University of Washington
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) · Seattle, WA · school's own site (opens the school's website in a new tab)
ActiveIn personlast verified Oct 2026
Prerequisites
The courses University of Washington says you need before you start, as published on its own pages. Credits, labs, and minimum grades are shown where the school states them.
- 01StatisticsStatistics · STAT220, EDPSYCH490, QMETH201 (sample UW)Should be a basic course in descriptive and inferential statistics.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“STATISTICS COURSE – One course/min. 3 quarter credit hours, 3.0 grade or higher required”
credits3 qtrmin gradeB - 02General ChemistryGeneral Chemistry · CHEM120 (sample UW)Courses combining chemistry subjects do not count; the course must focus only on General Chemistry. If taken as a series, at least 5 quarter credits (3 semester credits) must be earned at 3.0 or higher.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“1.GENERAL CHEMISTRY (5 quarter credits) Single course or General Chemistry series.”
credits5 qtrmin gradeB - 03Organic ChemistryOrganic Chemistry · CHEM220 and 221 (sample UW)5-10 quarter credits. Students taking CHEM220 at UW must also take CHEM221.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“2.ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (5-10 quarter credits) Single course or Organic Chemistry series.”
credits5 qtrmin gradeB - 04Combined Anatomy & Physiology (one course)Human Anatomy and Physiology · BIOL118 and 119 (Physiology), NURS 301 (Anatomy) (sample UW)Can be an A&P I/II series or separate Anatomy and Physiology courses. Counts as two Natural Sciences courses. Students taking BIOL118 at UW must also take BIOL119.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“3-4. HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (10-15 quarter credits) At least 2 courses, 5 quarter credits/3 semester credits each.”
credits10 qtrmin gradeB - 05MicrobiologyGeneral Microbiology · MICROM301 and 302 (sample UW)If the lab is not integrated into the lecture course, you must also complete a separate lab course.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“5.GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (5 quarter credits) Both lecture and lab component are required for Microbiology.”
credits5 qtrlabrequiredmin gradeB - 06NutritionNutrition · NUTR200 (sample UW)Counted as a Natural Sciences course.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“6.NUTRITION (4 quarter credits) The course should cover special nutritional needs for different groups, food composition (some chemistry), and diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies.”
credits4 qtrmin gradeB - 07Lifespan / Human Growth & DevelopmentLifespan Growth and Development · NURS201 (sample UW)Must cover the whole human lifespan, from birth to death. May be titled Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Psychology.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“LIFESPAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT – One course/min. 5 quarter credit hours, 3.0 grade or higher required”
credits5 qtrmin gradeB
Minimum prerequisite grade
3.0 (B) in each prerequisite
source · nursing.uw.edu
“A minimum grade of 3.0 ("B") in each ABSN prerequisite course, including all Natural Sciences courses, Lifespan Growth and Development and Statistics.”
Prerequisites completed at application
At least 3 Natural Sciences courses (grade 3.0+) completed at application; all prerequisites completed before the start date
The worksheet adds: 'REQUIRED TO START UW ABSN PROGRAM: You must complete all courses on this worksheet with a 3.0/"B" or higher before your start date.'
source · nursing.uw.edu
“At the time you apply, at least three Natural Sciences prerequisite courses completed with a grade of 3.0 or higher in each course.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Do prerequisites expire?
Prerequisite expiration
No expiration
source · nursing.uw.edu
“There is no expiration date for prerequisite courses. You may choose to retake a course if you need a refresher before beginning the program.”
Retakes
Retaking a course to improve the grade is acceptable
How repeated grades are treated in the GPA is not stated.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“It is acceptable retake a course to improve the grade, or to refresh the course content.”
Attempt limits Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
GPA and grades
Minimum cumulative GPA for admission
2.8
Calculated across all courses at all schools attended (per the worksheet).
source · nursing.uw.edu
“A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 across all completed college-level coursework.”
Science GPA Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Is there an entrance exam?
Entrance exam
No TEAS required
source · nursing.uw.edu
“There is no fee to submit the School of Nursing application, and the TEAS exam is not required.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Where can courses be taken?
Community college coursework
Community and technical college courses can be used; check the UW Equivalency Guide for Washington schools
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Start with the UW Equivalency Guide if you attended a Washington state community or technical college.”
Credit by exam
No CLEP credit; AP and IB credit may be accepted under University guidelines
source · nursing.uw.edu
“UW does not accept CLEP credit. AP and IB credit may be accepted under the University's standard guidelines.”
Online labs Not published. Confirm with the school.
Pass/fail courses Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Application deadlines and start dates
Upcoming cycles University of Washington publishes. A date without a year on the school's page is noted rather than guessed.
No upcoming application dates published. Confirm with the school.
Application system
UW School of Nursing Application Portal (not NursingCAS)
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Applications are submitted through the UW School of Nursing Application Portal .”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Cost
Tuition and fees as the school publishes them. Living costs vary; the source link has the full table.
Tuition
Fee-based program rate, the same regardless of residency
The dollar amount is not given on these pages.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Fee-based tuition means students pay the same program rate regardless of residency, with no out-of-state premium.”
Application fee
No School of Nursing application fee; admitted students pay the UW postbaccalaureate application fee
If admitted, you must submit a separate UW postbaccalaureate application and pay the UW application fee. The amount is not stated.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“There is no fee to submit the School of Nursing application, and the TEAS exam is not required.”
Residency and tuition
Same program rate for residents and nonresidents
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Fee-based tuition means students pay the same program rate regardless of residency, with no out-of-state premium.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Other requirements
What the school asks for beyond courses and scores.
Prior degree
Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, completed before the program begins
source · nursing.uw.edu
“A bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field completed before the program begins.”
Essays
Required essay prompts, plus an optional statement addressing academic concerns
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Responses to required prompts about your motivation, preparation and alignment with the School of Nursing's mission.”
Recommendations
One required recommendation form
Your recommender does not need to be a nurse.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“One required recommendation form addressing specific questions about your preparation and qualifications.”
CNA
Not required
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Many applicants complete nursing assistant training or work as nursing assistants before applying, but this is not required.”
Healthcare experience
At least 100 hands-on hours in one setting, within a three-month span, during the 12 months before applying
The experience should be supervised, include direct patient contact and involve working alongside registered nurses.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“At least 100 hours of hands-on healthcare experience completed in one setting within a three-month span during the 12 months before you apply.”
Transcripts
Official transcripts from every college attended; unofficial transcripts not accepted
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Unofficial transcripts are not accepted.”
Background check
A finding is reviewed individually and does not automatically disqualify you
source · nursing.uw.edu
“A finding on your background check does not automatically disqualify you from the program.”
Pre-application transcript review
No full transcript evaluations before you apply; specific course questions go to asknursing@uw.edu
source · nursing.uw.edu
“UW School of Nursing does not provide full transcript evaluations before you apply.”
- Meet the Essential Qualifications & Behaviors for Nursing Students (motor, sensory, communication, cognitive, behavioral and professional standards).
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Meet the Essential Qualifications & Behaviors for Nursing Students .”
- Provide proof of English language proficiency when required.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Provide proof of English language proficiency , when required.”
- Submit a credential evaluation (WES recommended) for coursework completed outside the U.S.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“A credential evaluation for coursework completed outside the United States, when applicable. WES is recommended.”
Interview Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Good to know
What the school says about the program that is not a requirement: how it selects, how many it admits, what to expect.
Format
Full-time, in-person; not offered online or by distance learning
source · nursing.uw.edu
“The ABSN is a full-time, in-person program completed over four consecutive quarters, beginning in spring or autumn. It is not offered as an online or distance-learning program.”
Start terms
Spring and autumn
One application covers both possible start dates.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“One application, two possible start dates. Spring and autumn cohorts mean you don't wait a year to begin your career change.”
UW postbaccalaureate application
Admitted students must also apply to UW as postbaccalaureate students
Admission to the School of Nursing does not guarantee admission to the UW.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“If you are admitted to the ABSN program, you must also submit a separate UW postbaccalaureate application for your assigned start quarter and pay the UW application fee.”
Credit system
Requirements are in quarter credits; semester credits × 1.5
The worksheet adds that in many cases 3 semester credits are comparable to 5 quarter credits. The program page's example gives 4.5.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“Credit requirements are listed in quarter credits. To estimate quarter credits from semester credits, multiply the number of semester credits by 1.5.”
NCLEX pass rate
91% first-time
source · nursing.uw.edu
“91% First-time NCLEX pass rate”
Separate UW postbaccalaureate application
Required after School of Nursing admission
Admission to the School of Nursing does not guarantee admission to the UW.
source · nursing.uw.edu
“If you are admitted to the ABSN program, you must also submit a separate UW postbaccalaureate application for your assigned start quarter and pay the UW application fee.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Sources
Every page we read for University of Washington, with when we last checked it. Tier 1 is the program's own pages; tier 2 the nursing school's general pages; tier 3 university-wide pages.
- Accelerated BSN: One year. Endless Possibilities.tier 1 · program page · checked Oct 13, 2026
- https://nursing.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ABSN-Prerequisites.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 13, 2026
- https://nursing.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABSN-Prerequisites_Sample.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 13, 2026
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Information Sessions - UW School of Nursingtier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 13, 2026
- How to apply - UW School of Nursingtier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 13, 2026
- Policy 4.1: Essential Qualifications & Behaviors - Current Studentstier 3 · policy · checked Oct 13, 2026
Open questions we're still checking
- Exact spring and autumn start dates are not printed (the worksheet refers to the UW Academic Calendars). It is unclear which start quarters follow the Oct 15, 2026 deadline.
- The application opening day in August 2026 is not specified.
- The tuition dollar amount is not given on these pages.
- The campus location is not explicitly stated for the ABSN.
- No policy is stated on online labs or pass/fail prerequisites.
- The School of Nursing Application Portal URL is not given in the page text.
- Information session dates (e.g., Thursday, October 8) are printed without a year.
- Exact spring and autumn start dates are not printed; the pages refer applicants to the UW Academic Calendars.
- The application opening is given only as 'Aug 2026' with no day.
- The campus location is not explicitly named on the program page (the apply page references Seattle's health systems).
- The semester-to-quarter conversion is inconsistent: the program page says 3 semester credits ≈ 4.5 quarter credits, while the worksheet says 3 semester credits are often comparable to 5 quarter credits.
- How retaken courses are counted in the GPA is not stated.
- The prerequisite worksheet is dated January 2024; confirm it is current.
- Whether labs are required for chemistry or A&P is not stated, and no online lab policy is given.
Something wrong here? Report an error
ABSNcheck summarizes requirements that schools publish on their own websites, with a link to each source and the date we last verified it. Schools change requirements, sometimes contradict themselves, and make individual decisions. Results show whether you meet published minimums; they are not an admission decision or a guarantee, and are not official advice from any school. Always confirm requirements with each program before you apply or enroll in a course.
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