Program Overview
Program angle: Nearly 50 years of nursing history and deep Boston-area hospital relationships give Curry’s accelerated students a clinical network few second-degree programs can match.
Curry College’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ACCEL) turns a prior bachelor’s degree into a nursing career in just 16 months. The draw is the clinical side: ranked among the top nursing schools in Massachusetts and built on nearly five decades of nursing education, the program places students in a wide range of Boston-area hospitals and healthcare agencies.
The 50-credit, full-time program runs in daytime classes on the Milton campus, with small cohorts of no more than 30 starting each January and fall.
Coursework spans health assessment, pharmacology, adult and pediatric care, and evidence-based practice, reinforced through simulation and hands-on rotations.
Curry’s baccalaureate nursing graduates — traditional and ACCEL combined — posted a 91.74% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs at Curry College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for registered nurse licensure in Massachusetts.
Admissions Requirements
Admission is competitive. Applicants need a prior bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA (3.0 preferred) and must submit the following:
- Completed online application
- Current resume
- Personal statement (per the program’s writing prompts)
- Official transcripts from the degree-granting and prerequisite institutions
- Non-refundable $50 application fee
The TEAS exam is not required. Application deadlines are July 1 for Fall 2026, October 1 (priority) for Spring 2027, and May 1 (priority) for Fall 2027, each with its own prerequisite-completion deadline.
Prerequisite Courses
Science prerequisites must be completed within ten years of applying, and at least two of the four science courses must be done before an application is reviewed. All six prerequisites must be complete before entering the program.
- Anatomy & Physiology I (4cr with lab, B- or higher)
- Anatomy & Physiology II (4cr with lab, B- or higher)
- Chemistry (4cr with lab, B- or higher)
- Microbiology (4cr with lab, B- or higher)
- Human Growth and Development (3cr, C- or higher)
- Statistics (3cr, C- or higher)
Curriculum
The 50-credit curriculum covers health assessment, pharmacology, adult and pediatric nursing care, and evidence-based practice, complemented by simulations and clinical experiences in Boston-area healthcare facilities. The program’s objectives mirror those of a traditional four-year nursing degree, compressed into four terms.
Term 1
NSG 2000 Health Assessment
Introduces students to health assessment skills, focusing on accurate data collection to promote health. Emphasis is on normal findings, common deviations, and the effects of environment, lifestyle, and genetics on health, with practice in lab settings.
NSG 2015 Simulations in Clinical Judgment & Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions I
Develops foundational nursing skills through simulations that connect classroom learning to patient care. Focuses on assessment, clinical reasoning, and safety in nursing, with team-building and introduction to electronic medical records.
NSG 2042 Nursing Care of Adults I
Introduces nursing roles in patient-centered care, emphasizing responses to illness, disease prevention, and communication. Prepares students to use critical thinking and ethical decision-making in caring for diverse patients.
NSG 2053 Nursing Care of Children
Focuses on family-centered pediatric nursing, addressing children’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Highlights the nurse’s role as advocate and educator, developing teamwork skills in pediatric care.
NSG 2205 Pathophysiology for the ACCEL Student
Explores disease mechanisms and holistic patient care, covering genetics, immune processes, and body system alterations. Emphasizes adaptive responses across the lifespan in a nursing context.
Term 2
NSG 2044 Clinical Nursing Care of Adults I
Provides hands-on adult care in acute settings, focusing on illness management and clinical judgment. Students manage patient responses to interventions and apply evidence-based practice.
NSG 2245 Simulations in Clinical Judgment & Evidence-Based Nursing II
Builds on simulation skills, focusing on medical-surgical and family-centered care. Enhances patient safety, team collaboration, and clinical decision-making.
NSG 2054 Clinical Nursing Care of Children
Focuses on family-centered pediatric care in clinical settings, emphasizing communication, clinical judgment, and interdisciplinary collaboration in caring for children.
NSG 2055 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families
Centers on maternity and women’s health, with clinical practice in diverse care settings. Emphasizes genetic counseling, patient-centered care, and team collaboration.
NSG 2505 Pharmacology for the ACCEL Student
Covers drug action, metabolism, and therapeutic applications, with emphasis on the nurse’s role in medication education and interdisciplinary care.
Term 3
NSG 3033 Mental Health Nursing
Explores psychiatric care and the nurse’s role in managing psychological and emotional health. Focuses on communication, self-awareness, and managing mental health conditions in acute settings.
NSG 3034 Population Health in the Community
Examines public health nursing, with focus on community assessment, emergency preparedness, and health education. Clinical experiences foster roles as educator, manager, and advocate in community settings.
NSG 3039 Nursing Care of Older Adults for the ACCEL Student
Focuses on evidence-based care for older adults, covering wellness, chronic illness, and end-of-life care. Includes legal, ethical, and diversity considerations in geriatric nursing.
NSG 3045 Evidence for Nursing Practice for the ACCEL Student
Teaches evidence-based practice and critical evaluation of research for improved patient care. Covers ethical considerations and the nurse’s role in applying research to clinical problems.
Term 4
NSG 3058 Nursing Care of Adults II for the ACCEL Student
Advances clinical skills in managing complex health issues, emphasizing patient-centered care, advocacy, and evidence-based practice in acute care settings.
NSG 3475 Health Policy & Finance for the ACCEL Student
Explores healthcare policy and financing, examining impacts on patients, providers, and health systems. Prepares students to advocate for patient needs within varied healthcare structures.
NSG 3987 Senior Seminar: Synthesis of Professional Nursing Practice for the ACCEL Student
A capstone course that integrates nursing knowledge, covering leadership, professional responsibilities, and NCLEX-RN preparation with practice exams to enhance readiness for licensure.
More curriculum detail is available in the Curry College course catalog.
Clinical Training and NCLEX Preparation
Clinical placements are integrated throughout the program, giving students hands-on training across diverse Boston-area healthcare settings through Curry’s longstanding hospital and agency relationships. Simulation labs build skills before students move into live patient care, and the capstone seminar incorporates NCLEX-RN preparation with practice exams to ready graduates for licensure.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Curry sets a flat tuition rate — approximately $55,350 — with no hidden charges or fees, so students can budget without worrying about mid-program increases. Confirm the current figure directly, as published rates can change.
Financial aid and payment plans are available; after acceptance, Curry’s Student Financial Services Office reviews FAFSA-based eligibility for aid.
See the official tuition and financial aid page for details.
Additional Program Options
Curry also offers an Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN (20 months), an MSN in Nursing Education, and an RN-to-BS program available in fully online or hybrid formats. The ACCEL ABSN itself is delivered in person in daytime classes at the Milton campus.