Rockhurst University and Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Nursing programs and courses are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education*.

Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences is approved by the State of Missouri to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). As a participating institution, Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences may offer online programs to students in other SARA member states without seeking authorization in that state. 

The School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Business courses are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

* The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Rockhurst University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

You can find more information on this page or schedule an appointment with your Rockhurst University enrollment adviser.

• State requirement
  • Residency in one of the following states: Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri or Nebraska
• Bachelor’s degree in any field
• 2.7 GPA or higher
• Resume
• Completion of prerequisites:
  • Must complete 2 of 4 science prerequisites for your application to be reviewed
  • Science credits must be no older than 7 years; older credits trigger an ATI TEAS admission exam
  • Cannot repeat science courses more than once
  • Minimum of grade C in all prerequisite courses
  • 2.7 cumulative GPA or higher for prerequisite coursework

Yes, students must have completed these prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C in each course:

• Anatomy & Physiology I & II with lab (8 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• General Chemistry or Organic Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
• Nutrition (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Life Span/Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

*Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher for prerequisites, and a minimum of grade C in all prerequisite courses.

Yes. Rockhurst University welcomes ABSN students to stay on campus and utilize housing and dining services during their stay.

Cost saving benefits include:

• A private bedroom for each night
• Pillow and linens included
• 10 meals in the dining center
• Free laundry and internet access
• Community style living and bathrooms

Once enrolled, you will be receiving more residency details from your professor and Student Success Adviser.
If interested in campus housing, you will complete an ABSN Residency Housing Application and receive additional guidance from your Student Success Adviser.

During the required 10-day on-campus residency, ABSN students will gain needed clinical experience and hands-on training with feedback from faculty. Learn more about the on-campus residency experience.

Yes, the on-campus ABSN residency is required for all ABSN students.

You will be in close communication with your placement coordinator all the way through to graduation. He or she will ensure you complete all requirements and meet deadlines, will answer your questions, verify your clearance requirements, and walk you through the nursing clinicals checklist. The checklist details the dress code, clinical tools, and professional expectations to ensure your success in each rotation.

All clinical nursing experiences are slightly different because student nurses work in a variety of health care facility environments. You will begin your clinical rotations after the required background checks and physical examinations have been successfully completed. During your clinical rotation, you will be under the close supervision of your preceptor and the indirect supervision of a Rockhurst clinical faculty supervisor. You will be given specific instructions to follow while keeping the clinical practice guidelines in mind.

You’ll work with a dedicated Rockhurst placement coordinator who will walk you through the process and be your primary point of contact. Based on your goals and where you live, your placement coordinator will identify an appropriate site and preceptor for you within a reasonable driving distance.

Hands-on patient care in clinical settings is a requisite component of a nursing degree. During your clinicals, with the supervision of a licensed nurse practitioner (NP), you’ll practice what you learned in the online classroom on real patients. (ABSN students will practice under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse.)

Clinicals are very similar to an internship or being an apprentice; you provide care for real patients while benefiting from the supervision and guidance of your preceptor and indirect supervision and support from the Rockhurst faculty.  

Yes. The didactic coursework is delivered 100% online, and the 10-day clinical residency takes place on the Rockhurst University campus.

You will learn from active clinicians who bring real-world experience into the online classroom. As trusted Rockhurst faculty members, they are committed to your success as a new nurse.

This rigorous program is intended for full-time study and takes 16 months to complete. Students should not expect to work while enrolled in this program.

There are 3 intakes per year: fall, spring and summer.

The hybrid ABSN program is a rigorous, full-time program. It is strongly recommended to not work while enrolled in this program.

Students from Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska are welcome to apply to the online ABSN program.