Explore the 4+1 Nursing Dual Degree program
The Accelerated Nursing program, a partnership between Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), will prepare you for a variety of nursing careers in the areas of education, management and administration, and mental health and counseling.
Through this program, you’ll obtain your bachelor’s degree in the field of your choice at Wayne State, then take one year of classes at UNMC's College of Nursing in Norfolk to receive your BSN. Whether you are a current student at Wayne State, transferring from another school, or even a current employee of a nursing home or hospital, this is a great opportunity to pair your current skills and interests with an education in health care, leading to a fulfilling and lasting career.
Why accelerated nursing?
An accelerated BSN provides a path for those wanting to get into nursing quickly. If you plan to move into administration or teaching, a BSN or higher is essential. As an accelerated student, you’ll cover the same material as traditional students, but you'll pack more into each semester. While more rigorous, it provides the same qualifications and prepares you for the NCLEX exam, enabling you to become a registered nurse in less time.
For more information, contact:
Diana Rizzo, Student Services Coordinator
UNMC - Norfolk Campus
[email protected]
Phone: 402-844-7890
Fast facts
Degrees offered:
- B.S. in any major at WSC
- BSN from UNMC
Program credit hours: 88
- General Studies courses (30 credit hours)
- BSN prerequisites (58 credit hours)
Note: A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements.
School: Science, Health, and Criminal Justice
Department: Life Sciences
Ready to change lives
You’ll complete a bachelor’s degree in any major at WSC while also completing preparatory BSN curriculum. Upon prospective graduation from WSC, you’ll apply to the Accelerated Nursing program at UNMC’s Norfolk campus. The UNMC Accelerated Nursing program runs from January to December.
Application and admission timeline
- March - UNMC application opens
- April - Fall class registration opens at WSC
- July - UNMC applications due
- August/September - UNMC interviews
- October - UNMC decisions
- January - UNMC courses begin
You may be eligible for guaranteed admission based on UNMC honors criteria. This includes:
- A 3.8 GPA in prerequisite coursework
- No repeated courses
- No pass/fail in science courses
- No grade below C+ in any course
Note: Students must also obtain a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate.
2025-26 Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
cost per credit hour
Tuition: $6,057
Fees: $2,351
Food plan: $4,830
Housing: $4,870
Most Affordable College in Nebraska
- College Affordability Guide, 2024
Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.
Accelerated Nursing Program Prerequisites
Regardless of your major, students are required to take the following prerequisite courses for a total of 58 credit hours to meet UNMC's requirements. Students must also obtain a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate.
You will take the following courses to meet UNMC's biology and chemistry requirements:
- BIO 110 Biology Concepts (4 credits) - The first course for Biology majors. A grade of C- or better in this course is a prerequisite for all biology courses in the biology concentration. A study of the microscope, basic cell structure and function, DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, evolution, population biology, and diversity. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisite: One year of high school biology or BIO 102 Biology for General Studies. This course meets WSC's General Studies CAT 7 requirement and is also a prerequisite for most other biology courses.
BIO 220 Human Anatomy (4 credits) - Study of the anatomic structure of the human organism. The 11 organ systems of the human and representative quadrupeds will be examined in detail with lecture, dissection, and other laboratory exercises. Dissection is required of all students taking this course. An understanding of human anatomy is beneficial for students that will ultimately enroll in advanced courses of cell biology, histology, comparative vertebrate embryology and anatomy, and parasitology. Having training in human anatomy is also beneficial for students interested in health-related and biomedical careers. (3 hours lecture and one 3 hour lab) $20 class fee required.Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts. This course meets UNMC's anatomy knowledge requirement.
BIO 340 Human Physiology (4 credits) - A study of the fundamental physiological processes of the human body. Functions of the 11 organ systems will be studied. (3 hours lecture and one 3-hour lab) $30 class fee required. Prerequisite: BIO 220 Human Anatomy and CHE 106 General Chemistry I. This course meets UNMC's physiology knowledge requirement.
BIO 385 Microbiology (4 credits) - Topics of study detail the structure and physiology of microorganisms including mechanisms of pathogenesis. Beneficial aspects of microorganisms are also discussed with regard to both the human body and the environment. Lab techniques include microbial identification, enumeration procedures and student designed research. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisites: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, CHE 106 General Chemistry I. This course meets UNMC's microbiology knowledge requirement.
CHE 106 General Chemistry I (4 credits) - Emphasis on nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding, gaseous and liquid states, equilibrium, and stoichiometry. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required. Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 102 Chemistry for General Studies. This course meet's UNMC's chemistry knowledge requirement.
You will take the following two courses to meet UNMC's English knowledge requirements:
ENG 102 Composition Skills (3 credits) - This course provides instruction and practice in a variety of writing, reading, and critical thinking skills, with emphasis on forming experiences, ideas, and opinions into a coherent essay. The types of writing assignments vary among instructors, but students can expect to write expressive, analytical, and persuasive essays, some of which will involve the use of secondary sources. This course will hone students’ grammatical and punctuation skills, as needed. Notes: Grade below “C” receives no credit. Note: This course also meets WSC's General Studies CAT 1 requirement.
ENG 200 Expository Writing (3 credits) - This course is intended to refine writing skills learned in earlier composition classes. The course will deal exclusively with expository writing (that is, non-fiction prose essays that explain, analyze, and evaluate ideas) and topics will vary considerably. Class time will be divided between discussing examples of expository writing and working to improve individual writing. Prerequisite: ENG 102 or an equivalent course.
You will take one of the following courses to meet UNMC's nutrition knowledge requirements:
- FCS 207 Nutrition (3 credits) - A study of the basic nutrients and their relationship to physical, mental, and emotional health. Nutritional requirements and dietary planning for all age groups. The use of the computer for dietary analysis, evaluation of the analysis, and application to daily eating habits. Note: This course also meets WSC's General Studies CAT 9 requirement.
- FCS 317 Nutrition through the Life Cycle (3 credits) - Knowledge and understanding of nutritional needs and recommendations throughout the life cycle from prenatal nutrition through adulthood and special needs of the elderly. Special emphasis on maternal health and the development of a healthy child.
- FCS 207 Nutrition (3 credits) - A study of the basic nutrients and their relationship to physical, mental, and emotional health. Nutritional requirements and dietary planning for all age groups. The use of the computer for dietary analysis, evaluation of the analysis, and application to daily eating habits. Note: This course also meets WSC's General Studies CAT 9 requirement.
You will take the following course to meet UNMC's college math requirement. This course also meets WSC's General Studies CAT 3 requirement:
- MAT 121 College Algebra (3 credits) - Equations and inequalities; functions and graphs; polynomial, rational, and radical functions; complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions; systems of equations and inequalities. Prerequisite: Placement or “C-” or better in MAT 105.
You will also take one of the following courses to meet UNMC's statistics knowledge requirement:
- MAT 180 Applied Probability and Statistics (3 credits) - An introduction to the practice of statistics including sampling, experimental design, data displays, descriptive statistics, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling distributions, one and two sample confidence intervals, hypothesis tests for means and proportions, and linear regression with analysis. Traditional and resampling bootstrapping methods are employed. Prerequisite: Placement or “C-” or better in MAT 121 College Algebra, MAT 130 Precalculus, or MAT 140 Calculus I.
. - SSC 319 Statistics for the Social Sciences (3 credits) - The focus is on applied qualitative and quantitative research procedures for evaluation, analysis, and presentation of Social Sciences data. Primary and secondary data analysis is utilized. Class may include: grant writing and evaluation, preparing survey/assessment instruments, focus group research, and field research projects. Data collection, data analysis, and report writing are part of the curriculum. The course includes extensive computer applications. Prerequisites: Junior standing and SSC 300 Social Sciences Research Methods
You will take the following course to meet UNMC's philosophy/ethics requirement:
- PHI 105 Ethics and Values (3 credits) - A General Studies ethics course intended to introduce students to philosophical reasoning about ethical issues. This course emphasizes understanding philosophical inquiry and argument, thinking critically about major ethical systems and the ideas of prominent philosophers, and applying philosophical perspectives and ethical principles to contemporary ethical issues. This course meets WSC's General Studies CAT 6 requirement.
You will take the following courses to meet UNMC's psychology and sociology knowledge requirements. Either of these courses meet WSC's General Studies CAT 5 requirement.
- PSY 101 General Psychology (3 credits) - An overview of human behavior from various psychological perspectives. Topics covered to include; learning, maturation, biological foundations, motivation, perception, personality development, personal awareness, abnormal behavior, and social behavior.
- SOC 101 Intro to Sociology (3 credits) - An introduction to the study of human social behavior, society and its values, social organization, institutions, and processes. Some topics included are socialization, minorities, deviance, gender roles, the family, social stratification, and social change.
- PSY 101 General Psychology (3 credits) - An overview of human behavior from various psychological perspectives. Topics covered to include; learning, maturation, biological foundations, motivation, perception, personality development, personal awareness, abnormal behavior, and social behavior.
You will take the following course to meet UNMC's knowledge requirement for human growth and development:
- PSY 230 Lifespan Development (3 credits) - Presentation of physical, cognitive, social, and personality development throughout the life span. Development tasks will be presented.
You will take 3 credit hours (one course) in the Humanities. These are often General Studies CAT 4 or CAT 6 courses and include all ART (art), CNA (Communication Arts), ENG (English), MUS (Music), PHI (Philosophy), and SOC 110 courses. Honors sections accepted.
You will take 3 credit hours (one course) from Family and Human Behavior electives. These are often General Studies CAT 9 courses and include CNA 201, CNA 210, all CSL (Counseling), CJA 405, EDU 217, FCS 110, FCS 220, FCS 230, all PSY (Psychology), SOC 220, SOC 305, SOC 355, and SOC 415. Honors sections accepted.
You will take 3 credit hours (one course) from a Political Science and Social Organizations subject area. These are often General Studies CAT 8 courses and include all ECO (Economics), GEO (Geography), and POS (Political Science) courses, or SOC 110, SOC 320, SOC 420, and SOC 460. Honors sections accepted.
You will take 3 credit hours (one course) from a Culture, Race, Ethnicity, and Gender subject area. These are often General Studies CAT 2 or CAT 5 courses and include ART 440, EDU 217, GEO 300, HIS 120, HIS 170, HIS 171, HIS 465, all languages courses (FRE, GER, or SPA), and SOC 110, SOC 345, SOC 350, SOC 445, and SOC 465. Honors sections accepted.
Suggested majors
The following majors are recommended for students planning to pursue the 4+1 Accelerated Nursing program.
Related programs
Students interested in Accelerated Nursing may also be interested in:
Accelerated Nursing 3+1 (Creighton)
Early Admission 2+2 Nursing (UNMC)
Department faculty

Douglas Christensen, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Doug Christensen is a biology professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests include utilization of molecular biology in a broad range of sciences (including medical, environmental, and industrial fields); teaching about battles between the immune system and the evolving world of bacteria and viruses; microbiology; molecular genetics; and immunology.

Buffany DeBoer, MSE
Instructor
Buffany DeBoer is a biology instructor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests are general education biology and environmental science.

Mark Hammer, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Mark Hammer is a biology professor at Wayne State College. He advises students who are interested in a career as a conservation biologist, physician assistant (including RHOP pre-PA), or occupational therapist. He is also the director of the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum.

Michael Mutehart, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Michael Mutehart is a life sciences professor at Wayne State College. Mutehart has a strong background in clinical anatomy education. His teaching responsibilities are mainly in the field of human gross anatomy and its related counterparts (histology, comparative anatomy, etc.).

Shawn Pearcy, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Shawn Pearcy is a biology professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests are biology, human physiology, vertebrate embryology, and physiological ecology.

Danielle Peekenschneider, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Danielle Peekenschneider is a biology professor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include general education biology, oncology, and immunology.

Jillian Wormington, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Jillian Wormington is a biology professor at Wayne State College and the zoological curator of the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum.
Get in touch
Department of Life Sciences
Carhart Science Building, Room 106
Phone: 402-375-7329
Student clubs for pre-professional health majors
Biology Club - For students interested in biological sciences
Exercise is Medicine - Works toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community
Health Science Club - For students pursuing careers in health-related fields
Physician Assistant Club - For students in the PA program or interested in healthcare

Awards and Rankings
Recognized for excellence
Best Colleges for Health Sciences in Nebraska
CampusReel recognized Wayne State as one of the Best Colleges in Nebraska for Health Sciences based on alumni salaries after graduation, student loan debt, and other metrics.

A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Best College of Distinction for our excellence in student engagement, teaching, community, and successful graduate outcomes.

A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.

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