Below are some of the more frequently asked questions about our Second Degree Accelerated Program. Should you have questions beyond these, please do contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@mccn.edu or 614.234.4CON.
Who is eligible to apply for this program?
College graduates with a baccalaureate degree (or higher) who have an interest in and aptitude for a career as a professional nurse may be eligible for this program. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing and have a recommended cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater before they can apply.
Will there be an Orientation for students accepted to the program?
Orientation will be held 4-6 weeks before starting the program for students that are accepted. Attendance at Orientation is mandatory in order to start the program in January.
Is financial aid available for SDAP?
Information about financial aid available for SDAP students is located here.
How long is the program?
SDAP is offered in two formats to best fit student needs, SDAP-13 and SDAP-18. SDAP-13 is a 13 month program and begins with the start of spring semester (January) each year and requires three consecutive terms of full-time study. SDAP-18 is an 18 month program that begins in August of each year and requires four consecutive terms of part-time study. Both SDAP-13 and SDAP-18 consist of 84 class credits (20 courses).
How is all of the information covered in such a short period of time?
Course and nursing clinical sessions are blocked to provide a more efficient method of delivery in a shorter period of time. Courses are delivered in blended format with in-person labs and clinicals, and online and in-person class times.
How can the necessary clinicals be covered in 13 or 18 months?
MCCN has scheduled clinical courses that are normally required in the sophomore, junior and senior years of the four-year pre-licensure curriculum, along with other required courses to offer the program in the shortened 13 or 18 month format.
When do classes meet?
Class, lab and clinical times will vary depending on clinical and lab availability. Students must be flexible for day and evening scheduling. Classes, labs, and clinicals for SDAP-13 are scheduled Monday to Friday, no weekend commitments. Classes, labs, and clinicals for SDAP-18 are scheduled weekdays from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., with a possibility of clinicals scheduled on Friday, a maximum of 12 hours on Saturdays and 12 hours or less on Sundays.
How many hours should I plan for class and clinical activities per week?
The accelerated pace of this program will require 40 hours per week in class, lab and clinical.
How much study time should I plan for each week?
Students should plan for at least 20-30 hours outside of class and clinical time for course assignments and review of class materials.
When are the breaks in the program?
There are six holidays off throughout the program, plus a short break in April and two week-long breaks in August and December.
Can I take vacations during the program?
Vacations can only be taken during the scheduled program breaks.
Is this an online program?
No, the program is delivered in blended format (online and in person) and a computer is required for all students.
Will I need a computer in order to complete the program?
- Desktop or Laptop Computer (PC, Mac, or Linux) with adequate RAM, Hard Drive space, and processing speed
- Broadband access to the Internet
- Current and up-to-date internet browser such as Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari
- Current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (or comparable product)
- Multi-purpose video player, such as VLC Media Player
- Headphones or computer speakers for online media content
- If using a Windows operating system (Windows 10), updated anti-virus software, Office productivity suite capable of creating/editing/reading MS Office 2010 file versions. Acceptable products include:
- OpenOffice
- NeoOffice
- LibreOffice
- Microsoft Office
Do I have to take two semesters of anatomy and physiology as prerequisites?
We have indicated the prerequisite as “Anatomy & Physiology I & II” because that is the format in which Mount Carmel offers these two courses. Many schools teach Anatomy in one term and Physiology in another term. However, in either case you would need two courses in order to cover the entire body systems. If there is more than one choice at your institution, choose the course for science majors.
Must I complete the prerequisite courses by the application deadline?
No. You may submit your applications to Mount Carmel College of Nursing while in the process of completing prerequisite courses. You will be asked to communicate to us the prerequisite courses completed and the courses you still need to complete. You are required to have all prerequisites completed by the time you begin the program. You can be admitted pending successful completion of all prerequisites maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
How do I know what courses will transfer from my previous degree(s)?
You can request a transcript evaluation from MCCN prior to applying for a $25 fee. Complete the Transcript Evaluation Request form and arrange for official college transcripts to be sent to MCCN. The completed evaluation will be e-mailed to you, otherwise Mount Carmel College of Nursing will complete a transfer credit evaluation as part of your application process.
What type of equipment will I need to purchase?
Students will need to purchase a lab coat, student uniform, College of Nursing uniform patch, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, calipers, penlight, and wrist watch. Information regarding where to purchase these items will be provided to students after admission to the Program.
How many credit hours are required to graduate?
The graduation requirement is 120 credit hours. You will complete 84 class credits at MCCN, plus your prerequisite credit to equal the total 120 required semester hours.
What degree will I earn?
Upon completion of the program, Mount Carmel College of Nursing will confer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
When I graduate am I then a Registered Nurse (RN)?
No, graduates must pass the state licensing exam in order to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Oversight for this exam is through the Ohio Board of Nursing. We will provide graduates with details about scheduling the NCLEX-RN exam after program completion .
Can I work while enrolled in this program?
Because of the number of classroom and clinical hours required in SDAP-13, enrolled students are strongly advised NOT to work, given the rigor associated with completing degree requirements. Involvement at this accelerated pace (40 hrs/week) will lead to a time commitment equivalent to full-time employment. Students enrolled in SDAP-18 are able work part time because of the slower pace of instruction. In addition, at least 20-30 hours outside of class and clinical will be spent on course assignments and review of course materials.
I have been convicted of a misdemeanor (or felony). Am I still able to apply to MCCN and would I be able to obtain a license as a registered nurse?
Depending on the severity of the misdemeanor or felony charge the College may be able to accept you as a student and you may be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Any student who indicates on their application that they have been convicted will have the opportunity to speak with the College Compliance Officer about the matter in order to discern whether admission and becoming a nurse is possible.
Can I apply before I have earned the degree?
Yes. However, you must earn your degree before starting the program.
Can I take the prerequisite courses at Mount Carmel?
Some prerequisite courses can be completed at the college and the MCCN admissions department can share with you other places to complete the prerequisite courses. If you are local to Columbus, you may take these courses at either Columbus State Community College, Portage Online College or The Ohio State University. Each of these institutions offers transfer equivalents for MCCN.
How can I find out what the equivalents are at these schools?
You can download a copy of our transfer matrix, located here.
I am a non-immigrant international student studying in the United States. Am I eligible to apply to the Second Degree Accelerated Program?
Mount Carmel College of Nursing is not an I-20 granting institution. We can accept international students only if they are searching for an I-20 granting institution. We can accept international students only if they are Permanent Residents or do not require I-20 documentation.
I attended an international college/university. Can Mount Carmel evaluate that transcript for transfer credit?
International college/university transcripts must first be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). You must request that the institution send WES a transcript. WES will evaluate and then send us the results. In turn we will determine if any of the courses will be taken.
What is the TOEFL and why would I take it?
The TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language and you must take it if English is not your native language.
I have taken ESL classes. Will you accept those instead?
No. You must take the TOEFL if you are not a native english speaker.
I have lived in the U.S. for several years now and do speak English. Do I still have to take the TOEFL?
This is at the discretion of the Director of Admissions. Please contact the Admissions Office if this is the case at admissions@mccn.edu or 614.234.4CON.
What should my resume include?
Include any of the following:
- Work experience
- Community service
- Honors/awards
- Leadership roles held
- Hobbies/interests
- Clubs/organizations you are a member of
How will I learn if I have been accepted?
An email message will be sent to you within two to four weeks after your interview.
Will I need to be CPR certified? If so, what classes will you accept?
Yes. We accept the following CPR certifications:
- American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Professional
- Red Cross
- Military Training Institute
Are there any health requirements prior to enrolling in MCCN?
Yes. Once you confirm your attendance the Admissions Office will mail you documentation asking for medical history and immunizations.