Program Overview
A flexible, faith-centered fast track into nursing — Missouri Baptist University’s 12-month Accelerated BSN stands out because, unlike most accelerated programs, it doesn’t require a completed bachelor’s degree (or the TEAS), and it pairs a 95% NCLEX pass rate and 100% employment with an INACSL-endorsed simulation program.
Missouri Baptist University offers an Accelerated BSN that completes in about 12 months, starting with a June cohort, and runs as a full-time, campus-based program with no part-time or fully online option. Unlike many similar programs, qualified students do not need a completed bachelor’s degree to be considered — admission is built on completed prerequisites and a strong college GPA — and no TEAS exam is required.
The cohort caps at 32 students, and the nursing learning space in the Walker Medical Building includes a simulation program endorsed by the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) for simulation quality.
As the only evangelical Christian university in St. Louis, MBU integrates Christian perspectives into its nursing preparation.
Clinical education begins early and continues through a capstone that supports the move into practice, and the program reports a 95% NCLEX pass rate (2022) with 100% of graduates employed in nursing upon graduation.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Missouri Baptist University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Missouri Baptist University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC); its graduate nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
The program reports a 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate (2022) and 100% employment in nursing upon graduation, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
This ABSN admission path centers on a strong college GPA, solid science grades, and completed pre-nursing coursework — but notably does not require a completed bachelor’s degree or a TEAS exam. Rolling review helps qualified applicants move forward as seats open.
Key admission requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.2 college cumulative GPA for admission to the nursing program
- No completed bachelor’s degree required (unlike many accelerated programs); no TEAS required
- Prerequisite completion: general education and pre-nursing courses completed (or in progress at application time, if allowed by the plan)
- Science grade minimum: B or better in Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Pathophysiology, and Microbiology (7-year science time limit applies)
- Additional course minimums: C or better in Intro Chemistry, College Algebra, Nutrition Science, and Probability/Statistics
Application process and timing
- Undergraduate application to the university, noting interest in the nursing program
- Applications open November 1 and close February 1 each year; decisions by February 15
- Official transcripts due to the records office by the stated deadline for applicable applicants
- Acceptance includes a required response form and a non-refundable tuition deposit by the stated date
Other requirements that affect eligibility
- Background check through CastleBranch before entry into the program
- Drug test before entry; repeat screens can occur if required for clinical placement
- CPR certification (adult, child, and infant hands-on skills; American Heart Association standards)
- Health insurance maintained during School of Nursing activities, plus immunization and TB requirements before clinical participation
Prerequisite Courses
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (B or better; within 7 years)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (B or better; within 7 years)
- Microbiology with lab (B or better; within 7 years)
- Pathophysiology (B or better; allowed concurrently in limited cases)
- Introductory Chemistry (C or better)
- College Algebra (C or better)
- Nutrition Science (C or better)
- Probability and Statistics (C or better)
- Old Testament History and New Testament History (allowed during the ABSN, when applicable)
Curriculum
The concept-based curriculum integrates theory and clinical practice from the start, with early exposure to diverse populations and healthcare settings. Key subjects include pharmacology, adult care, maternal-child nursing, and community health. Nursing courses require a 77% minimum and a passing clinical component for progression.
NRSG 303 – Professional Nursing Concepts I
Introduces key professional nursing concepts such as communication, leadership, safety, and clinical judgment. Emphasizes the role of the nurse in various care settings. Topics include palliative care, health care law, and patient education.
NRSG 311 – Health Assessment Lab
Focuses on hands-on practice in performing health assessments. Emphasizes identifying physical, emotional, and cultural health indicators. Covers assessments across the lifespan.
NRSG 313 – Health Assessment
Teaches comprehensive health assessments using physical, psychological, and cultural data. Develops skills in health history, risk identification, and clinical judgment. Prepares students for patient evaluations in diverse settings.
NRSG 314 – Health Care Concepts I
Covers foundational health care concepts like infection, gas exchange, nutrition, and mobility. Uses concept-based learning to enhance clinical reasoning. Focuses on physiological function and patient safety.
NRSG 371 – Health Care Concepts I Skills Lab
Provides lab-based skill development related to foundational nursing procedures. Emphasizes psychomotor skills and critical thinking. Supports learning through simulated practice.
NRSG 372 – Health Care Concepts I Clinical
Applies foundational concepts in real clinical environments. Builds nursing competencies in patient care across the lifespan. Emphasizes critical thinking and procedural skills.
NRSG 324 – Health Care Concepts II
Expands on foundational knowledge with advanced concepts like psychosis, glucose regulation, and fluid balance. Reinforces clinical judgment through case analysis and simulation. Prepares students for complex patient care.
NRSG 374 – Health Care Concepts II Clinical
Provides clinical practice in acute and chronic care settings. Applies concepts from Health Care Concepts II. Focuses on adult health and mental health nursing.
NRSG 323 – Evidence-Based Practice
Teaches how to find, evaluate, and apply research in nursing care. Emphasizes answering clinical questions using the PICO framework. Supports evidence-based decision-making.
NRSG 334 – Pharmacology
Introduces pharmacology principles including drug effects, safety, and interactions. Focuses on medication management across the lifespan. Prepares students for safe drug administration.
NRSG 443 – Health Care Concepts III
Explores advanced topics like immunity, hormonal regulation, and cellular health. Uses active learning to deepen clinical reasoning. Builds on previous health care concepts.
NRSG 474 – Health Care Concepts III Clinical
Provides clinical practice in adult health and maternal-child settings. Applies pediatric and advanced health concepts. Strengthens clinical skills and judgment.
NRSG 412 – Health Care Quality & Informatics
Covers quality improvement and informatics in nursing. Teaches how to use technology for patient care and decision-making. Focuses on safety and data management.
NRSG 453 – Concepts of Pediatric and Maternal Healthcare
Covers nursing care for mothers, newborns, and children. Includes topics like development, immunity, and gas exchange. Applies family-centered and culturally sensitive care.
NRSG 423 – Spirituality and Diversity in Healthcare
Examines how spirituality and culture impact patient care. Promotes culturally competent care across diverse populations. Integrates Christian perspectives into nursing.
NRSG 403 – Professional Nursing Concepts II
Builds on Professional Nursing Concepts I with a focus on systems-level thinking. Includes topics on leadership, teamwork, and clinical judgment. Prepares students for collaborative practice.
NRSG 433 – Ethics in Healthcare
Introduces ethical theories and decision-making in nursing. Discusses moral reasoning, legal standards, and professional codes. Applies ethics to real-world clinical situations.
NRSG 444 – Health Care Concepts IV
Presents complex care concepts such as palliative care, perfusion, and intracranial regulation. Reinforces clinical judgment through simulation and case study. Prepares students for high-acuity care.
NRSG 471 – Health Care Concepts IV Clinical
Applies complex care concepts in clinical settings. Focuses on acute and end-of-life care. Includes leadership skill development in patient care environments.
NRSG 421 – NCLEX Prep
Offers guided preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam. Includes virtual and in-person review sessions. Focuses on test strategies and content mastery.
NRSG 484 – Senior Capstone
Provides a final clinical experience under supervision. Allows students to function as entry-level nurses. Supports transition to professional practice.
Students receive a new laptop as part of the program to support tech-driven, evidence-based learning. More detail is available in the Missouri Baptist nursing catalog.
Clinicals
Clinical practice totals 765 hours across specialty areas, including a 168-hour Senior Capstone with a preceptor-based experience. Clinical rotations start in the first semester and continue through clinical synthesis experiences across the year. Clinical sites can fall within a 75-mile radius of campus, and shift lengths can run 8-12 hours depending on the rotation; MBU uses a growing list of St. Louis-area clinical sites spanning hospitals, community health, and specialty settings (including Mercy facilities). Skills lab and simulation support clinical readiness, anchored by the INACSL-endorsed simulation program.
Tuition
The estimated total tuition is $36,480, based on 60 core-nursing credits × $608 per credit hour for the ABSN tuition rate. This estimate excludes program fees and third-party compliance costs (such as background check and drug screen charges). A laptop is included in tuition for admitted nursing students, which can reduce the need for a separate computer purchase.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.
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