844-937-8679
844-937-8679
Online RN to BSN Degree (Competency-Based)
Carmen B. | BSN
Online learning with real-world clinical experience: Programs combine online coursework with direct-care clinical experiences that include in-person learning in approved public health settings. Clinicals may be completed in a student’s workplace or local community, with support available throughout the process.ÌýLearn about online learning with clinicals.
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Competency Based-CB)
Prepare to enhance your nursing career, faster. Complete your online competency-based RN to BSN program in less than 12 months and for under $10K. An unencumbered RN license, nursing associate degree and one year of professional experience required.
- For experienced RNs who want a faster completion time and prefer a self-paced format
- Receive 87 credits if you have both an active and unencumbered RN and an ADN from an eligible school
- Includes 90 direct care in-person clinical hours. A clinical coordinator will help match you to a practice site in your community.
What is competency-based education?
Competency-based education is a faculty-supported, flexible learning model where students earn academic credit by demonstrating competencies in this self-paced program. Paired with a faculty mentor, you’ll set your own pace in a flexible environment and leverage what you already know to earn your degree faster and for less.ÌýJump to comparison with standard BSN.
programmatic accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Â鶹´«Ã½ are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý
Career-relevant education with real-world value
Program at a glance
The program curriculum is aligned with recommendations by leading nursing organizations, such as:
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN®)
- Quality & Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
The online RN to BSN degree includes a capstone course that helps you integrate and synthesize the content and experiences from all nursing courses into a final leadership project.
Learn how to implement appropriate health promotion and disease prevention strategies for diverse individuals, families and populations across the life span.
Program by the numbers
$9K
Cost of tuition & fees[1]
33 credits
Requires an active RN and eligible ADN
12 months
Average program length with transfer credits
87 credits
Eligible transfer credits
[1] Competency-based track RN to BSN with 87 transfer credits: ÌýÌý$300 x 3 credits x 11 courses - no resource fees =Estimated tuition cost: $9,900.
Courses for the online competency-based RN to BSN program
Find what skills you'll learn in a course – look for the skills-aligned trophy cup
Using labor analytics data, we embed skills you’ll need in the growing nursing field into each course of your online RN to BSN degree. You’ll learn about health information technology for nursing, healthcare policy and professional nursing leadership perspectives.
Requirements and course details
- An Associate of Arts Degree in Nursing, Associate of Applied Arts Degree with an emphasis in Nursing, an Associate of Science Degree with an emphasis in Nursing, or an Associate of Applied Science Degree with an emphasis in Nursing from an eligible college or university.
- A valid, unrestricted/unencumbered RN license.
- A minimum equivalent of one year of full-time post high school clinical-based RN work experience within the past five years. (Full-time work is defined as 32 hours per week for the BSN-CB program.)
- Completion of 33 credits (includes 90 direct care clinical hours)[2]
- A grade of Meets Expectations (ME) or better is required for all competencies in every course.
- Meet program residency requirements
[2] General education credits are transferable and applied upon admission from a student’s eligible completed nursing associate’s degree. Lower Division Nursing credits are applied with the student’s active/unencumbrered RN license.
Online learning with real-world clinical experience
Ìý Flexible onlineÌýlearningÌýthat helps you reach your educational goals.
Ìý Clinical hands-on experienceÌýwith direct care in-person clinical hours. A clinical coordinator provides support throughout the site and preceptor selection process.
Ìý Online support is availableÌýup to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week.ÌýFrom day one, you'll have access to an academic support team dedicated to your educational success.
Flexible onlineÌýlearningÌýthat helps you reach your educational goals.
Clinical hands-on experience with direct care in-person clinical hours. A clinical coordinator provides support throughout the site and preceptor selection process.
Online support is availableÌýup to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week.ÌýFrom day one, you'll have access to an academic support team dedicated to your educational success.
Susan H. | BSN
Susan H. | BSN
Program purpose statement
The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a post-licensure education program designed for nurses with an active and unencumbered RN license who wish to obtain a bachelor's degree in the professional field of nursing. The program is designed to develop the professional knowledge and skills of registered nurses and prepare them as generalists who are able to apply critical thinking, professional skills and knowledge to make clinical decisions that will result in positive patient outcomes and support healthcare systems. Learn more from the Nursing Program HandbookÌý(PDF)
Tuition
Paying for school
Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.
RN to BSN-CB estimated program cost
$9,900Ìý/ program
Tuition Guarantee
With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.
Tuition is based on a calculation of number of credits multiplied by the per credit cost: Competency-based track RN to BSN with 87 transfer credits:   $300 x 3 credits x 11 courses - no resource fees = Estimated program cost: $9,900.Ìý
Budget & borrow
How to pay for college
Paying for school can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Our finance advisors can walk you through your options like federal financial aid and savings opportunities to minimize your debt. Plus, we can help you figure out your financial plan.
Compare Competency-Based RN to BSN to Standard track
Learning styles differ between the competency-based and stardard RN to BSN tracks. Compare tracks and choose your pathway.
| Program features | Competency-Based RN to BSN |
|---|---|
|
Who is it best for?
|
Experienced RNs who want a faster completion time and prefer a self-paced format
|
|
Program length
|
As little as 12 months ( with 87 transfer credits)
|
|
Pace
|
Flexible pace. Move faster through materials you already know.
|
|
Learning style
|
More flexible with faculty guidance
|
|
Get started
|
Your BSN is just the beginning
Explore education goals that can prepare you for additional nursing career opportunities that require master’s level nursing degrees.
MSN programs
Position yourself after your BSN for clinical nurse leadership positions with an online master’s nursing degree.
Nursing Bridge program
Apply an unrelated bachelor’s degree to a nursing master’s degree.
Jessica C. | MSN
Jessica C. | MSN
“Ìý
We are preparing the next generation of nurses to make a difference in the lives of patients, their families and the community.â€
Ralene Brooks, PhD, RN
Dean, College of Nursing
Why choose us?
Everything we do has one purpose: your career.
Skills-aligned learning
Career-relevant skills—sought by employers—in weeks. Not years you don’t have.
Career Services for Life®
Career coaching, resumè support and interview prep—available to all active students and graduates for life.Ìý
Faculty who practice what they teach
Learn from professionals who average 29+ years of. Experience and are leaders in their fields. They bring industry insights right to the classroom, and over 80% of students surveyed recommend them.[3]
[3] Citation: June-July 2025 UOPX Biennial Alumni survey of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral alumni who reported graduating in 2024 or 2025 (1,542 respondents, 5% response rate).
85%
Immediate skills application
85% of recent graduates in a 2025 survey believe Â鶹´«Ã½ helped them develop skills and knowledge that were immediately applicable to their careers. [3]
“Ìý
There were times when my goal seemed so far off, but I did it.â€
Dawn Nolan Kerrigan (RN to BSN 2014)
Frequently asked questions about the competency-based online RN to BSN program
The RN to BSN degree online at Â鶹´«Ã½ is a post-licensure education program.Ìý You can also transfer an associate degree in nursing (ADN), if applicable, to complete the program faster.
Our bachelor’s in nursing program includes 11 core courses in topics such as health information technology for nursing, research outcomes management for the practicing nurse, healthcare policy and public health.Ìý
No, a bachelor’s degree in nursing is not the same as a registered nurse (RN). A BSN is an educational degree in nursing. An RN designation may only be used after completing all requirements and obtaining licensure by a state board of nursing as a registered nurse. If you’re an RN, you can pursue a BSN degree for expanded skills and greater career opportunities in your field.Ìý
The length of time to complete your bachelor’s in nursing program varies depending on the nursing program you choose and your educational history.Ìý
- Our traditional RN to BSN degree online can be completed in as little as 14 months for students who transfer in an associate degree in nursing (ADN). RNs without an ADN transfer will be awarded 40 total credits and may complete their degree in 2.5 years.
- OurÌýcompetency-based RN to BSN programÌýcan be completed in as little as 12 months but requires at least one year’s experience as an RN and is self-paced, independent learning.
The competency-based RN to BSN coursework is completed online and paired with on-site direct-care clinical hours. These in-person clinical experiences take place in approved public health settings, including those in your local community.
These clinical experiences help students apply nursing knowledge in real healthcare and community settings as part of the online RN to BSN degree requirements for the competency-based program.
Yes, our RN to BSN degree online is designed with the working registered nurse (RN) in mind. You’ll take one course at a time, every five weeks, and all the instructional information is delivered on your schedule. This is important because we understand nurses like you are likely working around the clock and need to be able to complete assignments at a time that’s convenient for you and your schedule.
While internships are not required, direct-care clinical hours are a part of the core nursing curriculum. The competency-based online RN to BSN program requires 90 direct-care clinical hours.
The direct-care clinical hours must be completed in person based in community health settings. These are in addition to the indirect care clinical hours completed in other courses.
Students can review the Nursing Student Handbook (PDF) for additional details about course alignment and clinical expectations.
Clinical experiences for the online RN to BSN degree (competency-based program) are completed in approved public health settings connected to course requirements. There are many pre-approved sites or students may seek approval of the facility of their own choice.
The clinical experiences in the RN to BSN program focus on health promotion, disease prevention and public health principles for individuals, families, populations and communities.
The competency-based online RN to BSN program does not require an on-campus presence.
Required clinical learning is completed through approved site-based experiences in a student’s local community rather than campus attendance. Other program requirements are completed online.
Many students pursuing the online RN to BSN degree (competency-based program) can complete clinical experiences in approved healthcare or community settings within their local community.
A clinical coordinator helps students identify approved placement opportunities that meet program requirements and site availability.
While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.