Program Overview
A Big Ten nursing degree at commonwealth-campus prices — Penn State’s Second Degree BSN comes from the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, the only named college of nursing in the Big Ten, offering affordable in-state tuition, three campus options, and graduates placed at top health systems nationwide.
Penn State’s Second Degree BSN is a 16-month, full-time, cohort-based program available at three Pennsylvania campuses: Altoona, Harrisburg, and Erie (Behrend). Operated through the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing — the only named college of nursing in the Big Ten — the program carries significant institutional prestige and draws from a large, competitive applicant pool.
Students complete 60 total credits across four semesters and graduate eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Penn State graduates have landed positions at top health systems including Penn Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Yale Medical Center, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Accreditation
Penn State’s baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Penn State is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is the only named nursing college in the Big Ten, lending additional national recognition to the degree, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admissions Requirements
Admission is competitive and evaluated on a rolling or standard basis depending on GPA. All materials must be received by December 1; late or incomplete applications are not considered.
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (non-nursing field)
- GPA tiers: 3.25 or higher → rolling review with immediate or contingent offer; 2.75-3.24 → reviewed in January, decisions in February; below 2.75 → generally not eligible (consult campus contact)
- Prerequisites: All completed by the end of the spring semester preceding the fall start, with a grade of C or higher
- Campus selection: Applicants choose one campus only; transfers between campuses are not permitted
- Criminal background: A felony conviction within the past 10 years disqualifies applicants from sitting for the NCLEX-RN
- Clinical requirements: COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations required; students are responsible for transportation to clinical sites within a 50-mile radius
Application timeline:
- Rolling (priority), GPA 3.25+: apply Aug 1 – Dec 1, rolling notifications
- Standard review, GPA 2.75-3.24: apply Aug 1 – Dec 1, decisions mid-February
Additional pre-start requirements: drug screening; PA criminal background and child abuse clearances; federal background check; annual health examination; AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification; professional liability insurance; and official Penn State Nursing scrubs/uniform.
Prerequisite Courses
All 7 prerequisite courses must be completed with a C or higher by the end of the spring semester before the program’s August start. Courses may be taken at any Penn State campus or accredited institution.
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits)
- Lifespan Development or Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- Introductory Chemistry with lab (3-4 credits)
- Introductory Nutrition (3 credits)
- Elementary Statistics or Intro to Biostatistics (3-4 credits)
- Microbiology with lab (3-4 credits)
Psychology, Sociology, and Algebra are not required but are recommended for program success.
Curriculum
The program spans four semesters (Fall → Spring → Summer → Fall) with students carrying 14-17 credits per semester for a total of 60 credits. All three campuses follow the same curriculum, covering the full spectrum of BSN-level nursing competencies.
NURS 200W Principles of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Introduces nursing research principles and methods, focusing on applying research findings to clinical practice.
NURS 225 Pathophysiology
Examines disease processes, emphasizing the physiological and psychosocial aspects of illness.
NURS 230 Introduction to the Fundamentals of Nursing
Covers the nursing process, essential clinical skills, and psychosocial aspects of patient care.
NURS 250 Professional Role Development I: Intro to Professional Issues in Nursing Practice and Nursing Informatics
Explores professional nursing roles, healthcare issues, and nursing informatics applications.
NURS 251 Health Assessment
Expands skills in health assessment and physical examination across the lifespan.
NURS 301 Nursing Care of the Adult Client Requiring Medical-Surgical Intervention
Focuses on nursing care for adult patients in medical-surgical settings.
NURS 302 Clinical Judgement in Nursing
Provides a supervised clinical experience in adult medical-surgical nursing care.
NURS 305 Introduction to Pharmacological Concepts
Introduces core pharmacology principles and their application in nursing.
NURS 306 Nursing Care of Children and Adolescents
Covers common health issues and nursing interventions for pediatric and adolescent patients.
NURS 310 Therapeutic Nursing Care of the Older Adult Client in a Variety of Settings
Addresses nursing interventions that promote health and wellness in older adults.
NURS 320 Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family and Gynecological Client
Focuses on nursing care for pregnant patients, newborns, and gynecological conditions.
NURS 350 Professional Role Development II: Ethics, Legal and Genetic Issues
Examines ethical, legal, and genetic issues in nursing and healthcare practice.
NURS 405A Nursing Care of the Adult Client with Complex Health Problems: Part A
Studies nursing care for patients with acute and complex health conditions.
NURS 405B Nursing Care of the Adult Client with Complex Health Problems: Part B
Continues the study of acute and complex patient care, emphasizing evidence-based practice.
NURS 415 Community and Family Health Nursing
Covers nursing care for families, groups, and populations in community settings.
NURS 420 Mental Health Nursing
Focuses on the application of mental health theory in caring for patients with psychiatric conditions.
NURS 450A Professional Role Development III: Leadership and Management
Examines leadership roles, nursing management styles, and their impact on patient care.
NURS 450B Professional Role Development III: Clinical Capstone
A final clinical course integrating nursing theory, evidence-based practice, and professional competencies.
NURS 495 Nursing Study in Specialized Setting
Provides in-depth study and practice in a chosen clinical specialty.
NURS 480 Preparation for Nursing Licensure Exam
Prepares students for the NCLEX exam through critical thinking strategies and test-taking techniques.
More detail is available in the Penn State nursing bulletin.
Clinicals & Simulation Labs
Students are placed in clinical settings within a 50-mile radius of their enrolled campus and are responsible for their own transportation. Clinical sites for Penn State graduates have included UPMC Altoona, Geisinger Danville, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and Hershey Medical Center, among others.
Each campus maintains nursing simulation and lab facilities supporting hands-on clinical skill development prior to and alongside live patient placements.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Penn State’s Second Degree program is offered at commonwealth campuses, which carry lower tuition than University Park. The program runs four semesters, equivalent to roughly two academic years of tuition.
| Residency | Annual Tuition & Fees | Est. Program Total (4 semesters) |
|---|---|---|
| PA Resident | $13,824-$15,388 | ~$27,600-$30,800 |
| Non-PA Resident | $23,550-$26,374 | ~$47,100-$52,700 |
| International | $25,634-$28,458 | ~$51,300-$56,900 |
Note: These estimates cover fall/spring semesters; summer session costs vary, are not included above, and add to the program total (confirm directly with the campus). Figures reflect 2024-25 rates and are subject to annual adjustment by the Board of Trustees each July.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.