ABSN Admission

Admission to the Drake University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is based on academic and personal qualifications that are necessary for successful, competent practice as a nurse. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of the fit between their personal goals and the mission and goals of the ABSN program.  Prior education, work experience, honors, awards, service to others, and leadership activities are also considered in the admission process. Prior shadowing in a nursing setting is helpful, but not required.

• High School Students: Are you a high school student looking for pre-nursing admission? Visit our pre-nursing admission page.
• Students who are currently enrolled in pre-nursing at Drake should refer to the Drake Direct ABSN requirements for more information.
• Transfer Students: If you are interested in the Health Sciences/ABSN dual degree program, visit our pre-nursing admission page.  If you are planning to apply directly to our 12-month ABSN program, scroll down for admission requirements.
• International students: for more information about requirements for international applicants, visit our international student admission page.

No admission exam required!

Students may apply to our ABSN program by meeting the following requirements.  Please note that these are the requirements applicants must meet in order for their applications to be considered complete.  Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission to the ABSN program. 

• Submit an application through the Centralized Application for Nursing Programs (NursingCAS).
• Complete the required Drake-specific questions within the NursingCAS application.
• Request official transcripts from all colleges you have attended to be sent to NursingCAS.
• Complete at least 70 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
• No minimum GPA is required, although 3.0 (as calculated in NursingCAS) is considered competitive.
• Complete (or be in the process of completing) the prerequisite coursework outlined in the table below.  All required courses must be completed by the end of the summer term prior to entering the ABSN program.

Students must earn a grade of C or higher in order to fulfill prerequisite courses.  Students who wish to fulfill prerequisites using Advanced Placement (AP) scores must earn a 4 or higher on the AP exam.  Students may transfer in a cumulative maximum of 66 credit hours from all 2-year institutions they have attended.  Please see Drake University's Transfer Credit Information page or contact the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at (515) 271-3018 for more information. 

Drake University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program operates on a rolling admission process.  We will review and admit students until the class is full and a sufficient number of applicants have been identified for the wait list.  We recommend submitting application materials early in order to ensure your application is processed and considered in a timely manner.

Tuition and Fees

Official tuition and fees are set on an annual basis by the Drake University Office of Finance and Administration, approved by the Board of Trustees, and administered through the Office of Student Accounts.  Information regarding tuition and fees for the current academic year in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can be found on the Financial Aid Office website. 

Students enrolling at Drake who are only completing the ABSN should view the tuition listed under "Other Undergraduate Tuition" at the Financial Aid Office website. 

Here, you will also find additional resources and other opportunities for financial assistance.

Technical Standards for the ABSN Program

Please view our Technical Standards for the ABSN Program. 

Iowa Board of Nursing Approval and ACEN Accreditation

*The Iowa Board of Nursing has approved Drake University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) proposal, qualifying graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) required for practice as a registered nurse. The program is in the process of pursuing accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).