Second Degree BSN Curriculum
How Credits are Calculated
| Transfer credits from your previous degree | 36 credits |
| Prerequisites* taken for the Second Degree Program | 25 credits |
| Credits taken at Duquesne University School of Nursing in the Second Degree Program | 67 credits |
| Total Credits for the Second Degree Program | 128 credits |
*Prerequisites may be completed at any accredited college or university, and online courserwork is acceptable. For example, we do accept credit from Portage Learning, which offers all prerequisite courses required for the Second Degree program.
After Completion
Upon completion of the Second Degree BSN, students are eligible to begin graduate nursing coursework in one of three Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specialties:
- Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner
- Forensic Nursing
- Nursing Education and Faculty Role.
Second Degree Coursework
Here is a breakdown of the 67 credits earned through the 12-month Pathway of the Duquesne University School of Nursing Second Degree Program.
Fall Semester
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| UPNS 119 | Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology | 3 |
| UPNS 124 | Cultural Issues in Health Care | 3 |
| UPNS 200 | Fundamentals of Nursing and Clinical Ethics (4 theory - 2 clinical lab) | 6 |
| UPNS 218 | Health Assessment (3 theory - 1 clinical lab) | 4 |
| UPNS 326 | Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 339W | Genetics in Nursing and Health | 3 |
| Total 22 |
Spring Semester
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| UPNS 309 | Pharmacology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 323 | Adult Health and Illness (4 theory - 2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 344 | Nursing for Children's Health | 3 |
| UPNS 348 | Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health | 3 |
| UPNS 355 | Behavioral Health (2 theory - 1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 357 | Population Health (2 theory - 1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 411 | Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Total 24 |
Summer Semester
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| UPNS 400 | Critically Ill Adult (4 theory - 2 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 422 | Role Prep II | 3 |
| UPNS 423W | Evidence Based Approaches to Professional Nursing Practice | 4 |
| UPNS 426 | Leadership and Management in Clinical Environments (4 theory - 2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 430 | Gerontological Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Total 19 |
W = Writing Intensive
Revisions to courses and curricula are ongoing.
Here is a breakdown of the 67 credits earned through the 16-month Pathway of the Duquesne University School of Nursing Second Degree Program.
Fall Semester, Year 1
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS 119 | Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology | 3 |
| UPNS 124 | Cultural Issues in Health Care | 3 |
| UPNS 200 | Fundamentals of Nursing and Clinical Ethics (4 theory - 2 clinical lab) | 6 |
| UPNS 218 | Health Assessment (3 theory - 1 clinical lab) | 4 |
| UPNS 326 | Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
|
Total 19 |
Spring Semester, Year 1
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS 309 | Pharmacology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 323 | Adult Health and Illness (4 theory - 2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 339W | Genetics in Nursing and Health | 3 |
| UPNS*** | Clinical Speciality Course (2 theory - 1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS*** | Clinical Speciality Course (2 theory - 1 clinical) | 3 |
| Total 18 |
Summer Semester, Year 1
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS 423W | Evidence Based Approaches to Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 426 | Leadership and Management in Clinical Environments (4 theory - 2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 430 | Gerontological Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Total 12 |
Fall Semester, Year 2
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS*** | Clinical Speciality Course | 3 |
| UPNS*** | Clinical Speciality Course | 3 |
| UPNS 400 | Critically Ill Adult (4 theory - 2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 411 | Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| UPNS 422 | Role Prep II | 3 |
| Total 18 |
W = Writing Intensive
***Students will be assigned two clinical speciality courses in the Spring Semester Year 1 & Fall Semester Year 2.
Clinical Speciality Courses include UPNS 344, 348, 355, 357.
Revisions to courses and curricula are ongoing.