An affordable public-university accelerated BSN with one of the more accessible admission GPAs (2.75) and a deep clinical network of 80+ Ohio healthcare facilities.
The University of Akron operates an affordable, public-university accelerated nursing pathway built for career changers across Northeast Ohio. The second-degree Accelerated BSN runs four semesters — beginning each May and finishing in August of the following year — and pairs a relatively accessible 2.75 admission GPA with a deep clinical network spanning more than 80 healthcare facilities across Summit, Stark, and Cuyahoga counties.
Students move through a strictly sequenced 64-credit nursing curriculum, from foundations and pharmacology through specialty practice and a senior leadership practicum.
Curriculum
The ABSN program spans 15 months and follows a structured curriculum that students complete in sequence. Core courses cover foundational nursing practices, pharmacology, health assessment, nursing care for various populations, mental health nursing, and a senior practicum.
First Year: Summer Semester (19 credits)
- Foundations of Nursing Practice I (5 credit hours): Introduces basic nursing skills and patient care.
- Foundations of Nursing Practice II (5 credit hours): Expands on initial nursing concepts and skills.
- Pathophysiology for Nurses (3 credit hours): Focuses on the physiological changes associated with diseases.
- Health Assessment (3 credit hours): Teaches students how to conduct comprehensive health evaluations.
- Nursing Pharmacology (3 credit hours): Covers the fundamentals of medication and its effects on patients.
Second Year: Fall Semester (15 credits)
- Professional Role Development (3 credit hours): Prepares students for the ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities of nursing.
- Nursing of the Childbearing Family (5 credit hours): Focuses on providing care to pregnant women, newborns, and their families.
- Nursing Care of Older Adults (5 credit hours): Specializes in nursing care for elderly patients.
- Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (2 credit hours): Teaches students how to integrate research and evidence into their nursing practice.
Second Year: Spring Semester (14 credits)
- Nursing Care of Adults (5 credit hours): Addresses medical-surgical care for adult patients.
- Mental Health Nursing (5 credit hours): Trains students to provide care for patients with mental health issues.
- Nursing of Communities (4 credit hours): Emphasizes public health nursing and care for communities.
Second Year: Summer Semester (16 credits)
- RN Transition (1 credit hour): Prepares students for the transition from nursing student to registered nurse.
- Nursing of Families with Children (5 credit hours): Focuses on pediatric nursing and care for children.
- Nursing in Complex & Critical Situations (5 credit hours): Provides training for handling complex medical conditions and critical care.
- Senior Practicum and Nursing Leadership (5 credit hours): Offers hands-on clinical experience while developing leadership skills in nursing.
The program totals 64 nursing credit hours; including prerequisites, students complete 94-95 credit hours for the entire degree.
More detail is available in the University of Akron bulletin.
Progression Requirements
To continue in the program, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.3 and earn a C+ or higher in all nursing courses. The sequential structure requires completing each course in order. Clinical rotations take place in affiliated healthcare facilities across multiple Ohio counties, including Summit, Stark, and Cuyahoga.
Admission Requirements and Acceptance
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and be admitted to The University of Akron. Prerequisite science courses must include a lab and carry a cumulative 2.75 GPA, ideally completed within the past five years, with a grade of C or better in each prerequisite (2.75 average) before the first nursing course.
The selection process is competitive, and meeting the minimums does not guarantee admission. The deadline is December 1 for the following May cohort.
Prerequisite Courses
- Chemistry with lab — 5 credits (any combination of inorganic, organic, biochemistry; or General, Organic & Biochemistry + lab)
- Anatomy and Physiology with lab — 8 credits
- Microbiology with lab — 3 credits
- Developmental Psychology — 3-4 credits
- Science of Nutrition — 3-4 credits
- Introduction to Ethics — 3 credits
- Basic Statistics (or Stats for Everyday Life) — 3-4 credits
Application Process
The application requires a resume, a 500-word personal statement addressing how you can contribute to nursing, one letter of recommendation, and official transcripts, all submitted to the Student Success Center in the College of Health and Human Sciences (Mary Gladwin Hall). Prerequisites may be completed at any regionally accredited university or community college, and must be finished by the end of the spring semester before the summer entry. After applying, students receive a written evaluation of completed and outstanding prerequisites.
Tuition
Based on a tuition rate of $447.32 per credit hour plus a $100-per-credit fee, the 64-credit program totals approximately $35,028. As a public university, Akron’s pricing is among the more affordable accelerated BSN options in Ohio. Confirm the current figure directly, as published rates change. See the official cost estimator for details.
Clinical Experience and Online Availability
The ABSN program offers extensive clinical experience across more than 80 healthcare facilities in several Ohio counties. While the program is primarily in-person because of its hands-on clinical requirements, some components may be offered online; it is not available fully online due to the clinical nature of the curriculum.
Accreditation and Program Outcomes
The ABSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN, with previous cohorts consistently achieving strong pass rates, and many find employment shortly after licensure. The University of Akron also offers a traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, and graduate nursing degrees.