Last Updated: October 14, 2026
Program Overview
LCU’s 17-month, campus-based ABSN in Pineville combines a Christian nursing mission with five terms of pre-nursing and upper-division study, clinical learning and service.
Louisiana Christian University offers accelerated nursing study for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Prior-degree general education is evaluated for block credit, while specified sciences and support courses prepare students for the nursing sequence.
The 2026–27 accelerated catalog describes a 63-credit nursing track and lists the courses below. Students should use an approved individual plan to establish remaining prerequisites and graduation credits; the first degree does not automatically satisfy every science or nursing requirement.
Accreditation
LCU’s baccalaureate nursing program is CCNE accredited. The current LSBN list identifies initial approval for Louisiana Christian’s nursing program. Institutional and nursing accreditation are separate from state approval and the student’s eligibility for licensure.
Admissions Requirements
- A completed bachelor’s degree and 2.6 minimum cumulative GPA.
- C or better in the accelerated pathway’s prerequisite and pre-nursing requirements.
- Official transcripts, a statement of goals and three references, as listed in the accelerated catalog.
- An application through the university’s nursing process or NursingCAS where offered.
- Required LSBN clearance, background review, health documentation, drug screening and clinical preparation.
The 2026–27 nursing handbook and the school’s Fall 2027 application instructions limit the TEAS requirement to traditional BSN applicants. Use the accelerated checklist and confirm the cohort’s application deadline with the Division of Nursing.
Admission is selective. Transfer evaluation and progression policies apply to repeat coursework, prior nursing study and students who need additional academic support. Current students must maintain required BLS certification, insurance and clinical compliance throughout enrollment.
Prerequisites
The accelerated catalog lists the following non-nursing prerequisites. Approved equivalent courses from the first degree may satisfy requirements; the university determines substitutions.
- PY 220 — Introduction to Psychology: 3 credits.
- PY 230 — Developmental Psychology: 3 credits.
- CH 101 — Introductory Chemistry: 3 credits.
- BI 225 — Microbiology: 3 credits.
- MA 211 — Elementary Statistics: 3 credits.
- BI 231/232 and BI 233/234 — Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs: 8 credits.
- RL 105 — Survey of the Bible: 3 credits; the catalog permits it before entry or in summer.
These individually listed courses total 26 credits. Obtain a transcript review and the finalized accelerated checklist before purchasing additional prerequisite courses. The pre-nursing summer below is a separate 9-credit nursing block.
Curriculum
The published accelerated sequence progresses through nursing theory, pharmacology and calculations, then assessment and adult care, specialty and faith-based nursing, population health and professional transition. The tables retain the catalog’s five term groups; nursing descriptions are verified against the current course catalog.
Required Courses and Credits
First Summer — 9 Listed Credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NU 201 — Introduction to Nursing Theory | 3 | Professional nursing concepts, nursing theories and the role of the nurse. |
NU 220 — Nursing Pharmacology I | 2 | Foundational medication principles and safe nursing care related to drug therapy. |
NU 226 — Dosage Calculation | 2 | Calculation of medication doses and administration rates using accurate measurement and safety checks. |
NU 230 — Nursing Pathophysiology | 2 | Disease mechanisms and alterations in body-system function relevant to nursing assessment and care. |
Fall — 16 Listed Credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NU 319 — Nursing Fundamentals | 4 | Foundational nursing skills, the nursing process and safe care through theory and practical experiences. |
NU 326 — Nursing Health Assessment | 4 | Health histories, physical examination and interpretation of findings, supported by assessment practice. |
NU 370 — Medical-Surgical Nursing I | 6 | Nursing management of adult health problems through theory and supervised clinical care. |
NU 429 — Nursing Informatics | 2 | Use of information systems, technology and data to support nursing practice and patient care. |
Spring — 15 Listed Credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NU 332 — Women’s Health | 3 | Nursing care related to women’s reproductive and childbearing health, including maternal and newborn needs. |
NU 334 — Child and Family Health | 3 | Family-centered nursing for children, integrating growth, development and health needs. |
NU 455 — Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare | 2 | Teamwork and communication across health professions to coordinate care. |
NU 340 — Mental Health Nursing Care | 3 | Mental-health nursing, therapeutic relationships and care for clients with psychiatric needs. |
NU 348 — Nursing Research | 2 | Research processes, appraisal and use of evidence to inform nursing care. |
NU 464 — Christian-Based Nursing | 2 | Integration of Christian values and spiritual care into professional nursing practice. |
Second Summer — 7 Listed Credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NU 427 — Nursing Pharmacology II | 1 | Further pharmacologic concepts and application of medication knowledge to nursing care. |
NU 470 — Medical-Surgical Nursing II | 6 | More complex adult health needs and clinical application of medical-surgical nursing. |
Final Fall — 12 Listed Credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NU 344 — Service Learning in Nursing | 1 | Community service integrated with nursing learning and reflection. |
NU 435 — Population Health | 3 | Community and population assessment, health promotion and prevention. |
NU 460 — Leadership and Management of Nursing Care | 2 | Nursing leadership, care coordination and management responsibilities. |
NU 490 — Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing Practice | 5 | Integration of nursing knowledge and clinical practice for transition to the baccalaureate nursing role. |
NU 497 — BSN Review | 1 | Synthesis and review of nursing knowledge in preparation for licensure testing. |
The accelerated program requires 63 nursing credits in addition to non-nursing prerequisites, as stated in the catalog. The tables reproduce its published courses; the cohort plan determines registration.
Clinical Experience
The sequence includes fundamentals, assessment, medical-surgical care, women’s and child/family health, mental health, population nursing and a transition-to-practice experience. Service learning and Christian-based nursing provide distinct community and spiritual-care components.
Students need LSBN approval before clinical nursing courses, current health and immunization records, BLS certification, insurance and required background/drug screenings. Random screenings may occur during the program. Clinical assignments require in-person attendance and transportation.
Tuition and Costs
Estimated cost: $45,166–$50,808. Current listed 9/16/15/7/12 term loads plus four additional credits needed to meet the stated 63-credit total. Minimum assumes all four fit inside already-flat-rate terms; maximum assumes three raise first summer from 9 to 12 and one raises second summer from 7 to 8. Rates: $706 below 12, $11,290 for 12–18. No missing course identities invented. Fees/prerequisites extra.
LCU’s 2026–27 tuition schedule lists $706 per credit for 1–11 credits and $11,290 per semester for 12–18 credits. Credits over 18 add $706 each.
- Wildcat Flex Advantage fee: $25 per credit below 12 credits or $400 for 12–18 credits; the schedule identifies an opt-out/refund provision by the drop/add deadline.
- Nursing clinical-course fee: $200 per applicable course.
- Nursing skills kit: $75 per applicable course.
- NCLEX review: $300 per applicable course.
- Science laboratory fees, books, health screening, supplies and living/transportation costs may apply.
Confirm the finalized credit plan and cohort fees before comparing full-program prices. Eligible students may explore grants, loans and scholarships through university financial aid.