Online BS Nursing Completion Degree Frequently Asked Questions

updated 12/27/11

1. Is the degree offered entirely online?

Yes. All courses for the Kettering College’s BSN completion degree (nursing course and arts and sciences courses) are offered completely online. Students who live in the area may elect to take some of the arts and sciences courses on campus, if they desire. All the nursing courses are offered only in the online delivery format. 

2. Can you be enrolled in the degree as a part-time student, or do you have to be enrolled as a full-time student?

Students may begin the degree any semester and may choose a full-time or a part-time pace of study.  Schedules can be adjusted from semester to semester, based on the needs of the student. The program, including all nursing and the arts and sciences courses, can be accomplished via full time study in 12 months or via part time study in approximately 22 months.

3. How long do I have to complete the degree?

All course work must be completed within five (5) years of first enrollment in the program.  Cognate and arts and sciences courses may be taken prior to enrollment in nursing courses or may be taken concurrently with nursing courses.

4. Will any of the credits from my associate degree transfer toward the BSN completion degree?

Our BSN completion degree is 48 semester credits beyond the A.S. nursing degree.  Credits for courses taken to meet degree requirements for the pre-licensure nursing degree are not transferred in.

5. Will I need to retake the core science and math courses if I graduated years ago?

Pre-licensure courses are not transferred in for the Bachelor of Science degree; therefore, no retakes are required for basic science and math courses.

6. Will any credits beyond my pre-licensure nursing degree (A.S. degree in nursing or diploma) transfer in for the BSN degree?

Credits for courses not taken for the pre-licensure degree will be evaluated and transferred in according to College transfer policies, if they are applicable to baccalaureate nursing degree requirements. (Note:  If the course was used to fulfill degree requirements for the pre-licensure degree, it cannot be accepted toward the BSN-completion degree.) There are no time limits for transfer of course credits.  At Kettering College, credits taken at a regionally accredited college or university are transferrable. Religion courses submitted for transfer credit consideration must be from a faith-based institution.

7. How does it work if I have been enrolled in a BSN-completion degree at another institution and now want to switch to Kettering College’s BSN-completion degree?

Equivalent credits for courses taken at an NLNAC or CCNE regionally accredited baccalaureate nursing program may transfer to Kettering College.  Evaluation of transcripts or course syllabi will determine if course content is comparable, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

8.   How much will this degree cost?

The current tuition can be located here on our web site.

9. How will I know what my schedule will look like, once I am accepted to the degree?

Students will receive individualized advising via email.  Consideration will be given to credits they may already have that meet BSN degree requirements and upon their need for full-time or part-time study. All courses are offered in traditional semester blocks.

10. How many hours per week will I need to study?

Of course, this depends upon the individual.  Students should plan on an average of 12-18 hours of study per week to be successful in completing 6-8 credits per semester (2-3 courses). 

Online education does not take less time or effort than traditional classroom study.  The advantage of online study is that students have access to their courses 24 hours a day and can complete assignments at their convenience (within the structured course time frames for due dates), in the comfort of their homes or workplaces.

11. What kind of resources and services are available to students studying online?

Students will register online. Students have online access to their course schedules, transcripts, grades, viewing and paying their bills and for online registration through the Student Portal. 

Textbooks can be purchased through our online bookstore which is located at http://kettering.mybooksandmore.com  We are able to offer our students 10-26% off the regular list price of the text and reference books you need when you place your order online! Our online store is easy to navigate and, we discount every title, every day!
 

• 10-26% off text and reference books.
• More than 200,000 medical/health science titles available and in stock every day.
• Domestic customer services and online support.
• Ship to your home, office, campus address, or our bookstore location for convenient pick-up.
• Online coupons, rebates and other consumer offers for added savings and value.
• Low standard shipping charges, regardless of quantity or sale amount.
• Next day delivery available.
• Online, bibliographic summaries and synopses and table of contents when available.

Online tutoring is available to students. Specific areas of interest to BSN students are in the areas of writing and statistics.

Online students have access to an online reference librarian.  As Kettering College students, the BSN online students, even if they live out-of-state, have access to a wealth of library resourcesbecause our library is connected to OhioLINK, which links many libraries in Ohio.

The first nursing course students will take is NRSA 313: BSN Success Strategies and Nursing Informatics. The purpose of this course is to orient students to Kettering College, to the BSN degree, and to informatics systems, as well as to provide students with the knowledge and skills that will help them to be successful in an online learning environment.

12. What computer proficiency is needed, and what are the technical requirements for online study?

Computer skills include proficiency in the Microsoft Windows environment – primarily Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  The ability to effectively navigate the Internet, email, and attachments is needed.  Information about technology and computers at Kettering College is available at http://www.kc.edu/it. 

Minimum technical requirements are as follows:

To be successful in the online courses at Kettering College, you will need access to a computer with the following MINIMUM technology requirements:

PC minimum requirements:

• Pentium IV or equivalent computer running Microsoft Windows XP (SP3 recommended)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer v7.0 or later (Internet Explorer 7.0 requires WinXP Service Pack 2 or later) OR Mozilla Firefox 3.x
• Broadband Internet connection (cable, DSL, or satellite) and ISP
• 512 MB RAM or greater
• Sound card with speakers or headphones
• Microsoft Office 2003 compatible – 2007 or 2010 recommended (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Windows Media Player 9 or later
• Adobe Reader

Mac minimum requirements:

• Power PC/Intel running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or higher
• MUST use Mozilla Firefox 3.x (Apple Safari and Google Chrome NOT compatible)
• Broadband Internet connection (cable, DSL, or satellite) and ISP
• 512 MB RAM or greater
• Sound card with speakers or headphones
• Microsoft Office for Mac 2004 compatible – 2008 or 2011 recommended (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Quicktime 7.0 or later (also need Flip4Mac plug-in installed for .wmv file conversion)
• Adobe Reader