Program Overview
Strong outcomes and deep clinical access in Pittsburgh — Duquesne University’s Second Degree BSN lets career changers choose a 12- or 16-month pace, posts a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate in its most recent cohort, rotates students through both major Pittsburgh hospital systems (UPMC and AHN), and offers up to $30,000 in scholarships.
Duquesne University’s Second Degree BSN is an accelerated, in-person program designed for career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Students choose between a 12-month (3-semester) or 16-month (4-semester) pathway, both launching each August.
A Catholic university in the Spiritan tradition, Duquesne reports that its most recent cohort achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, and students can access up to $30,000 in scholarship funding through the Conway Scholars Program and Discover Award.
Clinical training begins in the first week of the program, rotating students through hospitals and community sites across the Pittsburgh metro area.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The Second Degree BSN program at Duquesne University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Duquesne University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Duquesne reports that its most recent cohort achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admissions Requirements
Duquesne’s Second Degree BSN has selective but straightforward admission criteria. Prospective students need a completed (or in-progress) non-nursing bachelor’s degree and a strong academic record.
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 undergraduate GPA required; the admissions committee may consider recent coursework demonstrating academic readiness
- Degree: BA or BS from an accredited institution (degree-in-progress accepted if conferred before program start)
- Prerequisites: Must be completed before the program begins; applicants may apply while finishing them
- Criminal History: Applicants with prior convictions should review licensure eligibility documentation before applying
- Technical Standards: All applicants must meet published health and technical standards per the Student Handbook
- International Applicants: Additional criteria apply
- Application Deadline: June 1 for Fall start (Fall entry only)
Prerequisite Courses
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher prior to the program start date. Coursework may be completed at any accredited institution, and online coursework is accepted (Portage Learning offers all required courses).
Completed within the last 5 years:
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits)
Completed within the last 10 years:
- Biology or Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
- Human Growth & Development – lifespan focus (3 credits)
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
- Nutrition (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
Curriculum
The program totals 67 credit hours of intensive nursing coursework across three or four semesters. Both tracks cover the same core content; the 16-month option simply distributes the load over an additional semester. All nursing courses require a grade of “C+” or better to progress.
UPNS 119 Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology
This course introduces students to professional nursing in today’s healthcare environment, emphasizing identity development, ethical and legal considerations, and patient safety. Students explore the evolution of nursing and learn about technology’s role in modern nursing practice.
UPNS 324 Cultural Applications in Health Care
Students examine transcultural healthcare models and their impact on nursing practice. The course emphasizes culturally competent care, assessing and implementing culturally appropriate interventions in both U.S. and global healthcare settings.
UPNS 200 Fundamentals of Nursing
This course focuses on essential nursing concepts, skills, and critical thinking within clinical decision-making. Students develop therapeutic relationships, practice fundamental nursing techniques in lab and clinical settings, and explore ethical issues in patient care.
UPNS 218 Health Assessment
Students learn to perform comprehensive health assessments using therapeutic communication and physical examination skills. The course covers health promotion, disease prevention, and cultural considerations in assessment, with hands-on practice in simulation labs.
UPNS 326 Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice
This course explores disease mechanisms and their impact on physiological function across the lifespan. Students learn about symptom presentation and clinical decision-making related to disease prevention and management.
UPNS 339 Genetics in Nursing and Health
Students examine the impact of genetic knowledge in nursing practice, including risk assessment, genetic testing, and ethical considerations. The course integrates principles from the Human Genome Project into patient care strategies.
UPNS 232 Adult Health and Illness
This course focuses on nursing care for adults with common acute and chronic conditions. Students apply nursing principles to assess, plan, and implement care for medical and surgical conditions in clinical settings.
UPNS 309 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Students study the principles of pharmacology, including drug mechanisms, effectiveness, and interactions. The course emphasizes safe medication administration and the clinical application of pharmacological treatments for various conditions.
UPNS 344 Nursing for Children’s Health
Students develop competencies in pediatric nursing, focusing on health assessment, disease prevention, and family-centered care. The course explores factors influencing child health, including cultural, economic, and ethical considerations.
UPNS 348 Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health
This course emphasizes nursing care for women and newborns, covering maternal health, labor, birth, and postpartum care. Students examine social and cultural influences on maternal and infant health.
UPNS 355 Behavioral Health
Students learn the foundations of psychiatric nursing, including therapeutic communication and mental health care. The course covers stress, maladaptive behaviors, and collaborative care for patients with psychiatric conditions.
UPNS 357 Population Health
This course focuses on population health nursing, emphasizing community-based care and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students engage in clinical experiences with diverse populations to address public health challenges.
UPNS 411W Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan
Students explore ethical decision-making in nursing practice, analyzing moral reasoning, professional codes of ethics, and contemporary healthcare dilemmas. The course includes a writing-intensive component on ethical argumentation.
UPNS 400 Critically Ill Adult
This course prepares students to care for patients with complex and unstable conditions. Students develop skills in high-acuity settings, focusing on assessment, adaptation, and recovery for critically ill adults.
UPNS 431 Enhancing Quality and Safety through EBP and Technology
Students examine nursing research and evidence-based practice to improve patient care. The course covers qualitative and quantitative research methods, patient safety, and healthcare technology applications.
UPNS 453 Transition to Professional Practice
This course supports students in transitioning to professional nursing practice, emphasizing clinical judgment, decision-making, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam. Topics include professional development and self-care in nursing.
UPNS 460 Advanced Clinical Concepts in Gerontology
Students develop problem-solving skills for assessing and managing complex conditions in older adults. The course emphasizes chronic disease management and clinical reasoning in geriatric care.
UPNS 462 Leadership and Management Theory & Practice in Clinical Environments
Students explore nursing leadership and management principles, focusing on team collaboration, healthcare policies, and technology integration. The course emphasizes improving patient outcomes through effective leadership in clinical settings.
12-Month Track Highlights:
- Fall: Fundamentals, Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, Genetics, Cultural Applications (22 credits)
- Spring: Adult Health I, Pharmacology, Peds, Maternal-Newborn, Behavioral Health, Population Health, Nursing Ethics (24 credits)
- Summer: Adult Health II/Geriatrics, Critical Care, Leadership, EBP & Technology, Transition to Practice (24 credits)
16-Month Track Highlights:
- Distributes the same 67 credits across 4 semesters (Fall/Spring/Summer/Fall Year 2)
- Specialty rotations (Peds, Maternal-Newborn, Behavioral Health, Population Health) split across spring and fall semesters in rotating sequence
More detail is available in the Duquesne Second Degree BSN catalog.
Clinicals & Simulation Lab
Clinical training begins in the first week of the program. Students rotate through hospitals and community sites across the Pittsburgh metro area — spanning both major regional systems, UPMC and Allegheny Health Network — under licensed faculty and nurse preceptors.
Clinical sites include:
- UPMC Presbyterian, Shadyside, Montefiore, Mercy, East, McKeesport, Passavant, St. Margaret, Magee-Womens
- Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
- AHN Allegheny General, Forbes Regional, Jefferson, Western Pennsylvania, St. Clair Hospital
- Behavioral health and community clinical sites
Duquesne’s 7,000 sq. ft. Learning and Simulation Center features high-fidelity SimMan mannequins, augmented reality, wearable simulators, skills labs, and control-room-operated simulation rooms. NCLEX preparation is integrated from semester one using HESI software; students must score 900 on the Exit HESI Exam to complete the program.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition is billed per semester and varies by track. The estimates below reflect tuition plus technology fees.
- 12-Month: ~$69,730 (3 semesters + tech fees) — complete estimate
- 16-Month: ~$53,251 for known semesters, plus Fall Year 2 (listed as TBD by Duquesne)
- 16-Month Option 2: ~$58,744 for known semesters, plus Fall Year 2 (TBD)
Note: the 16-month totals appear lower only because they exclude the final (Fall Year 2) semester, which Duquesne lists as TBD; the complete 16-month cost is comparable to the 12-month track. Scholarship opportunities include up to $30,000 through the Conway Scholars Program and Duquesne Discover Award, awarded during the admissions process.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.