Last Updated: October 1, 2026
Program Overview
UW–Oshkosh’s 12-month hybrid ABSN combines online nursing theory, a two-week Wisconsin residency and five subsequent clinical rotations with RN preceptors.
The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Accelerated BSN serves students with a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The 52-credit nursing sequence has February, May and October cohorts and accepts residents of approved states, including Arizona and Colorado, subject to clinical placement feasibility.
Students progress together on a fixed schedule rather than studying at their own pace. Coursework and clinical obligations can occupy 60–70 hours per week during the busiest months, so employment and other commitments need to fit around required attendance.
Admissions Requirements
Admission considers academic preparation, patient-care experience, application statements and clinical availability in the proposed community. University admission and admission to the accelerated nursing option are separate steps.
- A non-nursing bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 degree GPA; applicants below 2.5 need TEAS proficiency at or above the national BSN-program mean.
- At least a 3.0 pre-nursing GPA using the program’s prerequisite calculation.
- Prerequisite grades of C or higher; C-minus and CD do not qualify.
- Nursing-assistant preparation with a clinical component and CNA certification, or an accepted alternative patient-care credential under the application instructions.
- Background screening, clinical health clearances and residence in an approved state.
The university lists a 3.25 prerequisite GPA, 240 hours of CNA or approved direct-care experience, 20 volunteer hours and hospital employment as preferred criteria. These should not be confused with the minimum GPA requirements. The admissions page explains the calculation and appeal process.
The application accepts CNA/LPN, EMT or medical-assistant documentation; EMT and medical-assistant applicants also provide a supervisor assessment. Confirm that any alternative meets the nursing option’s requirements before relying on it.
Application steps and timing
Apply to UW–Oshkosh as a transfer/second-degree student, submit official transcripts and activate the university account. Then complete the accelerated nursing application with the required credential documentation, résumé, four essays and disclosure forms. Background screening is due within one week of submitting the program application.
Applications are considered in the order received until the cohort fills:
| Cohort starts | Application opens |
|---|---|
February | May 1 of the preceding year |
May | October 1 of the preceding year |
October | February 1 |
Use the current application instructions for documents and cohort availability. These opening dates are not guaranteed final deadlines.
Prerequisites
Six science subjects are required, each with lecture and laboratory:
- Biological concepts — BIO 105 or 230 equivalent.
- Anatomy — BIO 211 equivalent.
- Physiology — BIO 212 or 319 equivalent.
- Microbiology — BIO 233 or 309 equivalent.
- Chemistry I — CHEM 101 or 105 equivalent.
- Biochemistry or Chemistry II — CHEM 102 or 106 equivalent.
At least four sciences must be finished when applying; the remaining two may be in progress and must be completed at least 30 days before the start. If more than four sciences are complete, the admissions page says the best four science grades are used for its application calculation. A combined two-course anatomy/physiology sequence must come from the same institution.
Other preparation includes English composition, introductory psychology, lifespan development and six credits of prior general education evaluated individually. College-level mathematics and public speaking are also required, but are excluded from the admission GPA calculation. Follow the program’s GPA worksheet rather than treating the 3.0 field as a whole-degree GPA.
The ABSN FAQ states that prerequisite credits do not expire. Transfer equivalency still needs review, particularly for courses taken outside the UW or Wisconsin technical-college systems.
Curriculum
UW–Oshkosh’s 52-credit accelerated plan combines online nursing theory with required on-campus learning and six clinical rotations. Students begin with assessment, foundational sciences and adult care, move into specialty and community nursing, and finish with clinical synthesis and a capstone project.
The accelerated plan of study supplies the courses and credits below. These are progression groups rather than assigned semesters. Admissions prerequisites are separate from this nursing sequence.
Required Courses and Credits
Foundations and assessment — 12 credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
Nursing 105 — Introduction to Professional Nursing | 1 | Professional nursing roles and preparation for the accelerated sequence. |
Nursing 203 — Caring and Human Behavior: The Foundation of Nursing Practice | 3 | Human behavior and caring as foundations of nursing practice. |
Nursing 206 — Health Assessment Theory | 2 | Principles of collecting and interpreting patient-assessment information. |
Nursing 207 — Health Assessment Lab | 1 | Hands-on assessment practice during on-campus learning. |
Nursing 348 — Pathophysiology I | 2 | Foundational disease processes and their effects on health. |
Nursing 358 — Pathophysiology II | 2 | Further study of altered body functions and disease processes. |
Nursing 307 — Skills Lab | 1 | Intensive practice of nursing skills on campus. |
Adult health and medication management — 11 credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
Nursing 310 — Adult Health I with Pharmacologic Implications | 3 | Adult health conditions and associated medication considerations. |
Nursing 313 — Adult Health I Clinical | 1 | Initial supervised adult-care rotation during the Wisconsin residency. |
Nursing 346 — Pharmacology II | 2 | Further study of medications and nursing responsibilities. |
Nursing 314 — Adult Health II Theory | 3 | Building knowledge for more complex adult nursing care. |
Nursing 315 — Adult Health II Clinical | 2 | Applying adult-care concepts while completing the paired theory course. |
Specialty nursing — 12 credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
Nursing 412 — Nursing: Childbearing Families | 2 | Nursing care for childbearing patients and families. |
Nursing 426 — Mental Health Theory | 2 | Nursing concepts for mental health care. |
Nursing 427 or 411 — Specialty Clinical: Mental Health or Obstetrics | 2 | One assigned specialty rotation, based on clinical-site and preceptor availability. |
Nursing 424 — Nursing: Children and Adolescents | 2 | Nursing care for pediatric and adolescent patients. |
Nursing 214 — Nursing: The Aging Client System | 2 | Nursing care needs of older adults. |
Nursing 423 or 428 — Specialty Clinical: Pediatrics or Aging | 2 | One assigned pediatric or geriatric rotation, based on placement availability. |
Community, evidence and professional transition — 17 credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
Nursing 328 — Evidence-Based Practice | 2 | Using research evidence to inform nursing practice. |
Nursing 404 — Legal and Ethical Care | 2 | Legal responsibilities and ethical decision-making in nursing. |
Nursing 416 — Community Health Theory | 3 | Population health and community nursing concepts. |
Nursing 418 — Community Health Clinical | 3 | Community or public-health practice, including an agency-focused project. |
Nursing 437 — Leadership and Management | 2 | Professional leadership and management of nursing care. |
Nursing 419 — Senior Clinical Synthesis | 3 | Final precepted clinical integration alongside Leadership and Management. |
Nursing 490 — Advanced Concepts/Capstone Project | 2 | Synthesis of advanced nursing learning through capstone project work. |
Clinical Integration and Final Synthesis
Both specialty theory subjects are required in each pair, but students complete one mental-health or obstetric clinical and one pediatric or aging clinical. Do not count both alternatives as separate required rotations.
The university specifies 728 clinical hours across six rotations: Adult Health I, 56; Adult Health II, 112; mental health or obstetrics, 112; pediatrics or aging, 112; community health, 168; and Senior Clinical Synthesis, 168. The first rotation takes place during the two-week Wisconsin residency; the remaining five use a preceptor model.
Nursing 419 is the final clinical experience, while Nursing 490 is the separate advanced-concepts/capstone course. Online theory is instructor-guided and deadline-based, with reliable internet, a camera-equipped computer and availability for scheduled learning activities required. The published tuition is for the full 12-month program; prerequisites and travel costs remain separate.
Clinical Training and Required Travel
The plan of study lists 728 clinical hours across six rotations. The first is faculty-supervised in Wisconsin; the remaining five use RN preceptors coordinated by the program.
Two-week Wisconsin residency
After approximately 12 weeks of online work, students travel to Oshkosh for intensive labs and the first 56-hour Adult Health I rotation at a regional facility. Students arrange and pay for their own accommodation. Required activities can include 10–12-hour days and weekends; the full two-week period must remain available.
Subsequent clinical rotations
The remaining rotations cover adult health, obstetrics or mental health, pediatrics or aging, community health and senior clinical synthesis. Students follow their preceptors’ shifts, including possible nights, weekends and holidays.
UW–Oshkosh aims to arrange placements in or within 65 miles of the home community, but explicitly says this is not always possible. Significant travel can be necessary. Formal acceptance depends on securing rotations in the area identified in the application, and hospital employment can be important to placement availability.
The university has documented an international clinical experience in Guatemala. Treat this as a previously offered opportunity, not a guaranteed part of every current cohort’s plan; confirm availability before budgeting for it.
Tuition and Additional Costs
The university currently publishes $50,338 for the full 12-month accelerated option, including course software and NCLEX-RN preparation. This published tuition package is the same for Wisconsin and out-of-state students.
A $5,000 nonrefundable tuition deposit is due within two weeks of acceptance, before financial aid is available. The deposit is part of tuition, not an extra $5,000 charge. Tuition and fees can change with Board of Regents approval.
The tuition and financial aid page provides the payment schedule and aid information. Budget prerequisite coursework, Wisconsin travel and lodging, clinical transportation, background screening, health compliance and personal living costs separately from the published package.
Eligible students may use federal loans, nursing scholarships or veterans’ benefits. Financial-aid eligibility for a second degree differs from first-degree aid and should be reviewed before committing the deposit.
Accreditation and State Availability
UW–Oshkosh’s baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by CCNE. Program completion prepares graduates to pursue the NCLEX-RN and state licensure; the relevant board determines individual eligibility.
Approved residence states currently include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. North Carolina availability is limited to its eastern region, and Oregon has limited capacity. Students must maintain an approved residence throughout theory and clinical study.
Arizona and Colorado applicants should confirm clinical feasibility in their particular community before committing. State eligibility does not guarantee a nearby placement or eliminate the Wisconsin residency. The current plan-of-study page also states that clinical placements depend on hospital employment maintained during the program; discuss your individual circumstances with the accelerated nursing advisor.
UW–Oshkosh also offers a traditional BSN, BSN@Home and graduate nursing pathways. These are separate from the second-degree accelerated option.