When you open up to others, you open up to growth and change

1.  Is the program offered entirely online?
The Kettering College Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program currently provides its courses of study primarily in online formats, with some limited residency requirements.  We are in the process of transitioning to a completely online format.  The timing of the complete transition to online instruction will be influenced by our readiness to demonstrate to our students and to the accrediting bodies that key processes needed for distance education are well-designed and operating effectively.

2.  How long will it take to earn my BSN degree?
The curriculum is 64 semester credits beyond the A.S. in nursing degree (or its equivalent). Students can complete these credits in five (5) semesters of full-time study (two years, including one summer). If students have transfer credits, the time to completion may be less than five semesters. Half-time students typically complete in eight-to-nine semesters (four years, including one summer) unless they have credits to transfer in.

3.  Can you be enrolled in the program as a part-time student, or do you have to be enrolled as a full-time student?
Students may begin the program any semester and may choose a full-time or a part-time pace of study. Most students enroll part-time. Schedules can be adjusted from semester to semester, based on the needs of the student.

4.  How long do I have to complete the program?
Students may begin to take classes any semester and may choose a full-time or part-time pace of study. Upper-division nursing courses must be completed within five (5) years of first enrollment in a nursing course. Cognate and arts and sciences courses may be taken prior to enrollment in nursing courses or may be taken concurrently with nursing courses.

5.  Will any of the credits from my associate degree program transfer toward the BSN completion program?
Our BSN degree is 64 semester credits beyond the A.S. nursing degree. Credits for courses taken to meet degree requirements for the prelicensure nursing program are not transferred in.

6.  Will I need to retake the core science and math courses if I graduated years ago, since they will be out of date?
No prelicensure basic math or science courses need to be taken over. Prelicensure courses are not transferred in for the Bachelor of Science degree; therefore no retakes are required for basic science and math courses.

7.  Will any credits beyond my prelicensure nursing program (A.S. degree in nursing or diploma) transfer in for the BSN program?
Credits for courses not taken for the prelicensure program will be evaluated and transferred in, if they are applicable to baccalaureate nursing degree requirements. There are no time limits for transfer of course credits. At Kettering College, credits taken at a regionally accredited college or university are transferable.

8.  How does it work if I have been enrolled in a BSN program at another institution and now want to switch to Kettering College’s BSN program?
Equivalent credits for courses taken at a NLNAC or CCNE regionally accredited baccalaureate nursing program will transfer to Kettering College. Evaluation of transcripts or course syllabi will determine if course content is comparable.

9.  How much will this program cost?
Tuition cost is $292 per semester credit*. General and technology fees are $110 per semester. There is an additional program fee of $160 for each of the two clinical courses required in the nursing program.

*This information is based on the 2007-08 fee structure for the College. Tuition and fees are determined annually and are subject to change.

10.  How will I know what my schedule will look like, once I get into the program?
Students will receive individualized advising. A plan will be created for students based on credits they may already have that meet BSN program requirements and upon their need for full-time or part-time study.

Courses required for the degree typically will be offered in seven-week blocks.  This means that a person who wishes to take half-time study will take one course during the first part of a semester and a second course the last seven weeks of a semester.  A full-time student will be enrolled in two (or, on occasion, three) courses per seven-week period.

11.  How many hours per week will I need to study?
Of course, this depends upon the individual. Because the courses are provided in concentrated seven-week periods, 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, in-the-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, in the comfort of their homes or workplaces.

12.  What kind of clinical course requirements are there?
There are two clinical courses in the curriculum — a community health nursing course and an advanced leadership and management course. The clinical learning component of these courses can be completed within the community where students live. Students will identify in the community a mentor who will provide them with guidance in discovering learning opportunities that will assist them in meeting learning objectives for the courses. Kettering College faculty will work both with the students and with their mentors to plan the clinical learning experiences for the courses.

13.  What kind of resources and services are available to students studying online?
Registration will be facilitated through the Division of Nursing office. Students have online access to their course schedules, transcripts, grades, and viewing and paying their bills.

Textbooks can be ordered via email through Kettering College’s bookstore (our web page has a link directly to the email of the bookstore manager) and will be sent directly to students; the charges for the books can be put on student accounts.  Or, if students prefer, a list of required texts and their ISBNs will be provided for the courses for which the students are registered. The student may then personally arrange to purchase the required textbooks from any source they choose.

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 resources because our library is connected to OhioLINK, which links many libraries in Ohio.

The first nursing course students will take is NRSA 310: Success Strategies for Online Learning.  The purpose of this course is to orient students to Kettering College and to the BSN program, as well as to provide students with the knowledge and skills that will help them to be successful in an online learning environment.

14.  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-processing, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint. The ability to navigate the Internet and to use email and attachments also is needed. Information about resources to enhance computer skills is available from the BSN Office at Kettering College. Contact information: (937) 395-8642 or sharon.millard@kcma.edu .

Minimum technical requirements are as follows:

• Pentium IV or equivalent running Microsoft Windows XP; Macintosh not recommended
• Broadband internet connection (cable, DSL, or satellite) and ISP 
• 512 MB RAM
• CD ROM Drive
• Sound card with speakers or headphones
• Microsoft Office XP compatible (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
• Windows Media player 9
• Adobe Flash Player