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Undergraduate

Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track

Pursue an accelerated nursing degree at Assumption University and obtain a strong nursing science education designed to prepare you to act with clinical judgment, communicate effectively, and make ethical decisions that respect the fundamental dignity of every human person.

Become a Registered Nurse in Just 16 Months

The Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track utilizes an innovative hybrid delivery model – allowing flexibility for adult learners who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. All classes are delivered asynchronously online, while clinical learning happens face-to-face (on-campus in our cutting-edge simulation lab and through strong agency-based clinical placements). The FSoN is an ideal place to learn – offering small cohort sizes, new facilities, and competitive bundled pricing. Graduates will be prepared for a rewarding career as a registered nurse in just 16 months.

Virtual Information Session Dates

The Froelich School of Nursing (FSoN) cultivates an intellectual community committed to preparing leaders in the delivery of safe, high-quality, and compassionate professional nursing practice. Graduates are prepared to care for, serve, and promote the health of society in accordance with fundamental principles of healthcare ethics. This contemporary nursing curriculum prepares  students to become advanced leaders and providers of high-quality compassionate patient-centered care.

View Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track will be required to meet the following minimum criteria:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. For those completing their bachelor’s degree during the application process, the applicant will need to submit a letter from their faculty advisor confirming that criteria for graduation will be met before May 15.

• A minimum 3.0 GPA in the first bachelor’s degree program. Pre-requisite courses taken after the first bachelor’s degree will be calculated into the overall GPA. An applicant who has not completed the bachelor’s degree during the application process will need to submit current transcripts with GPA which will be used in reviewing the application. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, if an admitted applicant’s GPA falls below 3.0, the applicant will surrender their seat in the cohort.

• Pre-requisite courses (taken within the last ten years from an accredited institute of higher education) must be completed with a minimum final grade of C+. Applicants can only have a maximum of 2 in progress prerequisite courses when applying.

  • • Anatomy and Physiology I and II with a lab component, or a semester of Anatomy and a semester of Physiology
  • • Microbiology with Lab
  • • Nutrition
  • • Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (Or, two courses in human growth and development that together cover from conception to death)
  • • Statistics
  • • Ethics (excluded from ten year limit)

The Froelich School of Nursing has Full Approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-board-approved-prelicensure-nursing-programs).

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Assumption University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
The Assumption University Froelich School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN)

 Explore the Facilities of the Froelich School of Nursing
Program Contact

Susan M. Cahill

Sr. Associate Director of Post-Bachelor and Graduate Admissions
508-767-7365 Admissions House - Room 205

16
Get your nursing degree in 16 months
Hybrid model offers flexibility
Small faculty-to-student ratios

Faculty

Katelyn Adams, MSN, RN
Adjunct Faculty Nursing
Joanna Bachour, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Practice
Heather L. Briere, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CCM
Assistant Professor of Practice
Lindsay A. Guertin, MSN, RN, CNE, CNEcl, CHSE
Assistant Professor of Practice
Courtney Orelup-Fitzgerald, PhD, RN, CNE, CPN
Assistant Professor of Practice
Donna Pappazian, CNM, RN
Adjunct Faculty
Lisa A. Ryan, RN
Adjunct Faculty Nursing
Danielle Shaver, PhDc, RN, CNE, IBCLC-R
Assistant Professor of Practice
Stephanie Smith, RN
Adjunct Faculty Nursing

Staff

Michele Aubin

Professional Practice Coordinator in Nursing

508-767-7540
Christina Howard, RN

Clinical Placement Coordinator

Bronwyn Teixeira

Administrative Assistant Nursing

508-767-7444

Learn More about the Post-Bachelor's Accelerated Nursing Track

  • Applicants to the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track will be required to meet the following minimum criteria:

    • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. For those completing their bachelor’s degree during the application process, the applicant will need to submit a letter from their faculty advisor confirming that criteria for graduation will be met before May 15.
    • A minimum 3.0 GPA in the first bachelor’s degree program. Pre-requisite courses taken after the first bachelor’s degree will be calculated into the overall GPA. An applicant who has not completed the bachelor’s degree during the application process will need to submit current transcripts with GPA which will be used in reviewing the application. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, if an admitted applicant’s GPA falls below 3.0, the applicant will surrender their seat in the cohort.
    • Pre-requisite courses (taken within the last ten years from an accredited institute of higher education) must be completed with a minimum final grade of C+. Applicants can only have a maximum of 2 in progress prerequisite courses when applying.
      • Anatomy and Physiology I and II with a lab component, or a semester of Anatomy and a semester of Physiology
      • Microbiology with Lab
      • Nutrition
      • Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (Or, two courses in human growth and development that together cover from conception to death)
      • Statistics
      • Ethics (excluded from ten year limit)
    • The Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track is competitively priced with a flat-rate bundled tuition of $59,000.  This includes the cost of all courses in the 16-month track along with the following: .
      • Purchase of an iPad (at the start of the track, Summer semester 1).
      • Access to CastleBranch (a clinical credentialing platform)
      • ATI (student success resources, assignments, and assessments embedded through the nursing curriculum)
      • Access to exam security software
      • Laboratory supplies
      • Fees placed on the Froelich School of Nursing from Clinical agencies.
    • Students enrolled in the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track will be required to purchase at least one Froelich School of Nursing uniform from the approved vendor with the appropriate embroidery and patch attached per guidelines, a Littman stethoscope, an adult-sized manual blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer), penlights, bandage scissors, and a watch with a sweep hand.  Other miscellaneous expenses such as parking fees, meals at clinical, and general vehicle/transportation costs should also be considered.
      • Synthesize concepts and theories from the liberal arts and science education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and Catholic health care ethics to guide professional nursing practice.

      • Integrate concepts of safety and quality improvement in the practice of professional nursing within a healthcare system.

      • Appraise evidence to support clinical decisions throughout the nursing process.

      • Incorporate information systems and healthcare technologies throughout the nursing process.

      • Examine the impact of socio-economic, cultural, spiritual, legal, ethical, and political factors influencing healthcare and professional nursing practice.

      • Collaborate with patients, families, populations, and the interprofessional healthcare team by selecting appropriate communication strategies.

      • Select evidence-based health promotion and health maintenance strategies to maximize health and minimize risk to patients, families, and populations.

      • Examine a variety of health determinants when planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care of patients, families, and populations.

      • Demonstrate characteristics and behaviors consistent with the professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal practice in professional nursing.

  • I’ve never taken asynchronous online classes.  What can I expect? 
    Asynchronous online classes provide wonderful flexibility for students to access course materials on the days and times that fit their schedule.  Our faculty use a variety of teaching methods to help meet various learning needs of our students. You can expect to have reading assignments (textbooks, articles, or other materials as assigned by the FSoN faculty), interactive materials (ATI modules, audio/visual case studies, or discussion board activities), recorded lectures, or projects you may complete with classmates. Some students may struggle in the transition from face-to-face learning in the traditional format to asynchronous online courses.  Here are some important study tips to help make you a successful hybrid student:

    • Embrace independent learning: hold responsibility for the learning process
    • Create goals that will help you organize your responsibilities and coursework
    • Focus on becoming a proficient reader & communicator
    • Set a schedule and stick to it!
    • Learn basic computer skills and develop a general comfort level in cyberspace
    • Prioritize deadlines
    • Adhere to “netiquette”

    Is this program held online only?  Will I need to come to campus? 
    The FSoN offers an innovative hybrid program for our Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track students that offers instructional coursework in asynchronous online format and clinical coursework in the face-to-face format. Students are required to have one to two dedicated days on campus per week for work in the clinical skills lab and simulation lab as well as to take proctored examinations for the courses in which they are enrolled.  In addition, students can anticipate face-to-face clinical learning opportunities in a variety of settings.

    If I’m learning online, how will I connect with my professors? 
    Faculty in the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track are passionate about maintaining a supportive, intellectual learning community through the virtual platform.  You may have the opportunity to meet face-to-face on days you visit campus, or virtually through Zoom at other times during the week.  We know that flexibility and accessibility are important factors when learning in a hybrid environment!

  • Term 1 (Summer I)

    NUR 114 Basics of Professional Nursing

    NUR 200 Fundamentals of Professional Nursing

    NUR 201 Fundamentals of Professional Nursing Clinical

    NUR 204 Pathopharmacological Processes

    NUR 210 Professional Nursing Concepts

    NUR 214 Developing Clinical Judgement I

    Term 2 (Fall)

    NUR 300 Professional Nursing

    NUR 301 Professional Nursing Clinical

    NUR 304 Pathopharmacological Therapeutics

    NUR 310 Evidence Based Nursing Practice

    NUR 312 Professional Nursing: Promoting Mental Health

    NUR 313 Professional Nursing: Promoting Mental Health Clinical

    Term 3 (Spring)

    NUR 400 Complexities of Professional Nursing

    NUR 401 Complexities of Professional Nursing Clinical

    NUR 420 Professional Nursing: Promoting Family Health

    NUR 421 Professional Nursing: Promoting Family Health Clinical

    Term 4 (Summer II)

    NUR 412 Professional Nursing: Promoting Global Health

    NUR 413 Professional Nursing: Promoting Global Health Clinical

    NUR 414 Developing Clinical Judgment II

    NUR 490 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice

    NUR 491 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Clinical

  • Where will clinicals be held?

    Clinical learning will happen in a variety of agency placements that allow students to experience the continuum of patient care.  The Froelich School of Nursing is proud to have affiliation agreements with the following clinical agencies:

    • Milford Hospital
    • St. Vincent’s Hospital
    • UMass Memorial Health
    • Adcare
    • Fresenius
    • Life Care of America
    • Notre Dame Health Care
    • Fallon Health/PACE Program
    • Worcester Recovery Hospital
    • Whittier Rehab
    • Federal Bureau of Prisons

    What does the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Track tuition include? 

    The Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track is priced competitively with a flat-rate bundled fee for the 16-month track. Student tuition includes the cost of all courses in the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track. In addition, this fee is used to support the following:

    • Purchase of an iPad (at the start of the program, Summer semester 1).
    • Access to CastleBranch (a clinical credentialing platform)
    • ATI (student success resources, assignments, and assessments embedded through the nursing curriculum)
    • Access to exam security software
    • Laboratory supplies
    • Fees placed on the School of Nursing from Clinical agencies.

    Students enrolled in the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track will be required to purchase at least one Froelich School of Nursing uniform from the approved vendor with the appropriate embroidery and patch attached per guidelines, a Littman stethoscope, an adult-sized manual blood pressure cuff (syphgmanometer), penlights, bandage scissors, and a watch with a sweep hand.  Other miscellaneous expenses such as parking fees, meals at clinical, and general vehicle/transportation costs should also be considered.

    What is the cost of tuition?

    The Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track is competitively priced with a flat-rate bundled tuition of $59,000. This includes the cost of all courses in the 16-month track along with other amenities (please refer to the website tab “tuition”).

    What is the NCLEX pass rate?

    The Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track is in it’s inaugural year (2024 start, completing August 2025). Our NCLEX pass rate for our traditional undergraduate track is 100% for the class of 2023.

    How long is the program?

    The program is a 16-month program spread over 4 terms (Summer I, Fall, Spring and Summer II). The first summer term is an accelerated, ten-week term with final exams in the eleventh week. All remaining terms are full-length terms.

    Where can I take my prerequisites courses?

    Prerequisites can be taken at any accredited institute of higher education including community colleges and online courses. We DO NOT accept courses from Sofia Learning or Straighterline Learning.

    What is the breakdown of the curriculum?

    Term 1 (Summer I)
    NUR 114 Basics of Professional Nursing
    NUR 200 Fundamentals of Professional Nursing
    NUR 201 Fundamentals of Professional Nursing Clinical
    NUR 204 Pathopharmacological Processes
    NUR 210 Professional Nursing Concepts
    NUR 214 Developing Clinical Judgement I

    Term 2 (Fall)
    NUR 300 Professional Nursing
    NUR 301 Professional Nursing Clinical
    NUR 304 Pathopharmacological Therapeutics
    NUR 310 Evidence Based Nursing Practice
    NUR 312 Professional Nursing: Promoting Mental Health
    NUR 313 Professional Nursing: Promoting Mental Health Clinical

    Term 3 (Spring)
    NUR 400 Complexities of Professional Nursing
    NUR 401 Complexities of Professional Nursing Clinical
    NUR 420 Professional Nursing: Promoting Family Health
    NUR 421 Professional Nursing: Promoting Family Health Clinical

    Term 4 (Summer II)
    NUR 412 Professional Nursing: Promoting Global Health
    NUR 413 Professional Nursing: Promoting Global Health Clinical
    NUR 414 Developing Clinical Judgment II
    NUR 490 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
    NUR 491 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Clinical

    Even numbered classes are didactic/asynchronous online, and odd numbered classes are clinical courses that meet on campus in the skills lab and/or clinical learning suite and in agency-based clinical locations.

    What does the hybrid schedule look like?

    Our innovative, hybrid program offers instructional coursework in asynchronous online format and clinical coursework in the face-to-face format. Students are required to have one to two dedicated days on campus per week for work in the clinical skills lab and simulation lab as well as to take proctored examinations for the courses in which they are enrolled. In addition, students can anticipate face-to-face clinical learning opportunities in a variety of settings.

    How often will I be required to travel to campus?

    Students should plan to travel to campus one to two days per week for test and lab simulations, however campus visits may be more frequent during the Summer I semester.

    How often will I be required to travel to clinical sites?

    Students will travel to clinical site locations approximately two days per week. Times and days will vary depending upon availability and scheduling. Please be aware that clinicals may take place in the evenings or on weekends. Students will be notified of clinical locations and schedules prior to the start of each term.

    What is the acceptance rate?

    The Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track is in it’s inaugural year (2024) therefore we do not have data at this time.

    How many students do you accept each year?

    The maximum enrollment is 26 students.

    What is the minimum GPA to apply? Will my prerequisites factor into the GPA?

    A minimum 3.0 GPA in the first bachelor’s degree program. Pre-requisite courses taken after the first bachelor’s degree will be calculated into the overall GPA. An applicant who has not completed the bachelor’s degree during the application process will need to submit current transcripts with GPA which will be used in reviewing the application. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, if an admitted applicant’s GPA falls below 3.0, the applicant will surrender their seat in the cohort.

    What do I need to apply?

    Please refer to the website tab “Applying to the Track”.

    Are International students eligible to apply?

    The Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track is currently limited to students who are U.S. citizens due to license requirements.

    What are the prerequisite courses?

    Pre-requisite courses (taken within the last ten years from an accredited institute of higher education) must be completed with a minimum final grade of C+. Applicants can only have a maximum of 2 in progress prerequisite courses when applying.

    • Anatomy and Physiology I and II with a lab component, or a semester of Anatomy and a semester of Physiology
    • Microbiology with Lab
    • Nutrition
    • Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (Or, two courses in human growth and development that together cover from conception to death)
    • Statistics
    • Ethics (excluded from ten year limit)

    Can I work during this program?

    There are no requirements that restrict students from working, although working full-time is not recommended. Most students opt not to work or work very minimally (i.e. 8 hours per week). Please keep in mind that although there is some flexibility with the hybrid model, this is a full-time, accelerated academic program that requires significant time to read, study, and complete assigned coursework.

    What do you offer for financial aid or scholarships?

    As a post-baccalaureate student, you have a few options in order to finance your education:

    • Federal Direct Student Loans
    • Private Loans
    • Scholarships
    • Billing & Payment Plans

    Assumption University does not offer any institutional scholarship or grant funding to students in the Post-Bachelor’s Accelerated Nursing Track. However, we strongly recommend that you look into applying for outside scholarship funding to help reduce the cost of your education. You can find more information here.

    Are you accredited?

    The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Assumption University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

    The Assumption University Froelich School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN).

  • The student is eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, when all of the requirements of Assumption University are met; the student has successfully completed 56 credits designated as NUR with a minimum GPA of 2.7 (B-) according to the Froelich School of Nursing curriculum standards.

  • Students graduating from the Assumption University Froelich School of Nursing will meet the requirements necessary to apply for licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Assumption University Nursing students will apply to the Massachusetts (MA) Board of Registration in Nursing for eligibility to sit for the NCLEX (NGN). Compliance with the Good Moral Character, as defined by state law (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 112, sections 74, 74A, and 76), and determined by the Board’s policy on Determination of Good Moral Character Compliance (Licensure Policy 00-01) and a payment fee provides eligibility for licensure. Passing the NCLEX (NGN) is required for licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

    Passing the NCLEX (NGN) is a licensure requirement in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. Individual states may have additional licensure requirements, including, but not limited to, the number of required clinical hours, specific courses/course content in a nursing program, documentation verifying citizenship, background checks, and fingerprinting. Assumption University’s Froelich School of Nursing has not yet made a determination of whether the school’s nursing program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in the remaining 49 states, District of Columbia or U.S. Territories. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the licensure awarding agency in the state in which they wish to pursue licensure to determine/confirm whether the Assumption University’s Froelich School of Nursing program meets requirements for professional licensure in that state.

    Need assistance finding professional nursing licensure requirements in Massachusetts?

    For licensure outside of MA, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

  • All written complaints from the community of interest, including but not limited to those that are received from contracted clinical agencies, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and Froelich School of Nursing alumni will be directed to the Dean of the Froelich School of Nursing for resolution. Within 48 business hours of receiving this written complaint, the Dean of the Froelich School of Nursing will contact the individual and schedule a meeting. The Dean will maintain detailed notes of the meeting, including the decision made to address the issue of complaint. If the individual is unsatisfied with the resolution, they will be instructed to submit a formal complaint to the Assumption University Office of the Provost.

First-rate Academics in a Catholic University Setting

Assumption University awakens in students a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, forming graduates known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and devotion to the common good. Students are provided an education that shapes their souls, forms them intellectually, and prepares them for meaningful careers. Enlivened by the harmony of faith and reason, here, students’ minds and hearts are transformed.


Assumption is dedicated to providing a clear understanding of what your education will cost

We’ll help cut through the complexity of financing your education, ensuring you understand what you need, how to apply for aid, and what’s expected of you. You will be assigned a personal financial aid advisor who will guide you through the process and answer all of your financial aid-related questions.


The Catrambone Health Sciences Building

Assumption's state of the art, 41,000-square foot building features four classrooms, one for 32 students, two for 48 and a large tiered classroom for 50. These classrooms are not only used for the nursing and physician assistant program, rather all academic programs on campus. Each classroom is fully equipped with a recording system for simulations that are used during debriefings. The nursing floor features a spacious nursing skills lab with seven full-sized hospital beds for teaching proper patient care. Four simulation labs have hi-fidelity mannequins which simulate actual patient conditions (vitals, seizures, cardiac arrest, childbirth, etc) remotely controlled by a technician.

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