CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ~ SCHOOL OF NURSING

Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program

Program Details for Fall 2017 Entry

Thank you for your interest intheAccelerated Second Degree Nursing Programin the School of Nursing at Clemson University. The accelerated nursing program is an accredited and intensefull-time program of study, includingrigorous clinical experiences, spanning four consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer, and fall). The program accepts a new cohort of studentsto begin the program each fall. This is a fall-only entry program. Thirty-two (32) students will be selected for the fall 2017 cohort. All classes and clinical experiences associated with this program will be based out of the University Center of Greenville. See

Prerequisite Courses: Allcandidates selected for admission into the upcoming programwill have to haveall prerequisite coursescompletedprior to beginning fall 2017 classes. Prerequisitecourse requirements are outlined in the link toPrerequisites. Potential applicantsshouldreview the list to determine which of the required courses have already been completed and which courses will have to be taken prior to the start of fall 2017 semester.Pay close attention to the notes at the bottom of the list of prerequisites regarding course descriptions and transfer course equivalency. Successful completion of all of the identified prerequisitesprior to the fall entrance dateis mandatoryfor matriculation into the program.

Selection Form: A School of Nursing online Selection Form will be available for potential fall 2017 entry studentsfrom August 1–December 30, 2016. The purpose of this form isto develop a list of potential candidates for the fall 2017 cohort. The selection of students for the fall 2017 cohort will be made in February2017. If all prerequisite courses are not successfully completed prior to the start of fall 2017 classes, the student will not be allowed to start the program.

Formal Application to Clemson University: Once the Selection Form is completed, a formal application must be submitted to Clemson University. The formal application must be submitted and complete by December 30, 2016. Three categories of applicants exist: (1) Current Clemson students, (2) Former Clemson students, and (3) Transfer Students. Each of these categories of students requires a different approach to formally applying to Clemson University.

  1. Current Clemson Students– If during fall 2016 a person is currently enrolled at Clemson University, that person would beclassified as a Current Clemson student. Notifythe current Academic Advisorof the intention to continue takingcourses through Clemson after graduating from the first academic program of study (i.e. plan to take courses during spring 2017 or summer 2017semesters after graduation). In addition, contact Mrs. Ellen n order to state that you are currently a student at Clemson University and will be applying to the program. If selected to become a member of the fall 2017 cohort,a “Request to Change Academic Program”formwould need to be completed in April 2017 during a mandatory Spring Orientation sessionindicatingthe new major in Nursing. Processing of the form will not take place until after graduation from current program.
  1. Former Clemson Students - If during fall 2016a person had previously been enrolled as a “regular” student at Clemson University(not a special or transient student) but is not enrolled in the current term, that person would be classified as a Former Clemson student. [Special or transient students should formally apply as a Transfer Student – see No. 3 below.] Former Clemson students should wait until they have been accepted by the School of Nursing Selection Committee before submitting the Undergraduate Application for Re-Admission. If you are accepted then you will go to and follow the procedures outlined there for either the Summer 2017 or Fall 2017 semester (depending on coursework that you may be required to complete). A portion of the formal admission processrequiresstudents to submit officialtranscripts from each school attended other than Clemson University. If selected to become a member of the fall 2017 cohort, students will also need to submit a final set of officialtranscripts through the summer 2017term to the Registrar’s Office. Also, a “Request to Change Academic Program”form would need to be completed in April 2017 during a mandatory Spring Orientation session indicating the new major in Nursing.
  1. Transfer Students–An applicant who has never taken acoursethrough Clemson University as a “regular” student (including previous special or transient students) will be regarded as a Transfer Student. Such an applicant should go to and follow the procedures outlined there to complete an online application to Clemson University. Official transcripts must be submitted from each school attended. If selected to become a member of the fall 2017 cohort, students willalso need to submit a final set of official transcripts through summer 2017 to the Transfer Admissions Office. Please be aware that the School of Nursing Selection Committee will make their recommendations for admission to the Transfer Admissions Office and the Admissions Office will provide the letter of acceptance or denial into the program. Transfer Student applicants must have a submitted and complete application with Transfer Admissions by December 30, 2016 in order to be considered for admission. In April 2017 there will be a mandatory Orientation session. If selected by the School of Nursing, details on this Orientation session will be made available.

Reminder: If selected to become a member of the fall 2017 cohort of students, final transcripts through summer 2017 will need to be submitted to Clemson University as part of the formal application process. This applies to all three categories of students.

Transcripts: In addition to submitting official transcripts to Clemson University as part of the formal application process outlined above, another set of official transcripts should be submitted to the School of Nursing. Areview of previous coursework will comprise an important component of the overall selection process by the School of Nursing. For Fall 2017entry,transcriptsubmissionto the School of Nursing shouldinclude courses taken through the Fall 2016term. This will providethe School of Nursing an opportunity to evaluate all individuals being considered for the Fall 2017 cohort.

  • Studentsshould submit official transcripts for courses not taken at Clemson University to Mrs. Ellen or review. Coursework taken at Clemson can be accessed electronically with information from the student (name while attending Clemson or student id number).

Transcripts will be reviewedwithin the School of Nursing to determine the GPA earned across the last sixty credit hours attempted. If prerequisite coursesstill need to be taken, be aware that they must be successfully completed prior to beginning the program. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all identified science prerequisite courses. Likewise, a grade of “C” or better must be earned for all courses transferred to Clemson University.

Academic Recommendation Form: An academic recommendation form must be completed by an individual who is familiar with the student’s academic or professional ability and potential for success in this program. Please provide your recommender with a stamped envelope. Details regarding this form are explained on the form’s link. Please note that only one academic recommendation form is needed. If additional, forms are received, they will not be reviewed by the School of Nursing Selection Committee.

Essay: Submit aone page essay describing why nursing as a profession has been chosen and what personal characteristics will enable the applicant to be successful in a rigorous accelerated B.S. in Nursing program. Include long term career goals in the essay.

Resume: Submit a resume that is no more than two pages in length.

Review: Notesand Comments for the Fall 2017 Cohort of Students:

  • Review the list of prerequisites.
  • Complete the School of Nursing online Selection Form between August 1 and December 30, 2016.
  • Submit officialtranscripts through fall 2016 to Mrs. Ellen Chiles by December 30, 2016.
  • If you are a Transfer Student formally apply to Clemson Universityby December 30, 2016. This process will entail the submission of a final set of official transcripts to Clemson University. All applicants should enter “Applying for the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program“ on the online application form and indicate “Summer 2017” as the entry date. This will permit the taking of any remaining prerequisites through Clemson University prior to beginning of fall 2017. Please note that all applications with the Transfer Admissions Office will need to be complete by December 30, 2016.
  • Reviews ofessays, resumes, and academic recommendation forms will commence in Februaryof each year prior to the preferred fall semester entrance date. A committee of faculty members from the School of Nursing will conduct these reviewsand select candidates in February of each year.
  • Essays and Resumesshould be submitted via email, fax or mail (see the box below)
  • The Academic Recommendation Form must be sent via hard copy. All records will be held in strict confidence for review by the School of Nursing Selection Committee. Please note that all materials should have the applicant’s name, in order to make sure that it is being assigned to the correct application.
  • Each personselected to enter the program will eitherreceive notification fromthe School of Nursing or the Transfer Admissions Office. A one-day orientation program is held during mid-April of each year. Selected students must submit final transcripts through summer 2017to Clemson University to complete the formal application process.
  • Common prerequisites that still need to be completed at the time the upcomingcohort is selectedare the Writing and Research Methods courses. Both of these courses will be offered by Clemson University during summer 2017.
  • All courses will be taught at the University Center of Greenville located in Greenville, SC. Clinical experiences will be completed at a number of locations in the upstate of South Carolina.
  • Finally, should questions arise regarding this program, feel free to contact Mrs. Ellen Chiles, University Center of Greenville, Clemson University, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite B-5, Greenville, SC 29607

Email: Phone: 864-250-6701 Fax: 864-250-6711

Helpful Links

  • Redfern Health Center - Inquiries have been made regarding medical coverage. Go to for information on this matter.
  • Tuition – For information on tuition expenses, go to for details. Each of the four semesters in this program is regarded as a regular, full-time fall or spring semester in terms of fees.
  • Financial Aid– For information regarding financial aid, go to Be aware that Clemson’s Financial Aid Office does not have any scholarship or grant opportunities for students pursuing a second undergraduate degree. However, student loan opportunities exist.