Program Overview
A holistic, globally minded path into nursing — Moravian University’s 16-month ABSN features a distinctive curriculum spanning integrated therapies and an international clinical experience in Honduras, delivered in small capped cohorts with clinical access to both major Lehigh Valley health networks.
Moravian University offers a 16-month Accelerated BSN Program for College Graduates through the Helen S. Breidegam School of Nursing, built for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want a fast path into professional nursing. Classes begin in the second week of August, and the cohort typically finishes in the second week of December the following year.
Students move through the program in a cohort model capped at 48 students, which supports consistent teamwork, peer support, and smaller classes.
One of the nation’s oldest universities (founded in 1742), Moravian pairs this intensive format with a distinctive holistic and globally oriented curriculum.
Accreditation
Moravian University’s baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the pre-licensure BSN program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Moravian University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
Moravian’s ABSN admissions process targets second-degree applicants who can handle an intensive, full-time pace and meet clinical compliance standards. Applicants should plan early because the process can include an interview with nursing faculty and multiple required documents.
GPA and Eligibility
- Minimum cumulative QPA of 2.75 to be considered competitive, plus minimum standards in prerequisite coursework
- Earned non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (or completed before the program starts, if provisionally accepted)
- Ability to commit to full-time study for 16 months
- Reliable transportation to clinical sites several times per week
Application Items
- Completed application
- Two recommendations (at least one from a course professor)
- Personal statement (up to 1,000 words)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools
- Possible faculty interview
Deadlines and Compliance
- Early Decision deadline: November 1; Regular Decision deadline: February 1 (earlier submission recommended to allow interview scheduling)
- After provisional acceptance: $400 deposit, health/immunization verification, BLS certification, negative drug screen, and child abuse and criminal background clearances — all completed by June 1 to keep the offer
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite coursework must be completed before the program begins, or by a stated pre-start date (applicants may be provisionally accepted while finishing prerequisites, provided they meet required completion timelines).
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Anatomy and Physiology II
- Microbiology
- Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Statistics
- Lifespan Development
Curriculum
The curriculum integrates clinical reasoning, patient-centered care, and leadership principles, with a distinctive holistic and global-health orientation.
NURS 115: Foundations of Nursing and Health
Introduces critical thinking in nursing by exploring professional, historical, ethical, and legal issues in healthcare. Examines the evolving role of nurses in multidisciplinary settings.
NURS 205 / BIOL 205: Pathophysiology
Explores disease mechanisms at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. Covers the effects of chemical, physical, and genetic stressors on human health.
NURS 212: Holistic Assessment
Teaches physical, psychosocial, functional, spiritual, and cultural health assessments. Includes hands-on clinical experiences assessing individuals and families across the lifespan.
NURS 310: Quest into Phenomenology of Nursing
Applies nursing knowledge to acute and chronic health conditions. Focuses on the roles of nurse practitioner, counselor, educator, advocate, and coordinator in various healthcare settings.
NURS 311: Quest Toward Individual Well-Being
Covers fundamental nursing concepts in health and well-being. Focuses on holistic nursing practice, physical and psychosocial skills, and patient-centered care.
NURS 312: Embracing the Dynamic Family
Provides hands-on experience in addressing the health needs of children and families. Students develop skills in nursing role behaviors in various family settings.
NURS 313: Embracing the Challenged Family
Examines nursing care for families managing severe episodic and chronic health conditions. Emphasizes holistic and resource-based care planning.
NURS 314: Embracing the Dynamic Community
Focuses on community health and public health nursing. Students apply nursing concepts in community partnerships and healthcare access initiatives.
NURS 315: Embracing the Challenged Community
Covers nursing interventions for vulnerable populations with acute and chronic health issues. Includes mental health crisis response and collaborative healthcare delivery.
NURS 316: Applied Research in Nursing
Engages students in a nursing research project to understand evidence-based practice. Provides insight into the research process and its clinical applications.
NURS 317: The Professional Nurse
Introduces leadership and management principles in nursing. Focuses on transitioning students into professional nursing roles with an emphasis on collaboration and autonomy.
NURS 331.2: Pharmacology 1
Covers medication knowledge, administration, and calculations. Explores pharmacological issues, patient compliance, and reactions across the lifespan.
NURS 332.2: Pharmacology 2
Expands on drug therapy concepts, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. Emphasizes patient safety, side effects, and pharmacological best practices.
NURS 339: Individual Health Challenges
Focuses on nursing care for adults with complex health problems. Students develop holistic and evidence-based nursing interventions for various conditions.
NURS 216 / IDIS 216: Intersection of Culture and Healthcare
Examines health beliefs and practices across diverse cultures. Covers culturally competent care, healthcare access barriers, and strategies for improving healthcare equity.
NURS 320: Nursing of Populations at High Risk for Health Problems: Honduras
Explores healthcare challenges in high-risk populations. Encourages international clinical experiences to understand global healthcare disparities.
NURS 321: Integrated Therapies in Health
Examines complementary and alternative therapies in healthcare. Discusses integration of holistic therapies in nursing practice for treatment and healing.
NURS 360: Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare
Introduces ethical theories and bioethics in healthcare decision-making. Analyzes ethical issues affecting patients, healthcare professionals, and the system as a whole.
NURS 391: Global Disaster Preparedness and Management
Explores disaster response strategies and healthcare needs in crisis situations. Focuses on preparedness, emergency management, and supporting vulnerable populations.
More detail is available in the Moravian nursing catalog.
Clinicals and Hands-On Training
Students complete clinical practice across a range of settings in the greater Lehigh Valley area, with many inpatient experiences at St. Luke’s University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network. Clinical participation often averages up to three days (about 24 hours) per week, and students may rotate through multiple units — including emergency, intensive care, pediatrics, and women’s health — based on placement opportunities.
Students arrange their own travel to clinical agencies, and some sites can be up to 30 miles from campus.
Tuition and Cost
The total estimated tuition for the 2025-2026 ABSN cohort is $49,458. Moravian states this tuition is divided across the six program sessions and functions as a comprehensive program charge for the post-baccalaureate cohort. This figure does not include items like textbooks, uniforms, or personal equipment.
Confirm current figures via the official cost of attendance page.