Program Overview
One of the most affordable accelerated BSNs in the country — thanks to NC Promise, Western Carolina charges just $500 per semester in-state and $2,500 out-of-state, pairing exceptional value (for residents and non-residents alike) with a 100% NCLEX pass rate, taught in Asheville’s thriving medical community.
Western Carolina University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a 16-month, full-time program designed for second-degree students who already hold a prior bachelor’s degree. Classes are held at the Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville, NC, and students progress through four continuous semesters, while clinical rotations take place primarily in Buncombe County with some travel around Western North Carolina.
The program admits a cohort of 55 students each year and boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate.
As an NC Promise institution, WCU offers dramatically reduced tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students, making it one of the most affordable accelerated BSN options available.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (and the MSN and DNP) programs at Western Carolina University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the pre-licensure nursing programs are approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. WCU is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The ABSN program reports a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate, and graduates are well-positioned for entry-level roles in acute care, community health, and specialty nursing fields.
Admissions and Acceptance
WCU’s ABSN uses holistic admissions, considering academic performance, TEAS scores, prior experience, and personal contributions. The application is submitted through NursingCAS, with applications due each January for fall entry and admission decisions made in early March.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (all undergraduate and graduate coursework)
- Four science prerequisites required; at least three must be completed by the application deadline (no exceptions)
- All prerequisite grades must be C or higher
- Official TEAS scores submitted with the application (sent from ATI); recent cohorts average 85-89%
Science prerequisites: CHEM 132 Introductory Chemistry with Lab (4); BIO 291 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4); BIO 292 Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4); ENVH 260/261 Etiology of Infectious Disease with Lab (microbiology, 3).
Additional prerequisites: ND 330 Human Nutritional Needs and NSG 346 Pathophysiology for Nursing (commonly completed online at WCU before the program begins).
Curriculum
The curriculum includes foundational and advanced nursing courses, clinical practicums, and specialty subjects such as pharmacotherapeutics, maternal-child health, community mental health, and leadership. Students complete 60+ credit hours over the program’s four semesters.
NSG 310: Foundations of Nursing
Introduces core nursing principles and processes for promoting health and wellness across all age groups.
NSG 311: Foundations of Nursing Practicum
Applies foundational nursing skills while exploring the nurse’s role in individual, family, and community care.
NSG 312: Nursing Assessment Across the Lifespan
Covers systematic physical assessment techniques to support clinical decision-making within the nursing process.
NSG 313: Pharmacotherapeutics in Nursing I
Explores the safe use of medications in disease prevention and treatment, focusing on basic drug knowledge.
NSG 314: Nursing Informatics
Examines how nursing, information, and computer sciences intersect to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.
NSG 322: Concepts of Geriatric Nursing
Focuses on the unique healthcare needs of older adults, emphasizing physical, emotional, and spiritual care.
NSG 315: Nursing Ethics and Health Policy
Introduces ethical decision-making frameworks and health policy issues that shape nursing practice.
NSG 320: Concepts of Adult Nursing
Builds on the nursing process with focus on adult patients facing acute and chronic health conditions.
NSG 321: Adult Nursing Practicum
Applies clinical skills to care for adults with acute and chronic illnesses in varied healthcare settings.
NSG 323: Pharmacotherapeutics in Nursing II
Continues study of medication use with emphasis on patient education and applied pharmacologic knowledge.
NSG 324: Evidence Based Nursing Practice
Teaches how to identify, evaluate, and apply research findings to inform nursing practice.
NSG 412: Concepts of Maternal-Child Nursing
Applies the nursing process to the care of families during pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing stages.
NSG 413: Maternal-Child Nursing Practicum
Provides hands-on experience in caring for mothers, infants, and children in clinical settings.
NSG 422: Concepts of Community/Mental Health Nursing
Explores principles of nursing care within community and mental health environments.
NSG 423: Community/Mental Health NSG
Applies nursing skills in community and mental health care, emphasizing therapeutic communication and support.
NSG 410: Concepts of Adult Nursing II
Continues adult care instruction with focus on patients experiencing complex and acute conditions.
NSG 411: Adult Nursing II Practicum
Provides clinical practice in managing acute and chronic health problems in adult patients.
NSG 414: Advanced Technology & Pharmacotherapeutics in Nursing
Enhances knowledge of advanced medications and technologies used in modern nursing care.
NSG 420: Synthesis of Nursing Concepts
Integrates program knowledge to support the transition from nursing student to professional nurse.
NSG 421: Synthesis of Nursing Practicum
Applies accumulated learning in a final practicum to prepare for entry-level nursing practice.
NSG 424: Concepts of Nursing Leadership in Management
Covers leadership and management principles for nurses delivering coordinated, patient-centered care.
More detail is available in the WCU ABSN catalog.
Clinical Training
Students complete hands-on clinical rotations across Western North Carolina — primarily in Buncombe County, within Asheville’s thriving medical community — in acute, restorative, and community-based settings, including specialties such as emergency care, surgery, pediatrics, mental health, and hospice. Some travel and overnight stays may be required for select rotations to optimize the clinical experience.
Tuition
Western Carolina is an NC Promise institution, so tuition for all undergraduate students is just $500 per fall and spring semester for in-state students and $2,500 per semester for out-of-state students — making the ABSN one of the most affordable options in the country for residents and non-residents alike.
With required WCU and ABSN fees added, total estimated cost for the program is approximately $14,830 for North Carolina residents and $22,830 for non-residents (both figures include a $1,392.40 health insurance fee that can be waived with verified coverage). Nursing scholarships, the PEN Scholars support program, and the Forgivable Education Loan for Service (FELS) may further reduce costs.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.
Online Availability and Additional Programs
The ABSN is an in-person program, but WCU offers other nursing pathways online, including RN-to-BSN, MSN in Nurse Educator or Leadership, and various DNP programs, supporting long-term career advancement in both clinical and academic settings.