West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University's Department of Nursing offers diverse educational opportunities. With an emphasis on a supportive learning environment, WCU equips students with the skills needed to excel in the nursing profession while offering innovative and flexible programs for both aspiring and experienced nurses.

Discover West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania

School Ranking: A

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a 4 year or higher State Institution. It is a public and non-profit institution. The institution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, RN to BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, CNS, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the ACEN and CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. West Chester University of Pennsylvania admits 88% of applicants and graduates 75% of its students.

Contact Info

Quick Overview

  • $23,184 Undergraduate Tuition
  • $19,952 Graduate Tuition
  • Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity
  • 14,014 Undergraduate Enrolled
    *Certificate and degree-seeking students
  • 2,883 Graduate Students Enrolled
  • 88% Acceptance Rate
  • 75% Graduation Rate

Student Demographics

  • 21 Average Age
  • 41% Men
  • 59% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 85% White
  • 3% Hispanic
  • 10% Black
  • 3% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • Nurse Educator

  • Online BSN to MSN Program
  • $20,640 In-State Tuition
  • 40 Credits
  • 48 Months
  • 4.2 Program Score
  • RN to BSN

  • Online BSN Program
  • $7,728 In-State Tuition
  • 24 Credits
  • 12 Months
  • 4.6 Program Score
  • Traditional BSN

  • On-Campus BSN Program
  • $38,640 In-State Tuition
  • 120 Credits
  • 48 Months
  • 4.5 Program Score

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

Founded in 1871 as a public educational institute for teacher preparation, West Chester University (WCU) is the largest state-owned university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

RN-BSN Fast Track

The RN-BSN Fast Track program is offered at the Philadelphia campus. 

Combined with the curriculum, the state-of-the-art classrooms and the Center City location, the program serves the needs of adult learners who are able to balance work and family commitments.

The program for licensed nurses who wish to earn a BSN degree, is an innovative and flexible program. It can vary in length depending on how many credits the nurse is able to transfer from his or her previous degree. Students must attend class one night a week as well as individual clinical assessments and online coursework. Students are able to transfer credits from other nursing and general education courses as well as an option of a portfolio assessment for clinical experience.

Advance 2 BSN

The Advance 2 BSN is an accelerated second degree program. In the course of 17 months, this intensive program can help build upon a student's previous education and enables an individual who already possesses a baccalaureate degree to earn a BSN. After completing the program, the student will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and become eligible to be licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The MSN degree includes a total of eight core courses. After the courses are completed, students are able to choose from adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or nursing education.

Graduates of the adult-gerontology CNS track are then eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification exam in adult gerontology. Graduates of the nursing education track will be eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing (NLN) certified nurse educator exam. The program is a combination of face-to-face, hybrid, and distance-education formats.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree for advanced practice nurses to focus on a practice-oriented program of study. The first two-credit course is offered on campus then the program is offered in a distance-education format.

General Admissions Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Baccalaureate degree from a college/university accredited in the United States or the equivalent from a foreign college or university
  • Minimum 2.8 undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Official scores - GRE, GMAT, MAT if required by program of choice
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal goals statement

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the Baccalaureate degree in Nursing, the Master's degree in Nursing, and the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs at West Chester University.

West Chester University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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