Post-Baccalaureate Nursing

Tuition: $14,784/semester*

Additional fees and costs (approximately $4,200) above and beyond tuition will apply. These include items such as an NCLEX preparation subscription, examination security software, clinical compliance subscription and skills/simulation laboratory supplies.

* Tuition rates are for the 2025-26 academic year. Additional fees and costs for course materials may apply. Total program cost and completion time varies depending on transfer credits and individual program plans. Tuition rates are subject to change. View 2024-25 rates.

Program Highlights

The Post-Baccalaureate Nursing program at St. Scholastica offers several key benefits that make it an excellent choice for individuals transitioning into a nursing career.

• Designed for Career Changers: Ideal for those seeking nursing programs for second-degree seekers and nursing programs for non-nurses
• Multiple Starts: Begin your nursing education without delays, making it a great option for those searching for nursing programs with multiple start dates
• Strong Industry Recognition: St. Scholastica is recognized among the best nursing schools in the U.S., ensuring a high-quality education
• Supportive Faculty and Learning Environment: Experienced nursing educators provide personalized mentorship and a values-based approach to healthcare education

Program Length

The program requires 45 credits of coursework over three consecutive semesters, including theory, lab and clinical rotations. A student’s previous baccalaureate coursework, a heritage course that is taken during the nursing program and completion of all required nursing classes meet St. Scholastica requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

As a student, you will work with nursing faculty and expert nurse preceptors in both urban and rural healthcare facilities. Because the programs are accelerated, it is recommended that you not work while in the program. The program will not be able to accommodate work or personal schedules.

View Requirements

View Learning Outcomes

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Evidence of Clock Hours

In the Post-Baccalaureate Nursing program, 45 credits are required for the completion of the nursing major. Completion of the nursing major coursework combined with a student’s previous baccalaureate coursework and one heritage course taken during the program meet St. Scholastica requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing. Because the program will be intense, it is expected that students will not be able to work while attending this program.

• When course credits are used for theory, time allotted is 1 hour for every course credit
• When course credits are used for laboratory experiences, the time allotted is 2 hours for every course credit. Laboratory learning activities include active student participation in the nursing skills and simulation labs.
• When course credits are used for clinical experiences, the time allotted is 3 hours for every course credit. Clinical learning activities are experiences with actual clients or experiences with a professional nurse in a client-care setting.

Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs

Laboratory learning activities involve students in the hands-on practice of nursing skills and the application of clinical judgment involved with client care. The school received a HRSA federal grant to update equipment in the skills and simulation lab on the Duluth campus, and equip a new nursing skills and simulation lab on the St. Cloud campus. In the simulation lab, students participate in client care scenarios with low-, medium- and high-fidelity manikins and standardized patients (SP) as clients. Labs are scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday on both campuses. Exact dates are dependent on the specific course.

Clinical Learning Experiences

Clinical learning activities are experiences with actual clients in a variety of settings including acute, ambulatory and rural clinical sites. Experiences are with a St. Scholastica faculty member or an RN preceptor and supervised by a full-time St. Scholastica faculty member. The Office of Educational Experiences secures all clinical placements for both the Duluth and St. Cloud programs. Students are responsible for all costs related to attending clinical experiences including transportation, lodging if required, meals and parking. Please note that some clinical rotations may require longer distance travel and overnight accommodations.

Duluth clinical sites primarily include Essentia St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital, along with other facilities up the North Shore and in the Iron Range. St. Cloud clinical sites include multiple agencies in the Twin Cities area as well as CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud. For ambulatory, rural and capstone preceptor-led clinical experiences, students will be matched with an RN. Most clinical sites are part of ongoing relationships at geographically common locations. Some efforts will be made for students who are from more uncommon geographic locations. The Office of Clinical Experiences will work with students for the best placement options available. Please note that the College does not tailor clinical placements to students’ personal preferences or career aspirations. We train students to be “generalist” nurses.

Graduates of this accelerated nursing program enter a field with strong job demand, competitive salaries and diverse career opportunities. With licensure, you can work in hospitals, clinics, community health organizations and more. Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in nursing or healthcare leadership.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing is the largest healthcare profession, with more than 4.7 million RNs nationwide.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 194,500 average annual openings for registered nurses between 2020 and 2030, with employment projected to grow 9%.

Advantages of a Bachelor’s Degree

• Emphasis on community-based practice
• Education and training in leadership and management skills increases your opportunity for promotion
• Provides a foundation for graduate study
• Often necessary for positions in administration, research, consulting and teaching

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the College of St. Scholastica are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Board Approved

Visit our admissions page for information about transcripts, online application, international admissions, financing and the Center for Equal Access.

Application Deadlines

All applicants must apply via NursingCAS. The program start dates with available seats will show in the program filter in NursingCAS. All applications open on Aug. 10 and below are the priority deadlines.

Duluth and St. Cloud: September Start (Fall)

Priority deadline: March 15. Rolling admissions thereafter until the final deadline: July 5.

Duluth and St. Cloud: January Start (Spring)

Priority deadline: July 15. Rolling admissions thereafter until the final deadline: Oct. 25.

St. Cloud: May Start (Summer)

Priority deadline: Nov. 15. Rolling admissions thereafter until the final deadline: March 7.

Eligibility

• Baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited college or university
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA/NA-R) registration or course completion. Learn about St. Scholastica’s mostly online Nursing Assistant Training
• Cumulative GPA 3.0

Prerequisites

• Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3-4 credits)
• General Chemistry — no lab required (3-4 credits)*
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 OR Human Anatomy and Human Physiology) (6-8 credits total).* Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 must be taken at the same institution.
• Microbiology (no lab required) (3-4 credits)*
• Nutrition (minimum 2 credits)
• Pathopharmacology requirement: either option one OR option two*
  • Pathopharmacology course (3 credits minimum) — can be taken at any institution
  • Pathophysiology PLUS a Pharmacology course (3-4 credits) — can be taken at any institution, courses do not have to be taken at the same college
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA/NA-R) registration or course completion
  *Science course

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to program start. It is recommended that you have four prerequisite courses completed (with a grade) at the time of application, with three being science courses. Preference will be given based on the number of prerequisite courses completed at the time of application.

All prerequisites, with the exception of pathopharmacology OR pathophysiology and pharmacology, must be completed with a grade of C or better. Pathopharmacology (OR pathophysiology and pharmacology) must be completed with a grade of B or better if taken outside of St. Scholastica. NSG 3370 at St. Scholastica may be completed with a grade of B- or better. Please note, meeting this minimum requirement does not guarantee admission to the program. There is no time limit for taking the prerequisite courses; however, you will be held accountable for the content.

The accelerated nursing curriculum builds upon the prerequisite courses and requirements. For example, you must understand the pathophysiology of disease processes to care for clients with a specific disease. You may want to consider retaking one or more prerequisite courses, especially the science courses, to refresh your knowledge and comprehension. CLEP credits will be accepted for all prerequisite courses if a CLEP exam is available.

*Please note that all prerequisite courses need to be completed and transcripts received by the College before the program starts.

Accepted Students

• Submit $750 non-refundable deposit along with Decision Response Form
• Complete and pass Caregiver and Criminal Background checks. These requirements are mandated by our clinical agencies.
• Submit current CPR certificate with expiration date (must be American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR course or equivalent)
• Submit CNA/NA-R registration
• Submit documentation of completed immunization requirements
• Required Online Orientation Module (sent to accepted students approximately one month prior to program start)

Immunization Requirements

• MMR: (two doses) or positive titers for measles, mumps and rubella
• Tdap: (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): Positive titer OR two doses of varicella vaccine — (can be process)
• Tuberculosis (TB): A negative tuberculin skin test (Mantoux); two-step required (two tests with the second being 1-3 weeks after the first — both must be negative)
• Hepatitis B series: (three vaccines — can be in process) OR a positive titer
• Influenza