What Ohio Schools Offer Accelerated BSN Programs: Second Degree BSN

Mount Carmel College of Nursing's Second Degree Accelerated Program (SDAP) offers a fast-paced hybrid track for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Choose between a 13-month or 18-month completion path that blends online coursework with on-campus skills labs and clinical rotations. The curriculum covers patient care, health assessment, and nursing leadership, ensuring graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty clinical ratio, personalized support is a hallmark. The program boasts a 91% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement within one year. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required. As part of Trinity Health, students benefit from strong employment connections and full-time study requirements.

• 91% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• 13-month or 18-month track options
• Part of Trinity Health System
• For prior bachelor's degree holders
• Blended and fully online courses
• Evening and weekend scheduling
• 10:1 student to clinical faculty ratio

The Second Degree Accelerated Program (SDAP) Evening/Weekend track at Mount Carmel College of Nursing is designed for working adults with a prior bachelor's degree. This hybrid BSN can be completed in 18 months with classes held on evenings and weekends, combining online instruction with in-person labs and clinicals. Students learn essential nursing theory and hands-on skills, preparing for NCLEX-RN licensure. Small class sizes average 30, and the 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship. Rolling admissions allow flexible start dates. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is necessary. With 120 years of nursing education experience, this program emphasizes practical training in hospitals and community clinics. Graduates are equipped for roles in medical-surgical, critical care, and pediatric nursing without pausing their lives.

• 18-Month program
• Rolling admissions
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Blend of online and face-to-face instruction
• Evenings and weekends for classes
• 120 years of educating nurses
• 30 average class size
• 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Designed for busy lifestyles
• Personalized instruction

Ohio State's hybrid Accelerated BSN is designed for career changers holding a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. This top-ranked program (U.S. News #1 public BSN) spans five consecutive semesters and 59 credits, with no ACT or SAT required for admission. Coursework covers adult health, pediatrics, psychiatric care, and community health, complemented by clinical rotations at the Wexner Medical Center and partner facilities. The hybrid format blends online instruction with in-person labs and clinicals, offering flexibility while maintaining immersive training. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue diverse nursing careers. Prerequisites, a 3.0 GPA, and a $60 application fee are required. Financial aid is available.

• 5-Semester program
• Complete in five consecutive semesters
• 59 total credit hours
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts summer
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• $60 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available

Capital University's hybrid ABSN lets bachelor's degree holders earn a BSN in as few as 20 months. This CCNE-accredited, five-semester program mixes online asynchronous lectures with one on-campus evening weekly for labs/exams, plus a clinical day. Courses include three master's-level classes in healthcare statistics, research, and informatics, giving graduate credit toward an MSN. Clinicals start first semester at over 80 partner hospitals, including OhioHealth and Nationwide Children's. The holistic nursing focus prepares graduates for the NCLEX and holistic nurse certification. With a 100% NCLEX pass rate, 3.0 GPA minimum, rolling admissions, fall start, and faculty advising, the program supports full-time work during study.

• CCNE accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 5-Semester program
• Complete in as few as 20 months
• Rolling admissions
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• Synchronous and asynchronous options
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Cohort-based structure

Capital University's accelerated BSN suits career changers with a prior bachelor's degree, offering daytime and flexible hybrid tracks. Over five semesters (~20 months), students complete theory, labs, and clinicals at Columbus hospitals like OhioHealth and Nationwide Children's, beginning in semester one. The CCNE-accredited curriculum includes three master's-level courses—healthcare statistics, research, informatics—providing graduate credit and an MSN head start. Holistic nursing philosophy and 1:1 faculty advising contribute to a 100% NCLEX pass rate (2024). Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, three recommendations, and prerequisites. The hybrid option allows working full-time, with rolling admissions and a fall start.

• CCNE accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 5-Semester program
• Complete in as few as 20 months
• Rolling admissions
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• Synchronous and asynchronous options
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Cohort-based structure

Designed for career changers holding a non-nursing bachelor's degree, Cleveland State University's fully online Accelerated BSN track compresses nursing education into four consecutive semesters of full-time study. With fall and spring start dates, this flexible option allows students to complete theory and clinical coursework remotely while preparing for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Prerequisites span anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and two recommendation letters. The competitive admissions process also considers healthcare experience and an ESL assessment for non-native speakers. Applications close June 1. Graduates emerge as professional generalist nurses ready for entry-level registered nurse roles across hospitals, clinics, and community settings, with financial aid available.

• 4-Semester program
• Starts fall/spring
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Online and in-person options
• Requires non-nursing bachelor's degree
• Full-time enrollment required

Cleveland State University's campus-based Accelerated BSN immerses students with prior bachelor's degrees in a rigorous four-semester, full-time curriculum starting each January. The program integrates theory and clinical practice across all nursing specialties, culminating in eligibility for the NCLEX-RN. Admission is highly selective, with limited seats and prerequisites demanding a 3.0 GPA and B-or-better grades in science courses. Two letters of recommendation are required. This on-campus experience provides hands-on learning in modern facilities, and an online ABSN alternative exists for those needing flexibility. Financial aid is available, and graduates are prepared for generalist registered nurse practice in diverse healthcare settings.

• 4-Semester program
• Complete in four consecutive semesters
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts spring
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Online ABSN also available
• Competitive admission, limited spots

Kettering College's Accelerated BSN is a 15-month program designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The curriculum integrates nursing coursework with clinical experiences beginning in the first course, with rotations at Kettering Health hospitals and other community healthcare facilities. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue careers in hospital nursing, community health, and more. The program starts in August each year and leverages the college's integration into the Kettering Health network for hands-on learning. Note: No ACT or SAT entrance exam requirements are explicitly listed for this program.

• 15-Month program
• Starts fall
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• For bachelor's degree holders
• Clinical experiences in Kettering Health
• Classes start in August
• Clinical experiences begin first course
• Part of Kettering Health network

Walsh University’s Fast Track BSN is an accelerated, hybrid bachelor’s program for working adults. Blending online coursework with evening/weekend labs and clinicals in Northeast Ohio, it covers nursing research, population-focused care, family nursing, leadership, critical care, and a capstone, preparing students for the NCLEX with a pathway to the MSN. Highlights include $510 per credit, $0 application fee, credit for prior learning, military benefits, and financial aid. The 24-month program offers fall/spring starts, requires a 2.0 GPA and prerequisite courses, and does not list an ACT or SAT entrance exam requirement. Graduates can work as RNs in clinic, home health, or pediatric settings.

• $510 per credit
• 24-Month program
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• $0 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Military benefits accepted

Mercy College of Ohio's Accelerated BSN is a four-semester hybrid track for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The program blends online coursework with clinical placements scheduled over long weekends, allowing students to balance work and study. Grounded in the college's Roman Catholic tradition, the curriculum emphasizes compassionate, evidence-based care and is designed to prepare graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure and immediate practice as registered nurses. Notably, Mercy Health employees may receive 100% tuition coverage, making this a debt-free pathway into nursing. With attentive faculty and a structure that prioritizes flexibility, the program responds directly to the growing demand for nurses. This accelerated route offers a practical, affordable transition into a rewarding healthcare career.

• 4-Semester program
• Full-time enrollment
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• Hybrid course delivery with online lectures
• Clinicals grouped over long weekends
• Designed for working students
• 100% tuition coverage for Mercy Health workers
• Fast-track for non-nursing bachelor's holders
• Debt-free nursing education option

Muskingum University's Accelerated BSN is a 15-month hybrid program designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The curriculum combines online theory coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations, allowing flexibility while building hands-on skills. Students benefit from small class sizes and personalized mentorship from expert faculty. The program is accredited by CCNE and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. Notably, the program does not explicitly require ACT or SAT scores for admission, focusing instead on prior academic achievement. This fast-paced track emphasizes critical thinking and patient care, making it a strong choice for career changers seeking registered nurse licensure.

• CCNE accredited
• 15-Month program
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Small class sizes
• Online coursework with hands-on labs
• For students with non-nursing degrees
• Collaborative learning environment
• Expert faculty mentorship

The University of Akron's Accelerated BSN is a second-degree, full-time, cohort-based program for students with a prior bachelor's degree. Over four semesters (16 months), starting each May, the curriculum combines nursing coursework with prerequisites like chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology. Graduates earn a baccalaureate degree and are prepared for the RN licensure exam. Admission requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, one letter of recommendation, and completion of all prerequisite courses. No ACT or SAT scores are required. Apply by December 1; scholarships and hands-on clinical experience are available. The program is also military friendly, offering academic support to help students succeed in their nursing careers.

• 4-Semester program
• Complete in four semesters
• Apply by 2025-12-01
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts summer
• Cohort-based structure
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• 1 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for RN licensure examination

Wittenberg University's ABSN is a 16-month, fully online-asynchronous program tailored for career changers who already have a bachelor's degree. The CCNE-accredited curriculum totals 59 credit hours and merges flexible online coursework with required campus labs and clinical rotations. Core studies include patient care, health assessment, and nursing leadership, all within a liberal arts framework. Graduates are NCLEX-ready and eligible for RN licensure across diverse settings. As a military-friendly institution with an Evangelical Lutheran heritage, Wittenberg supports student success through experienced faculty. With a 6% projected growth in nursing jobs, this fast-track program offers a compelling route into healthcare. Admission does not require SAT/ACT scores; prior degree completion is the primary prerequisite.

• CCNE accredited
• 16-Month program
• 59 total credit hours
• Asynchronous online classes
• Designed for career changers
• Online coursework with on-site labs
• CCNE accredited through 2031
• Asynchronous learning flexibility
• Registered nurse job growth 6%
• Experienced nursing faculty