Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online
This RN to BSN program challenges students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively and learn independently in any healthcare setting.
Program Overview
A snapshot of USC Aiken’s online RN to BSN program
Combining liberal arts ideals with real world applications, the University of South Carolina Aiken online RN to BSN program is designed to help working nurses transform their nursing career and complete their baccalaureate degree. The nursing major courses can be completed in as little as one year.
In this online nursing program, you will learn the principles of providing holistic care over the lifespan of the patient, including hospice care, palliative care, and evidence-based end-of-life treatment. The program focuses on community-based care and is aligned with the 2021 AACN Essentials, with an emphasis on population health and quality as well as patient safety. You will be prepared to function as an interdisciplinary team member in a variety of healthcare settings.
Taught by the same supportive faculty who teach on campus, this CCNE-accredited RN to BSN program will equip you with the practical experience to help your community and patients achieve optimal health.
Careers in healthcare with an RN to BSN:
- Case Management Nurse
- Clinical Supervisor
- Public Health Nurse
- Quality Improvement/Assurance Coordinator
- Case Management Nurse
- Clinical Supervisor
- Public Health Nurse
- Quality Improvement/Assurance Coordinator
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) certificate in patient safety and quality is integrated into RN to BSN coursework at no additional cost. This certificate makes USC Aiken graduates more marketable as job candidates, empowering them to initiate quality improvements in the workplace right away.
The BSN program at the University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.
Accreditation
The BSN program at the University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.
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Tuition
Learn more about our affordable tuition
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing an RN to BSN online. Tuition shown refers to nursing courses only, and is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Additional fees will apply each semester.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN to BSN | $306 | $918 | $9,486 |
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Important dates you need to know
Designed for working professionals, USC Aiken online programs conveniently feature multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that’s best for you.
Now enrolling:
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/9/24 | 12/16/24 | 1/6/25 | 3/4/25 | |
| Spring 2 | 3/17/25 | 2/18/25 | 2/25/25 | 3/10/25 | 5/5/25 | |
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/28/25 | 5/5/25 | 6/27/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/9/25 | 6/16/25 | 6/23/25 | 8/15/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 1 | 8/19/25 | 7/29/25 | 8/5/25 | 8/12/25 | 10/9/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/13/25 | 9/22/25 | 9/29/25 | 10/6/25 | 12/5/25 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Follow our streamlined admission requirements
Let's get started! The admission process is the first step toward earning your online degree. Familiarize yourself with these requirements for the RN to BSN online program, along with information on required documentation.
Admission Requirements:
- Associate of Science nursing degree or Diploma in Nursing
- 2.5 GPA minimum on prior undergraduate coursework
- Current RN license valid in state where student will do preceptor work
RN to BSN Admission Requirements
- Completed application and $45 application fee
- Select “Licensed RNs only” as the application type
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (institutions must be regionally accredited to receive transfer credit)
- Associate of Science nursing degree or Diploma in Nursing OR scheduled NCLEX exam
-
· If f the NCLEX exam has
not been taken, please provide the NCLEX exam confirmation message or
exam date.
- Minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
- Current and unencumbered RN license valid in state in which student will be doing preceptor work
Students who have not yet taken the NLCEX exam may apply and begin the program, taking general education courses as needed and NURS A350 Professional Nursing and NURS A370 Pathophysiology only. Students must have an active license for all other nursing courses.
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of AdmissionsUniversity of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway, Box 45
Aiken, SC 29801
Or email [email protected]
Have a question? Call us at 844-878-3634.
Courses
A look at the RN to BSN online program curriculum
The RN to BSN online at USC Aiken consists of nine nursing courses totaling 31 credit hours and can be completed in as few as 12 months. BSN clinical requirements are met through 40 hours of application-based preceptorship completed in-person during your final term. Because an RN to BSN helps students complete the full requirements for a BSN, some students may also need to take additional General Education, Core, and Humanities courses. A total of 120 credit hours is required to complete the BSN degree. The breakdown of the 120 credit hours is as follows:
- Nursing major courses—31 credit hours
- Core, General Education, and Humanities requirements—55 credit hours
- The remaining 34 credit hours will be awarded to students entering the program with their ADN degree
General Education and Humanities courses may be taken concurrently with Nursing courses. Core courses, with the exception of Intro to Chemistry and Statistics, must be completed prior to starting the program. Your program advisor can recommend options on taking any additionally required courses.
Additional courses and total hours required will be based on a transcript review and may vary by student.
Students must have 55 hours of Core, General Education, and Humanities courses. Many of these courses may be transferred in; the final list of courses required will be determined upon a transcript review. Courses are available online through USC Aiken; availability may be limited at times.
Your program advisor can assist you with finding suitable courses through USC Aiken and provide instructions on how to register.
General Education and Core – 46 Hours
Students must take the following courses—for a total of 46 credit hours—to complete the RN to BSN degree. The General Education courses may be taken at the same time as the Nursing courses. Core courses must be completed prior to starting the Nursing courses except for Intro to Chemistry and Statistics, as noted.
| Course Name | Credit Hours | Course Type |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | Core |
| Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | Core |
| Microbiology | 4 | Core |
| Intro to Chemistry (a pre-requisite for NURS A370 Pathophysiology*) | 4 | Core |
| English Composition I | 3 | Core |
| English Composition II | 3 | Core |
| Introductory Psychology | 3 | Core |
| Dev. Psychology | 3 | Core |
| Introductory Sociology | 3 | Core |
| Applied Speech | 3 | General Education |
| College Algebra | 3 | Core |
| Statistics (a pre-requisite for NURS A430 Nursing Research) | 3 | Core |
| History of Civilization | 3 | General Education |
| American Government or American History | 3 | General Education |
Humanities - 9 Hours (One Humanities Course Must Be Non-Western)
Students must take nine hours of Humanities courses in addition to the above Core and General Education courses. Examples include World Music, Intro to Music, Art History, Religion courses, and Theater courses. The Humanities courses may be taken at the same time as the Nursing courses.
Academic Curricular Enrichment (ACE): ACE is a university-wide initiative aimed at engaging USC Aiken students through a series of diverse curricular-enrichment opportunities. Online ACE events are available. A total of four events are required.
