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Accelerated Second Degree Nursing

Degree

Bachelor of Science, Major

School/College

Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies
One student in red scrubs and a professor in front of a simulation mannequin.

Fairfield University’s 15-month CCNE-accredited Accelerated Second Degree Nursing program is a full-time ABSN pathway for students with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, offered at Fairfield's campuses in Austin, TX and Fairfield, CT.

Two Locations, One Outstanding Program

Fairfield, CT: 15 Months | On-Campus
Austin, TX: 15 Months | On-Campus, Hybrid 

 

Attend A Virtual Information Session

Join us for a virtual information session to learn how this transformative program—offered at our Austin, TX and Fairfield, CT campuses—can jumpstart your nursing career. Explore the curriculum and ask questions from the comfort of your home.

Register Today

By the Numbers

#7

Best Nursing Schools in the U.S.
– College Raptor (2025)

#21

Top Schools for a Bachelor’s in Nursing
– College Factual (2025)

#74

Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs
– U.S. News & World Report (2026)

What You'll Learn and Do

Expert faculty and small class sizes with simulation-based learning.

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.

Guaranteed clinical placements and hands-on experience.

The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) 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, and healthcare clinics.

Only 15 months to a meaningful and impactful career.

Our second-degree ABSN programs are designed to draw upon your prior education and experience, which serves as a foundation for nursing courses. Students will develop the social awareness, critical thinking skills, aesthetic sensibility, and values to become competent and compassionate nurses, capable of providing quality care to people in any setting.

An accelerated BSN with high NCLEX pass rates.

The full-time accelerated nursing programs allow you to earn a second bachelor’s degree in 15 months. You will grow personally and professionally as you gain the skills and clinical readiness required to pass the NCLEX licensure exam and start your new career as a nurse. In 2025, the first-time NCLEX pass rate across both campuses was 91%, surpassing the national average.

Video Poster

Accelerated Second Degree Program

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

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Course Requirements

Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program (ASDNU)

60 credits

Contact Us

Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admission
ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4184

Define Your Future

Admissions

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

The admission application process is completely online. If you have questions, please contact Admission staff at ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu.

Admission Application Process

Apply Today

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Tuition and Financial Aid

Credits: 60

Semesters: 4

Cost per Semester: $14,330 per semester

Cost per semester does not include fees or annual increases. Figures are based on the 2026-27 rate.

Tuition & Costs

Financial Aid

Learn from Industry Experts 

Fairfield University’s Egan School boasts experienced faculty who inspire students to become leaders across social and healthcare environments. These students actively engage with faculty in practice, policy, scholarship, and service.

View All Faculty

Robin Cook
Robin Cook
Director of Second Degree Nursing, Austin | Associate Professor of the Practice, Nursing
Christopher Lacerenza
Christopher Lacerenza
Chair, Undergraduate Nursing | Director of Second Degree Nursing, Connecticut | Assistant Professor of the Practice, Nursing

Accreditations & NCLEX Licensure

Fairfield's second degree ABSN program is accredited by the CCNE. Upon completion of the nursing program, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam to become registered nurses in any state. In 2025, our ABSN graduates in Texas and Connecticut had a combined first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 91%, exceeding the national average.

The Egan School is a designated NLN Center for Excellence in Nursing Education, and its simulation program is fully accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

CCNE Accredited

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

All baccalaureate degree programs in nursing, master’s degree programs in nursing (including the Master’s Entry to Practice program), and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Fairfield University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Learn More About CCNE Accreditation
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.

Clinical Placements

Fairfield University coordinates clinical placements, and 100% of nursing students will obtain their required clinical experience—504 clinical hours and 112 lab hours plus additional practice time and class simulation. Students are placed for clinical practice at the following approved sites:

  • 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)

The ASDNU program helped me remake myself and launch a stable and fulfilling career in nursing. This could not have been done without the Egan School’s phenomenal professors and instructors, who truly foster growth and confidence in their students. The program builds, feeds, and maintains a camaraderie amongst its students, and many of my classmates will be my friends for life."

- Michael Willis '25

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

News & Career Resources

Featured

A nurse leans over a patient in a hospital bed, offering assistance and medical care.

Fairfield University and Norwalk Hospital Launch Nursing Scholars Program

The new partnership will provide second-degree nursing students with immersive clinical education, faculty mentorship, specialty-area exposure, and a direct pathway into professional nursing practice.

Group photo of diverse nursing and health studies graduates posing in formal attire before a red backdrop, smiling in a celebratory mood.

Austin Campus Honors Nursing Graduates at Pinning Ceremony

Severson smiles proudly while holding a certificate in her hands, celebrating her achievement.

Accelerated Nursing Pathway Unlocks Meaningful Career Change

More Egan News

Frequently Asked Questions

ABSN stands for Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Fairfield’s second degree ABSN is a full-time degree pathway for adults who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, letting them earn a BSN and become eligible for RN licensure without repeating general-education coursework.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA, completed prerequisite coursework before the program start date, and official final transcripts submitted before enrollment.

A traditional BSN is a four-year degree for students without a prior bachelor's degree. A second degree ABSN is a completion pathway built for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, condensing the nursing-specific curriculum into a full-time, 15-month schedule.

Yes. Fairfield's ABSN program is CCNE-accredited, which qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Fairfield's combined first-time pass rate across both campuses was 91% in 2025, ahead of the national average.

Either. Fairfield offers the same ABSN program at two campuses— Austin, Texas, and Fairfield, Conn.—each with its own dedicated clinical partner network and program director.

Fairfield’s second degree ABSN program is offered on-campus in Fairfield, Conn. It is offered on-campus and hybrid in Austin, Texas.

On-campus cohorts will attend classes in person, while hybrid cohorts—available only at the Austin Campus—will attend classes asynchronously. Both cohorts will complete labs and simulations in person at their respective campuses.

Clinical rotations for on-campus and hybrid cohorts are coordinated by Fairfield University and will be completed in person at our partner sites.

Every ABSN student completes 504 clinical hours and 112 lab hours, guaranteed, at approved partner sites; Connecticut students train at hospitals including Yale New Haven, Bridgeport, and Norwalk Hospital, and Austin students train with partners including Baylor Scott & White Health and Ascension Seton.

Get started at Fairfield.

Get In Touch

  • 1073 North Benson Road
    Fairfield, CT 06824

  • (203) 254-4000

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