The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Second Degree program enables a non-nurse with a baccalaureate degree to obtain a BSN degree in a 12-month or 16-month program. After three or four semesters of intensive full-time study and clinical practice in state-of-the-art health care settings, during which time all requirements for a BSN degree are met, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
12-month Second Degree Pathway
The 12-month full-time program begins in August and includes three semesters of intensive coursework and clinical practice in health care settings.
16-month Second Degree Pathway
For those who seek a second degree program on a slightly less intense course schedule, the 16-month pathway begins in August and includes four semesters of rigorous coursework and clinical practice in health care settings. Additional costs may apply for the 16-month Second Degree Pathway option.
Second Degree BSN Curriculum
BSN Program Coursework
A grade of "C+" or better must be attained in all nursing courses and a grade of "C" or better must be attained in all non-nursing courses, including electives and laboratory courses, in order to progress in the nursing curriculum. Revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
W = Writing Intensive
12-month Program of Study
Fall Semester
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| UPNS 119 | Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology | 3 |
| UPNS 124 | Cultural Issues in Health Care | 3 |
| UPNS 218 | Health Assessment (3 theory/1 clinical lab) | 4 |
| UPNS 200 | Fundamentals of Nursing and Clinical Ethics (4 theory/2 clinical lab) | 6 |
| UPNS 326 | Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 339 | Genetics in Nursing and Health | 3 |
| Total 22 |
Spring Semester
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| UPNS 309 | Pharmacology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 232 | Adult Health and Illness I (4 theory/2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 344 | Nursing for Children's Health (2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 348 | Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health (2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 355 | Behavioral Health (2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 357 | Population Health (2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 411W | Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Total 24 |
Summer Semester
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| UPNS 400 | Critically Ill Adult (4 theory/2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 462 | Leadership and Management Theory & Practice in Clinical Environments ( 2 theory/4 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 453 | Transition to Professional Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 460 | Advanced Clinical Concepts in Gerontology | 3 |
| UPNS 431 | Enhancing Quality and Safety through EBP and Technology | 3 |
| Total 21 |
16-month Program of Study
Fall Semester, Year One
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS 119 | Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology | 3 |
| UPNS 124 | Cultural Issues in Health Care | 3 |
| UPNS 218 | Health Assessment (3 theory/1 clinical lab) | 4 |
| UPNS 200 | Fundamentals of Nursing and Clinical Ethics (4 theory/2 clinical lab) | 6 |
| UPNS 326 | Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
|
Total 19 |
Spring Semester, Year One
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS 309 | Pharmacology for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UPNS 232 | Adult Health and Illness I (4 theory/2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS *** | Nursing for Children's Health (2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS *** | Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health (2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 339 | Genetics in Nursing and Health | 3 |
| Total 18 |
Summer Semester, Year One
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS 431 | Enhancing Quality and Safety through EBP and Technology | 3 |
| UPNS 462 | Leadership and Management Theory & Practice in Clinical Environments (2 theory/4 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 460 | Advanced Clinical Concepts in Gerontology | 3 |
| Total 12 |
Fall Semester, Year Two
| Course # | Course Name |
Credits |
| UPNS *** | Behavioral Health ( 2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS *** | Population Health (2 theory/1 clinical) | 3 |
| UPNS 400 | Critically Ill Adult (4 theory/2 clinical) | 6 |
| UPNS 411W | Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| UPNS 453 | Transition to Professional Practice | 3 |
| Total 18 |
*** These four specialty courses are taken in the spring and fall semesters. Half of the 16-month students will take Nursing for Children's Health and Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health in the spring, and Behavioral Health and Population Health in the fall. The other half will take the reverse sequence.