Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

64
Seats in cohort

12
Months to complete

49
Credits

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Request for Information

How did you hear about our program?

By submitting this form, you agree to receive communications from UW–Madison School of Nursing. We value your privacy and will never sell your email or information about you.

How to Get In

Students apply to enter the Accelerated BSN program after completing their first bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Review the Accelerated BSN Application Instructions & FAQs before starting your application.

The Undergraduate Admissions and Progression Committee, a faculty committee from within the School of Nursing, reviews and makes decisions on all applications for admission.

Each applicant submits an online application, participates in a group interview, and submits an in-person writing exercise. Each component is reviewed by two faculty members. In reviewing applications, the admissions committee completes a thorough and holistic evaluation of each application (online application, group interview, writing exercise). Factors/attributes considered include:

  • Academic preparation and performance (including cumulative and prerequisite course GPAs, rigor of course work, grade trends, etc.)
  • Leadership
  • Extracurricular activities and service
  • Health care experience and professional goals
  • Diversity in experience and background
  • Quality of application statements/essays, interview, and writing exercise

Admission Profile 2023

Applicants: 90Admitted: 65Enrolled: 48Male: 18%Students of Color: 19%First Generation: 16%Cumulative GPA: 3.50Prerequisite GPA: 3.55

Apply Now

Application open July 15–Sept. 15 for May
Instructions & FAQs (pdf)

Nursing students demonstrating clinical expertise
The ABSN Class of 2022

“The Accelerated BSN program is intense, yet challenging, intellectually stimulating, and enriching. I feel like I have learned and grown so much from when I began. I truly feel supported by faculty and staff.”

Aniqueka Scott ’19

96%
Pass NCLEX certification exam their first time

99%
Employed or attended graduate school in 6 months 

5
Hospitals in a 2-mile radius

Students apply to enter the Accelerated BSN program after completing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and fulfilling all the necessary nursing prerequisite courses and general education requirements. Students will apply to the School of Nursing between July and September and receive their admission decision in December for the accelerated BSN program starting in May.

Note that applying to the accelerated BSN program disqualifies a candidate from also applying to the traditional BSN program during the same calendar year.

School of Nursing Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution, completed by the program start date. Students anticipating spring graduation can apply the prior fall; proof of timely progress is required. We do not accept applications from students previously enrolled in a professional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at another institution.
  • Admission to UWMadison as a post-undergraduate degree-seeking student (separate application required)
  • Minimum college-level cumulative GPA of 2.75
  • Completion of the prerequisites listed below with a grade of C or better in each course and a minimum combined GPA of 2.75
  • The first four prerequisites (science courses) must be completed by the application deadline and within seven years of the program start date. All other prerequisites must be complete before the program start date.
  • Prerequisite equivalency information is available on the BSN Prerequisite Course Equivalencies page. Prerequisite equivalencies can be requested by submitting the Prerequisite and General Education Course Evaluation Request Form.
    1. Chemistry (4/5 credits, including lab)
    2. Microbiology (3 credits)
    3. Anatomy (3 credits)
    4. Physiology (5 credits, including lab)
    5. Psychology (3 credits)
    6. Sociology (3 credits)
    7. Human Growth & Development (3 credits)

Note: Anatomy and Physiology may be satisfied by one semester of Anatomy and one semester of Physiology or by A&P I and II.

UW–Madison General Education Requirements

  • Applicants must also complete the following university-wide General Education Requirements. At least two must be completed by the application deadline, and all prerequisites must be completed before the program start date.
  • Course equivalencies can be requested by submitting the Prerequisite and General Education Course Evaluation Request Form.
    1. Communications Part A: Literacy Proficiency
    2. Quantitative Reasoning Part A: QR Proficiency
    3. Quantitative Reasoning Part B: Enhanced QR Proficiency
    4. Ethnic Studies

An unofficial transfer credit evaluation to check for completion of the nursing prerequisite courses and the university’s General Education Requirements will be completed by the School of Nursing prior to the decision release date. Admission is contingent upon official verification by the UWMadison Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Applicants will be required to submit Proof of Enrollment at the time of application for any prerequisites not yet completed. If enrollment has not opened for a particular course, students will be asked to submit a statement of Intent to Register that lists the course, institution, dates of instruction, and enrollment date.

Tuition is a flat rate of $45,000 for Wisconsin residents (including reciprocity for MN residents) or $60,000 for nonresidents.

Some financial aid will be available, but federal and state aid is limited for second degrees.

All prospective accelerated students will also need to submit an additional application to UWMadison’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Candidates who were previously enrolled at UWMadison (whether or not a degree was earned), as well as candidates who are applying to enter UWMadison for the first time, must complete the UW System application for second-degree seeking students in addition to the School of Nursing application. Click here for more information.

Note that applying to the accelerated BSN program disqualifies a candidate from also applying to the traditional BSN program during the same calendar year.

Applications

To be considered, you must complete two application forms:

  1. UW–Madison Application: Candidates who were previously enrolled at UW–Madison (whether or not a degree was earned), as well as candidates who are applying to enter UW–Madison for the first time, must complete the UW System application for second-degree seeking students in addition to the School of Nursing application by September 15.
    • Major: Nursing (Accelerated)
    • Start term: Summer 2024
  2. School of Nursing Supplemental Application for the Accelerated BSN Program: The application deadline has passed. All eligible applicants must participate in an interview in order to be considered for this program.
    • Application period open: July 15
    • Application deadline: September 15 @ 11:59 pm (CT)
    • Zoom Interview: November 2–3, 2023. Interview dates and times will be assigned by the School of Nursing.
    • Notification of decisions: End of December

Applications are accepted once a year to start the program in May.

information iconReview of Applications

Successful applicants have strong academic ability as well as leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, service, and healthcare experience. We also consider professional goals and diversity in experience and background. Admission is highly competitive and based on a thorough and holistic evaluation of each application.

About the Application

Applications are submitted online here (only live during the annual application period). There is no fee to complete the nursing application. There is no lifetime limit to the number of times a prospective candidate may apply to the Accelerated BSN program.

The online application has four main sections:

  1. Applicant Information: Name, contact information, etc.
  2. Academic Information and Educational History: Provide a list all the colleges and universities you’ve attended to date, including dates of attendance, total credits received, and degree(s) earned (if applicable). Complete a table indicating how and where you completed the seven prerequisite and general education courses.
  3. Work Experience and Involvement Table: List up to five of your most notable activities or accomplishments (leadership roles, community service, employment, other activities, honors, awards), with the amount of time you dedicated to each and a description of your impact, participation or accomplishments.
  4. Personal Statements (Essays): Answers to five personal statement questions will be required in the preliminary application; an additional “on-demand” essay response will be required in-person and on-site. Questions are subject to change each year.

FAQsThe School of Nursing sends admission decisions via email in December. Admitted students must accept the offer of admission and confirm intent to enroll by January 20, as detailed in the admission letter.

Appealing a Decision

Every application denied has already been through an extensive faculty review. For an appeal to have merit, it must bring to light new compelling academic and/or personal information, as well as details pertaining to extenuating circumstances, that were not addressed in the initial application. Essentially, the appeal must present information that clearly shows the student to be stronger than had been earlier evidenced.

While all appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the percentage of decisions that are reversed based on an appeal is historically very low.

There is no special form. Appeals should include a letter outlining the argument for an appeal. Supporting documentation may also be included. The following rules apply:

  • Applicants can only appeal once and decisions resulting from an appeal are final.
  • Appeal letters must be written and submitted by the applicant, along with supporting documentation as appropriate, within 10 business days of the deny decision.
  • Waitlist decisions cannot be appealed.

Submitting Your Appeal

Appeals must be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. Email and regular mail are both acceptable formats for submission. It is our usual practice to respond to appeals within 10 business days of the receipt date.

Email admissions@nursing.wisc.edu.

"I love how much the faculty show you how the career of nursing and the world of nursing are limitless."

Juhi Jhaveri '22

Contacts

To make an appointment, call 608-263-5202. Current UW–Madison students can schedule online using Starfish. Visit the Student Site for additional advising information.

UW-Madison Pre-Nursing Advising

Leigh Arora

Position title: Academic Advising Manager

Email: leigh.arora@wisc.edu

Molly Censky, EdD

Position title: Assistant Director for Advising and Student Success

Email: molly.censky@wisc.edu

Maisee Her

Position title: Academic Advising Manager

Email: maisee.her@wisc.edu

Admitted Nursing Advising

Leigh Arora

Position title: Academic Advising Manager

Email: leigh.arora@wisc.edu

Tracey Maloney

Position title: Advising Manager

Email: tmmaloney@wisc.edu

Kelli Richards

Position title: Career Development & Learning Support Manager

Email: kelli.richards@wisc.edu

Prospective and Incoming Students

Judy Christensen

Position title: Recruitment and Awards Specialist

Email: judy.christensen@wisc.edu

Jin Jin

Position title: Admissions & Recruitment Coordinator

Email: jjin68@wisc.edu

Anne Jozwiak

Position title: Admissions & Recruitment Coordinator

Email: ajozwiak@wisc.edu

Ann Larget, MEd

Position title: Admissions & Recruitment Coordinator

Email: alarget@wisc.edu

Patrick Stevens

Position title: Director of Admissions and Recruitment

Email: patrick.stevens@wisc.edu

Additional Contacts

Ross Beattie, MS, LPC-IT

Position title: Embedded Mental Health Provider: School of Nursing Provider and Generalist Provider

Katie Bleier

Position title: Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs

Email: katie.bleier@wisc.edu

Morgan Lewis

Position title: Student Services & Events Coordinator

Email: mlewis7@wisc.edu

Darby Sugar, MS

Position title: Advising and Student Services Director

Email: darby.sugar@wisc.edu