RN to BSN
Build on your initial nursing education. Existing registered nurses refresh their skills, learn new ones and expand their career options by earning an online bachelor of science in nursing.
Program at a Glance
- Time to complete: 1 year with full-time study
- Entry options: Full-time or part-time study
- Format: Online program
- Credit hours: 120 total
- 60 prerequisite credits
- 25-34 credits awarded for RN coursework
- 30-35 nursing credits completed online through KU
Application Deadlines
- August Start: Application opens February 1 to July 1
- January Start: Application opens July 2 to December 1
Unified BSN Curriculum
KU’s innovative, new curriculum unites BSN students from every pathway in dynamic online courses, creating a rich learning environment with diverse perspectives.
Students from our Kansas City campus, our Salina campus, RN to BSN students, and CCNP students learn together, gaining diverse perspectives and shared experiences.
See our Online Catalog for all course details.
| Course Number | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 300 | Knowledge for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 559 | Person-Centered Care: Nursing Practice Across the Spheres of Care | 3 |
| NURS 450 | Informatics, Safety, and Quality in Health Care Teams | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| NURS 688 | Nurse as Leader | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| NURS 550 | Evidence-Informed Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 551 | Population Health, Health Policy, and Nursing Advocacy | 3 |
| NURS 589 | Applied Practice: Transitioning to the Baccalaureate Nurse Role | 3 |
| NURS 689 | Practice Readiness | 3 |
Portfolio Review
Credit for the RN to BSN degree is earned through a combination of:
- Liberal arts prerequisites
- KU nursing courses (see list above)
- A portfolio review of nursing courses.
Graduates of the RN to BSN will have completed a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, comprised of 60 credits of prerequisites and 60 credits of nursing major-specific credits. The nursing major consists of the 30-35 credits of KU BSN courses and 25-34 credits awarded through a portfolio review of your ACEN-accredited associate's degree or diploma nursing program.
Portfolio is the method used to award university level credit (300-400 level courses) for academic knowledge acquired through your community college nursing program. All students graduating from ACEN-accredited nursing programs are automatically awarded 25 credit hours via the portfolio process and may be eligible for up to six additional credit hours with eligible pharmacology or assessment coursework.
Students are billed just $15.00 per portfolio course, which equates to a total of $135.00-$165.00. This fee is assessed during the first semester of the program. Learn more about the RN to BSN tuition and fees.
Transferring Credits?
Accreditation & Recognition
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing