Accelerated BS in Nursing Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted through January 15 for August admission.  Click here to apply online. 

Admissions decisions are made by March 1.  

Note: UMass Amherst is not able to offer immigration sponsorship to this Springfield, Massachusetts-based program to applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents.

Prerequisites and Admission Criteria

Admission to the Accelerated BS in Nursing is contingent upon successful completion of a first undergraduate degree (BA or BS) and the required prerequisites. Accelerated BS in Nursing applications are submitted to the University Without Walls/Continuing Education (OE) and reviewed and approved by the College of Nursing. Applicants are notified about admissions decisions by the College of Nursing.

Admission Criteria: 

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field other than nursing
• Applicants must have completed all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better in each course and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by the application deadline of January 15. Note that prerequisites may be completed at any accredited institution, including community colleges or online courses and labs. Any prerequisites taken after degree completion must have been taken within the past five years.  
  • Human Nutrition (3 credits) *
  • Medical Microbiology or General Microbiology (3 credits)*
  • Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (4 credits) *
  • Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (4 credits) *
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Human Growth and Development throughout the Lifespan (3 credits) **

* These courses may be fulfilled through NLN Achievement Tests. NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NLN testing is not available at UMass Amherst at this time.

** This course may be fulfilled through CLEP. 

See the "Prior Approved Prerequisites" document in the Downloads section below for examples of courses that have been deemed comparable to the prerequisites in the past. To request an evaluation of your prerequisites, please complete the form here.  

•  Non-native speakers of English: an internet-based TOEFL ( iBT ) score of 80 or higher, a computer-based TOEFL score of 213 or higher, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. Students who earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college/university may qualify for a TOEFL waiver. Note: A TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam is not required for entry into this program.

Supplemental Application Materials 

Along with your application, you will need to submit an essay, a resume, and one recommendation (see form in Downloads section at bottom of page), as well as transcripts from all colleges you have previously attended. Applicants may attach the essay and resume to the online application. 

All required supplemental admissions materials should be sent to:

Please direct questions about the admissions process to the UWW, University Without Walls Admissions Office:  admissions@oe.umass.edu.