The BSN degree at Hallmark University prepares students for a career as a registered nurse by equipping them with the required knowledge to sit for the NCLEX-RN Exam. By earning a BSN, instead of an associates degree in nursing, a student can typically expect to be given more responsibilities in the workplace and increase their salary potential.
Finish in under 3 years.
but not required
Degree Plan
The purpose of the Hallmark University BSN program is to educate and develop a graduate nurse who is educationally prepared to practice within the established legal, ethical, and professional standards. This preparation provides the graduate with the skills necessary to provide direct nursing care to or coordinate care for a limited number of patients in various healthcare settings. Patients may have predictable or unpredictable health care needs and are identified as individuals and members of families.
Just as the mission of the University is to provide effective, innovative and leading-edge educational opportunities, so too will the curriculum design of the Martha Fessler School of Nursing. The simulation laboratory and hybrid (internet based) learning modalities will emphasize case study analysis, critical thinking, and problem-based learning with time for preparation before the experiences as well as debriefing after the learning experience. Use of virtual labs and simulations will also support this mission.
Our commitment to changing education does not end at innovative programs and student experience. We are committed to making education affordable by offering programs at a competitive tuition cost with a unique value proposition – spend less time in school, and more time making money.
Our fast-paced model allows students to go through our bachelor of science in nursing in just 32 months. This is almost two times faster than the national average for bachelor degree completions in 58+ months. Studies have shown that on average, every year spent at a university can cost over $68,000 in lost wages and tuition – that’s nearly $175,000 in savings at Hallmark University.
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| Cost per credit hour | Total credit hours | Lab fee per term | Technology fee per term |
| $550 | 120 | $505 | $125 |
*Tuition does not include any additional fees
Hallmark University is approved for federal financial aid, scholarships, and U.S. veterans benefits.
The competitive selection process is designed to give all qualified applicants an opportunity to be a member of the class while ranking the individuals that have the best potential for success. Initially, each applicant is interviewed by an admissions representative, provided detailed information about the program and screened regarding their qualifications for the nursing program. Minimum qualifications for application include minimum scores of 60% on Composite, Math, and Reading on the TEAS entrance exam and a minimum GPA of 2.5 on all prerequisite courses, if taken.
There are two levels of Acceptance into this program: Full Acceptance (will be given one of 30 seats in Term 4 without having to rank and compete), and Conditional Acceptance (will have to rank and compete for any of the 30 seats still available).
*Due dates to be determined
This BSN program will attract the type of student that is looking for an efficient year-round degree plan, in a supportive learning environment with small classes, and open access to tutoring and counseling by faculty.
The 30 hours of general education prerequisite courses can be completed in one-and-a-half semesters (3 nine-week terms) followed by six and one-half semesters of degree-specific general courses and nursing courses. Each term is nine weeks in length which allows for six terms in a year. The nursing curriculum follows a linear progression making each semester a prerequisite to the next. If the student should fail one or more courses in a semester, they are retained and must complete those courses before advancing to the next semester. All courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher to receive credit. The program plan provides for didactic, laboratory, and patient care clinical experiences each semester to integrate nursing knowledge with the nursing art of practical application and skills acquisition.
| Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL-2401 | Anatomy and Physiology II This course is designed to teach students about the structure and function of the human body, emphasizing an introduction to anatomy and physiology, biological chemistry organization, cellular biology; tissue levels; bone structures; and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. |
| BIOL-2402 | Anatomy and Physiology II This course is designed to teach students about the structure and function of the human body, emphasizing blood, growth; development; genetics; special senses; and the endocrine, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, urogenital, and reproductive systems. Prerequisite: BIOL-2401 |
| BIOL-2420 | Microbiology This course includes the study of the principles of microbiology, including the metabolism, structure, function, genetics, and phylogeny of microbes. The course will also examine the interactions of microbes with each other, their hosts, and the environment. |
| ENGL-1301 | Composition I The course shall include an introductory study of the writing process. Topics include research, drafting, revising, peer editing, and proper citation. There will be an emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Additionally, this course will introduce effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual, and multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence and conclusions. |
| HUMA-1347 | Introduction to Character and Ethics This course is crucial for introducing students to Hallmark University’s Character Education Program (HCEP) and the Seven Character Traits that underpin their personal and professional journey at Hallmark. It covers Kohlberg/Rest’s Stages of Moral Development, exploring its influence on beliefs, judgments, and decision-making. Through the Defining Issues Test, Version 2 (DIT2), students reflect on their values and ethical foundations within Kohlberg/Rest’s framework. The course highlights the connection between character, moral development, and decision-making. Students also learn about the Career Services Policy. This mandatory course does not accept transfer credits as substitutes. |
| MATH-1314 | College Algebra This course shall include a study of quadratics; polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions; systems of equations; progressions; sequences and series; and matrices and determinants. |
| MATH-1342 | Introduction to Probability & Statistics This course is an introduction to the biostatistical concepts and the skills necessary to interpret data for evidence-based practice in the health sciences. Student will be introduced to variation and variables, levels of data measurement, descriptive statistics and data display, probability, statistical and clinical significance, confidence intervals, statistical power analysis, hypothesis testing, and inferential statistics. |
| PSYC-2316 | Psychology of Emotional Intelligence This course will help the student understand and apply the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI). Pertinent research will be reviewed to demonstrate the effectiveness of EI in various settings. Additionally, the student will understand their EI profile and develop a plan to improve their EI strengths. |
| PSYC-2314 | Lifespan Growth and Development This course shall be an introduction to lifespan and growth. Topics shall include human development, patterns of growth, change, and stability in behavior that occur throughout the entire lifespan. Students will develop vital collaborative and individual oral and written communication skills through regular activities that involve group analysis, discussion, and synthesis of purpose |
| SPCH-1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication This course shall include theories and practices of communication, including the verbal and nonverbal components of communication. Topics include listening and communication in interpersonal relationships. In this course, students will also learn the components of delivering a speech and how to construct and present informative and persuasive speeches. |
| Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HPRS-1220 | Pharmacology I This course introduces pharmacology for students entering health professions programs. An overview of pharmacology includes its’ applications to the physiological, psycho/social, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients. Students explore indications, modes of action, effects, contraindications, and interactions for selected drugs. Specific responsibilities related to drug administration are emphasized. Prerequisite: Admission to the BSN Program, Concurrent registration with HPRS-1337 and HUMA-1347 |
| HPRS-1240 | Pharmacology II This course is a continuation of pharmacology for students entering health professions programs. The focus is on drug therapy used for health promotion and altered states of function. Application of the nursing process to pharmacological mechanisms, critical drug therapy, and patient education will be explored. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in HPRS-1220, HPRS-1337, and HUMA-1347, Concurrent registration with BSN-1505 and HPRS-2230 |
| HPRS-1337 | Human Health Assessment This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a comprehensive health assessment. The skills of history taking, interviewing, communication, physical, and psychosocial assessment with differentiation between normal and abnormal findings are addressed. Prerequisite: Admission to the BSN Program, Concurrent registration with HPRS-1220 and HUMA-1347 |
| HPRS-2230 | Pathophysiology I This course is part 1 of a 2-part pathophysiology course for students entering health professions programs. Students will participate in an in-depth study of human pathological processes and their effects on homeostasis. Emphasis is on interrelationships among organ systems in deviation from homeostasis. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in HPRS-1220, HPRS-1337, and HUMA-1347, Concurrent registration with BSN-1505 and HPRS-1240 |
| HPRS-2250 | Pathophysiology II This course is a continuation of pathophysiology for students entering health professions programs. Upon completion, students will have explored common diseases – their etiology, physical signs and symptoms, prognoses, complications, and basic disease management. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-1505, HPRS-1240 and HPRS-2230, Concurrent registration with BSN-2510 |
| HPRS-2335 | Cultural Health This course teaches students differences in cultural beliefs about health, wellness, and illness. Models for cross cultural health and communication are explored. Students will learn effective ways to implement and evaluate health promotion activities and programs across cultures. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-2820, Concurrent registration with BSN-3530 |
| HPRS-3335 | Health Promotion and Nutrition This course teaches students the knowledge, skills, tools, and evidence-based approaches to promote health and prevent disease. The course explores nutritional concepts and presents the learner with an application of these important topics to patients, families, groups, and communities. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-3820, Concurrent registration with BSN-2530 |
| HPRS-3355 | Healthcare Informatics This course exposes students to foundational principles of informatics and integration of informatics into practice. The course explores how informatics supports healthcare practices, education, administration, and research. Bioinformatics, transitional technologies, social media, and mobile health concepts and practices are addressed. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-3510 and MATH-1342, Concurrent registration with BSN-4525 |
| HPRS-4350 | Leadership for Health Professions This course examines leadership theory and best practices in nursing and health care leadership. Application of theoretical concepts, such as organizational culture, cultural competency, ethical frameworks, moral practices, and character are explored. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-4525 and HPRS-3335, Concurrent registration with BSN-3355 |
| BSN-1505 | Fundamentals of Nursing This course is an introduction to the role of the professional nurse as a provider of patient- centered care, a patient safety advocate, a member of the healthcare team, and a member of the profession. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts of nursing practice, history of the profession, systematic decision-making, and critical thinking. The nursing process is used to inform care management of patients and families. Emphasis is placed on the nursing knowledge base, judgment, skills, professional values, and character within a legal/ethical framework. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in HPRS-1220, HPRS-1337, and HUMA-1347, Concurrent registration with HPRS-1240 and HPRS-2230. |
| BSN-2510 | Fundamentals of Nursing II with Clinical This course is a continuation of the Foundation of Nursing. Students will learn and apply basic nursing knowledge and skills, including dependent, independent, and interdependent functions of the nurse. Students will explore the Quality and Safety for Nurses (QSEN) initiative and concepts of patient-centered care, teamwork, collaboration, evidence-based practice, safety, quality improvement, and informatics. The nursing process is applied to identifying, meeting, and evaluating patient needs in the classroom and clinical settings. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-1505, HPRS-1240 and HPRS-2230, Concurrent registration with HPRS-2250 |
| BSN-2530 | Obstetrics Nursing with Clinical This course provides learning experiences in the exploration of nursing care of the childbearing family during preconception, prenatal, antepartum, intrapartum, neonatal, and postpartum periods in a variety of settings. Health issues relating to growth and development are examined. Students will learn to identify, describe, and practice health promotion and disease prevention of childbearing and childrearing families in the classroom and clinical settings. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-3820, Concurrent registration with HPRS-3335 |
| BSN-2820 | Medical-Surgical Nursing I with Clinical This course applies evidence-based practice and nursing knowledge to medical-surgical patient care. The nursing process and physiological and pathological concepts are used to address complex and multi-system health needs of adults and the elderly who are experiencing selected complex health alterations. The course will include direct patient care, clinical simulation, use of realist patient scenarios, and critical thinking activities. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-2510 and HPRS-2250 |
| BSN-3355 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice This course emphasizes the importance and application of nursing research and scholarship for evidence-based nursing practice. The elements of the research process are utilized to appraise and translate scientific evidence to promote currency and to advance nursing practice. Critical thinking and writing skills are used to help the student develop competencies as a consumer of research and promoter of best practices within the inter-professional team. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-4525 and HPRS-3355, Concurrent registration with HPRS-4350 |
| BSN-3510 | Pediatrics Nursing with Clinical This course provides both didactic and clinical experiences in the nursing management of infants, children, and adolescents with acute, chronic, and life-threatening conditions. Utilizing the concepts of family-centered care, teamwork, collaboration, patient safety, quality improvement, and informatics, the student applies an evidence-based approach to patient and family care. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-2530 and HPRS-3335, Concurrent registration with MATH-1342 |
| BSN-3530 | Mental Health Nursing with Clinical This course focuses on the study of alterations in mental and behavioral patterns. Principles and concepts of mental health, psychopathy, and treatment modalities related to the nursing care of patients and their families are taught and applied in the classroom and clinical settings. Students will obtain basic knowledge and skills needed to work with patients and families across the lifespan, to promote well-being and/or address problems with psychological, social, and spiritual harmony. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-2820, Concurrent registration with HPRS-2335 |
| BSN-3540 | Community Health Nursing with Clinical This course uses the nursing process to address health promotion, illness prevention, and disease management of individuals, families, and groups within populations and communities. The course assists the student to understand, recognize, and analyze the inter-relationship between epidemiology, communicable diseases, and environmental health and safety. The impact of political, economic, social, environmental, and cultural concerns on the health of populations is examined. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-3530 and HPRS-2335, Concurrent registration with PSYC-2314 |
| BSN-3820 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II with Clinical This course is a continuation of Medical-Surgical Nursing and focuses on theoretical, physiological, and pathological concepts used to address complex and multi-system health needs of adults who are experiencing select complex health alterations. The course will include the care of the critically ill as well as concepts of emergency care and disaster planning. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-3540 and PSYC-2314 |
| BSN-4525 | Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing III with Clinical This course builds on the foundation of nursing practice learned as students care for adults across the lifespan and spectrum of health, illness, and recovery. Geriatric patient care is addressed considering subtle presentation of disease, early recognition of geriatric syndromes, functional assessment, disability prevention and care, and quality of life. The course also explores in both the classroom and clinical setting advanced nursing care of critically ill and emergent care patients. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-3510 and MATH-1342, Concurrent registration with HPRS-3355 |
| BSN-4545 | Capstone I Transition to Practice This course is focused on student preparation for professional practice. Students will use the nursing process and prior learning in clinical prioritization, management of care, assignment making, delegation, and supervision of care in the clinical setting and through various cases and scenarios. Students will advance their learning with application of knowledge and skills in interprofessional collaboration and ethical practice while working within the nursing scope of practice. The licensure examination (NCLEX-RN) preparation begins in this course as students identify personal areas of strength and areas of vulnerability. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-3355 and HPRS-4350 |
| BSN-4555 | Capstone II Entry to Practice This course builds on all the previous learning related to comprehensive and effective nursing care for patients, families, groups, and communities. Promotion and integration of all learning outcomes will be thoroughly explored. Students engage in self-directed and supervised study to enhance their nursing skills, knowledge, and character based on assessed areas of strength and areas of vulnerability. Students integrate principles of advocacy, collaboration, coordination, and evidence-based care to meet the complex needs of patients during clinical experiences. Licensure examination (NCLEX-RN) preparation and RN role appreciation are addressed with self-directed content review and testing and career planning activities. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in BSN-4535 |
Can I get Financial Aid at Hallmark University?
Yes. Hallmark University is approved for federal financial aid, scholarships, and U.S. veterans benefits.
Are you accredited?
Yes, Hallmark is accredited through the ACCSC(Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges).
How long are your class semesters/terms?
Our terms are 8 weeks long. This allows us to have 6 terms a year so there is no need to wait to apply.
Is Hallmark a 2 year or 4 year University?
We offer associate, bachelor, and master level degrees. We are not a trade school and we offer degrees which are found at both 2 year and 4 year colleges/universities. The biggest difference is that our degrees can be completed in nearly half the time of traditional universities.
