Program Overview
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) offers an Accelerated Second-Degree BSN for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The program runs in a 14-month, full-time format that starts in late May each year, with the next class starting in May 2026.
Students complete a 72-credit plan that moves quickly through short course blocks, often 7 weeks or less.
This hybrid program uses a mix of synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
Small class sizes support direct faculty access and closer feedback in skills-based courses.
Recent outcomes note that, six months after graduation, 100% of graduates who sought full-time work reported employment.
ABSN Admission Summary
This program fits career changers who want a fast route to a BSN and who can commit to a demanding full-time schedule. TCNJ uses a holistic review that considers factors beyond grades, but it still requires completion of key academic and testing standards. A waiting list may form when seats fill.
Core requirements include:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- ATI TEAS exam with an overall result of Proficient or higher
- Completion of all prerequisite courses by the deadline
- Submission of an online application through the TCNJ application portal
After acceptance, students must complete:
- CPR certification (American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Professionals)
- Criminal background check
- Drug test
- Vaccinations, boosters, titers, and other health requirements required by clinical sites
The application deadline listed is December 10, 2026, and all documents and prerequisites must be complete by that date. The process may include an interview for selected applicants. A complete application does not guarantee an interview or admission.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites must be finished before acceptance into the cohort. Science prerequisites must include in-person labs, not online lab credits.
Required prerequisites (credits):
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4)
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4)
- Microbiology with Lab (4)
- Chemistry with Lab (General Chemistry, Organic Biochemistry, or General Chemistry II) (4)
- Nutrition (3)
- Statistics (3)
- Developmental Psychology across the lifespan (3)
TCNJ allows prerequisites from regionally accredited schools, including community colleges. The program references NJTransfer.org as a tool to check course equivalencies for New Jersey community colleges.
Curriculum
The curriculum totals 72 credits and requires a minimum grade of C in each course in sequence. Instruction blends three components: class (on campus or online), clinical experiences, and on-campus simulation and lab practice.
Clinical rotations generally occur one to two days per week and can run up to 12 hours per day.
First Summer Courses (20 credits)
NUR 200 Pharmacology
Introduces the basics of drug therapy, including drug classifications, therapeutic effects, and side effects. Emphasizes the legal and ethical considerations in drug administration and the impact of medications on human health across different conditions.
NUR 210 Professional Role I (Learner)
Explores foundational nursing concepts like caring, empowerment, and advocacy. Focuses on the professional development of nursing students, examining historical and theoretical perspectives, critical thinking, and professional identity within the framework of nursing models.
NUR 220 Wellness Promotion
Covers strategies for promoting wellness across the lifespan, focusing on health determinants and lifestyle interventions. Topics include stress management, health education, nutrition, and substance abuse prevention, integrating family and community perspectives.
NUR 230 Holistic Health Assessment
Teaches comprehensive health assessment skills, integrating observation, interviews, and physical exams. Focuses on developing nursing diagnoses and assessing individuals holistically through clinical lab practice and patient interactions.
NUR 240 Holistic Interventions Throughout the Lifespan
Covers fundamental nursing skills and interventions for diverse populations across the lifespan. Emphasizes the nursing process and clinical skills through lab simulations and clinical experiences in healthcare facilities.
Fall Courses (16 credits)
NUR 320 Caring in Childbearing Family: Science
Focuses on family-centered nursing care during the maternity cycle, covering prenatal to postpartum care. Includes critical thinking and decision-making within the family context, addressing ethical issues and family development.
NUR 324 Caring in the Childbearing Family Practice
Provides hands-on clinical experience with childbearing families, emphasizing the nursing process in both community and hospital settings. Students apply principles of maternity care, focusing on family support and health.
NUR 310 Professional Role II (Clinician)
Explores the development of the clinician role, emphasizing professionalism, ethics, and collaboration. Focuses on applying nursing theories to clinical practice, enhancing critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
NUR 340/344 Caring in Child Health/Psych
Covers child health and psychosocial care, focusing on therapeutic communication and interventions for mental health conditions. Includes clinical practice in pediatric and mental health settings, emphasizing the evolving role of nurses.
Spring Courses (16 credits)
NUR 330 Caring in Adult/Elder Health I: Science
Focuses on the care of adults and elderly patients, integrating the nursing process to address health issues related to stress and coping. Topics include surgery, infectious disease, and chronic conditions.
NUR 334 Caring in Adult/Elder Health I: Practice
Provides clinical experience in acute care settings, emphasizing nursing interventions and clinical decision-making skills for adult and elder clients.
NUR 340/344 Psychosocial Health/Peds
Examines psychosocial nursing concepts, emphasizing mental health, family dynamics, and developmental care. Clinical experiences involve working with pediatric or mental health populations.
NUR 328 Nursing Research
Introduces research methods and critical analysis of nursing studies. Students evaluate current research, focusing on ethical considerations and the application of findings to improve clinical practice.
Second Summer Courses (20 credits)
NUR 420 Caring in Adult/Elder Health II: Science
Focuses on chronic and complex health issues in adult and elder populations, emphasizing critical thinking and culturally sensitive care strategies for managing illness.
NUR 424 Caring in Adult/Elder Health II: Practice
Clinical practice course focusing on advanced care techniques for managing complex health issues in adults and elders. Emphasizes clinical decision-making in acute and rehabilitation settings.
NUR 440 Caring in Community Health: Science
Covers community health nursing, emphasizing population-focused care and epidemiology. Students learn about health promotion, community assessment, and healthcare policy.
NUR 444 Caring in Community Health: Practice
Offers clinical experience in community settings, focusing on interventions that enhance and preserve the health of populations. Includes work in diverse environments like home care, schools, and public health agencies.
NUR 460 Professional Role Development III/Capstone Seminar: Leadership and Management in Nursing
Capstone course focusing on leadership and management roles in nursing. Integrates knowledge and skills developed throughout the program, preparing students for professional practice in a leadership capacity.
More information about the curriculum here.
Clinical Experience and Simulation Labs
Hands-on training starts early, with clinical experiences beginning during the first summer term. Clinical sites are located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the program notes that some sites may be up to 60 miles from campus. Students do not choose clinical sites, and staff assign placements.
Two simulation labs support skills development, including a high-fidelity lab and a practice skills lab. Scheduled lab and simulation time is built into courses, and the program may offer open lab time for extra practice. Some extra practice opportunities may occur on weekends.
Tuition and Estimated Cost
The program lists a flat-rate tuition of $34,000 plus applicable fees, and it notes that costs can change. This tuition figure is separate from standard undergraduate cost-of-attendance tables. Fees vary by term and board approval, so a single “all-in” total is not stated in the content you provided.
See the official tuition page for more details:
https://admissions.tcnj.edu/about-tcnj/costs-financial-aid/
Students should also plan for indirect costs such as books, clinical compliance items, health insurance, liability coverage, and licensing and NCLEX-related fees. A $600 nonrefundable deposit is required after acceptance to hold a seat.
Accreditation and Recognition
The ABSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring a high standard of education that meets national nursing requirements.
Additional New Jersey ABSN Programs
Compare all Accelerated BSN Programs in New Jersey