Louise Herrington School of Nursing Online
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Baylor University's online programs:
Yes. Baylor University’s Distance ABSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE**).
The cost of the Distance ABSN online program is $66,834. Typically, the program requires 62 credit hours to complete.
Schedule an Appointment or contact an Enrollment Advisor today at 888-227-5901. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
A variety of financial aid is available to online students. Find more information on our Tuition & Financial Aid page.
You can find more information on this page or contact your Baylor University Enrollment Advisor at 888-227-5901.
The requirements to apply for the Distance ABSN online program are:
Yes, we require the HESI A2 and Math & English Composite tests. You must receive an 80 in both sections.
The Baylor Distance ABSN program is currently designed for students residing in Texas, but outside the DFW metro area. Students who reside within Dallas, Tarrant, counties should apply for the on-campus accelerated FastBacc® program at the Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas.
No, but please connect with your enrollment advisor at 888-227-5901 to confirm equivalency and ensure the credits transfer.
No, ABSN students may not work while enrolled in the program due to the academic rigor of the program.
The Distance ABSN program takes 45 weeks to complete--under 1 year.
Excluding clinicals and residencies, coursework is 100% online.
Two, in January and August.
Shortly after enrollment, you will be provided with a placement intake form you are required to complete that captures your competencies, experience, and placement preferences.
Baylor University will collaborate with you to identify a quality placement site and preceptor. While the placement team is securing sites and preceptors, you will be responsible for completing clinical clearance requirements in preparation for placement, including:
You will not be permitted to begin your placement rotations without your clearances complete. Once the sites have been approved by the School of Nursing, Baylor University will share the placement site details with you prior to placement.
You’ll receive an email notification approximately 30 days before you begin your clinical rotation. This email will detail the site and preceptor information, any additional requirements requested by the site. It is at this time that you will introduce yourself to the site and determine a detailed schedule for completing your clinical hours for that rotation.
Your preceptor is your on-site role model and will help you develop as a nurse during your clinical rotation. They will:
Baylor University’s Distance ABSN program requirements for clinical hours are:
The Placement team will ensure your clinical site and preceptor are located within your regional area and meet all the requirements - from restricted settings and support to education and experience. Once you have received your site information, your only responsibility will be to contact the site and discuss your clinic hours.
Your responsibilities during clinical rotations include:
Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing believes you are only as successful as your training, which is why we will collaborate with you to identify clinical sites and preceptors for clinical rotations. This will enable you to focus on coursework and developing core competencies rather than spending a significant amount of time on the logistics of clinical placements. However, if you already have a placement site or preceptor in mind, students are encouraged to refer them to the placement team to secure. Additionally, you may find clinical placement sites to be potential locations for future employment opportunities upon graduation.
During the placement experience, you will have access to faculty and other resources to support you. Faculty will be available to mentor and support you throughout the rotation if there are any specific questions about procedures, patient interactions, and general proficiencies. At the end of the placement rotation, you and your preceptor will review requirements, complete surveys and officially end the placement rotation. If you have multiple rotations, you will receive the next preceptor/site details.
Clinical orientation is different for each site, but you can expect to complete the clinicals clearances, learn about appropriate dress codes and the necessary clinical tools.
Clinical faculty and your preceptor will be your primary support during clinical rotation courses. You will also record your assessment /recommendations in SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) Notes. This will be reviewed and critiqued so you can achieve better practice methods.
Clinical placement is the required clinical education component of Baylor University’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs (DNP) and the Distance ABSN program. Clinicals work closely with the classroom-based coursework to prepare you for your future providing primary care in the field.
We are continuing to serve students without disruption during this time. Those who are inquiring about enrollment in a Baylor online nursing program are able to discuss options with an Enrollment Advisor who will work with them through the admissions process. For current students, we fully expect that they will have normal access to faculty and course materials.
You can find additional information about Baylor’s response to COVID-19 here: https://www.baylor.edu/coronavirus/
No. All online classes are still scheduled to begin on the planned start dates and are not impacted by COVID-19.
Baylor is giving as much grace as possible to students this semester and working to meet your needs. Your Student Success Coach will work with you to give support, identify challenges, and provide unique solutions that will help you balance your education with changes in your personal life.
At this point in time, COVID-19 vaccinations are highly encouraged but not required to enroll at Baylor University. However, Baylor nursing students must meet clinical site requirements in order to complete clinical rotations. Unvaccinated students may not be eligible for clinical placements.
Yes. We are working diligently to ensure that all students are placed for clinicals while respecting the challenges that our healthcare partners are experiencing during this pandemic. We will continue to work with you individually to find solutions that set you up for success.
Yes. Baylor University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE**). The DNP Nurse Midwifery online program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME*).
A variety of financial aid is available to online students. Find more information on our Tuition & Financial Aid page.
The online DNP programs are each $1,100 per credit hour. Cost varies depending on the overall credits required to complete your degree, as well as any transfer credits. To calculate total tuition cost for your specific degree path, contact an Enrollment Advisor today at 888-227-5901.
No, these tests are not required to apply for our programs.
The requirements to apply for the online DNP-ENL program are:
The requirements to apply for the online DNP FNP program are:
The requirements to apply for the online DNP Nurse Midwifery program are:
The requirements to apply for the online DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program are:
The requirements to apply for the online DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program are:
The requirements for applying for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program are:
You can find more information on this page or contact your Baylor University Enrollment Advisor at 888-227-5901.
We have two DNP programs. One offers five distinct tracks including Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The DNP-ENL helps students to develop executive knowledge and competencies to strategically lead change, transform care models to improve patient outcomes, and influence healthcare organizations and systems. To learn more, you can go to our DNP page or fill out the form to get a program guide.
Students typically complete the DNP program in the following timeframe. Please note that actual length to program completion will vary depending on the student's background and selected track.
Specialty Advanced Practice Tracks (DNP-FNP, DNP-NNP, DNP-PNP, DNP-NM, DNP-AGACNP)
Executive Nurse Leadership Track (DNP-ENL)
Excluding clinicals and residencies, coursework is 100% online.
Three, in January, May and August.
Typically, there are very few clinical courses included in these disciplines. Examples of courses that may be considered for transferability include (but not limited to) include:
The following practitioner degree disciplines may be eligible to transfer to the online DNP programs:
If your MSN degree is in any of the following disciplines, you may not be qualified to apply as a Post-Graduate DNP candidate and may need to participate in our full program. Our full program consists of most/all of the 75-credit-hr, 10-Semester, 40-month BSN to DNP program.
You must have completed your MSN board-certification in one (1) of the following Baylor offered disciplines to qualify as a post-graduate student.
No, Baylor does not allow students from educational institutions that do not have a traditional grading system. Students from Western Governor’s for example, are not eligible for Baylor’s nursing programs.
Clinical faculty and your preceptor will be your primary support during clinical rotation courses. You will also record your assessment /recommendations in SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) Notes. This will be reviewed and critiqued so you can achieve better practice methods.
Clinical placement is the required clinical education component of Baylor University’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs (DNP) and the Distance ABSN program. Clinicals work closely with the classroom-based coursework to prepare you for your future providing primary care in the field.
Shortly after enrollment, you will be provided with a placement intake form you are required to complete that captures your competencies, experience, and placement preferences.
Baylor University will collaborate with you to identify a quality placement site and preceptor. While the placement team is securing sites and preceptors, you will be responsible for completing clinical clearance requirements in preparation for placement, including:
You will not be permitted to begin your placement rotations without your clearances complete. Once the sites have been approved by the School of Nursing, Baylor University will share the placement site details with you prior to placement.
You’ll receive an email notification approximately 30 days before you begin your clinical rotation. This email will detail the site and preceptor information, any additional requirements requested by the site. It is at this time that you will introduce yourself to the site and determine a detailed schedule for completing your clinical hours for that rotation.
Your preceptor is your on-site role model and will help you develop as a nurse during your clinical rotation. They will:
Baylor University’ Online DNP program requirements for clinical hours are:
DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner:
DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner:
DNP - Nurse-Midwifery:
DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner:
PRIMARY CARE TRACK
ACUTE CARE TRACK
DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:
The Placement team will ensure your clinical site and preceptor are located within your regional area and meet all the requirements - from restricted settings and support to education and experience. Once you have received your site information, your only responsibility will be to contact the site and discuss your clinic hours.
Your responsibilities during clinical rotations include:
Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing believes you are only as successful as your training, which is why we will collaborate with you to identify clinical sites and preceptors for clinical rotations. This will enable you to focus on coursework and developing core competencies rather than spending a significant amount of time on the logistics of clinical placements. However, if you already have a placement site or preceptor in mind, students are encouraged to refer them to the placement team to secure. Additionally, you may find clinical placement sites to be potential locations for future employment opportunities upon graduation.
During the placement experience, you will have access to faculty and other resources to support you. Faculty will be available to mentor and support you throughout the rotation if there are any specific questions about procedures, patient interactions, and general proficiencies. At the end of the placement rotation, you and your preceptor will review requirements, complete surveys and officially end the placement rotation. If you have multiple rotations, you will receive the next preceptor/site details.
Clinical orientation is different for each site, but you can expect to complete the clinicals clearances, learn about appropriate dress codes and the necessary clinical tools.
Yes. We are working diligently to ensure that all students are placed for clinicals while respecting the challenges that our healthcare partners are experiencing during this pandemic. We will continue to work with you individually to find solutions that set you up for success.
We are continuing to serve students without disruption during this time. Those who are inquiring about enrollment in a Baylor online nursing program are able to discuss options with an Enrollment Advisor who will work with them through the admissions process. For current students, we fully expect that they will have normal access to faculty and course materials.
You can find additional information about Baylor’s response to COVID-19 here: https://www.baylor.edu/coronavirus/
No. All online classes are still scheduled to begin on the planned start dates and are not impacted by COVID-19.
Baylor is giving as much grace as possible to students this semester and working to meet your needs. Your Student Success Coach will work with you to give support, identify challenges, and provide unique solutions that will help you balance your education with changes in your personal life.
At this point in time, COVID-19 vaccinations are highly encouraged but not required to enroll at Baylor University. However, Baylor nursing students must meet clinical site requirements in order to complete clinical rotations. Unvaccinated students may not be eligible for clinical placements.
*The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-6374; for information about accreditation please contact ACME directly. Tel. 240-485-1802, acme@acnm.org, www.midwife.org/acme
**The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Baylor University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Whether you have a simple question or need advice to determine which program is best for you, our friendly advisors are here to help. They can chat with you on your schedule and guide you through the entire admissions process so you can feel confident in moving forward with Baylor University.
