One of the most affordable accelerated BSNs in Northeast Ohio, taught in a new health and medical sciences facility with simulation built into every lab and clinical course.
The University of Mount Union’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a second-degree program for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, and Mount Union markets it as one of the most affordable accelerated BSNs in Northeast Ohio. Students earn the BSN in as little as 15 months through a 72-credit-hour curriculum (excluding prerequisites), learning in a new health and medical sciences facility with state-of-the-art laboratories.
Simulation is integrated into every lab and clinical course, students gain experience with electronic medical records systems, and the program leans on Mount Union’s strong clinical affiliation agreements.
It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN).
Curriculum
The ABSN is a 72-credit-hour program completed in 15 months, structured as a sequence of clinical and non-clinical courses (prerequisites excluded). Core courses progress from health promotion and the nursing process through specialty practice and a transition-to-practice capstone.
Summer I
NUR 130: Health Promotion Throughout the Lifespan
Introduces nursing as a profession, covering its history, evolving roles, and healthcare system delivery. Explores nursing competencies, ethics, holistic care, and respect for diversity. Examines the program’s philosophy and framework.
NUR 190: Introduction to the Nursing Process
Covers the nursing process as the foundation for care planning and delivery. Introduces problem-solving, decision-making, communication, documentation, and ethical principles. Examines legal and organizational factors affecting nursing practice.
NUR 240: Health Assessment & Physical Examination
Teaches comprehensive health history taking and physical examination skills. Emphasizes holistic assessment, therapeutic communication, and accurate documentation. Includes laboratory practice and clinical experience in long-term care settings.
Summer II (10 credits)
NUR 260: Basic Clinical Pharmacology for Nursing
Covers drug mechanisms, indications, contraindications, and nursing interventions related to medication administration. Includes dosage calculations, IV therapy, and medication safety. Emphasizes culturally competent care and professional responsibilities.
NUR 290: Foundations of Nursing Practice
Introduces essential nursing concepts and prepares students to provide basic nursing care. Focuses on hygiene, self-care, and therapeutic interventions for older adults. Includes clinical and lab experiences.
NUR 262: Basic Nutrition for Nursing Practice
Explores nutrition principles and their role in health promotion. Covers dietary management for individuals with altered health conditions. Emphasizes nutrition across the lifespan.
Fall (16 credits)
NUR 380: Nursing Care of Adults I
Covers nursing care for adults with acute and chronic conditions in hospital and ambulatory settings. Emphasizes holistic, patient-centered, and culturally sensitive care. Includes clinical rotations.
NUR 340: Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family & Newborn
Focuses on nursing care for childbearing families and newborns. Covers physical, psychological, and environmental adaptations. Includes therapeutic interventions and clinical practice.
BIO 290: Pathophysiology
Examines physiological changes related to disease processes. Prepares students to understand altered health states and their impact on patient care. Emphasizes evidence-based practice.
NUR 370: Evidence-Based Practice
Explores nursing research and its role in evidence-based practice. Covers clinical decision-making, informatics, and quality improvement in patient care.
Year 2: Spring (14 credits)
NUR 390: Nursing Care of Adults II
Builds on NUR 380, covering additional acute and chronic health conditions. Emphasizes evidence-based interventions, patient adaptation, and holistic care. Includes clinical practice in diverse care settings.
NUR 350: Nursing Care of Children & Families
Focuses on pediatric nursing care and family-centered interventions. Covers growth, development, and management of common childhood illnesses.
NUR 360: Nursing Care of Clients with Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions
Covers nursing care for individuals with mental health conditions. Focuses on therapeutic communication, evidence-based interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Includes clinical practice.
Summer I (10 credits)
NUR 440: Nursing Care of Clients with Critical Health Conditions
Focuses on managing care for critically ill patients in acute settings. Covers decision-making, clinical reasoning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Includes clinical rotations in critical care units.
NUR 430: Professional Leadership & Management in Nursing Practice
Introduces leadership and management principles in healthcare. Covers teamwork, delegation, conflict resolution, and ethical decision-making. Prepares students for professional nursing roles.
Summer I & II (8 credits)
NUR 480: Professional Role Development & Transition to Nursing Practice
Prepares students for entry-level nursing roles. Covers leadership, coordination of care, and communication with healthcare teams. Includes a practicum for hands-on experience.
NUR 420: Community Health Nursing
Focuses on population health, disease prevention, and community-based interventions. Covers public health policies, healthcare disparities, and evidence-based community nursing practices.
More detail is available in the ABSN curriculum plan.
Clinicals
Students complete a combination of clinical and non-clinical courses, with hands-on experience in state-of-the-art nursing laboratories. Clinical simulations are integrated throughout the curriculum to provide real-world nursing practice, and courses emphasize evidence-based, holistic care for diverse patient populations.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing from an accredited institution with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale), and earn a 2.75 or better across the science prerequisites with a grade of C or higher in each. Prerequisites should be completed within the last five years (exceptions reviewed case by case). Required prerequisite courses:
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
- Microbiology with lab
- Foundations of Chemistry with lab
- Elementary Statistics
International students must meet English-proficiency standards (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo), with ESL and medical-terminology coursework required at lower score bands.
Tuition
Tuition for the 2025 entering cohort is $500 per credit hour, so the 72-credit program totals approximately $36,000, excluding additional fees and expenses. Fees include:
- Technology fee: $250 per term/session
- Program fee: $325 per term/session
- Parking fee: $100 per year (terms 1, 4, and 7)
- Graduation fee: $100 (one-time)
Note the summer term has two sessions, each billed a technology and program fee. Students are also responsible for housing and travel, particularly during clinical placements. Rates are subject to change annually; see the official cost of attendance page for current figures.
Accreditation and Outcomes
The BSN program at the University of Mount Union is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) — granted a 10-year term following its November 2020 site visit, with the next visit in Fall 2030 — and is fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) for five years effective May 25, 2022 (next visit Spring 2027). Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and benefit from strong clinical partnerships and EMR training, with the program reporting consistently strong licensure outcomes.
Online and Other Nursing Programs
While the ABSN is campus-based, Mount Union offers other nursing and healthcare programs, including a traditional BSN, a Fast Track Traditional BSN (36-month) pathway, and graduate degrees.