The skinny on ASU 2nd degree program

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

I went to the informational session today. One hour of great information, 2/3 of which had to do with the traditional route to nursing school at ASU. Long. But eventually, he covered the 2nd degree and I'm going to share what I got

Already discussed in another thread, the 9 prereqs:

Bio 201

Bio 202

Chem 101

Micro 205/206

CDE 232

HCR 220

HCR 240

Psych 101

Statics

No TEAS test required for 2nd degree students.

12 month program which begins each summer. All of the above classes must be completed prior to the end of December to begin the program the summer of the following year (so if you wanted to go summer 11, then all 9 classes must be completed prior to December 31, 2010). This program only starts once per year in the summer. More may be added later.

Science classes cannot be more then 5 years old. So if you took Micro in 1999, it is no longer good. They may waive that rule if you are working in that field of study. A scientist may not have to repeat all the science courses, or may be able to use some of them even if the credits are more than 5 years old.

For now, the program is not competitive. Anyone who fits the criteria up to the max number of people allowed in the program will get in. Does that mean first come first serve?

The cost? You're looking at roughly 30-35K (wish I thought to ask if that figure includes getting the above 9 done, or if it's just for nursing). He said that all in all, it's only about 3K more than the traditional 4 year, but it's still expensive. He also said it's new and there is not a lot of support yet, so I wonder if we can expect the cost to go down any time in the future.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the info, fifthwheel. I was thinking about going this route, since I have my BA already, but have decided its still way cheaper to do the MCC route ($4k) and then have my employer pay to convert my ADN to a BSN. Plus, I can do the BSN online and be working and making $$ (hopefully :)) at the same time. I don't know why it has to be so darned expensive!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am thinking about doing this as well. I am giving myself about 3 different options. I am interested to see what the gpa will be this year for the people who decide to apply this round...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks for the info, fifthwheel. I was thinking about going this route, since I have my BA already, but have decided its still way cheaper to do the MCC route ($4k) and then have my employer pay to convert my ADN to a BSN. Plus, I can do the BSN online and be working and making $$ (hopefully :)) at the same time. I don't know why it has to be so darned expensive!!
I was thinking the same thing! I could go the MCC route, which I thought was closer to 6K now, and I could do my BSN bridge after, at a pace that would allow me to pay as I go, while I work. I also hoped to use a tuition reimbursement program if I am hired by someone who provides it.

Beyond the cost of tuition, I have to consider my kids and the expense of childcare, as well as lost wages. It would be added expense, and I'd have to consider loans to cover both. I don't want to get out of school 40K in debt.

The other thing I have to consider is that a lot of my science credits exceed 5 years, so I'd have to retake classes that I really don't want to have to retake (like chemistry... yuck. I could handle Micro). I'm still meeting with an ASU advisor, because I want to keep my options open. If it is worth it for me to take some of these classes, I might still do it. Either way, whether I take classes with ASU as my goal, or if I sit on the waiting list for MCC, it's going to be a couple of years.

InspiredRN10, there is no competition for the 2nd degree BSN, at least according to the man who did the presentation. While the traditional BSN is highly competitive, this one is not at all. I wouldn't' be surprised if it became more competitive later.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Right. I went to one of the infomational sessions last week. And there isn't alot of information about this program at all! When I asked the guy told me they wanted to take 46 this first cycle, and he said he has only counseled 20 and out of the 20m, 8 will be ready to apply. So maybe that will open the doors for alot more people to apply and get accepted. I'd love to do this. I am graduating from ASU in May of this year. So I am not able to apply this December, but I will definitely consider it next year. And depending on what the gpa is this cycle. I bet alot of people would like to this option, but because of the tuition, it will probably remain a small program for at least a few more years, I think. I am already on the wait list for the community colleges and I was quoted to start Fall of 2012 ("if I am lucky" the way she put it) I think it's good we have several options! Who knows what will happen! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think they expect to get some additional funding in the future, which would, hopefully, be passed on to students as reduced tuition.

I know.... who knows what will happen :grad:. A part of me wants to just jump in and start taking some of these classes, just in case. Just to keep myself open to the possibility. A part of me thinks it will be a waste of time and money. I guess I'll figure that out towards the end of the year. I'm starting a CNA program and don't want to be bogged down with a class and the program, and working all at once. Once I get through that, I can consider more coursework. I'm probably looking at Fall 2013 for MCC admission. I haven't gotten my date/time stamp yet. Also, if I am lucky.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am taking my state board exam for my cna class the 25 of this month. Yay! So happy to be done! But I am planning on applying to gateways LPN program. I just want to have as many options as I can. Who knows what will happen, and I'd rather have more than one option to go for! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So I drove out there today to learn what I already knew. Kind of a pain in that regard, since I could have saved the gas, but I guess face time is rarely a bad thing.

My advisor said the program is surely to become more competetive over the years. I expect that. Right now, there is no competition. It's pretty much first come first serve. The cost going down, probably not going to happen. He also warned me that the requirements might change. He actually recommended checking the web site in November to see if the requirements changed. I told him that I hoped Chemistry would be dropped :).

The cost is how I described above. It's about 5500 per semester (but a smaller, prorated amount for the winter. I'm assuming that is due to the closure between Christmas and New Years). It amounts to about 17K. In addition to that amount, you'd also have to pay the typical ASU tuition. I don't know what that is, but you're looking at a final cost of roughly 30-35K.

I will have to retake 5 classes, including chemistry in order to qualify for the program. Blech. It's one more than I had anticipated, but do-able, if I choose to go in that direction. Again, for the sake of time, it would probably be best to get started as soon as possible, so I have some thinkin' to do!

Congrats, inspired! And good luck with LPN. I hear PCT is also a great direction to go in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ya at least it is in some direction to go in! But he did assure you that the program will get more competitive? Like obviously not this year, but maybe next? I won't apply this year, but I will probably next year, December of 2011. I wonder what else they could do to make it more competitive?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We can only assume that when more people become interested in the program, at least when the number of applicants becomes more than the number of seats available, it will automatically become more competitive. It's hard to say when, or how competitive it will become.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think this program is new by any means. I knew about it about 2 years ago and the advisor I spoke with said it was VERY competitive. The only thing different btwn this and if you had no degree is that you don't have to take English, Psych, two of the HCC classes and philosophy. She told me the average GPA for someone going into this program was 3.85. Remember, you are getting in to the BSN program, and your 'competition' will be everyone applying to the program whether they have a bachelors or not. Don't mean to sound harsh, just want to present another side :)!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They've had regular BSN, and they've had RN to BSN, but the second degree program is new. It isn't competitive because not enough people know about it. Last I heard, they still have half their seats still available. That was a month or so ago, though. Could have changed since then.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment