Are you ready to add to your nursing skill set and become an advanced practice nurse? Saint Joseph’s University will prepare you for the next step in your nursing career with our Master of Science in Nursing–Nursing Practitioner (MSN-NP).
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
Saint Joseph’s University’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program offers the opportunity to expand your clinical nursing skills by pairing rigorous classroom learning with time in Pennsylvania’s most advanced simulation lab. From the day you’re accepted, you are guaranteed clinical placements at some of the area’s leading healthcare organizations.
The Associate of Nursing in Science is one of four nursing programs we offer, along with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and a Nursing RN to BSN. This 67-credit associate program can be completed in as little as two years.
What is an Associate of Science in Nursing?
An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is an undergraduate degree program that encompasses general education courses, nursing theory and clinical practice. Classes cover subjects such as anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. As a graduate of our ASN program, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, a prerequisite for obtaining licensure as a registered nurse (RN). While ASNs offer a quicker entry into nursing than a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the BSN is increasingly encouraged for career progression, reflecting a shift in some healthcare organizations towards higher educational standards for nurses.
What Sets Our ASN Program Apart
Option to Pursue a Five Semester Track or LPN to RN Advanced Placement Module
Five Semester Track
This concept-based associate program gives you flexible options for class and clinical scheduling over five semesters and sets you on a course for a rewarding career as a competent and compassionate professional nurse. The curriculum is presented conceptually and allows students to develop their nursing knowledge, critical thinking skills and clinical judgment through a combination of classroom and clinical experiences. Whether you are just out of high school, a parent or working professional seeking a career change, you can begin your studies to become a professional RN without pausing your life.
LPN to RN Advanced Placement Module
While Saint Joseph’s doesn’t offer an LPN program, we have an LPN to RN assessment module. This accelerated enrollment option – designed for licensed practical nurses looking to continue their education – offers two options: daytime or evening/weekend. The six-week daytime module begins in mid-May, with classes and clinical work typically held Wednesdays through Fridays during daytime hours. The eight-week evening/weekend option is offered twice a year. With start dates in May and October, it typically consists of classes every Tuesday and Thursday evening, and clinicals every other weekend on Saturday and Sunday. You must complete the following courses before the semester begins (which can be done here at Saint Joseph’s).
- CSS 101
- BIO 175 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIO 176 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- MAT 150 Clinical Math
- ENG 100 English Composition
- PSY 100 General Psychology
The curriculum is a 5-semester concept-based program with flexible clinical rotations and course offerings during the day and on evenings and weekends. The LPN placement module will exempt students from NUR 115 and NUR 265. Students who do not pass the assessment will have the option of enrolling in the first semester of the concept-based Associate of Science Nursing program. Prerequisites for the LPN placement module are BIO 175, BIO 176, PSY 100, ENG 100, MAT 150 and CSS 101.
Hands-On Learning in the First & Only Learning Space of its Kind in the Lancaster Area
You’ll feel like you’re on the job from day one at Lancaster’s newest and most advanced clinical simulation lab. You’ll observe a wide range of exams and invasive procedures and experience hands-on learning with simulation labs and clinical placements.
The Center for Excellence in Practice Simulation Center is a 20,000-square-foot facility made up of 24 rooms, including an intensive care unit and five conference rooms. This simulation center is the first and only learning space of its kind in the Lancaster area. With simulation-based education, you’ll work with students from other programs in realistic simulations that mirror real-life healthcare settings.
Guaranteed Clinical Placements Within Your First Year
You are guaranteed clinical placements at premier locations in Pennsylvania within your first year. You’ll have the opportunity to experience working in clinical settings with expert faculty, helping transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences. You will learn critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving by engaging in realistic scenarios staged in real-world medical environments.
Taught by Experienced Nursing Faculty
You will learn from and work alongside faculty who have a breadth of nursing experience. Many faculty members hold current or former nursing positions in the field.
Save Money Now, Transition to a Bachelor’s Degree Later
Complete the Associate of Science in Nursing, land a job and use tuition reimbursement offered by many healthcare organizations to pursue a bachelor’s degree down the line.
Why Study Nursing in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals and clinics seeking nurses, including:
- Lancaster General Hospital
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- UPMC
- Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian
- Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute
- Haven Behavioral Health
- Wellspan Health
Program Details
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The Associate in Science in Nursing program at Saint Joseph's University is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate in Science in Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
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Saint Joseph's University – Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.
PER-CREDIT TUITION:
The cost of the Associate of Science in Nursing program is $670 per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:
In addition to the per-credit rate, there are also program-specific fees for applicable courses in the five-semester, two-year and three-year programs. For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Curriculum
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First Semester
Course Credits BIO 175 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 CSS 101 - College Studies Seminar* 3 ENG 100 - English Composition 3 Total Credits 10 Second Semester
Course Credits BIO 176 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4 PSY 100 - General Psychology 3 NUR 115 - Introduction to Concepts of Health & Illness I 4 NUR 265 - Health Assessment 3 Total Credits 14 Third Semester
Course Credits NUR 280 - Concepts of Pathophysiology 3 BIO 185 - Microbiology 3 MAT 150 - Clinical Mathematics for the Health Sciences 3 NUR 135 - Foundational Concepts of Health and Illness 6 Total Credits 15 Fourth Semester
Course Credits PHI 210 - Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences 1 NUR 210 - Concepts of Health and Illness #5 4 NUR 220 - Concepts of Health and Illness #6 4 NUR 230 - Concepts of Health and Illness #7 5 Total Credits 14 Fifth Semester
Course Credits NUR 240 - Concepts of Health and Illness #8 5 NUR 250 - Concepts of Health and Illness #9 3 NUR 290 - Transition to Practice 3 SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Total Credits 14 Total Credits: 67
*For AY23/24, CSS 101 is a preferred pre-requisite but may be a co-requisite. For AY24/25, CSS 101 is the preferred pre-requisite, but it can be a co-requisite if BIO175 is transferred/Student must have 7 general education credits completed or transferred before the start of clinical courses.
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First Semester
Course Credits CSS 101 - College Studies Seminar* 3 IPC 302 - Introduction to Capstone 1 NUR 301 - Conceptual Foundations of Nursing Practice 3 NUR 312 - Human Diversity and Cultural Care in Nursing 3 Total Credits 10 Second Semester
Course Credits ENG 300 - Advanced Composition for Health Care 3 IPC 322 - Teaching and Learning 3 NUR 340 - Comprehensive Health Assessment 3 Total Credits 9 Third Semester
Course Credits ECO 310 - American Health Care System 3 PHI 330 - Ethical Issues in Health Care 3 Total Credits 6 Fourth Semester
Course Credits IPC 401 - Research in Health Care 3 MAT 260 - Statistics 3 Total Credits 6 Fifth Semester
Course Credits NUR 410 - Issues and Trends in Nursing 3 NUR 420 - Nursing Leadership and Management 3 NUR 430 - Nursing in a Global Society 3 Total Credits 9 Sixth Semester
Course Credits IPC 450 - Capstone 3 Total Credits 3 Electives
Course Credits Humanities Elective 3 300- or 400-level Elective 3 Other Electives 6 Total Credits 12 Total RN to BSN Credits: 55
Total Combined Credits: 120 -
Licensed practical nurses who successfully complete the LPN Assessment module (NUR010) have the opportunity for advanced placement into the ASN program. Additional requirements must be met to qualify.
On Average, How Much Do Nurses Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a registered nurse in 2022 is $81,220.
Admission Information
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1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.
2. High school or post-secondary college-level courses must include the following:
- At least four units of English
- At least three units of Social Sciences
- At least three units of Mathematics (Two (2) of which are at least the level of Algebra)
- Two (2) units of Science with a related laboratory or an equivalent (One (1) of which must be biology).
3. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0-point scale in secondary or post-secondary education (whichever is more recent). However, the GPA requirement can be different depending on specific program requirements. Please see our undergraduate requirements or reach out to the Office of Admission for additional information.
4. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is also required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.
Additional Admission Factors for Consideration:
In addition to the required items above, the admission team will consider the following factors when making an admission decision:
- Class rank
- Academic performance in post-secondary science and math courses
- Community service
- Healthcare-related service
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To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.
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There is no application deadline for this program. Here are recommended application submission dates:
February 1 – recommended application submission for Fall semester
August 1 – recommended application submission for Spring semester
Saint Joseph’s accepts students on a year-round basis, so any applications received after these dates will be considered for the next applicable semester. Contact the Office of Admission for information regarding space availability.
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If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT instead of the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University’s Lancaster campus:
- Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
- Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above (Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit)
- Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
- The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph’s University
- Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Explore Other Degree Programs
Saint Joseph's University's Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for individuals who have an RN license and an associate or diploma in nursing. This award-winning program enables busy nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree through flexible, individualized scheduling. For the practicing nurse, we provide courses that build upon your existing professional expertise and provide additional opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Saint Joseph’s University offers a top-ranked four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in Philadelphia and Lancaster and the region’s only three-year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Lancaster. In addition to our four-year and accelerated three-year BSN programs, we also offer a flexible RN to BSN pathway program for students who want to advance their career in the healthcare field.