Brooklyn’s Most Affordable ABSN — A Health Sciences University, Not Just a Nursing School
SUNY Downstate isn’t a liberal arts college with a nursing program bolted on. It is a health sciences university — home to schools of medicine, pharmacy, public health, and health professions — where ABSN students study pathophysiology alongside medical students and participate in interprofessional clinical education as a structural feature of the curriculum, not a marketing bullet point.
At $3,535 per semester for New York State residents, Downstate delivers a CCNE-accredited 15-month ABSN at a cost no private New York City institution can approach — less than half the price of Iona, one-third of D’Youville, and roughly one-quarter of NYU Meyers.
Clinical experiences take place primarily in Brooklyn — one of New York’s most medically complex and underserved boroughs — with affiliations across all five boroughs.
Entering class sizes are intentionally small; admission priority is given to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and New York State residents.
ABSN Admission Summary
Admission is competitive and holistic — applications are reviewed based on academic performance, prerequisite grades, letters of recommendation, communication skills, clinical and volunteer experience, and professional leadership. Qualified applicants are invited to interviews; interview decisions cannot be communicated by phone or in person. No deferrals are granted.
Academic requirements:
- Prior bachelor’s degree in any discipline — must be conferred by the date of enrollment
- All prerequisite courses completed with C or better; letter grades below C in prerequisite courses may not be accepted
- All physical science courses with a laboratory component must be taken in a classroom setting — credit by examination for physical sciences is not accepted
- Maximum of 12 semester credits of non-science prerequisite coursework accepted via credit by examination (CLEP, Excelsior, DANTES)
ATI TEAS exam required:
- TEAS score required for ABSN applicants
- TEAS valid for 2 years from the date taken
- Deadline to take the TEAS for the 2025–2026 application cycle: June 15, 2026
- Register at atitesting.com; select “Register for TEAS with PSI”
Prerequisite courses (from sample schedule — full list at Downstate admissions website):
Sciences — in-person lab required; C or better:
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
- Chemistry I with lab
- Microbiology with lab
Social/Behavioral Sciences:
- Psychology (2 courses)
- Sociology or Anthropology
Communications and Humanities:
- English Composition
- English Elective
- Humanities/Social Science courses (multiple)
Quantitative:
- Statistics
Total prerequisite credit block transferred in: 65 credits — combined with 60 in-residence nursing credits, ABSN students graduate with a BS degree with a major in nursing.
Application materials — submitted through SUNY Downstate’s AMP online application portal:
- Application fee: $50 non-refundable, paid before submitting
- Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended — including college courses taken in high school; must show institution name, full name, transfer credits, cumulative credits and GPA; all pages required
- Proof of current semester course registration if prerequisites are in progress
- At least two letters of recommendation — submitted electronically through the AMP portal; recommenders receive an access code via email; if electronic submission is not possible, letters must be on official letterhead, dated, signed, and emailed directly from the recommender’s professional email
- Personal statement: 250–450 words explaining why you are applying to SUNY Downstate’s nursing program and why you have chosen a nursing career
- Resume or CV
- TEAS score (unofficial copy uploaded to application)
- International credentials: NACES course-by-course evaluation required for education completed outside the U.S.
- Immigration documentation if born outside the U.S. — upload copy of naturalization certificate, U.S. passport, permanent resident card (front and back), I-20, or other USCIS documentation
Eligibility note:
- Admission priority given to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and New York State residents
- International students may apply but must document ability to finance full program costs; federal financial aid is not available to international students; F1 students must maintain full-time status each semester including summer
Post-acceptance requirements:
- Health clearance including physical examination and prescribed immunizations
- TB screening
- CPR certification (BLS card)
- Background check and drug screen per clinical site requirements
- Compliance with SUNY and NYSED health and safety standards before clinical participation
Curriculum
Students complete 60 credits of concentrated nursing courses entirely in residence at SUNY Downstate, transferring in 65 credits of prerequisite coursework to satisfy the 125-credit BS degree requirement.
The nursing sequence proceeds through foundational courses, three installments of Adult Clients clinical courses, and specialty courses covering obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatric health, community health, and a 30-hour leadership preceptorship — all culminating in a community health clinical capstone.
PAPH 6300 Pathophysiology is a graduate-level course integrated directly into the ABSN nursing sequence — reflecting Downstate’s health sciences university infrastructure.
Prerequisite Overview
Science prerequisites must be taken in-person with labs; C or better required; no credit by exam accepted for physical sciences. Statistics required as a prerequisite. See the admission summary and Downstate’s admissions website for the complete and current prerequisite list.
60-credit in-residence nursing sequence:
Foundational courses (taken early in the sequence):
NRBS 3000 – Population Health Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
Within a holistic framework, focuses on health promotion and disease and injury prevention across the lifespan — including emergency preparedness and mass casualty disasters. Covers epidemiological studies of lifestyle, environmental, and genetic determinants of population health; evidence-based health promotion and prevention; ethical, legal, and economic principles in clinical and population health.
NRBS 3110 – Principles of Health Assessment (3 cr.)
Comprehensive health assessment including physical, psychological, developmental, spiritual, social/cultural, and environmental factors across the lifespan. Supervised laboratory practice for complete health history and comprehensive physical examination with appropriate documentation.
NRBS 3150 – Role Development for Professional Nurses (2 cr.)
Development of professional values and value-based behavior foundational to nursing practice — the historical, legal, and contemporary context of professional nursing. Emphasis on ethical behavior guided by professional values including altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice; lifelong learning and professional engagement.
NRBS 3260 – Introduction to Pharmacology, Medication Calculation and Preparation (3 cr.)
Essential pharmacotherapeutic principles, medication classifications, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly used medications, medication terminology, medication preparation procedures, and calculations. Emphasizes the nurse’s role in client teaching and counseling for medication therapy.
PAPH 6300 – Pathophysiology (3 cr.) (graduate-level course integrated into ABSN sequence) Basic mechanisms and processes of disease across the lifespan — traumatic, genetic, metabolic, infectious, immunologic, degenerative, and neoplastic changes and their health impact. A graduate-level pathophysiology course cross-listed into the ABSN curriculum, reflecting Downstate’s health sciences university infrastructure.
NRBS 4760 – Informatics and Clinical Care Technologies (2 cr.)
Foundation of informatics for professional nursing practice — electronic health records, telehealth tools, evidence-based practice databases. Advocacy and evaluation of technologies at the bedside; ethical standards in health information management.
NRBS 4772 – Communications in Health Care (3 cr.)
Communication as an essential dimension of professional nursing — theories of human behavior, health, and illness; interpersonal relationship skills to effect positive change in individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Aligned with AACN Essential core competencies for entry-level nursing.
NRBS 3600 – Advocacy, Policy, and Finance in Health Care (3 cr.)
Healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments and their influence on nursing practice — organization and financing of care, reimbursement systems, healthcare barriers and disparities. The professional nurse’s responsibility in political advocacy for clients, communities, and the nursing profession.
NRBS 4650 – Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr.)
Basic elements of the research process and evidence-based practice models. Emphasis on protection of human subjects; evaluation of nursing research findings for clinical utilization; retrieval, appraisal, and analysis of evidence to improve patient outcomes. Prerequisite: Statistics.
Clinical specialty courses — all with supervised clinical components:
NRBS 3410 – Professional Nursing Practice with Obstetric and Gynecological Clients (4 cr.)
Nursing care of obstetrical clients across the antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal periods; common gynecological conditions across women’s lifespan stages. Comprehensive assessment using developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches; clinical component with supervised OB/GYN patient care. Prerequisites: NRBS 3000, 3110, 3150, 3260, PAPH 6300.
NRBS 3510 – Professional Nursing Practice with Adult Clients I (4 cr.)
Introduction to hospital settings and healthcare team; basic nursing care of adult clients requiring medical-surgical interventions — fluid/electrolyte imbalance, gastrointestinal, and immune disorders. Clinical component with supervised care of hospitalized adult surgical patients. Prerequisites: NRBS 3000, 3110, 3150, 3260, 3410, PAPH 6300.
NRBS 4010 – Professional Nursing Practice with Adult Clients II (4 cr.)
Nursing care of adults with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematological conditions; end-of-life and palliative care across healthcare settings. Clinical component with supervised adult medical-surgical patient care. Prerequisites: all 3000-level courses, PAPH 6300.
NRBS 4110 – Professional Nursing Practice with Children (4 cr.) Nursing care of children from birth through adolescence — health-related needs, growth and development, and responses to major pediatric disorders. Comprehensive assessment using developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches; clinical component with supervised care of all pediatric age groups. Prerequisites: all 3000-level courses, PAPH 6300.
NRBS 4210 – Professional Nursing Practice with Adult Clients III (4 cr.)
Nursing care of adults with hepatic/biliary, neurological, renal, endocrine, dermatological, musculoskeletal, connective tissue, and peripheral nervous system disorders. Clinical component with supervised adult medical-surgical patient care. Prerequisites: all 3000-level courses, PAPH 6300.
NRBS 4310 – Professional Nursing Practice with Psychiatric Clients (4 cr.)
Human psychopathology across the lifespan — psychiatric disorders, treatment modalities, and preventive strategies. Therapeutic communication, interprofessional collaboration, and evidence-based interventions in psychiatric settings. Clinical component with supervised psychiatric patient care. Prerequisites: all 3000-level courses, PAPH 6300.
NRBS 4360 – Organizational and Systems Leadership in Nursing (4 cr.)
Organizational structure, mission, vision, and values in healthcare systems; power, politics, policy, and regulatory guidelines; leadership and communication for quality improvement and patient safety. Includes a 30-hour student leadership practicum with a designated clinical preceptor — the program’s leadership capstone clinical. Prerequisites: all 3000-level courses, NRBS 4010, 4110, 4210, 4310, PAPH 6300.
NRBS 4410 – Professional Nursing Practice in the Community (4 cr.)
Community assessment, environmental health determinants, and epidemiology concepts. Supervised nursing care in clients’ own community environments — the program’s community health clinical capstone. Prerequisites: all 3000-level courses, 4010, 4110, 4210, 4310, PAPH 6300.
More curriculum details available through SUNY Downstate College of Nursing: UndergraduateNursing@downstate.edu
Clinicals
Clinical experiences are embedded throughout the nursing sequence from the first courses forward — every specialty course (NRBS 3410 through 4410) carries a supervised clinical component. Downstate’s Brooklyn location places students in one of New York City’s most clinically complex and medically underserved healthcare environments.
- Clinical start: Early in the sequence — NRBS 3410 (OB/GYN) and NRBS 3510 (Adult Clients I) both carry clinical components, running as soon as the prerequisite 3000-level courses are complete
- Clinical settings: Primarily in Brooklyn — hospital and clinic settings; the College of Nursing also maintains affiliations with community agencies throughout all five New York City boroughs
- Specialty clinical courses (each with supervised clinical hours): OB/GYN, Adult Health I, II, and III, Pediatrics, Psychiatric Mental Health, Organizational Leadership Practicum (30 hours with designated preceptor), and Community Health Nursing
- Interprofessional clinical environment: SUNY Downstate’s campus includes the College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, School of Health Professions, and School of Public Health — ABSN students share campus infrastructure with medical, pharmacy, and public health students; clinical education is interprofessional by design
- Leadership practicum (NRBS 4360): 30-hour supervised leadership experience with a designated clinical preceptor — distinct from clinical specialty hours and providing direct professional nursing leadership training
- Community clinical (NRBS 4410): Supervised nursing care in clients’ own environments — community agencies throughout the boroughs; emphasizes health disparities, social determinants, and culturally appropriate care for Brooklyn’s diverse patient population
- Clinical partners: Specific named clinical affiliate institutions are not published in available materials — contact UndergraduateNursing@downstate.edu for current affiliate information
- Admission note: Clinical experiences in Brooklyn require students to be available in the borough; proximity to Downstate’s campus is essential
Tuition
Estimated total program cost: ~$14,000–$16,000 NY State resident | ~$32,000–$35,000 non-resident
SUNY Downstate charges SUNY undergraduate tuition rates — among the lowest in New York City for an accredited nursing program.
NY State resident tuition:
| Term | Type | Tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Fall 1 | Full-time | $3,535 | Flat rate |
Spring | Full-time | $3,535 | Flat rate |
Summer | Per credit | $295/cr. | Variable by credit load |
Fall 2 | Full-time | $3,535 | Flat rate |
3 full-time semesters | $10,605 | Excl. summer | |
Summer (est. 13 cr.) | ~$3,835 | ||
Estimated resident tuition | ~$14,440 |
Non-resident tuition:
| Term | Rate | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|
3 full-time semesters | $9,740/semester | $29,220 |
Summer (est. 13 cr.) | $812/credit | ~$10,556 |
Estimated non-resident tuition | ~$39,776 |
Fees per full-time semester (12+ credits):
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
College Fee | $25.00 |
Activity Fee | $70.00 |
Technology Fee | $159.50 |
Student Health Fee | $81.50 |
Orientation Fee (1st semester only) | $50.00 |
Total fees per semester | ~$336–$386 |
Fees across 4 semesters add approximately $1,350–$1,550 to the total.
Estimated total with fees (NY resident): ~$15,800–$16,000
At approximately $15,800 for New York State residents (all-in with fees), SUNY Downstate is the most affordable ABSN program in New York City reviewed in this compilation — less than SUNY Brockport’s in-state cost, and a fraction of every private program in the NYC market. Non-resident costs (~$40,000+) are higher but still below most comparable private programs.
See the official tuition page for more details: SUNY Downstate College of Nursing Tuition & Fees
Accreditation
The baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and APRN Certificate programs at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
All academic programs of the College of Nursing are approved and registered by SUNY and the New York State Education Department (NYSED). SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.