Review our FAQs to better understand the requirements and expectations for the Accelerated Nursing program. If you have additional questions, email our admission team at accelnursing@cord.edu.
PRINT | FAQ sheet
| Is Concordia College affiliated with other Concordia colleges or universities? |
Concordia College, in Moorhead MN, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We are not affiliated with other church entities, associated with other universities that have the same name, nor do we participate in any satellite programs. |
| Where is Concordia College located? |
We are located in Moorhead, MN which has a population of approximately 42,000 and borders North Dakota on it's eastern side. Fargo is located across the Red River and has a population of 121,000. The local area is referred to as the F-M area. |
| What is an "accelerated" nursing program? |
Our accelerated program is specifically for college graduates who have completed a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing major from a regionally accredited institution who wish to pursue a major in nursing. Learn more about Accelerated Programs. |
| When does the program start and how long does it run? | The program is 16 months beginning with a summer session. Admitted students begin the coursework for the major in July, the summer of application, and finish the following year in December. All coursework and clinicals are completed in a sequential fashion. |
| Can I complete my nursing major online? |
None of the courses in the nursing program are offered online at Concordia College. Our program is classroom-based and follows the traditional academic year and summer sessions. Students have classes 3-4 days per week and clinical experiences 2-3 days per week. Clinical schedules vary across day, evening, night shift, on weekdays and possibly weekends. |
| Do I need to be admitted to Concordia College before applying for the Accelerated Nursing program? |
No. A general application for admission to Concordia is not completed until the applicant has been accepted into the nursing program. Admission to the program is conditional pending official admission to the college. |
| Do I receive a second baccalaureate degree after I complete the Accelerated Nursing program? |
No. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will acquire a nursing major at the baccalaureate level, not another degree. |
| Are international students eligible to apply to the program? |
Our nursing program is Minnesota State Board approved, and a baccalaureate or graduate degree in a non-nursing major from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university is needed to apply to the program. This status is required for access to clinical program sites. If you do not have a degree from a U.S. institution with regional accreditation, you do not meet the requirements for this program. If you meet the requirement above, you must have a valid/unexpired visa through the duration of the program to participate in clinical activities. Students will need to work closely with the Assistant Director of the International Community to complete the required paperwork necessary throughout the duration of the program. |
| How many students are accepted into the program each year? | 12-20 students are accepted into the 2020-21 cohort. The program is competitive for admission based on application criteria and the rolling admission process. |
| Who is the program intended for? | This program is ideal for anyone who wants to change careers or students deciding late in their baccalaureate study to pursue a career in nursing. |
| What is the curriculum for the Accelerated Nursing program? |
The program length is five semesters and includes 50 credit hours. Visit the Curriculum page for all course details and a printable overview. |
| Am I eligible to sit for the professional registered nurse (RN) licensure examination following the program? | Yes. Successful completion of our program results in the equivalent of baccalaureate preparation to take the Nursing Candidate Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become an RN. |
| If I am an LPN or have my associate degree in nursing or a non-nursing major, can I apply to the Accelerated Nursing program? | No. This program is designed for individuals who have already acquired a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing major. This program is not intended to be a ladder program for LPN to baccalaureate-purposed RNs. |
| Does my experience in the healthcare field or a related major improve my chance of being admitted to the program? |
We do not require students to be Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Baccalaureate-prepared nurses function under a completely different scope and standard of practice. Experience in these areas does not influence an individual's chance of admission nor does the type of major completed with the earned baccalaureate degree. Additionally, we do not give preference to applicants based on the school where the previous baccalaureate degree was earned. |
| Is it difficult to get into the Accelerated Nursing program at Concordia? |
Admission to our program is competitive and based on selective and cumulative GPA and other application requirements including references, a personal statement and resume. |
| When can I apply to the Accelerated Nursing program? |
The 2021-22 application cycle opens on October 1, 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in January 2021. The review process will continue until the cohort is filled, or up to the deadline on June 11, 2021. Qualified applicants who complete the process early have a better chance for admission. |
| What are the requirements for admission to the program? |
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria in order to be considered for acceptance in the program: A baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing major from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university. The degree must be completed and verified via official transcript(s) prior to applying to the program. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all post high school coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to applying to the program and appear on an official U.S. regionally accredited transcript. See FAQ about prerequisites (below) for further information. |
| What are the requirements for international students? |
International Students are required to have a baccalaureate or graduate degree in a non-nursing major from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university in order to apply for the accelerated nursing program. If you do not have a degree from a U.S. institution with regional accreditation, you do not meet the requirements for this program. Additionally, students must have a valid, unexpired visa through the duration of the program to participate in clinical activities. If these academic and visa requirements are met, students are required to: Contact the Minnesota Board of Nursing (contact information below) directly to discuss their individual eligibility for U.S. Licensure including where they intend to practice nursing following the program. Request a written letter from the Minnesota Board of Nursing with details of eligibility for U.S. Licensure. Attach the Minnesota Board of Nursing letter to their NursingCAS application under the Documents section as a supplemental document. If you are planning on returning to your native country after completing the Concordia College Nursing Program please submit a letter from your country’s Board of Nursing stating they will recognize our program and you are eligible for Nursing licensure or certification in your native country. If the Minnesota Board of Nursing indicates a student is eligible for U.S. Licensure upon completing our program and the student meets all other eligibility requirements (prerequisite coursework, GPA requirements, etc.) their application will be reviewed by the accelerated nursing admissions team. If a student is offered a seat in the program, they will need to work closely with Concordia’s Admissions Office and the Assistant Director of the International Community to complete the required paperwork necessary throughout the duration of the program. Minnesota Board of Nursing 1210 Northland Drive-Suite 120 Mendota Heights, MN 55120 Phone: 612-317-3000 Fax: 651-688-1841 Email: nursing.board@state.mn.us |
| Are there any prerequisite courses I need to complete prior to applying for the Accelerated Nursing program? |
Yes. Following are prerequisite course requirements for the nursing major: Each individual college-level course must be at least three semester credits, and must be completed with a letter grade of C- (1.7) or better. Pass/Fail completions are not accepted. Prerequisite courses should have a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All biology and chemistry courses must include a linked lab component. Labs must be noted on the transcript or verified by a course syllabus, a college catalogue or a letter from the college Registrar's Office. Linked labs may be either in-person or virtual. Online college-level courses are acceptable from regionally accredited US institutions. It is highly recommended that all prerequisite coursework be completed within five years of application to provide a strong foundation for coursework in the major. Preference will be given to applicants who meet this requirement. Psychology | General, Introductory or Lifespan Human Nutrition | General or Lifespan Human Anatomy and Physiology | Must cover ALL body systems. Courses that are part of a series must be completed at the same institution (there are limited exceptions to this requirement) This course must include a linked lab. Microbiology | Fundamental or General, and must include a linked lab Chemistry | Introductory Chemistry or higher is accepted. Allied Health or Survey of Chemistry courses are accepted. A course that addresses organic and/or biochemistry content is highly recommended to prepare for coursework in the nursing major. This course must include a linked lab. Mathematics | College Algebra, Statistics or higher math |
| How do I apply to the Accelerated Nursing program? |
The applications and all required material are submitted / completed through NursingCAS. Visit the Applicant Help Center for specific details about the application process. Select Concordia College, Moorhead MN as your program of interest and check our additional program requirements. Complete the three NursingCAS application sections and the Concordia College section, including all documents, prerequisite information and questions. Submit your completed application along with payment of $50 (first application) and, if applicable, $35 for each additional application. Applications will not be reviewed until ALL materials have been submitted and validated. Applicants are able to check the status of their application on their NursingCAS account. |
| Are there additional materials required as part of the application? | Yes. All of the following are required to complete your application: Completed NursingCAS application with all required Concordia College information Official transcripts (with all degree and prerequisite coursework completed) from all post-high school U.S. regionally accredited colleges and/or universities sent directly to NursingCAS. (See transcript FAQ for further information) Two professional references (See reference FAQ for further information) Current one page resume A personal statement two to three pages in length addressing your motivation for returning to school, vocational and career goals, and what you believe to be the necessary characteristics/attributes of a healthcare professional All prerequisite coursework with required documentation |
| How do I submit my official transcripts? Can my transcripts be reviewed prior to the application period? |
Request your official transcripts from each regionally accredited US college or university's registrar's office and have them sent directly to: NursingCAS Transcript Processing Center PO Box 9201 Watertown, MA 02471 Your transcripts will be reviewed and verified by NursingCAS and attached to your application. Transcripts are only reviewed through the actual application process. Do not send unofficial transcripts to Concordia College via email. |
| How does the reference process work? |
We require two professional references. Employers, supervisors, professors and advisors, or clergy make great references. The individuals you choose should be able to comment on your ability to empathize and care for all clients in a non-judgmental and culturally appropriate manner. This may include examples of observed behaviors. We suggest you identify your references early and let them know they will be receiving a “reference request” from nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org on your behalf. The Concordia program page in NursingCAS will have a designated tab for you to request your references. |
| How do I know if my application has been reviewed? |
Once an individual's application is complete and verified by NursingCAS, applicants will receive an email from Concordia, via NursingCAS, that their application is ready for review. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, so we strongly suggest you apply early! Applicants will be notified of admission to the Accelerated Nursing program within three to four weeks of the review date. Upon acceptance, students are required to pay a non-refundable fee of $250. This fee reserves a seat in the program and is applied toward programmatic expenses during the first semester. |
| What should I expect from my clinical experience? How are they arranged? |
Concordia has long-standing relationships with a variety of healthcare organizations in the community. Students benefit from having all clinical experiences planned and arranged by nursing faculty to acquire over 700 hours of clinical practice. We retain a ratio of one faculty to six students in all clinical settings to ensure direct supervision and strong mentorship. We have contracts with 18 clinical agencies to provide a variety of experiences across specialties, diverse patient populations, and the lifespan. |
| In addition to knowledge from coursework and clinicals, what will I take away from the program? |
Following the program students will be able to: Apply concepts from arts, humanities and sciences to professional nursing practice. Communicate clearly and effectively. Apply critical thinking skills in deliberate decision-making. Provide nursing care in accordance with Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2015) and Nursing's Social Policy Statement: The Essence of the Profession (ANA, 2010). Provide nursing care in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2015). Sit for the Nursing Candidate Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become an RN. |
| What does the Accelerated Nursing program cost? |
The Accelerated Nursing program at Concordia College is designed for full-time students to complete in 16 months. Tuition cost for the entire program is $48,900. There are other fees students are responsible for. Please see the Program Costs page for further details. |
| Is there financial aid available for the program? |
Private credit-based student loans are available for those who qualify. There are no institutional grants or scholarships available and federal student loans are not applicable since this program confers a second major after the receipt of an initial undergraduate degree. Questions related to tuition and financial aid are addressed through the Business Office (218.299.3150) and Financial Aid Office (218.299.3010) on campus. Scholarships may be available through regional health systems but they are not provided through the Nursing Department or Concordia College. You must seek out these opportunities on their own. |
| What kind of support will I receive from faculty during the program? |
The nursing faculty at Concordia place strong emphasis on advising and mentoring students to achieve their greatest potential. You will receive individual guidance throughout the program and in your next steps toward becoming an RN. |
| Is housing available for students in the program? |
The Fargo-Moorhead community has a variety of housing options available. On campus housing is primarily for undergraduate students, however, there may be exceptions. If you have questions about housing, contact our admissions team. |
| Am I responsible for my own transportation during the program? |
Yes, students are responsible for transportation to all clinical experiences. The F-M area does not offer transportation that coincides with all clinical shifts. Students are able to ride share to some clinicals with other students. Use of Uber, Lyft and/or taxis are not a dependable means of transportation for clinical assignments. |
Learn about tuition and other costs associated with our Accelerated Nursing program.
learn moreAmerican Assoc. of College of Nursing
National Student Nurses' Association
Nat'l Council of State Boards of Nursing
Sigma Theta Tau International
XI Kappa Chapter at Large
MN Center for Nursing
ND Center for Nursing
Minorities in Nursing
Men in Nursing
Nursing Specialties
Have additional questions about Concordia College or the Accelerated Nursing program? We are here to help! Call us at 218.299.3567 or send us an email.
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