Allen College

In 1925, the Allen Memorial Hospital and the Allen Memorial Hospital School of Nursing were opened. In 1989 the school became the Allen College of Nursing and was renamed Allen College in 1997. It is a private, non-profit entity.

Academic Programs Available

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Post-Master's Certificates

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Pre-licensure Tracks

Traditional Option - This option is available to students who would lie to complete the BSN program in the traditional route in five semesters, or 2.5 years, while attending full time. The curriculum consists of general education courses as well as nursing courses.

Accelerated Option - There are two accelerated paths available:

Accelerated Face-to-Face Option - This option is for those enrolled for admission to Allen College in the Summer or fall. The courses are face-to-face in Waterloo, Iowa.

Accelerated Hybrid Option - This option is a 15-month program; the coursework is completed at the Allen College Campus in the first Summer of enrollment in a hybrid format. After the first Summer, students will meet face-to-face periodically in Des Moines, Iowa, but the majority of the coursework will be completed online. Clinicals will be completed during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters in the Des Moines area.

LPN - BSN Option - The LPN to BSN option is available for LPNs to earn their BSN by choosing an Accelerated Option or the Five Semester - Upper Division "Traditional" Option.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Post-Licensure Tracks

RN-BSN - The RN-BSN program is completed online, excluding the clinical time. RNs who hold a current license are eligible. There is a minimum of 124 semester hours of prescribed coursework must be earned.

Population Health Minor - The Bachelor of Science in Nursing with minor in Population Health program is designed for students admitted into BSN program. The students must complete 15 credit hours in required public health courses to be qualified for a minor in Population Health.

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

MSN Tracks

Leadership in Health Care Delivery (Administration)

Nursing Education

Community/Public Health Nursing

Leadership in Health Information Technology

Nurse Practitioner

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Adult - Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Adult - Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (No longer accepting applications for this program)

Combined Programs

Community/Public Health Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner

For those who already hold a Master's Degree with a major in nursing, Post-master's certificate programs of study are available in all tracks of the MSN program.

RN Applicants with a BSN - Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 college credit hours completed
• A bachelor's degree with a major in nursing from a school accredited by a regional accrediting organization
• Current licensure as a registered nurse in Iowa

RN Applicants with a Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree - Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 college credit hours completed
• Current licensure as a registered nurse in Iowa
• 3-credit undergraduate Statistics course
• 3 credit undergraduate Nursing Research course (May be taken at Allen College)
• 3 credit undergraduate Community Health course (May be taken at Allen College)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

1000 documented post-baccalaureate clinical/practicum hours are required. A minimum 400 clinical hours will be completed as part of the Clinical Scholarship courses.

For post-baccalaureate students, there is an Early Entry DNP option which provides a means for post-baccalaureate students to enter the graduate nursing program and obtain an MSN degree with seamless progression into the DNP program.

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

• A master's degree with a major in nursing from a school accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting organization
• A minimum graduate GPA of 3.25 on a 4.00 scale
• Evidence of advanced practice national certification, if applicable
• Current, active, and unencumbered nursing license
• Completion of a statistics course
• Completion of 600 contact hours of clinical experience in a MSN program

Accreditation and Approval

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs.

Allen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The Iowa Board of Nursing (IBN) approved the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

Rankings and Listings

US News & World Report (2020)

• #132-#170 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
• #264-#348 in Best Online Bachelor's Programs

Best Nursing Colleges ranked Allen College #198 "Nursing School (out of 2766; top 10%) in the United States" and 3rd "Best Nursing School in Iowa" (2018).

Allen College is ranked across all of College Factual's rankings including Best Colleges Nationwide, Best Colleges for Your Money, Best Colleges in Iowa and the Region, and Best Majors.

Affordable Colleges Online ranked Allen College No. 1 in Best Online Nursing Degrees for 2016.

In 2015, OnlineColleges.net listed the Master of Science in Nursing program among the nation's 25 best online nursing programs.

Allen College has been ranked as one of the top 100 nursing schools in the nation by Nursing Schools Almanac (2016).