Program Overview
Stockton University offers a 64-credit Accelerated BSN for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. The curriculum mirrors the traditional four-year BSN but is delivered in a compressed format across four consecutive semesters. Students enter in either the Fall or Spring, and both cohorts follow the same sequence.
The program emphasizes critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and professional nursing roles such as advocate, educator, and care coordinator. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue graduate education or specialty practice. Roy’s Adaptation Model serves as the organizing framework for the curriculum.
ABSN Admission Summary
This program targets high-performing second-degree students with strong science backgrounds. Admission standards are competitive and transcripts are reviewed individually.
Admission requirements include:
- Earned bachelor’s degree or higher
- Desired cumulative GPA of 3.5
- Minimum grade of C in required science courses taken at Stockton
- Minimum grade of B in required science courses taken elsewhere
- All science prerequisites must be 5 years old or less for transfer
- Completion of transfer application
- No CLEP, AP, or ACE credits accepted for prerequisites
- Nursing courses from other institutions are not transferable
Application deadlines:
- Fall entry: May 15
- Spring entry: October 15
Students must pass a criminal background check and 10-panel drug screen prior to enrollment. COVID-19 vaccination (without exemption) is required for clinical participation. Technical Standards must be met throughout the program.
Prerequisite Courses
Students must complete the following prerequisites before admission. Pathophysiology is recommended; if not completed prior to admission, it must be taken in the first semester.
Required prerequisites:
- English I & II
- Introduction to Psychology
- Life Span Development
- Statistics
- Nutrition
- Chemistry I (Inorganic)
- Chemistry II (Organic)
- Microbiology
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II
- Ethics (waived for Stockton Health Science graduates)
Science courses must be completed within five years for transfer. If science courses exceed five years, the Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) is required.
Curriculum
The program requires 64 nursing credits delivered over four semesters. Students must earn at least a C+ in clinical courses and a C in non-clinical courses to progress.
Fall
NURS 2150 ABSN Foundations of Professional Nursing
Introduces core concepts of nursing, including patient care, communication, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice, grounded in Roy’s Adaptation Model. Covers essential skills in asepsis, safety, and documentation, preparing students for professional practice roles.
NURS 2155 ABSN Foundations of Professional Nursing Lab
Hands-on lab focusing on foundational skills in nursing, such as aseptic techniques, patient safety, and clinical documentation, reinforcing the theory learned in NURS 2150.
NURS 2250 ABSN Health Assessment
Develops health assessment skills, covering health history, physical exams, and cultural considerations, with an emphasis on therapeutic communication and critical thinking.
NURS 2255 ABSN Health Assessment Lab
Lab practice of health assessment skills, incorporating holistic evaluation techniques and effective documentation, complementing NURS 2250.
NURS 2350 ABSN Pathophysiology
Explores disease mechanisms and body defenses across all systems, covering inflammation, immunity, and the role of genetics and environment in disease development.
NURS 2450 ABSN Pharmacology for Life Science
Focuses on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, with an emphasis on safe medication administration, therapeutic effects, and ethical considerations in pharmacology.
Spring
NURS 3150 ABSN Care of the Adult I
Applies Roy’s Model to care for adults in long-term and acute care settings, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, and end-of-life care for diverse populations.
NURS 3155 ABSN Care of the Adult I Clinical
Clinical practice applying adult care theory, emphasizing patient assessment and therapeutic interventions in real-world settings.
NURS 3250 ABSN Psychosocial Nursing
Addresses psychosocial aspects of adult health, integrating Roy’s Model to promote mental well-being across diverse populations in various clinical settings.
NURS 3255 ABSN Psychosocial Nursing Clinical
Hands-on application of psychosocial nursing concepts, focusing on client-centered care and therapeutic communication skills.
NURS 3450 ABSN Nursing Research Methods
Introduces nursing research principles, emphasizing evidence-based practice and critical evaluation of research for improved patient outcomes.
Summer
NURS 3350 ABSN Childbearing/Childrearing
Uses Roy’s Model to address the health needs of families during childbearing and childrearing phases, focusing on health promotion and culturally sensitive care for infants, children, and adolescents.
NURS 3355 ABSN Childbearing/Childrearing Clinical
Clinical application of childbearing and childrearing theory in varied healthcare settings, focusing on safe and effective care practices.
NURS 4250 ABSN Care of the Adult II
Advances adult care with a focus on complex health issues in diverse populations, building on concepts from Care of the Adult I for deeper understanding of medical-surgical care.
NURS 4255 ABSN Care of the Adult II Clinical
Clinical component providing hands-on experience with adult patients, focusing on care implementation and advanced nursing skills.
Fall
NURS 4150 ABSN Population Health
Explores community health nursing principles, integrating public health, epidemiology, and behavioral sciences to address health disparities and promote well-being across populations.
NURS 4155 ABSN Population Health Clinical
Clinical application of population health concepts in community settings, emphasizing holistic and culturally sensitive care.
NURS 4350 ABSN Care of the Adult III
Focuses on acute care with an emphasis on critical decision-making, ethical principles, and leadership in nursing, addressing complex health needs in diverse adult populations.
NURS 4355 ABSN Care of the Adult III Clinical
Clinical practice applying advanced adult care concepts, emphasizing leadership, collaboration, and evidence-based care in acute care settings.
NURS 4450 ABSN Professional Issues in Nursing
Capstone course exploring professional, ethical, and legal challenges in nursing, including career development and effective practice in diverse health systems globally.
Students gain practical experience through clinical placements in various healthcare settings across South Jersey, with hands-on labs at the Manahawkin campus.
More information about the curriculum here.
Clinical Requirements
Clinical placements occur in hospitals and community-based settings. Some clinical sites may require travel up to 1.5 hours from campus. Rotations may include evenings and weekends.
Students must meet health, immunization, and compliance requirements before beginning clinical work. Missing two or more clinical days places a student at risk for failure. The university provides malpractice insurance coverage.
Tuition and Estimated Cost
Stockton lists flat-rate tuition and fees for up to 20 credits per semester. Because the ABSN runs four consecutive semesters, the estimated cost uses two academic years of tuition and fees.
In-State Estimate (2025–2026):
- Tuition & Fees per year: $16,754
- Two academic years equivalent: ~$33,508
Out-of-State Estimate:
- Tuition & Fees per year: $25,258
- Two academic years equivalent: ~$50,516
Housing and meal plans are additional and optional. A one-time $180 transcript and orientation fee applies.
See the official tuition page for more details:
https://stockton.edu/admissions/costs.html
Accreditation
The ABSN program at Stockton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the New Jersey Board of Nursing, ensuring that it meets high educational standards.