Program Overview
Oklahoma’s only 12-month, on-campus accelerated BSN — open to students with a non-nursing associate or bachelor’s degree, with automatic merit scholarships that bring many students under $25,000 for the entire program, plus training in OCU’s Meinders Simulation Center.
Oklahoma City University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is Oklahoma’s only 12-month, on-campus accelerated nursing program. Offered through the Kramer School of Nursing, this intensive pathway is designed for individuals who already hold a non-nursing associate or bachelor’s degree, allowing them to transition into a nursing career in just one year.
The program spans three full-time semesters totaling 56 credit hours, combining in-person instruction with clinical experiences at major hospitals across the Oklahoma City metro area and hands-on training in the cutting-edge Meinders Simulation Center.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The baccalaureate, master’s, post-master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees at Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) has granted full approval for the Kramer School of Nursing to offer programs leading to RN licensure, and Oklahoma City University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Per Oklahoma Board of Nursing data, OCU’s accelerated BSN reported a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 84.31% in 2024 (51 candidates). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admission Requirements
Admission is competitive due to the program’s accelerated nature. To be considered, applicants must:
- Hold a non-nursing associate or bachelor’s degree
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Complete all prerequisite courses, including microbiology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and psychology
- Submit official transcripts and a personal essay
Candidates are encouraged to apply by the specified deadlines, as cohorts are limited.
Curriculum
The 56-credit curriculum is organized across three full-time semesters, moving from nursing foundations through specialized and advanced practice, with lab, clinical, and simulation experiences throughout. An in-person NCLEX-RN review is included before graduation.
First Semester: Foundations of Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Pharmacology
- Foundations of Nursing
- Nutrition
- Nursing Research
- Clinical Judgment in Nursing
Second Semester: Specialized Nursing Care
- Family Health Nursing
- Adult Health Nursing I
- Community Health Nursing
- Child Health Nursing
Third Semester: Advanced Nursing Practice
- Adult Health Nursing II
- Mental Health Nursing
- Nursing Leadership
- Critical Care Nursing
More detail is available on the official program page.
Clinical Experience
Students complete clinical rotations at major hospitals and community sites across the Oklahoma City metro area, gaining experience in adult health, family and child health, community health, mental health, and critical care. Hands-on skills and simulation practice take place in the Meinders Simulation Center, which provides realistic scenarios to build competence and confidence before and during clinical placements.
Tuition
Tuition for the 12-month ABSN program ranges from approximately $23,560 to $31,060, depending on the student’s GPA and eligibility for merit-based scholarships; university and nursing fees are included in the total cost.
OCU automatically awards transfer and departmental scholarships ranging from $9,750 to $17,250 to all students with a cumulative college transfer GPA of 3.0 or higher — meaning many students pay less than $25,000 in tuition and fees for the entire program.
Confirm current figures via the official pricing and scholarships page.