Program Overview
Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies brings its nationally ranked Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ASDNU) program to Austin, Texas. The program completes in just 15 months across four consecutive semesters — one of the faster ABSN timelines available in the state.
College Factual ranks the nursing program in the top 3% of all nursing programs in the nation and the top 5% for bachelor’s-level nursing degrees.
U.S. News & World Report places it in the top 15% of undergraduate nursing programs.
ABSN Admission Requirements
Admission is competitive and rolling, with no fixed application deadline. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and a completed prior bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. All science prerequisites should ideally be completed within the past 10 years, with science grades of A or B preferred from the past three to five years.
- Prior degree: Bachelor’s degree in any non-nursing field required
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Liberal arts core: 12 credits in any combination of English, Ethics, History, Languages, Philosophy, Religion, or Visual & Performing Arts (grade of C or better)
- Prerequisite sciences (grade of B or better):
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 cr)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 cr)
- Elements of Microbiology with lab (4 cr)
- General Chemistry for Health Science with lab (4 cr)
- Lifespan Development / Psychology (3 cr)
- One Statistics course (3 cr)
- Transfer credit: Prerequisites may be satisfied through transfer credit from accredited institutions or challenge exams; acceptance is at the discretion of the Program Director and Dean
- Application process: Rolling admissions; available start terms include Spring 2027, Fall 2027, and Spring 2028 (Texas campus starts in January)
- Confirmation deposit: $500 due within two weeks of acceptance; applied toward first-semester tuition
- Background check & drug screening: Required before clinical participation; cost borne by the student
- CPR certification: Required before first clinical; must be maintained throughout the program (AHA Healthcare Provider or ARC Professional Rescuer accepted)
- Health requirements: Annual physical exam plus all clinical agency health documentation required each year
- International transcripts: Must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) with course-by-course assessment
Curriculum
The program requires students to complete 60 credits, combining online coursework with in-person labs and clinical experiences in Austin.
The curriculum covers essential nursing areas such as mental health, pediatric, geriatric, and maternal-newborn nursing, as well as leadership and population health, ensuring a well-rounded education.
NURS 1110 – Introduction to Professional Nursing
This foundational course introduces professional nursing concepts, focusing on clinical reasoning, communication, and the history of nursing to establish professional behaviors and responsibilities.
NURS 1112 – Healthcare Delivery Systems
Explores the healthcare system’s evolution, emphasizing social, ethical, and legal issues, healthcare reform, and global health. Includes perspectives on alternative therapies and healthcare equity.
NURS 2270 – Health Assessment
Teaches essential skills for conducting health assessments across the lifespan, covering physical, cultural, and mental health evaluations, alongside clinical documentation and communication.
NURS 2272 – Geriatric Nursing
Focuses on evidence-based care for older adults, addressing aging-related changes, common geriatric issues, and ethical and spiritual concerns in vulnerable populations.
NURS 2303 – Basic Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
Covers physiological changes in diseases and pharmacologic treatments, including side effects and adverse reactions for managing various conditions.
NURS 3301 – Health and Wellness
Examines factors affecting health decisions and lifestyles, utilizing epidemiology to assess risks, and emphasizing culturally competent and socially aware care.
NURS 3305 – Mental Health Nursing
Focuses on nursing care for psychiatric disorders using holistic and recovery-oriented approaches, emphasizing communication and therapeutic relationships.
NURS 3307 – Fundamentals of Nursing Care
Introduces evidence-based patient care skills, with hands-on practice in basic to advanced techniques and electronic health record documentation.
NURS 3310 – Foundations of Research for Evidence-Based Practice
Covers the research process, critiquing studies, and applying findings to clinical practice with an emphasis on scholarly writing and evidence-based decision-making.
NURS 3312 – Medical Surgical Nursing I
Introduces common adult illnesses, integrating theory, nursing processes, and clinical practice with a focus on patient care prioritization and documentation.
NURS 3314 – Maternal and Newborn Nursing
Explores reproductive health, pregnancy, and newborn care, emphasizing evidence-based approaches and ethical considerations in maternal nursing.
NURS 4321 – Professional Nursing Leadership
Addresses leadership, organizational dynamics, and healthcare policies, integrating theory and clinical experiences to develop leadership and patient safety skills.
NURS 4323 – Pediatric Nursing
Focuses on pediatric care across developmental stages, emphasizing family-centered care, health promotion, and evidence-based practice in diverse clinical settings.
NURS 4325 – Medical Surgical Nursing II
Continues the study of adult care, applying the nursing process to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care with an emphasis on professional communication and teamwork.
NURS 4330 – Population Health
Applies public health principles to diverse populations, focusing on disease prevention, health promotion, and care for vulnerable groups globally.
NURS 4332 – Transition to Professional Nursing
Capstone course that integrates clinical skills and leadership development, preparing students for autonomous professional practice through practical experience and a Capstone Project.
More More curriculum details available here.
Progression Requirements
- Minimum C+ (77%) required in all nursing courses to advance each semester
- Students may repeat a failed nursing course once; two failures result in program dismissal
- Clinical components in all clinical courses are graded pass/fail; both theory and clinical components must be passed
- No incomplete grades permitted at semester’s end for progression
- A minimum of 60 credits, including all nursing credits, must be completed at Fairfield University; the final 30 credits must be taken at Fairfield
Clinicals and Labs
Clinical rotations are embedded across multiple nursing courses throughout the program. Hands-on simulation labs complement in-person clinical placements and are used to build patient care skills before students enter live clinical settings.
Clinical courses include Geriatric Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I & II, and Pediatric Nursing — each of which requires students to pass both a theory component and a clinical pass/fail component.
Students must satisfy all health, background check, and drug screening requirements before any clinical participation. All associated costs are the student’s responsibility.
Tuition and Fees
Total program cost is $55,380, and tuition is locked in at enrollment — meaning no mid-program rate increases. This flat fee covers tuition, registration, nursing lab and clinical fees, and commencement.
The $500 confirmation deposit is included in this total and is applied to the first semester’s balance. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
- Total tuition: $55,380 (fixed)
- Confirmation deposit: $500 (applied to tuition; due within two weeks of acceptance)
- Not included: Clinical participation record fee, background check and drug screening, CPR certification, textbooks, and any living or travel costs
- Financial aid: Available to eligible students
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Fairfield University Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies ABSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for NCLEX-RN licensure in their intended state of practice.
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