Tuition & fees
Costs include tuition, fees, & other costs such as books. New England residents may qualify for a tuition break. See cost details
Program duration
Obtain your BS in Nursing in as few as 16 months. Review program requirements
Admissions
Apply by October 1 for summer term only. View application process & deadlines
Program highlights
Expected career outcomes
Career opportunities
Our program will prepare you to begin your nursing practice in a variety of health care settings, including specialty areas.
Accreditation
This program is approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Licensure
Upon program completion, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).
Clinical experience
Our students work in small groups along with a clinical faculty member. In your final semester, you’ll be assigned to work with a preceptor in a direct-care setting.
Hands-on learning
In addition to clinical experience, you’ll work with underserved populations to identify risks and establish plans for improvement. Our students provide primary care, public health, and mental health services to the clients of community-based organizations.
Learning spaces
We offer robust learning environments and laboratories. For example, our Learning Resources and Simulation Center provides an environment for students to develop clinical judgment and reasoning while focusing on best practices.
Program requirements
Students admitted to this program must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or college. You will build your undergraduate nursing courses upon previous academic and life experiences.
Dedicated faculty
Our faculty are active in research and policy issues at the state and national level, are board members of state and national nursing associations, and frequently publish in leading nursing journals.
Scholarship opportunities
Scholarships offer valuable financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. You’ll be automatically considered for Merit Scholarships when you apply for admission by the deadline. Additional opportunities are available.
Do you live in New England?
You may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate, as part of the NEBHE Tuition Break Program.
Our helpful admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services. We also invite you to explore the many ways to visit campus or to engage with us through online experiences.
Admission information: Nursing — Accelerated Program BS
The Accelerated Program admits students for the summer only, and courses begin in May. Admission is on a competitive basis.
| Application deadline | Summer term start |
|---|---|
| For nursing consideration | October 1 |
Applicant Criteria
- Applicants must meet the University’s general undergraduate admission requirements, which can be found in the Admissions section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
- In addition to general requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have either attained or will attain before starting the program a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution; and
- Hold a 3.0 or higher GPA from the most recently earned bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree; and
- Completed college-level courses in Statistics, Anatomy and Physiology I (lab not required) and Anatomy and Physiology II (lab not required), as well as Microbiology with lab; with grades of C or better prior to the May start of the program;
- Be able to satisfy the USM Nursing Clinical Health and Background Check Requirements prior to the May start of the program (see the School of Nursing website for further information).
- While not required, completed coursework that is a direct equivalent to Chemistry (lab not required) and Developmental Psychology/Multicultural Human Development will strengthen an application.
Application Process
- Students should verify that they meet the eligibility criteria listed above. Applicants who do not meet the criteria will not be considered for admission into the BS in Nursing — Accelerated Program
- Apply to the University of Southern Maine
- Current USM students who will graduate in May must apply for re-admission. They should follow the steps for Readmission/Reactivation listed on the online application form.
- Submit the following documents along with the USM Application:
- Online Supplemental Form for Accelerated Nursing; and
- Nursing essay — the essay prompt is described on the Supplemental Application to Nursing.
For questions about the application process, or to check the status of a completed application, please contact the Office of Admissions.