Application Process & Admissions Requirements

Admission Requirements

• Completion of the Second Degree Accelerated BSN application includes a 500-word essay statement highlighting your reasons for pursuing the Second Degree Accelerated BSN program at Sacred Heart University. External applicants must apply via NursingCAS. Current SHU students or alumni should apply through SHu's internal application.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Maintenance of a 3.0 or better undergraduate, cumulative GPA
  • Successful completion of all prerequisite courses: View more information about prerequisites
  • Successful completion of the baccalaureate degree (as verified by a final, official transcript with date of degree conferral by the start of classes)
• One letter of recommendation from a recent professional or academic source

Application Process

There are two pathways for applying to the Second Degree Accelerated Nursing program.

Current SHU Students & Alumni

Applicants who are currently studying at SHU or are SHU alumni should apply for the program via our internal application.

External Applicants

Applicants who are not current SHU students or SHU alumni must apply through NursingCAS, a centralized application for nursing programs.

Application Deadlines

• Deadline: December 15, 2025, (priority) & February 1, 2026 (regular)
• After the deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort is full

Application Requirements

Transcripts

• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

GPA

• Overall GPA of 3.0 or better
• All prerequisite science and math courses must be taken within the past five years with a grade of B- or better. Note that no more than two prerequisites can be outstanding at the time of application

Letters of Recommendation

• One letter of recommendation from a recent professional or academic source

Application Fee

• Applying via NursingCAS requires an application fee of $60

More Information