Admissions to this program are currently paused while UMass Amherst revises its curriculum — applications are expected to re-open in Fall 2026 for a Fall 2027 start.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UMass Amherst is a full-time, in-person, 16-month program that lets students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree earn a BS in nursing through the state’s flagship public research university. Important to know before reading further: admissions are temporarily paused.
The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing states that it is revising and transforming the ABSN curriculum, and expects applications to re-open in Fall 2026 for a Fall 2027 start.
Prospective students can join the college’s prospective-student email list to be notified when applications reopen.
The details below reflect the program as most recently offered; specifics may change with the curriculum revision.
Curriculum
As most recently offered, the ABSN curriculum totals 58 credits across fall, winter, spring, and summer terms, covering health assessment, pathophysiology/pharmacology, community health, and specialty practice. Because the college has indicated the curriculum is being revised, confirm the current plan of study once applications reopen.
Term 1
N315 Health and Physical Assessment
Focuses on data collection, interpretation, and documentation through clinical reasoning, physical exams, and process interviewing.
N333 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology I
Explores altered cellular, tissue, and organ processes and related pharmacological treatments across the lifespan.
N406 Nursing Process: Clients with Common Health Disruptions
Introduces nursing fundamentals and the nursing process, focusing on managing health disruptions across the lifespan.
N407 Nursing Process: Practicum
Emphasizes practical nursing skills in secondary care settings with patients experiencing or at risk for common health issues.
N420 Introduction to Nursing Research
Introduces research design, evidence-based practice, and critical appraisal of nursing studies to address clinical problems and decision-making.
Interim Term
N304 Concepts in Nursing
Develops foundational nursing concepts and principles relevant to professional practice.
Term 2
N334 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology II
Examines disease processes and pharmacological interventions for complex health needs, with a focus on safe medication management.
N436 Comprehensive Nursing
Covers restorative nursing concepts for adult patient care.
N437 Comprehensive Nursing: Practicum
Provides clinical experience in managing complex health disruptions in diverse settings.
N439 Community Health Nursing
Integrates public health, epidemiology, and nursing theory to address health concerns and promote wellness in communities.
N498T Community Health Nursing: Practicum
Offers hands-on experience in community-based care and population health interventions.
Term 3
N325 Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Focuses on theory and care for uncomplicated and high-risk maternal and newborn cases.
N398I Maternal-Newborn Nursing: Practicum
Provides clinical care for women, newborns, and families, covering health promotion and assessment.
N326 Nursing Care of Children
Develops skills for supporting children and families in health and illness, including communication and management.
N398F Nursing Care of Children: Practicum
Applies principles of assessment, safety, and family guidance in pediatric care.
N327 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Explores mental health care and therapeutic approaches in community settings.
N398G Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Practicum
Focuses on community-based psychiatric care and promoting mental health.
Term 4
N438 Professional Role
Examines professional issues in nursing, including legal, ethical, and organizational perspectives.
N498 Internship
Practicum designed to integrate skills for entry-level nursing, focusing on patient advocacy and management.
N441 Decision Making Strategies for Professional Nursing Practice
Prepares students for clinical decision-making through case studies and practice scenarios.
N321 Preventive Care and Integrative Therapies
Covers evidence-based preventive care strategies and complementary therapies in patient care.
N3XX Nursing Elective
Elective course offering specialized topics in nursing.
More detail is available on the ABSN plan of study and course descriptions pages.
Clinical Experience
Clinical training has historically run at least two days per week each term, with day, evening, and weekend scheduling options, paired with simulation-lab practice. Students gain hands-on experience at leading healthcare facilities and through community involvement — campus wellness fairs, vaccination clinics, and events like the Boston Marathon — preparing them for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level practice.
Admission Requirements
When open, the program requires a prior bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and completed prerequisites in areas such as Human Nutrition, Microbiology, Anatomy, and Physiology. Applicants also submit an essay, resume, and recommendation letter; non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS. Because admissions are paused for curriculum revision, confirm exact requirements when the application reopens (expected Fall 2026).
Tuition
As most recently offered, tuition was approximately $40,310, based on $695 per credit across 58 credits. A non-refundable registration fee of $85 per term applies, along with clinical expenses such as drug testing, liability insurance, uniforms, books, and software; students also cover room, board, transportation, and health insurance.
As a public university, UMass Amherst’s pricing is moderate among accelerated BSNs, though figures are subject to change with the curriculum revision.
See the official cost and financial aid page for current rates.
Accreditation and Career Outcomes
The baccalaureate nursing program at the UMass Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and fully approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing; the university is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). UMass Amherst discloses that the curriculum meets the educational requirements for RN licensure in Massachusetts and may qualify graduates for licensure in other states. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue diverse nursing careers.
Other Programs
Beyond the ABSN, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduate nursing degrees, and graduate certificate programs supporting long-term career development.