Accredited
Hybrid
On-campus
Online
Public
BSN DNP MSN RN-to-MSN RN-to-BSN LPN-to-BSN Entry-Level BSN MSN-to-DNP NP Accelerated BSN Post-grad Certificate Other
- Accreditations CCNE
- Location(s) Illinois
- Telephone 1-309-677-2528
- Request Information
Bradley University, founded in 1897, is a private, non-profit university, located in Peoria, Illinois.
In 1956, the Department of Nursing was established and offers an on-campus option for students to become Registered Nurses (RN) as well as online undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and then be eligible for state RN licensure. Students can start the program right after high school, enter as transfer students and/or seek the BSN if he or she is an LPN or an RN with an Associate's degree or diploma in nursing.
There is an Accelerated program available for those who have a bachelor's degree in another field, but would like to pursue a BSN and career path in nursing. This program is 15-months in length. Those who complete the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to become licensed as an RN in his or her individual state.
Graduate level programs are designed for nurses who want to advance their degree and enter a specialty. Specialties include nursing administration, education, or solely an MSN-general. There are traditional students who start with no degree and obtain the MSN degree as well as BSN-MSN and RN-MSN programs for nurses who want to continue.
Undergraduate
BSN
Students can start as freshmen, but do not start clinical rotations until the sophomore year.
LPN-BSN
The Licensed Practical Nurse is awarded up to 11 hours of credit for his or her prior learning. Following completion of NUR 300 and 310 with a minimum grade of 'C', the student may enroll in required junior nursing courses. A total of 60 hours can be transferred from a community college.
RN to BSN
Registered Nurses are awarded up to 3 hours of credit for their prior learning. There is a maximum of 66 hours that can be transferred from a community college. 124 semester hours must be completed for the BSN degree.
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Administration
This program is designed for the nurse who would like to begin a career path in management within a variety of healthcare settings.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Education
This program is designed to prepare the nurse to meet minimum teaching requirements as set forth by the State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act.
The MSN Nursing Administration program meets the minimum State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act requirements and prepares the RN for the doctoral level of study. Learners are prepared to sit for one of the certifications offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).
Certificate in Nursing Education
The program is designed for post-MSN graduates who would like to gain the knowledge of theory and practice of nursing education.
Master of Science In Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
This program provides the opportunity for licensed registered nurses who hold a BSN to become master's prepared family nurse practitioners. After completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) credentialing examination for FNP.
FNP Certificate
After graduation, nurses are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) credentialing examination for FNP.
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Leadership (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed to provide the opportunity for master's prepared, licensed registered nurses to advance their leadership skills to a terminal nursing degree level.
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP)
This program provides the opportunity for licensed registered nurses who hold a BSN to become doctoral level family nurse practitioners. After graduation, the student is then eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) credentialing examination for FNP.
Rankings
US News & World Report (2018-2019)
- #6 in Regional Universities Midwest
- #5 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #123 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
- #5 in Best Value Schools
- #189 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #143-182 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- #14 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
The Princeton Review (2018)
- The Best 384 Colleges
- Best Midwestern
Forbes (2018)
- #302 Top Colleges
- #204 in Private Colleges
- #65 in the Midwest
College Factual ranked Bradley University 194 out of 1,779 in "Overall Best Colleges" (2019).
MONEY Magazine ranked Bradley University #296 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018).
Bradley University has been recognized as one of the Top 10 schools in the U.S. for student engagement by The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Ranking (2017).
The Brookings Institution ranked Bradley University among the top 20 colleges and universities in the nation in 2015, and number one in the state of Illinois, for adding value to alumni earnings.
Accreditation
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Bradley University.
Bradley University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.