ABSN Admission, Application and Fees

The second-degree Accelerated BSN (ABSN) option is designed for students who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree and are interested in pursuing a BSN degree with eligibility to obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). This 12-month option begins in the spring annually.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for this option, applicants must have:

Earned at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university by the end of summer semester (unless an extension is authorized by the ABSN program director). Regional accreditations include: the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Coursework completed at other US Department of Education nationally accredited institutions may be considered but must be reviewed by the ECU Registrar on a case by case basis.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Grade point averages used for admission include either all grades from accredited college/universities attended OR grades from 20+ credit hours post-graduation, whichever is highest. Courses that are not complete by the application deadline are not included in GPA calculations.
- Completed the following pre-requisite courses by the end of summer semester (unless an extension is authorized by the ABSN program director).

Completed the following pre-requisite courses by the end of summer semester (unless an extension is authorized by the ABSN program director).
- The following courses must have a recorded grade of “B-” (2.7) or above: BIOL2140 (3 sh) Anatomy and Physiology I
  - BIOL 2140 (3 sh) Anatomy and Physiology I
  - BIOL 2141 (1 sh) Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
  - BIO 2150 (3 sh) Anatomy and Physiology II
  - BIO 2151 (1 sh) Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
  - BIOL 2140/2141 and BIOL 2150/2151 must be no older than 5 years at the time of the application deadline
  - BIOL 2110 (3 sh) Microbiology
  - BIOL 2111 (1 sh) Microbiology Lab
  - CHEM 1120 (3 sh) Introduction to Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences
  - CHEM 1130 (4 sh) Organic and Biochemistry for the Allied Health Sciences
  - MATH 1065 (3 sh) College Algebra
- The following courses must have a recorded grade of “C” (2.0) or above:
  - NUTR 2105 (3 sh) Nutrition Science
  - PHIL 1175 (3 sh) Introduction to Ethics
  - PSYC 1000 (3 sh) General Psychology
  - PSYC 3206 (3 sh) Developmental Psychology
  - SOCI 2110 (3 sh) Introduction to Sociology
  - Approved Statistics Course (3 sh)
- Equivalent courses may be transferred in. All applicants are strongly encouraged to complete an Unofficial Transcript Review Request to determine course equivalency.
Completed the HESI Admission Assessment (A 2) exam:
- Students should complete the following subsections of the exam: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary & General Knowledge, Basic Math Skills, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology
- A score of 75% is recommended on each of the 5 subsections (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary & General Knowledge, Basic Math Skills, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology).

The College of Nursing ABSN ranking formula, used to determine admission into the Accelerated Second-Degree BSN option, is composed of points awarded for cumulative GPA, success in the previously mentioned specified courses, statement of interest, HESI score average and interview scores. Admission decisions are based on the ranking formula.

Apply

First Step: Apply to the College of Nursing

Applications are available every year starting March 15th. Applications should be submitted by June 15th at 5 p.m. EST to be considered for admissions. ABSN applicants applying by the June 15th admission deadline date have until the end of summer semester to complete their degree and the required prerequisite. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed their degree, and all required prerequisite courses, especially the science requirements, prior to the application deadline date of June 15th.

Students interested in applying to the ABSN option need to complete the following steps to request access to the ABSN online application:

Review and complete the ABSN Eligibility Application Worksheet for Prospective Students (PDF) to confirm your eligibility to apply.
Email absnapplication@ecu.edu to request a link to the online ABSN application along with your fully completed eligibility application worksheet and HESI PDF report reflecting at least on attempt of the exam. Please include a copy of an unofficial transcript from every college attended for verification. Please allow one to two business weeks for eligibility review and reception of link.

Second Step: Apply to East Carolina University

All students pursuing the accelerated second-degree BSN option must apply to ECU Undergraduate Admissions as well. All ECU undergraduate applications need to be submitted as soon as possible once that application is available online in mid-August.

Admission to the ABSN option will be contingent upon admission to ECU.

Visit ECU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions to apply and for information requests.

All students must meet minimum requirements as specified in the current undergraduate catalog. Admission to the university is determined by the director of undergraduate admissions.

Questions?

Contact the College of Nursing Student Services office at 252-744-6477 or CONAdvising@ecu.edu.

Tuition and Fees

A schedule of university fees is available in the university’s Cashier’s Office. There are additional costs to nursing students for uniforms, books, background checks, drug screening, clinical supplies, and liability insurance. Students must also have current CPR certification. Information on available programs is available at the CON Student Services Office.