NURS 3050 – Psychosocial Nursing (3)
Takes a lifespan approach to analyze psychosocial, cultural, and family factors affecting health. Emphasizes therapeutic communication, critical thinking, and the nursing process.
NURS 3230 – Gerontology Nursing (2)
Introduces aging theories and addresses health issues in the elderly. Focuses on managing chronic conditions and promoting physiological, psychological, and social well-being.
Summer (Semester 4)
NURS 4010 – Mental Health Nursing (5)
Applies nursing theories and processes to evaluate and implement care strategies for patients with psychiatric disorders, emphasizing therapeutic interventions.
NURS 4110 – Nursing Care of Children (5)
Explores health issues in children, focusing on acute, critical, and chronic illnesses. Emphasizes strategies to promote health, development, and recovery.
NURS 4120 – Nursing Care of Women and Their Families (5)
Focuses on nursing strategies to support wellness in women and families. Addresses biological, psychological, and sociocultural health concepts across various settings.
Fall (Semester 5)
NURS 4030 – Medical-Surgical III (5)
Addresses complex health issues in acutely ill adults, emphasizing circulation, oxygenation, homeostasis, and compensation. Focuses on multidisciplinary care for traumatic conditions.
NURS 4140 – Community Health (5)
Examines community health nursing, including assessments, screenings, and health education. Emphasizes improving health in homes, schools, industries, and community agencies.
NURS 4100 – Leadership Management (6)
Explores the professional nurse’s role in clinical practice and management. Discusses leadership theories, ethics, licensure preparation, and practical application through supervised labs.
More detail is available in the Clemson ASD nursing catalog.
Clinical Experience
Rigorous clinical experiences take place in Greenville, SC and the surrounding area hospital systems, alongside skills and simulation training at the Clemson Nursing Building. The Greenville location places students in one of South Carolina’s largest healthcare markets, supporting evidence-based practice and professional skill development across acute, community, and specialty settings.
Tuition
Tuition and fees for the ASD program are approximately $23,300 for South Carolina residents across the program (based on Clemson’s published in-state tuition and fees applied over the five-semester plan); out-of-state tuition is significantly higher. A nursing academic program fee also applies. These figures cover tuition and required fees only — not housing, food, books, personal expenses, or a laptop.
Confirm current figures using the official Clemson tuition calculator and the nursing academic program fee page.
Other Programs
Clemson also offers a traditional BSN, an RN-BSN completion program, and graduate nursing tracks (MSN, DNP, and a Healthcare Genetics and Genomics PhD), providing pathways for diverse nursing careers. The ASD program is campus-based in Greenville and does not offer an online option, reflecting its hands-on, clinical focus.