Accelerated Second Degree Nursing

Degree

Bachelor of Science, Major

One student in red scrubs and a professor in front of a simulation mannequin.

Are you thinking you would make a great nurse, but your undergraduate degree is not in nursing? Fairfield University’s Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ASDNU) program provides a unique opportunity for those with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in an accelerated format.

For over twenty-five years Fairfield University has offered an exceptional 15-month second degree nursing program that has now expanded to our two campus locations; Fairfield, CT and Austin, TX.

By the Numbers

Top 3%

Best College for Nursing in the Nation
– Niche’s 2023 Best Colleges

Top 15%

Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs
– U.S. News & World Report

Top 5%

Nursing Program in the Nation
– College Factual

What You'll Learn and Do

Be supported through every step

Faculty members are experts in their field and work diligently to provide a simulation-focused approach to their teaching. Faculty advisors work closely with students to provide academic advice, individualized attention, and career planning. Small classes are a key component to the program, simulating clinical practice to give students a real-world sense of life in the industry.

Gain guaranteed clinical experience

The curriculum combines theoretical and clinical components. Each school year, clinical work increases until the majority of time is spent in nursing courses. To ensure that students receive the clinical experience needed, Fairfield has partnerships with many clinical facilities, including hospitals, outpatient departments, rehabilitation and community health centers, public health departments, long-term care facilities, healthcare clinics and the Fairfield University Health Promotion Center.

Develop your academic, professional, and personal skills

Students will grow personally and professionally and become committed and compassionate nurses, capable of providing professional care to people in any setting.

Earn your degree in 15 months

Our full-time accelerated programs are designed to draw upon your prior education and experience, allowing you to earn a second bachelor’s degree in 15 months. Previous knowledge serves as a foundation for nursing courses as you develop the social awareness, critical thinking skills, aesthetic sensibility and values that prepare you to sit and pass the NCLEX nursing licensing exam and enter the field of nursing.

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Accelerated Second Degree Program

Take a look at some of the state-of-the-art facilities at the nationally-ranked Egan School.

Admissions

All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution and must complete the following prerequisites prior to starting the program. Any courses not completed during the applicant’s previous undergraduate program may be taken at Fairfield University or any other accredited university. A final official transcript must be submitted showing final course grades before starting the ASDNU program.

Exterior of the Egan School at night.

Fairfield, CT Admissions

Each annual cohort starts at the end of May with between 50-60 students and concludes 15-months later at graduation in August. The admission application process is completely online. Please contact the part-time Admission staff with any questions you may have at ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu. 

Exterior of the Egan School in Austin, Texas

Austin, TX Admissions

At Fairfield’s Austin, Texas campus, there will be two cohorts each year. One will start in May and the other will begin in January and both will conclude 15-months later. The admission application process is completely online. Please contact the part-time Admission staff with any questions you may have at ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu.

Accreditations

CCNE Accredited

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Fairfield University’s Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

NLN Center for Excellence in Nursing Education

NLN Accredited

Fairfield Egan's Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Center of Excellence.

SSH - Society for Simulation in Healthcare

SSH Accreditation

Fairfield's undergraduate Nursing program is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Find Out More

Course Requirements

Contact Us

Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Admission
ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4100

Clinical Placements

100% of nursing students will obtain their required clinical experience– 546 clinical hours and 112 lab hours plus additional practice time and class simulation– at the following approved clinical sites. The Egan School has a 100% employment rate six months post-graduation.

  • Greenwich Hospital
  • Stamford Hospital
  • Norwalk Hospital
  • Danbury Hospital
  • Bridgeport Hospital
  • Yale New Haven Hospital
  • Milford Hospital
  • Griffin Hospital
  • St. Vincent’s Medical Center
  • Baylor Scott & White Health (Austin, TX)
  • Ascension Seton (Austin, TX)
  • Central Texas Veterans Health Care Systems (Austin, TX)

Resources for Student Success

The University Career Center serves Fairfield University students with comprehensive career support services, programming, and resources.

Learn more

Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.

Learn more

Explore More

  • A professor in a red sweater stands in front of a PowerPoint addressing a class.

    Faculty

    Learn more about the nursing faculty members.

  • Students in red scrubs work with two different mannequin in a simulation room.

    Egan in the News

    See what our students and faculty in the Egan school have been up to.

Get started at Fairfield.