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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING BSN courses

BSN coursework overview

Coursework structured for your success

  • Capella sets the deadlines
  • Weekly online interactions
  • 24/7 courseroom access
  • Online

Planning for your degree

  • Total quarter credits: 90
  • Quarter length: 10 weeks
  • Course length: 10 weeks
  • Break: 3 weeks between quarters
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
General Education 37 courses
Core 9 courses

Course Requirements course sequence

NHS1020 Core Nutrition in Healthcare 3 quarter credits

This five-week course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the essential principles of nutrition and its profound impact on health. Throughout this course, students explore the roles of macronutrients and micronutrients, evaluate dietary needs across different life stages, and assess the relationship between nutrition and chronic diseases. Students are equipped to develop evidence-based dietary plans for various populations. Through a mix of practical activities and critical discussions, students develop the competencies needed to understand the fundamentals of human nutrition. Assessments include a mid-term and final exam, case study analyses, and discussion participation.

3 quarter credits

NHS2030 Core Pathophysiology 6 quarter credits

Students gain the skills necessary to assess and interpret physical examination findings and diagnostic tests to understand the pathophysiology of acute and chronic conditions. Students explore evidence-based strategies for treatment, monitoring, and management across patient populations. Students develop clear, scientifically accurate communication and create effective patient education materials grounded in current research. Prerequisite(s): NHS1040, NHS2010, NHS2020.

6 quarter credits

NHS2040 Core Emerging Technologies and Research in Healthcare 6 quarter credits

Students explore the latest advancements in healthcare technologies and gain insights into how these innovations are transforming patient care, diagnostics, treatment, and healthcare management. Wide-ranging topics include telemedicine, artificial intelligence, wearable technology, robotics, genomics, blockchain, and virtual/augmented reality. Through a mix of theoretical knowledge, practical activities, and critical discussions, students develop the competencies needed to understand and engage with emerging technologies in healthcare. Assessments include mid-term and final exams, case study analyses, and project presentations. Prerequisite(s): NHS1010, NHS1020, NHS1030, NHS1040, NHS2010, NHS2020, NHS2030.

6 quarter credits

NHS1030 Core Physical Science 6 quarter credits

Students explore the fundamental principles of physics and chemistry and their critical role in nursing practice. Students apply physical science concepts to human physiology and pathophysiology, enhancing their understanding of patient care. Students examine how scientific principles underpin the operation of medical equipment and healthcare technologies. Through a mix of practical activities and critical discussions, students develop their ability to apply scientific concepts in clinical and academic settings. Assessments include a mid-term and final exam, case study analyses, and discussion participation.

6 quarter credits

NHS1040 Core Anatomy and Physiology I 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

NHS2010 Core Anatomy and Physiology II 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

PHY1000 General Education Introduction to Astronomy 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

ECO1150 General Education Personal Economics: Introduction to Financial Planning 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

PSYC2600 General Education Development Across the Lifespan 3 quarter credits

3 quarter credits

SOC1150 General Education How Society Works: Human Differences, Collaboration, and Problem Solving 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

HUM1200 General Education Philosophy of Work 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

PSYC2520 General Education Social Psychology in Action 3 quarter credits

3 quarter credits

NURS1000 Core Introduction to Nursing 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

SOC3031 General Education Economic and Technological History of the 20th Century 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

COM1150 General Education Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

SOC3032 General Education Applied Sociology 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

HIS1150 General Education U.S. History: How the Past Informs the Present 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

PHI3200 General Education Ethics in Health Care 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MAT1200 General Education Pre-Calculus 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

COM1250 General Education Workplace Communication 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

ENG2250 General Education Academic Research and Writing 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

COM4100 General Education Media and Culture 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

PHI1200 General Education Philosophy of Problem Solving 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

SOC2400 General Education Health and Illness in Social Context 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

ENG1000 General Education English Composition 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MAT2150 General Education Data and Statistics for Everyday Life 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MAT2051 General Education Discrete Mathematics 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

ENG1001 General Education Essential Writing Skills 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

NHS2020 Core Microbiology 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MNS3041 General Education Applied Statistics 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MNS3042 General Education Introduction to Complexity Science 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

COM3700 General Education Conflict Resolution 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

PSYC1010 General Education Introductory Psychology 3 quarter credits

3 quarter credits

NSC1150 General Education Science and Innovation 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

BIO1000 General Education Human Biology 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MAT1050 General Education College Algebra 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MAT2001 General Education Statistical Reasoning 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

HUM1150 General Education Cultural Understanding in a Global World 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

MAT2200 General Education Calculus 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

BUS-FPX1050 General Education Principles of Microeconomics 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

BUS1050 General Education Principles of Microeconomics 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

PHI2000 General Education Ethics 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

ENG1250 General Education Introduction to Technical and Business Writing 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

NHS1010 General Education Medical Terminology 3 quarter credits

3 quarter credits

MAT1150 General Education Essential Math for Everyday Life 6 quarter credits

6 quarter credits

BSN (Prelicensure) Course Requirements

Practicum: Minimum of 550 supervised clinical and practicum hours

General Education: Choose 45 quarter credits with a minimum of 4 quarter credits from each category

Core: Complete at least 93 quarter credits

Clinicals and Practicum: At least 24 quarter credits

General Education: At least 45 quarter credits

Skills Lab: Complete 12 quarter credits

Capstone: At least 6 quarter credits taken during the learner’s final quarter

Total: At least 180 quarter credits, including a minimum of 54 quarter credits from the 3000 level and above.

One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

GuidedPath courses and FlexPath courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each delivery model.

 

 

What can I expect in the courseroom?

Each unit consists of readings, discussions and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Most deadlines for coursework occur on Thursdays and/or Sundays but may vary by program and course. In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.

How will I be graded?

Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments, based on criteria outlined in the rubric. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.

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