Stevenson University Online (SUO) offers a flexible RN to BS program designed specifically for working registered nurses seeking to advance their education and career opportunities.
SUO’s accelerated format allows part-time students to complete one nursing course at a time in 8-week sessions, with the exception of the capstone community health course offered in a full 16-week semester.
With asynchronous online delivery, 24/7 platform access, and dedicated faculty support, the program provides flexibility for nurses to balance demanding work schedules with family responsibilities.
Through partnerships with 14 Maryland community colleges and the Maryland Articulation Model, SUO accepts transfer credits and awards 30 upper-division nursing credits to registered nurses with active, unencumbered licenses, requiring only 30 credits at Stevenson for degree completion.
RN to BS Admission Summary
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Licensure Requirements:
- Active, unencumbered nursing license (Maryland or compact state)
- 30 upper-division nursing credits awarded upon enrollment with valid license per Maryland Articulation Model
- License must remain active throughout program
Academic Credentials:
- Completion of associate degree in nursing or nursing diploma program
- No minimum GPA specified for admission
- Must achieve grade of “C” or better in all required Stevenson nursing courses
- Highly motivated, self-directed learners able to participate in independent learning activities
Transfer Credits – Maryland Articulation Model
Stevenson University Online Articulated College Transfer (SUO ACT): Nursing students who earned Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) in nursing have satisfied all general education requirements for Stevenson University Online’s RN to BS program.
Transfer Credit Allowances:
- Maximum 70 transfer credits from regionally accredited community college
- Maximum 90 transfer credits from regionally accredited four-year institution
- 30 upper-division nursing credits awarded to registered nurses with active, unencumbered nursing license upon enrollment (per Maryland Articulation Model)
- RNs may transfer prerequisite non-nursing courses and college core courses
- RN to BS nursing program requirements (30 credits) must be taken at Stevenson University
- Minimum 30 credits must be completed at Stevenson University for graduation
- Final 30 credits for degree must be earned at Stevenson University
Total Program Credits: 120 credits required for Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
Prerequisite Courses
The following program requirements may be completed at another college or university and transferred to Stevenson (official transcripts required upon course completion):
Required Prerequisites:
- Freshman Composition
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Microbiology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Human Growth and Development
- Communication course
- Chemistry
- Nutrition
- Statistics
- Ethics
Application Process
Flexible Entry and Exit Points: Multiple entry and exit points enable registered nurses to complete requirements according to professional and personal goals
Contact Information: Contact enrollment counselor for further details on:
- Transfer credit evaluation
- Program requirements
- Course scheduling
- Partnership opportunities
Community College Partnerships
SUO partners with 14 Maryland community colleges:
- Anne Arundel Community College
- Baltimore City Community College
- Carroll Community College
- Cecil Community College
- Chesapeake College
- College of Southern Maryland
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Frederick Community College
- Hagerstown Community College
- Harford Community College
- Howard Community College
- Montgomery College
- Prince George’s Community College
- Wor-Wic Community College
Partnership Benefits: Transfer guides allow registered nurses to complete all non-nursing program requirements at community college. RN to BS courses completed through Stevenson University at Owings Mills site, hospital partner site, community college site, or online.
Academic Standards and Progression
Grade Requirements:
- Grade of “C” or better required in all required Stevenson nursing courses
- If student receives “D” or “F” in any nursing course, course must be repeated and “C” or better achieved
- Maximum one nursing course may be repeated once throughout program
- Students earning second grade of “D” or “F” in nursing course automatically dismissed from RN to BS option
Transition to RN to MS Option
Students who start RN to BS option and later decide RN to MS option would be better choice can still apply.
Criteria for Admission:
- Completion of at least 12 RN to BS credits
- GPA of 3.00 or above
- Completion of application for admission
Curriculum
The RN to BS program at Stevenson University requires 120 total credits for Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Students complete 30 upper-level nursing credits at Stevenson, receive 30 upper-division nursing credits for active RN license, and transfer up to 60 credits from prior coursework.
Program Structure and Format
Accelerated Format:
- One nursing course at a time (8-week sessions)
- Exception: NURS 424 Health in the Community (16-week semester)
- Multiple entry and exit points for flexibility
- Part-time enrollment designed for working nurses
Course Delivery:
- Asynchronous online learning (complete coursework on own schedule)
- Some courses offered in hybrid format (combining online and face-to-face delivery at various Maryland locations)
- All RN to BS courses offered online throughout year
- 24/7 platform access
- Mobile-friendly, intuitive design
- Flexible pacing options
Support Structure:
- Dedicated academic advisors from enrollment to graduation
- Responsive, experienced faculty
- 24/7 technical support
- Access to online library, career, and student services
- Support systems specifically designed for busy nursing professionals
Nursing Philosophy and Framework
Caring-Centered Approach: Philosophy emphasizes ethic of caring, critical thinking, and spirit of inquiry in education, practice, service, and research. Nursing essence grounded in caring philosophy existing in authentic relationships through which all persons respected and nurtured. Within co-created relationships, caring opens possibility of transformation, inviting growth, healing, and wholeness of persons, families, and communities.
Core Values:
- Academic and practice dimensions of professional nursing discipline
- Scholarship and academic integrity
- Professional involvement and lifelong learning
- Diversity in ways of being and ways of knowing
- Reflective practice in caring environment
Required Upper-Level Nursing Courses at Stevenson (30 Credits)
GEN 200 – Writing and Research for the Adult Learner (3 credits). You study how beliefs shape choices and success. You practice critical reading, time and stress management, research methods, and clear academic writing, ending with a scholarly paper.
NURS 312 – Physical Assessment and Pathophysiology (3 credits). You build head-to-toe assessment and interviewing skills across the lifespan. You link findings to common pathophysiologic conditions. Restricted to RN to BS majors.
NURS 315 – Information Technology in Nursing and Health Care (3 credits). You learn how informatics supports safer care, education, and data access. You manage nursing data and explore informatics as a specialty. Restricted to RN to BS majors.
NURS 316 – Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice I (3 credits). You examine nursing philosophy and key theorists. You apply evidence to clinical problem-solving and strengthen cultural literacy and professional identity.
NURS 414 – Nursing Leadership for RNs (3 credits). You apply core leadership and management concepts to real care settings. You practice delegation, teamwork, motivation, conflict resolution, and negotiation. Restricted to RN to BS majors.
NURS 416 – Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice II (3 credits). You integrate caring, autonomy, altruism, and social justice into practice. You craft a personal nursing philosophy and complete an advocacy project that links policy to patient outcomes.
NURS 418 – Nursing Research in Professional Practice (3 credits). You review study designs, ethics, and data use. You appraise research and translate findings into evidence-based care for individuals and populations. Restricted to NURS majors; repeatable.
NURS 424 – Health in the Community (6 credits). You assess communities, set goals, and plan interventions using epidemiology, informatics, and health promotion. You complete 45 mentored clinical hours focused on public or community health. Restricted to RN to BS majors.
NURS 434 – Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice III (3 credits). You synthesize program learning to propose practical changes in care delivery. You plan how to influence quality improvement as an individual and within teams.
Total Upper-Level Nursing Credits at Stevenson: 30 credits
Prior to Enrolling in NURS 424 Requirements
Health and Safety Documentation:
- Submit proof of health insurance coverage
- Submit current CPR certification
- Substantiate adherence to Department of Nursing’s Health Requirements
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of Stevenson University baccalaureate nursing program, graduates will be able to:
- Integrate concepts of caring in nursing practice in diverse healthcare settings across health-illness continuum
- Engage in holistic reflective nursing practice informed by arts, sciences, and humanities
- Exhibit competencies in critical thinking, communication, evidence-based decision making, scholarly inquiry and technical skills in nursing practice
- Integrate professional competencies in nursing roles of provider, designer, manager, and coordinator of care and participate as active profession member
- Assume ethical and legal responsibility and accountability in nursing practice, exemplifying values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice
- Apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision-making in creating caring environments to promote health and healing in individuals, families, communities, and global populations
More curriculum details available here.
Clinicals
NURS 424 serves as the RN to BS capstone, pairing a 16-week course with 45 hours of mentored community practice. You apply population-health concepts in real settings while meeting health, CPR, and program clearance requirements. The practicum builds on your current RN skills instead of repeating routine competencies.
Key points
- Course: NURS 424 Health in the Community (full 16-week term)
- Clinical hours: 45 mentored hours in community-focused sites
- Site selection: Chosen with faculty guidance; must involve identifiable public or community health needs and active nursing roles
- Learning focus: Apply epidemiology, informatics, economics, environmental health, health promotion, vulnerable populations, and global health
- Approach: Practice-based, leveraging your existing RN experience; no duplicate basic skills
- Requirements before enrollment: Proof of health insurance, current CPR certification, and compliance with Department of Nursing health requirements
Tuition
Cost Per Credit (2025-2026)
RN to BS Program Tuition:
- $500 per credit
Simplified Pricing: Stevenson University Online has eliminated all fees, simplifying education cost. No additional fees beyond per-credit tuition rate.
Total Program Cost Calculation
RN to BS Program: 30 Credits at Stevenson University
Total Tuition:
- 30 credits × $500 per credit = $15,000
No Additional Fees:
- No registration fees
- No technology fees
- No student services fees
- No graduation fee ($25 graduation fee may apply – see miscellaneous charges)
Additional Costs
Books and Course Materials:
- Estimated cost per year for full-time undergraduate students: $1,400
- Actual costs vary by program and individual course requirements
Miscellaneous Charges (if applicable):
- Graduation Fee: $25
- Return Check or ACH Fee: $25 (if applicable)
- Club Sports Athletic Fee: Varies by team (participants only – not typically applicable to online RN to BS students)
Additional Expenses (not billed by University):
- Computer and technology requirements
- Internet access
- Health insurance (proof required for clinical course)
- CPR certification (current certification required for clinical course)
- Health requirements documentation
- Background checks and health screenings
- Professional liability insurance (if not covered by employer)
- Transportation to clinical practicum site
- Living expenses
Value Proposition
Cost-Saving Features:
- Accept up to 70 transfer credits from community colleges
- Accept up to 90 transfer credits from four-year institutions
- 30 upper-division nursing credits awarded for active RN license
- Only 30 credits required at Stevenson for degree completion
- No hidden fees beyond tuition
- Flexible pacing reduces opportunity costs
Return on Investment:
- Opens doors to leadership roles
- Expands clinical knowledge
- Prepares for graduate-level study
- Meets growing employer requirements for BSN
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Resources: Available to qualified students to make completing degree more accessible. SUO’s financial aid resources help students afford their education.
Employer Tuition Assistance: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for nurses pursuing BSN degrees. Check with employer about available benefits.
Graduate Assistant Positions: Available to qualified master’s students (not applicable to undergraduate RN to BS program, but option for future graduate study at SUO).
Flexible Payment Options: Payment plans available to help manage education costs
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Stevenson University’s nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. CCNE accreditation is the gold standard for nursing education, ensuring academic rigor, professional credibility, and recognition by employers nationwide. This accreditation qualifies graduates for licensure requirements and meets standards for admission into graduate nursing programs, providing confidence that hard work will be respected in the nursing field and opening doors for future career advancement and continued education.
Related School Nursing Programs
Stevenson University Online offers comprehensive nursing education pathways for various career stages:
Undergraduate Nursing Programs:
- RN to BS in Nursing – Accelerated degree completion for registered nurses (current program); flexible 8-week online courses designed for working professionals
- Associate to Bachelor’s (ATB) in Nursing – Pathway for students transitioning from associate to bachelor’s degree; tuition rate $500 per credit
- RN to BS/MS in Nursing – Dual degree option allowing students to pursue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees; seamless progression for career advancement; tuition rate $500 per credit for undergraduate portion
Graduate Nursing Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MS) – Advanced degree for BSN-prepared nurses; tuition rate $641 per credit
Graduate Certificates in Nursing:
- Population Health Nursing Certificate (formerly Population-Based Care Coordination through Summer 2025) – Graduate certificate for specialized practice; tuition rate $641 per credit
- Nursing Education Certificate – Prepares nurses for teaching roles; tuition rate $641 per credit
Career Support Services: Dedicated career services team offers:
- Resume reviews
- Interview preparation
- Networking opportunities
- Job search support
- Alumni connections
- Support for pursuing leadership roles, specialized practice, and advanced degrees
Program Strengths and Features:
- Asynchronous Learning: Complete coursework on own schedule with 24/7 platform access
- Experienced Faculty: Bring unique backgrounds and experiences to courses, exposing students to many opportunities in nursing field
- Small Class Sizes: Personalized attention and stronger connections with faculty and classmates
- Dedicated Support: Academic advisors, responsive instructors, and 24/7 technical support
- Flexible Format: One 8-week course at a time allows focus and work-life balance
- Maryland Partnerships: Collaborations with 14 Maryland community colleges facilitate seamless transfer
- Alumni Network: Engaged alumni provide networking and professional development opportunities
Philosophy and Values: Nursing program dedicated to pursuit of higher learning grounded in arts, sciences, and humanities. Emphasizes ethic of caring, critical thinking, and spirit of inquiry in education, practice, service, and research. Faculty values scholarship and academic integrity and seeks to foster professional involvement and lifelong learning in students and graduates.
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