Central Methodist University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Private Methodist-affiliated university with a Traditional BSN in Fayette, an Accelerated BSN in Columbia, RN-to-BSN online, and an online MSN. This guide uses CMU’s published tuition (2025–26), nursing admission pages, and the school’s NCLEX summary—confirm every detail with CMU and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
CMU stacks a residential pre-licensure experience in Fayette’s Thogmorton Center for Allied Health alongside a fast-track ABSN in Columbia and flexible RN-to-BSN and MSN options—useful if you want one institution that covers initial licensure, completion, and selected graduate roles without hunting for multiple brands.
Overview & Why Students Choose Central Methodist University
Central Methodist University is a private institution rooted in Fayette, Missouri, with statewide centers and online programs through its College of Graduate and Extended Studies. Nursing students can enter via a traditional four-year BSN on the Fayette campus, pivot through a Columbia-based Accelerated BSN (ABSN), complete a BSN online as a working RN, or advance into an MSN focused on leadership or education.
CMU publicly ties its undergraduate nursing instruction to the Thogmorton Center for Allied Health and emphasizes simulation plus varied clinical placements. Always confirm cohort capacity, campus location, and compliance requirements (immunizations, background checks, clinical partner policies) directly with the program office for your entry path.
The Missouri Board of Nursing 2025 Quarter 3 RN NCSBN Report 4 lists MO — Central Methodist University — BS (US17500900) with 38 of 48 first-time candidates passed (79.17%) in the report’s Total column. Separately, CMU’s NCLEX Pass Rates page lists 94.12% for calendar year 2024 in its school summary table (earlier years on the same page include 92.68% for 2023 and 82.35% for 2022). Board PDFs and CMU’s table use different periods and definitions—confirm both with official sources.
Reasons students choose Central Methodist University
Two pre-licensure BSN doors
Residential Traditional BSN in Fayette and an approximately 14-month ABSN at CMU-Columbia let you match pace and geography to your situation while staying within one university’s policies.
CCNE + Missouri Board oversight
CMU’s accreditation page links nursing to CCNE, and program pages cite Missouri State Board of Nursing approval for pre-licensure offerings—helpful anchors for licensure-bound students.
Named simulation & skills setting
The Fayette program highlights the Thogmorton Center for Allied Health and high-fidelity simulation as part of skill-building before and alongside clinical rotations.
Completion & MSN continuity
RN-to-BSN (online plus Missouri centers) and MSN tracks (Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator) give a path from associate/diploma practice through graduate study without switching institutions.
Nursing Programs Offered
Programs below are summarized from CMU’s official nursing and accelerated nursing pages and graduate nursing overview as of the 2025–26 catalog cycle referenced on the university site.
Pre-licensure
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Delivered on the Fayette campus; includes clinical experiences with Missouri providers. Admission to the nursing major is competitive and occurs after prerequisites, per CMU’s Nursing Admission Requirements.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at CMU the public-facing name is Accelerated Nursing at CMU-Columbia (Forum), designed for completion in about 14 months with mid-Missouri clinicals.
Post-licensure
RN-to-BSN
For licensed RNs; CMU cites online delivery plus centers such as Arnold, St. Charles, and St. Louis alongside clinical experiences appropriate to the completion curriculum.
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Online MSN with Clinical Nurse Leader or Nurse Educator tracks; cohorts of about 10–12 with deadlines July 1 and December 1 and starts in August and January, per CMU.
CMU’s public graduate nursing materials summarized here do not list a DNP. If CMU adds doctoral nursing options later, confirm them in the official catalog before planning around a doctorate.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Missouri Board of Nursing 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (first-time candidates, NCSBN jurisdiction summary), MO — Central Methodist University — BS (US17500900) shows 38 of 48 passed (79.17%) in the report’s Total column. According to CMU’s NCLEX Pass Rates summary table, the program reported 94.12% for calendar year 2024; the same page lists earlier years (for example, 92.68% for 2023 and 82.35% for 2022).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (MO BON Report 4, 2025 Q3) | 79.17% (38/48), US17500900 — RN Report 4 PDF |
| NCLEX-RN (CMU school table, calendar year 2024) | 94.12% — CMU NCLEX Pass Rates |
| Source | Missouri Board of Nursing — NCLEX Statistics; CMU NCLEX Pass Rates. Confirm current rates with CMU and the Board. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting period. Treat CMU’s public table as a high-level summary; confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Missouri Board of Nursing and the nursing department.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by pathway, clinical site rules, and Missouri licensure policy. Use this checklist as planning guidance—not legal advice—and verify with CMU’s International office and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo minimums for your admission level (CGES vs. traditional undergraduate) with CMU International Services.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Ask CMU which evaluators are accepted for nursing prerequisites and prior nursing coursework if you hold a foreign nursing diploma.
- Missouri Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses seeking Missouri licensure must follow Board pathways for credential review, English competency, and NCLEX eligibility.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical courses require clearance at U.S. health care sites; visa status may affect placement availability—disclose early to both International Services and the nursing clinical coordinator.
Policies change frequently. Confirm current requirements with CMU and Missouri’s Board of Nursing before you invest in relocation or prerequisite coursework.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
CMU admits students to the university first; nursing programs add program-level applications and requirements. Traditional BSN students typically apply to nursing in the junior year after prerequisites. Accelerated BSN applicants work through College of Graduate and Extended Studies with a December committee review for a June start. RN-to-BSN and MSN applicants follow CGES graduate/online nursing requirements.
Application timeline
| Pathway | Deadline / cycle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN (Fayette) | After prerequisites (junior year application) | Nursing Admissions Committee meets after each semester; dates from Nursing Department office. See Nursing Admission Requirements. |
| Accelerated BSN (Columbia) | December committee (June cohort start) | CMU states ABSN applicants complete a program application and background check; second-degree applicants need references per ABSN admission page. |
| MSN (online) | July 1 & December 1 | Cohort starts in August and January; minimum 10–12 students per cohort per CMU MSN page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing major) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (Traditional BSN program entry) | Cumulative 3.0 on ≥53 semester hours; science sub‑GPA ≥2.5 with grades of C or better in listed sciences (max two attempts per course), plus other requirements on CMU Nursing Admission Requirements. |
| Minimum GPA (ABSN) | Cumulative 3.0; science sub‑GPA ≥2.5; Pathophysiology B for cohort progression paths described on ABSN admission page. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on CMU Traditional BSN or ABSN admission pages reviewed for this guide; confirm for your application year. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
CMU is a private university; the Business Office publishes separate rate cards for the Fayette undergraduate campus (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences) and College of Graduate & Extended Studies (CGES), which covers statewide/online and Accelerated Nursing. Figures below are from the 2025–26 columns on CMU’s Tuition & Fees page; housing, fees, and program-specific clinical fees are additional.
| Metric | Value (2025–26, CMU table) |
|---|---|
| Fayette full-time tuition (12–18 credits per semester) | $28,670 per academic year |
| Average room, board, fees (Fayette summary line) | Combined direct-cost summary on CMU page: $39,250 average annual direct costs before books (see CMU table for room/board/fees breakdown) |
| Accelerated Nursing (Columbia), per credit | $540 per credit hour |
| CGES undergraduate (most locations), per credit | $240 per credit hour ($275 online) |
| MSN, per credit | $400 per credit hour (2025–26 column) |
| Other fees | Student service fees (e.g., $25/credit in CGES schedule), clinical/simulation lines, insurance, and background checks vary by program—see CLAS Health Professions Program Fees in the catalog. |
| Source | Central Methodist University Tuition & Fees; Cost of Attendance. Confirm current amounts with the Business Office. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Licensure outcomes for pre-licensure BSN and ABSN graduates are the most concrete public metric CMU publishes on its NCLEX page; employment or placement percentages were not pulled from a single CMU consumer-disclosure table for this guide.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (MO BON Report 4, 2025 Q3) | 79.17% (38/48), US17500900 — RN Report 4 PDF |
| NCLEX-RN (2024, CMU school table) | 94.12% (Central Methodist University NCLEX Pass Rates page, calendar year 2024 row) |
| Source | Missouri Board of Nursing NCLEX Statistics; CMU NCLEX Pass Rates. |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed in the CMU sources summarized here; for current data, see CMU career services or consumer information pages. |
Is Central Methodist University the Right Fit for You?
Choose CMU when the location model matches your life: Fayette for a residential liberal-arts-style BSN, Columbia Forum for an intense ABSN, or online/center hybrid for RN-to-BSN and MSN.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want Missouri clinical exposure spanning mid-state communities and academic medical centers accessible from Fayette or Columbia.
- Prefer a private Methodist-affiliated campus culture with small undergraduate classes in Fayette.
- Need a single institution for pre-licensure, RN completion, and selected MSN tracks.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require the lowest possible tuition; public Missouri options may better match tight budgets even after aid.
- Need a fully online pre-licensure BSN without relocation—CMU’s initial licensure paths are campus-intensive.
- Are seeking a DNP or broad APRN population (FNP, etc.) at CMU, which the public MSN page summarized here does not emphasize.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Fayette sits between Columbia and the Missouri River Valley health corridor; Columbia hosts the University of Missouri academic medical center ecosystem. CMU states Accelerated students rotate through multiple mid-Missouri providers, while RN-to-BSN students may use St. Louis-area centers. Affiliation lists change; ask CMU’s clinical coordinator for your cohort.
| Setting | Regional context (not an official CMU clinical list) |
|---|---|
| Columbia / mid-Missouri | University of Missouri Health Care, Boone Health, Capital Region Medical Center, plus community and rural hospitals within driving distance of Fayette and Columbia. |
| St. Louis region | Major systems such as BJC / Barnes-Jewish, SSM Health, Mercy—relevant for RN-to-BSN center locations and capstone experiences. |
| Community / rural | Central Missouri critical-access hospitals and clinics align with community health elements of CMU’s nursing curriculum. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Fayette nursing students use the Thogmorton Center for Allied Health for simulation and skills labs alongside general campus amenities (residence life, library, faith-and-service programs). CMU’s nursing admission materials reference a chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association affiliated with MOSNA/NSNA. Transportation to clinicals is the student’s responsibility; expect regional driving from Fayette or Columbia depending on the program.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Fayette, MO
- Address
- 411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248, US
- Telephone
- 660-248-6251 (Admissions; main switchboard 660-248-3391)
- Contact email
- admissions@centralmethodist.edu
- Website
- centralmethodist.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official Central Methodist University nursing website and bookmark the admission requirements PDF or handbook for your pathway.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the Fayette or statewide catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- Confirm whether CMU requires TEAS, HESI, or another entrance exam for your intended program and term; the Traditional BSN and ABSN pages reviewed for this guide did not list a standardized entrance test.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN pass rate does Central Methodist University publish for recent years?
The Missouri Board 2025 Q3 RN Report 4 lists 79.17% (38/48 first-time, US17500900). CMU’s NCLEX Pass Rates page lists 94.12% for calendar year 2024—different source and period. Confirm both on pr.mo.gov and CMU’s site.
Does Central Methodist University require TEAS or HESI for nursing admission?
The Traditional BSN and ABSN admission pages reviewed for this guide emphasize GPA, prerequisites, and compliance steps rather than ATI TEAS or HESI. Confirm whether any exam is required for your cohort.
Where is the Traditional BSN at Central Methodist University offered?
On the residential Fayette campus, primarily through facilities such as the Thogmorton Center for Allied Health.
Where does Central Methodist University run its Accelerated BSN (ABSN)?
At CMU-Columbia in the Forum Shopping Center, with clinical experiences described across mid-Missouri.
What GPA does Central Methodist University require for Traditional BSN cohort entry?
CMU lists a 3.0 cumulative GPA on at least 53 semester hours and a 2.5 science sub-cumulative GPA with specified science grades, plus continuation rules requiring minimum B grades in nursing courses. See the Nursing Admission Requirements page.
How does RN-to-BSN work at Central Methodist University?
It is a BSN-completion track for licensed RNs with online and center options (e.g., Arnold, St. Charles, St. Louis) per CMU’s RN-to-BSN program page.
What MSN tracks does Central Methodist University offer?
Online MSN Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator tracks with July 1 and December 1 application deadlines and August/January starts.
What tuition rates does Central Methodist University publish for 2025–26?
Tuition & Fees lists Fayette CLAS full-time tuition $28,670/year, ABSN $540/credit, CGES undergrad $240/credit ($275 online), and MSN $400/credit for 2025–26, plus fees. Always confirm on the official page.
Is Central Methodist University nursing accredited?
CMU links its nursing programs to CCNE and cites Missouri State Board of Nursing approval of pre-licensure programs. Verify the current accreditation term with CCNE and CMU.
When is the Accelerated BSN admissions deadline at Central Methodist University?
CMU states a December ABSN admissions committee review for a June cohort start. Confirm deadlines for the year you apply.
References
- Central Methodist University – Traditional BSNcentralmethodist.edu/…/nursing
- Central Methodist University – NCLEX pass ratesnclex-pass-rates.html
- Central Methodist University – Tuition & Feestuition-and-fees
- Central Methodist University – Cost of Attendancecost-of-attendance
- Central Methodist University – Nursing admission (Traditional)nursing-admission-requirements
- Central Methodist University – ABSN admissionaccelerated-nursing admission
- Central Methodist University – Accreditationaccreditation
- Missouri Board of Nursing — 2025 Q3 RN Report 4 (NCSBN)2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4.pdf
- Missouri Board of Nursing – NCLEX statisticspr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX figure alignment with CMU’s public table, tuition row alignment with the 2025–26 Business Office schedule, and nursing program scope against CMU’s undergraduate and graduate nursing pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy