Last Updated: October 7, 2026
Program Overview
Loyola replaced its accelerated BSN with a 16-month, in-person Master of Nursing for career changers beginning in fall 2026.
Program status: Loyola University Chicago announced on July 14, 2026 that its new Master of Nursing (MN) replaces the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The former ABSN program link now leads to the MN, which launched in fall 2026; prospective students should follow the current graduate-program information.
This page retains the former ABSN URL to help applicants who arrive through older references understand the change. The replacement pathway awards a graduate nursing degree and prepares students for entry-level registered-nurse practice; it should be compared separately from programs that award a second bachelor’s degree.
What Changed
- The current credential is a Master of Nursing, rather than a BSN.
- Loyola identifies the replacement as a full-time, in-person program at the Health Sciences Campus in Maywood.
- The current MN curriculum comprises 66 credits over four semesters, approximately 16 months.
- Loyola’s announcement says incoming ABSN students had the option to transition immediately to the MN. Enrolled students should follow their assigned program and cohort requirements.
The university’s program-replacement announcement explains the transition. Older ABSN catalog and tuition references may remain available for earlier cohorts; their presence does not establish that a new ABSN cohort is accepting applications.
Program Format and Attendance
Current attendance: The MN is offered in person and full time at Loyola’s Health Sciences Campus in Maywood, Illinois. Applicants should plan for campus learning and assigned clinical experiences across community and hospital settings.
Clinical preparation: The current program includes clinical rotations across prevention, primary and acute care, alongside lab and simulation learning. A 120-hour preceptor-based Professional Role Development experience supports the transition to practice.
Current Graduate Alternative
The MN is designed for applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Its curriculum covers assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, adult and pediatric care, psychiatric mental health, population and community health, leadership, ethics, policy, and quality and safety.
The university also describes integration of healthcare technology and artificial intelligence within the new curriculum. Completion prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue the remaining requirements for RN licensure; the degree does not by itself confer an advanced-practice nursing license.
MN Admissions and Application Dates
The current Nursing MN admissions page lists a 3.0 minimum GPA, official transcripts from all institutions, an admission interview, résumé/CV and statement of purpose. Its deadlines require both the application and supporting materials: July 1 for fall and November 15 for spring. These are MN deadlines, not evidence of continuing ABSN admission.
The current MN prerequisites require C or better and completion within five years of entry. These graduate-entry requirements supersede the former ABSN’s 33-credit prerequisite list for new applicants.
- Microbiology with lab (3–4 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab sequence, taken at the same institution (6–8 credits)
- Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- Fundamentals of Nutrition or higher (2–3 credits)
Statement of purpose: In 500 words or fewer, applicants describe nursing career goals, their alignment with the school’s mission and the MN program, and experiences that prepared them for success. An interview is part of the current application requirements; applicants should follow the graduate program’s instructions for supporting materials.
MN Tuition and Costs
Loyola lists $74,500 in MN tuition for cohorts beginning fall 2026 and spring 2027, billed as four terms of $18,625. Fees and living expenses are separate, and the university states that tuition and fees are subject to change.
This graduate tuition amount is provided as context for the replacement program. It is not included as an active ABSN tuition figure in this profile’s comparison fields. Applicants should review the current MN bursar schedule and financial-aid options before committing.
Published fees: The 2026–27 MN bursar schedule lists semester student-development fees of $206 and technology fees of $135 for enrollment of nine or more hours. A $194 semester fitness-center fee applies at 12 or more hours. It also lists an annual student health-insurance premium of $3,869. Confirm applicable enrollment tiers, insurance requirements and course-specific charges with Loyola; these charges are separate from the stated tuition.
Comparing Bachelor’s and Graduate Entry Routes
Applicants seeking a second bachelor’s degree can explore the active Illinois ABSN profiles below. Those considering Loyola should compare its current graduate credential, required campus attendance, prerequisite evaluation, clinical schedule and total educational budget with other entry-to-nursing routes.
Existing Loyola ABSN students should use the curriculum, billing terms and advising instructions assigned to their cohort. Requirements from the former hybrid and onsite ABSN should not be assumed to apply to the new MN.
Related Programs
Compare ABSN programs in Illinois and explore other accelerated nursing options below.