ABSN Requirements and Prerequisites
The great thing about the Notre Dame of Maryland University Accelerated 2nd Degree ABSN program is that it allows highly motivated students like you to apply your previous bachelor’s degree(s) 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 completion of the following:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree, with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale)
- ABSN prerequisite courses (22 credit hours) within the minimum grade requirements
- ABSN program application
- Current resume
- Personal essay
- Applicants are to select and respond to one (1) 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 nursing program at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
- 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.
- Applicants are to select and respond to one (1) of the two prompts
- Earn a minimum composite score of 65% on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
- EXEMPTION: A student applying for admission is EXEMPT from the TEAS requirement if they have 30 or more college transfer credits completed, have not repeated any required courses, AND have a transfer GPA of 3.3 or above
- 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)
- Letters should be from previous educators, but letters from professional officials may be accepted. They should provide evidence regarding the applicant’s knowledge, work ethic, and performance. Letters may be on institutional letterhead or from the institution’s official email and should include the writer’s official title, address, and contact information.
Accelerated Nursing Prerequisites
To be eligible to apply for our ABSN program, you must complete six ABSN prerequisites in addition to meeting the other qualifications for our program.
| Course | Course Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 215 | Basic Statistics | 3 |
| CHM 108* | Survey of General, Organic & Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIO 253* | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 201* | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 202* | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| PHL 330 | Ethics | 3 |
| Total Required Credits | 22 |
*Prerequisite must have been completed with a minimum grade of C or higher within five years prior to enrollment. Applicants cannot withdraw from or repeat any more than one (1) required/pre-requisite science course.
If you’re not sure which prerequisite courses you need to complete to qualify for ABSN program eligibility, rest assured that our admissions team is here to help. Your assigned admissions counselor can review your academic history and unofficial transcripts from your previous degree program to help you make 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 include 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 School of Nursing and a grade of "C" or higher is earned. Regional accrediting bodies include:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;
- 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; and
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing 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 does not supervise.
In addition, transfer credit is not awarded for these types of experiences completed through other institutions. Finally, Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing 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 School of Nursing, they must repeat previously completed nursing coursework. If applicant previously attempt/started a nursing program the Admission's Circle may request a letter from the prior institution.
Talk to an Admissions Counselor
If you meet all of the above requirements and have the drive to succeed in our accelerated nursing program, it’s highly advised that you contact one of our admissions counselors as soon as possible. Your assigned admissions counselor will help you gather all the required materials and complete all the steps necessary to apply for our program.
For More Information
For more information about our ABSN program requirements and prerequisites, please contact an admissions counselor.