10 Nursing Programs That Accept SNHU Degrees 2026

Whether you're building toward a nursing career after completing general education coursework at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), or you've already earned a non-nursing bachelor's degree and want to pivot into nursing, the good news is that your SNHU coursework isn't wasted. Since SNHU is regionally accredited, nursing programs across the country will recognize your credits and degree as meeting their baseline admissions requirements.

This guide covers whether nursing programs accept degrees and coursework from SNHU, 10 programs to consider, whether you're starting fresh with transferable general education credits or pursuing an accelerated path with a completed bachelor's, and what else nursing school admissions typically require beyond accreditation.

Do Nursing Programs Accept Degrees From SNHU?

Though nursing admissions work a little differently than most other fields. Nursing programs care about two layers of accreditation: the institution's overall accreditation, which SNHU holds through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and the nursing program's own accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). SNHU's institutional accreditation satisfies the first requirement for any coursework or degree you bring with you; the second applies to whichever nursing program you're applying to, not to SNHU itself.

Your specific path also depends on where you are in your education. If you completed general education coursework or an associate degree at SNHU, many traditional and accelerated BSN programs will evaluate those credits for transfer as you enter an entry-to-licensure program. If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree from SNHU, you'll likely be a strong candidate for an accelerated second-degree BSN program, which is specifically designed to help career changers become registered nurses without repeating general education coursework.

10 Nursing Programs That Accept SNHU Degrees

All 10 nursing programs featured below hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), meeting the national standard most employers, Magnet-status hospitals, and graduate nursing programs look for. This list blends traditional and second-degree accelerated BSN programs, so there's an option here whether you're starting with general education credits or a completed bachelor's from SNHU.  

1. Arizona State University 

Tempe, Arizona is home to Arizona State University's Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, which offers one of the more flexible entry points for students with prior college coursework. ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its traditional BSN program is known for evaluating transfer credit generously, making it a practical option if you've completed general education coursework at SNHU.

Beyond its traditional BSN, ASU also offers bridge pathways for students who later want to advance into graduate nursing roles, giving you room to grow within the same university system.

2. Baylor University

Baylor University's Louise Herrington School of Nursing runs a Distance Accelerated BSN program built specifically for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Coursework is delivered 100% online, with two in-person skills lab residencies in Dallas and in-state clinical rotations rounding out the hands-on requirements.

Located in Waco, Texas, and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Baylor's program can be completed in as little as 12 months, making it one of the faster second-degree options on this list for SNHU graduates ready to pivot into nursing. 

3. Duquesne University

If you're looking for an accelerated second-degree BSN with a strong academic reputation, Duquesne University's program in Pittsburgh is worth a close look. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its program is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, transferring in general academic credit while focusing coursework entirely on nursing.

Duquesne's program can be completed in 12 to 16 months, and graduates have posted strong first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, a good sign for how well the curriculum prepares students for licensure.

4. George Mason University

George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia, offers a 12-month Accelerated Second Degree BSN pathway for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. The program admits once a year in the fall and includes extensive clinical placements throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area.

As a public university accredited by the SACSCOC, George Mason combines the affordability often associated with public institutions with a rigorous, clinically focused nursing curriculum.

5. Holy Family University

For SNHU graduates who'd prefer to minimize time spent on campus, Holy Family University's Second Degree Distance Hybrid BSN program is worth considering. Coursework is delivered entirely online, aside from a single one-week residency, with clinical placements arranged locally near the university's Philadelphia campus.

Holy Family is accredited by the MSCHE, and its 14-month timeline makes it one of the more streamlined second-degree paths available for career changers coming from a non-nursing background. It’s one of the best hybrid nursing programs available.

6. Immaculata University

Immaculata University, located just outside Philadelphia in Immaculata, Pennsylvania, has been educating nurses for more than 30 years and offers an Accelerated Second Degree BSN designed around evidence-based, patient-centered practice. Students consistently point to the program's close-knit cohort structure and hands-on faculty support as standout features.

The university holds accreditation from the MSCHE, giving SNHU graduates with a completed bachelor's degree a well-established, values-driven option for entering the nursing field.   

7. Kean University

Kean University offers an Accelerated Second Degree BSN built for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, with the full program completed in just 12 months. Coursework blends clinical training with exposure to modern healthcare technologies, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level nursing roles across a range of care settings.

As a public university in Union, New Jersey, accredited by the MSCHE, Kean provides a budget-friendly option for SNHU graduates pursuing a second-degree nursing path.

8. Northeastern University

Northeastern University stands out on this list for offering two distinct entry points within the same Accelerated BSN program: one for students with a completed bachelor's degree, and another for those with at least 62 non-nursing college credits. That flexibility makes it a strong fit whether you finished a full degree at SNHU or are further along with general education coursework.

Northeastern is one of the best colleges in Boston. Accredited by the NECHE, the nursing program here can be completed in as few as 16 months and carries the reputation of a well-regarded research university.

9. Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University's Second Degree Accelerated BSN program lets students transfer in general academic coursework from their prior degree, then focus exclusively on an immersive nursing curriculum running from May through the following August. Faculty hold doctoral degrees or professional certifications as nurse practitioners, and clinical placements take place at respected healthcare institutions near the university's Fairfield, Connecticut campus.

Sacred Heart is accredited by the NECHE, making it a solid choice for SNHU graduates who want a compressed, faculty-supported path into nursing.

10. The College of New Jersey

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), located in Ewing, New Jersey, offers an Accelerated Second-Degree BSN that can be completed in just 14 months of full-time study through a hybrid format combining synchronous and asynchronous coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations. Students interested in going further can continue directly into TCNJ's MSN program after finishing their BSN.

As a public university accredited by the MSCHE, TCNJ offers small class sizes and direct access to nationally recognized nursing faculty, without the price tag often associated with private institutions. 

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. For the nursing programs on this list, we also look at:

• Institutional accreditation: Whether the school holds accreditation from a recognized regional or national accrediting body, separate from nursing-specific accreditation.
• Nursing program accreditation: Whether the nursing program itself holds CCNE or ACEN accreditation, which affects licensure eligibility, employer recognition, and graduate nursing school admissions.
• Accepts SNHU coursework: Whether the program evaluates general education credits or a completed bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited university like SNHU for transfer or admission.
• Program format and length: Whether the program offers a traditional or accelerated timeline, and how much of the coursework is delivered online versus in person.

What Else Do Nursing Programs Require Besides Accreditation? 

Beyond accreditation, nursing programs weigh several other factors that can significantly affect your chances of admission.

Program-Specific Prerequisite Coursework

Most nursing programs require specific prerequisite courses, such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and statistics, often completed with a lab component and within a certain number of years before enrollment.

Minimum GPA

Nursing programs typically set a minimum GPA requirement, commonly somewhere between 2.75 and 3.0, applied either to your overall undergraduate record or specifically to your prerequisite science coursework.

Background Check and Immunization Requirements

Because clinical placements involve direct patient contact, nursing programs generally require a criminal background check, drug screening, and proof of specific immunizations before you can begin clinical coursework.

Clinical Hour Requirements

Entry-level and second-degree BSN programs include a substantial number of supervised clinical hours, often several hundred, completed at partner healthcare facilities as part of your coursework.

NCLEX Licensure Exam

Graduates of entry-level and second-degree BSN programs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed and begin practicing as a registered nurse.

Nursing Degrees Offered by SNHU

If you're already a licensed RN, or plan to become one through one of the programs above, it's worth knowing that SNHU offers its own catalog of nursing degrees for further advancement. It's important to note that all of SNHU's nursing programs require an active RN license before you can enroll, so if you completed only general education credits or an associate degree at SNHU, you'll need to earn your RN license elsewhere first before returning to SNHU for these programs.

• Nursing (BSN): An online RN-to-BSN completion program for licensed RNs looking to earn their bachelor's degree, with an Accelerated Track (RN to MSN) available for RNs ready to move directly into graduate study.
• Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN): Prepares licensed RNs for advanced practice roles providing primary care across the lifespan.
• Nurse Executive Leadership (MSN): Designed for RNs pursuing administrative or leadership roles within healthcare organizations.
• Nursing Education (MSN): Prepares RNs to teach in academic or clinical nursing education settings, with a Post Master's Graduate Certificate also available for those who already hold a relevant master's degree.
• Population Health (MSN): Focuses on improving health outcomes across communities and patient populations, blending clinical knowledge with public health principles.
• Healthcare Quality & Safety (MSN): Prepares RNs to lead quality improvement and patient safety initiatives within healthcare systems, with a Post Master's Graduate Certificate also available.

For SNHU graduates who complete their RN license through one of the accelerated programs featured earlier in this guide, SNHU's online RN-to-BSN and graduate nursing programs can offer a familiar, convenient path for continuing your education down the road. 

Tips for Preparing a Strong Nursing School Application

A few intentional steps can help make your nursing school application as competitive as possible, whether you're applying to a traditional or accelerated program.

• Confirm prerequisite coursework early: Review each program's specific prerequisite requirements, including lab components and course age limits, well before your application deadline.
• Protect your science GPA: Since many programs weigh your science and prerequisite GPA separately from your overall GPA, prioritize strong performance in these courses specifically.
• Start your background check and immunization paperwork early: These requirements can take time to complete, so begin gathering documentation as soon as you're accepted, or even before, if a program allows it.
• Research each program's clinical placement process: Understanding how and where clinical hours are completed can help you plan around work, family, or relocation needs.
• Prepare financially for an intensive timeline: Accelerated second-degree programs often don't allow for outside employment during the program, so plan your finances accordingly before enrolling.
• Talk to current students or alumni if possible: Many programs can connect you with current students or graduates who can offer firsthand insight into the pace and demands of the curriculum. 

FAQs About Nursing Program Admission With an SNHU Degree 

If you're considering a nursing program after completing coursework at SNHU, these answers address some of the most common questions about transfer credit, accreditation, and how your SNHU background factors in.

Can You Become a Nurse With a Non-Nursing SNHU Degree?

Accelerated second-degree BSN programs are specifically designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. These programs typically transfer in your general academic credit and focus exclusively on nursing coursework, allowing you to earn your BSN in as little as 12 to 16 months.

Does SNHU Offer an Entry-Level Nursing Program?

SNHU's nursing programs are all designed for students who already hold an active RN license, including its RN-to-BSN completion program and its graduate nursing degrees. If you want to become a registered nurse for the first time, you'll need to complete a traditional or accelerated BSN program elsewhere before returning to SNHU for further education, if you choose to.

Does an Online Degree From SNHU Affect Nursing School Admission?

Nursing programs evaluate your degree or coursework based on your institution's accreditation, not whether it was completed online or on campus. As long as your coursework comes from an accredited institution like SNHU, an online format won't count against you.

What GPA Do You Need for Nursing School?

It depends on the program, but most set a minimum GPA requirement somewhere between 2.75 and 3.0. Some programs weigh your prerequisite science coursework separately from your overall GPA, so strong performance in classes like anatomy and physiology or microbiology can matter more than your overall average.

Can You Transfer General Education Credits From SNHU to a BSN Program?

Many traditional and accelerated BSN programs evaluate general education credits for transfer, particularly courses like English composition, statistics, and psychology. Since transfer policies vary by school, it's worth confirming which of your specific SNHU credits will apply before enrolling.

Find Transfer-Friendly Nursing Programs

Whether you're building toward nursing school with general education credits from SNHU or ready to pivot with a completed bachelor's degree, an accredited SNHU background meets the baseline requirement nearly every nursing program looks for. Explore the online degree programs featured on Learn.org, and reach out to your target nursing programs directly to confirm their specific transfer credit and admissions requirements.