ABSN Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

The great thing about the Notre Dame of Maryland University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is that it allows highly motivated students like you to apply your previous education toward a rewarding new career in nursing, even if you have no prior health care experience.

To become eligible to enroll in our ABSN program, you must first meet a set of requirements, which involve submission of the items:

Hold a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale)
ABSN prerequisite courses (28 credit hours) within the minimum grade requirements
ABSN program application
Current resume
Personal essay
- Applicants are to select and respond to one of the two prompts.
  - Please share your story that shows what calls you to the discipline and profession of nursing. Write a vivid description of your journey and what draws you to the Notre Dame of Maryland University nursing program.
  - Describe how caring for others provides personal fulfillment. Detail how your core values align with the School of Nursing's philosophy and can advance the program's mission.
Earn a minimum composite score of 65% on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
- A previous TEAS score can be submitted if the test was taken up to one year before the time of application to the accelerated nursing program.
Recommendation letters (2)
- Applicants are required to provide two professional work references from supervisors or other individuals in a position to evaluate their work performance. References from colleagues or personal acquaintances will not be accepted.

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Accelerated Nursing Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses and University General Education course requirements must be completed prior to enrollment in Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Nursing Program.

Applicants who have already earned a bachelor’s degree only complete the prerequisite courses in BOLD.
Applicants who have earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from a Maryland community college and have met Notre Dame of Maryland University’s General Education requirements are required to take one mission-oriented NDMU course from the approved courses in Pursuing Meaning and Purpose (RST or PHL) or Becoming an Engaged Citizen or a course in a Modern Foreign Language at the 102 level or above.
Applicants who have not earned an A.A. or A.S. degree or bachelor’s degree are required to complete all prerequisite courses and University General Education course requirements.

Course	Course Description	Credits
MAT 215	Basic Statistics	3
CHEM 108/CHEM 110*	Survey of General, Organic & Biochemistry OR General Chemistry	4
BIO 253*	Microbiology w/Lab	4
BIO 201*	Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab	4
BIO 202*	Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab	4
PHL 339	Medical Ethics	3
NUR 250	Nutrition	3
PSY 233	Human Growth and Development	3
	Total Required Credits	28

University General Education Course Requirements

Thinking Critically and Analytically	7 credits/2 courses required
Communicating Creatively and Effectively	9 credits/3 courses required
Investigating through Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning	7-8 credits/2 courses required
Pursuing Meaning, Purpose and Well-Being	7 credits/3 courses required
Understanding and Valuing Diverse Identities and Perspectives	9 credits/3 courses required
Becoming an Engaged Citizen	3 credits/1 course required
Additional Requirements	5 courses

*Prerequisites and general education courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of “C” or higher within seven years prior to enrollment. Applicants cannot withdraw from or repeat any more than one required/prerequisite science course.

If you’re unsure which prerequisite courses you must complete to qualify for the ABSN program, our admissions team is here to help. Your assigned admissions advisor can review your academic history and unofficial transcripts from your previous degree program to help you create an ABSN prerequisite completion plan that aligns with your target start date at Notre Dame.

Please note that the costs and fees for prerequisite coursework are not included in the tuition and cost breakdowns for the ABSN program.

Transfer Credits

Generally, college-level courses completed at regionally accredited institutions will be evaluated and awarded transfer credit if approved, provided the course is similar in level, scope, content and expected learning outcomes to courses offered at Notre Dame of Maryland University and a grade of "C" or higher is earned. Regional accrediting bodies include:

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Notre Dame of Maryland University typically does not award undergraduate transfer credit for pre-collegiate, remedial, vocational, technical, or professional (e.g., nursing) courses. Other transfer courses that usually are not awarded transfer credits are independent study, internship, externship, practicum, or co-op work experiences that Notre Dame of Maryland University faculty do not supervise.

In addition, transfer credit is not awarded for these types of experiences completed through other institutions. Finally, Notre Dame of Maryland University does not grant undergraduate transfer credit for courses completed at online educational companies, including but not limited to Straighterline and Study.com.

The School of Nursing does not accept nursing courses completed at other institutions. If an applicant is accepted into the Notre Dame of Maryland University's ABSN program, they must repeat previously completed nursing coursework. If an applicant previously attempted or started a nursing program, the Admission Committee may request a letter of academic standing from the prior institution.

Talk to an Admissions Advisor

If you meet all the above requirements and have the drive to succeed in our accelerated BSN nursing program, it’s highly advised that you contact one of our admissions advisors as soon as possible. Your assigned admissions advisor will help you gather all the required materials and complete all the steps necessary to apply to our program.

For More Information

For more information about our ABSN program requirements and prerequisites, please contact an admissions advisor.