As a nursing major, you’ll have access to facilities and resources at Manchester’s North Manchester campus and Fort Wayne location, the hub of MU’s health sciences programs.

Freshman year begins with an introduction to the nursing career and a focus on completing Manchester Core requirements as well as pre-nursing preparatory classes.

In the fall of your sophomore year, you’ll begin to take nursing-specific courses and, in the spring semester, attend clinicals.

Junior and senior year, you’ll be fully immersed in the nursing program and interprofessional health care experiences. You’ll also be participating in clinical and academic experiences at off-campus health care venues.

Admission into Manchester University’s Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a competitive, two-step process. Students must first be admitted to the university, then apply separately for admission into the nursing cohort. Entry is limited and not guaranteed by university acceptance alone.

Early Assurance Program (For Incoming High School Seniors):

High-achieving high school students may apply for Early Assurance, which secures a seat in the nursing cohort, provided specific academic conditions are met during their first years at Manchester.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum high school GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Completion of college prep courses, including science with labs

To retain Early Assurance status in college, students must:

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Earn a grade of “C” or better in all required science courses

Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in the following Manchester courses:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• Chemistry

Recommended—but not required—experiences to strengthen the application:

• 1 year of high school psychology
• 1 year of anatomy and physiology
• 30 hours of community service
• Volunteer or employment hours in a health care setting
• Participation in a health science-focused high school program

Standard Admission (Typically for Sophomore Applicants):

Students not offered Early Assurance—or those who switch into nursing from another major—may apply through the Standard Admission process during their sophomore year.

Eligibility Requirements:
At least 30 credit hours of college-level coursework, including:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Statistics
• Psychology
• Introduction to Nursing
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in science courses listed above, with grades of “C” or better

Additional Requirement:
All eligible students must complete an on-campus interview process prior to the start of the sophomore year. This includes submission of a prompted writing sample.

Note:
International students are currently not eligible to apply to the Traditional BSN program.

The Traditional BSN curriculum at Manchester University is structured over eight semesters and includes both core liberal arts courses and comprehensive nursing education. Clinical courses begin in the spring of the sophomore year, with students completing 756 total clinical hours across diverse healthcare settings. The program requires at least 120 credit hours for graduation.

Students develop clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration skills through simulation labs and real-world patient care. The curriculum emphasizes safety, cultural competence, communication, and leadership—ensuring graduates are fully prepared for RN licensure and clinical success.

The annual tuition for Manchester University’s Traditional BSN program is $35,800, with additional mandatory fees including a $260 student activity fee and a $1,075 residential facility fee. Students should also anticipate specific nursing course fees for clinical and lab-intensive classes.

Nursing Course Fees (per course):

NURS 215: Health Assessment – $1,250
NURS 220: Fundamentals of Nursing – $1,250
NURS 320: Adult Health I – $1,250
NURS 325: Adult Health II – $1,250
NURS 430: Nursing Care of the Critically Ill – $1,250
NURS 435: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice – $1,250

Housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses are not included in the above totals and should be factored into each student’s overall cost of attendance. Manchester University provides personalized financial counseling and encourages all students to apply for federal financial aid and institutional scholarships.

See the full tuition breakdown on Tuition & Fees

At this time, international students are not eligible to apply to Manchester University’s Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The BSN has not received approval from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for F-1 visa sponsorship, which is required for international enrollment.

International applicants interested in other health science programs may be eligible to apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Athletic Training, or MBA programs. For a full list of approved programs and application instructions, please visit International Admissions.

Nursing students at Manchester University have several opportunities to connect outside the classroom through student-led organizations and leadership roles. These groups support academic success, professional development, and peer collaboration throughout the BSN journey.

Key opportunities include:

• Student Nurses Association (SNA): Offers leadership experience, networking, and service learning in the nursing community. Members attend state and national conventions and participate in volunteer activities.
• Manchester University Nursing Honor Society: Recognizes academic excellence and leadership potential among junior and senior nursing students.
• Peer Mentorship Programs: Upper-level nursing students often serve as mentors for underclassmen, helping with academic preparation and clinical transition.
• Health and Wellness Club: A multidisciplinary student organization promoting campus-wide wellness education, open to all health profession majors.

These organizations help BSN students build relationships, gain practical leadership skills, and make lasting contributions to the campus and local healthcare communities.

Students train in simulation labs on both the Fort Wayne and North Manchester campuses using high-tech manikins that simulate realistic patient responses. Clinical experiences occur at regional hospitals, clinics, and rehab centers in both urban and rural settings. Coursework is delivered through Canvas, supported by 24/7 tech assistance.

The Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Manchester University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Manchester nursing students practice basic and advanced skills in state-of-the art nursing labs on both the North Manchester and Fort Wayne campuses. Training equipment includes high-tech nursing simulation manikins that can mimic human reaction to illness – including the ability to cry, sweat and bleed. This practice before entering a hospital or clinical setting builds student confidence and promotes better patient care.

• Nursing Lab and Classroom at North Manchester
• Nursing Lab on Fort Wayne Campus
• Nursing Classroom on Fort Wayne Campus