Boston College Connell School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
William F. Connell School of Nursing at Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA) offers pre-licensure BSN, a 14-month MS RN second-degree track, nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery master’s programs, DNP options (including nurse anesthesia), and a Ph.D. Use this guide with Boston College’s official pages and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Connell combines a Jesuit liberal arts core with dense clinical placement across Greater Boston’s academic medical centers—and publishes transparent NCLEX tables on its Facts & Figures page, which is unusual and useful for applicants comparing cohort outcomes.
Overview & Why Students Choose the Connell School
On Boston College’s Chestnut Hill campus, the William F. Connell School of Nursing anchors one of the nation’s largest private Catholic research universities. Nursing students complete coursework in Maloney Hall while rotating through many of New England’s flagship hospitals—often within minutes of campus.
Connell is intentionally broad: a traditional four-year BSN for first-year admits, a fast 14-month Master of Science (Registered Nurse Track) for career changers, multiple graduate NP pathways (including Direct Entry), nurse-midwifery, DNP tracks including nurse anesthesia, and a research Ph.D. That depth matters if you want one institution to carry you from first license through advanced practice or science.
According to Boston College’s Facts & Figures page, the BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 98% in 2024. The same page publishes a separate graduate pre-licensure NCLEX table. Confirm cohort-level detail with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and the school.
Reasons students choose Boston College Connell
Greater Boston clinical density
Connell publishes a long list of partner sites—from Boston Medical Center and Brigham and Women’s to community health centers—so students see academic quaternary care and safety-net practice in the same program.
Published NCLEX transparency
Multi-year NCLEX tables for undergraduate and graduate pre-licensure cohorts appear on the school’s Facts & Figures page, which helps you compare trends rather than a single headline number.
Multiple entry points
Traditional BSN, 14-month MS RN for second-degree students, and Direct Entry NP preparation give different academic backgrounds a defined path—each with its own prerequisites and calendars.
Graduate depth
Five NP specialties, nurse-midwifery, CCNE-accredited DNP tracks, COA-accredited nurse anesthesia, and a Ph.D. program let RNs advance without changing universities.
Mission-driven culture
BC emphasizes social justice and holistic formation; Seacole Scholars and global clinical options reflect that identity alongside technical training.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list mirrors Boston College’s published Connell School academics pages (March 2026). A separate Global Public Health undergraduate major lives at BC but is not a nursing licensure program; it is omitted here.
Pre-licensure
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Four-year pre-licensure BSN integrating nursing, sciences, and BC’s liberal arts core; clinical progression across adult, childbearing, pediatrics, mental health, and population health. Apply through Boston College undergraduate admission.
Master of Science, Registered Nurse Track (MS RN)
14-month, 48-credit, July-start program for applicants with a prior bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field (prerequisites required). Prepares you for NCLEX-RN; Boston College reports 810 clinical hours on the MS RN page.
Post-licensure & entry-to-practice graduate
Master of Science, Nurse Practitioner Track
Multiple pathways: baccalaureate-prepared RNs, associate-prepared RN-to-MS, and Direct Entry for non-nursing bachelor’s graduates (July start) that combines pre-licensure MS preparation with later NP specialty coursework (96 credits total per BC’s Direct Entry materials). Five NP specialties: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family, Pediatric Primary Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health, and Women’s Health.
Master of Science, Nurse-Midwifery
Graduate midwifery program; Boston College lists ACME pre-accreditation status—confirm current standing with Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and the school.
Doctoral
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
CCNE-accredited DNP preparing advanced practice leaders; verify specialty tracks and deadlines on the DNP program page.
D.N.P. in Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
Full-time COA-accredited program; BC states a collaborative arrangement with Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians—confirm structure, prerequisites, and critical-care experience rules on the program page.
Ph.D. in Nursing
Research doctorate; Boston College notes that full-time Ph.D. students may receive multi-year tuition remission—confirm current funding and expectations with the program.
Pathway names, credit totals, and specialty availability can change. Always verify your intended track against the official Connell academics page and the catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Undergraduate BSN: Boston College’s Connell School reports a 98% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024 on its Facts & Figures page (multi-year table also lists 2020–2023 cohorts). Graduate pre-licensure cohorts (MS RN / related tracks) are reported separately on the same page; the 2024 graduate table entry is listed as 100% first-time pass—interpret this as school-reported, graduate pre-licensure, not a guarantee for every future cohort.
Massachusetts Board data: For Board-published performance metrics that may differ in definition or timing from the school’s consumer page, use the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and any public nursing education reports the Commonwealth provides.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BSN first-time NCLEX-RN (2024) | 98% (Boston College Connell School Facts & Figures) |
| Graduate pre-licensure first-time NCLEX-RN (2024) | 100% (school-reported; confirm cohort definition on BC Facts & Figures) |
| Source | Boston College Connell School — Facts & Figures; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Confirm current rates with both. |
NCLEX outcomes vary by cohort and program track. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and Boston College.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Boston College’s graduate nursing application materials list English-proficiency minimums for applicants whose native language is not English. This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Connell graduate pages cite minimum scores such as 100 on the TOEFL iBT or 7.5 on IELTS (academic); confirm current thresholds with graduate admissions.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow Boston College Graduate Admission Services requirements for international academic records.
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing: For licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm NCLEX eligibility, background checks, and documentation with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical courses can have visa-related limits; verify F-1 or other status implications with BC’s international student office before accepting admission.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Boston College’s international student services, Connell graduate admissions (csongrad@bc.edu), and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Boston College’s undergraduate nursing major is competitive within the broader first-year pool; you apply to the university and declare/complete nursing prerequisites per Connell policy. Graduate applicants apply to the specific track (MS RN, MS NP, midwifery, DNP, Ph.D.) with prerequisites, résumé, goal statements, and letters outlined on each program page.
Application timeline (selected)
| Program | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MS RN Track (summer) | Early Oct. 1; Regular Dec. 15 | July start; 14-month format per BC. |
| MS NP — Direct Entry (summer) | Early Oct. 1; Regular Dec. 15 | July start; prerequisites must be complete before matriculation. |
| MS NP — post-licensure pathways | Early Dec. 15; Regular Mar. 15; Spring Oct. 1 | Family specialty is fall-only per BC. |
| Traditional BSN | BC undergraduate admission deadlines | See Office of Undergraduate Admission for first-year and transfer. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed as a separate nursing admit rate on Connell pages. |
| Graduate GPA expectation | Many pathways require roughly a B average or 3.0 minimum; NP pages state specifics by pathway. |
| GRE | Listed as preferred but not required for some graduate pathways (e.g., Direct Entry MS NP); confirm for your cycle. |
| TEAS / HESI (undergraduate) | Not publicly disclosed on the Connell BSN overview; confirm with Undergraduate Admission if a nursing entrance exam applies to your year. |
Honest tips
If you are pursuing Direct Entry, finish science prerequisites early—BC requires minimum B- grades in several sciences and does not accept AP credit for prerequisites. If you are a second-degree MS RN applicant, align your timeline with the July start and October/December deadlines well in advance. For NP paths, budget time for the goal-statement prompts and employer/academic references required on the graduate application.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Boston College is a private institution—tuition does not have a separate in-state rate. Figures below come from Boston College Student Services (undergraduate COA) and the Connell School Tuition & Aid page (graduate per-credit).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (2025–26) | $72,180 per year (direct cost table for entering students; excludes housing/fees). |
| Direct billed total (example) | BC lists about $93,514 combined tuition + housing/food + fees for entering on-campus students—see COA tables for your situation. |
| Connell graduate tuition | $1,876 per credit (CSON Tuition & Aid page). |
| Lab & course fees | Nursing courses may carry lab fees; see BC billing/tuition-fees for laboratory line items. |
| Source | Boston College — Undergraduate Cost of Attendance; Connell School — Tuition & Aid. Confirm current amounts with Student Services. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Connell publishes several high-level outcomes on Facts & Figures. Treat them as school-reported snapshots—always confirm definitions (e.g., “employed within one year”) and cohort year with Boston College.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, 2024) | 98% first-time pass (Boston College Connell Facts & Figures). |
| NCLEX-RN (graduate pre-licensure, 2024) | 100% first-time pass (same source; confirm cohort scope). |
| Undergraduate outcomes (BC Facts page) | Reports a high share of graduates employed, in graduate school, or in service/fellowship one year post-graduation—confirm the latest percentage and cohort on the Facts page. |
| Master’s employment (BC master’s page) | The school highlights strong master’s employment outcomes on the Master’s Programs page; confirm methodology and year with CSON. |
| Source | Facts & Figures; Master’s Programs. Confirm current data with Boston College. |
Is Boston College Connell the Right Fit for You?
Connell rewards students who want rigorous academics, Jesuit formation, and immersion in a major biomedical hub. It is not the lightest-cost path; plan finances and aid early.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a traditional residential campus with Division I athletics and strong alumni networks alongside nursing.
- Value named clinical partnerships across Boston’s academic medical centers and community agencies.
- Need multiple graduate pathways (NP, midwifery, DNP, anesthesia, Ph.D.) at one school.
- Prefer transparent NCLEX reporting on the school’s consumer pages.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require the lowest possible tuition (public in-state options may fit better unless aid is strong).
- Need a fully online pre-licensure program—Connell’s pre-licensure experiences are campus-integrated.
- Prefer a very small nursing program; Connell’s undergraduate cohorts are sizable relative to tiny colleges.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Greater Boston is one of the densest clinical labor markets in the United States, with quaternary referral centers, pediatric subspecialty hospitals, NCI-designated cancer centers, and large safety-net systems. Connell’s published partner list spans academic hospitals, community health centers, specialty institutes, and the VA—reflecting the range of roles new RNs and NPs fill locally.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Major academic medical center; common teaching site for complex adult care. |
| Boston Medical Center | Safety-net hospital and trauma care—strong exposure to underserved populations. |
| Boston Children’s Hospital | Pediatric quaternary care for pediatric NP and BSN rotations. |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Oncology exposure aligned with Boston’s research-heavy cancer cluster. |
| VA Boston Healthcare System | Federal system experience valued by many new graduates. |
| Community health centers (e.g., Fenway Health, South Boston CHC) | Primary care and population-health immersion outside tertiary hospitals. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing courses and student services are centered in Maloney Hall, where Connell houses simulation and learning-lab leadership. Boston College guarantees first-year nursing students on-campus housing for four years—helpful for planning clinical commutes. Undergraduates can join Sigma Theta Tau, research fellows programs, and living-learning communities such as Seacole Scholars for first-year nursing students. Graduate students have a Graduate Nurses’ Association and access to international experiences that may count toward NP supervised hours—confirm policies with the program.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Chestnut Hill, MA
- Address
- Maloney Hall, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, US
- Telephone
- 617-552-4250 (main Connell)
- Graduate nursing
- csongrad@bc.edu · 617-552-4928
- Undergraduate nursing
- ugnurse@bc.edu
- Website
- Boston College Connell School of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open Facts & Figures and save the NCLEX tables that match your intended pathway (BSN vs graduate pre-licensure).
- Download the curriculum PDF for your track (BSN, MS RN, or MS NP/Direct Entry) from the relevant Connell program page.
- Compare prerequisite courses to your transcripts; note BC’s B- minimums where stated.
- If you are applying graduate, draft goal-statement responses using BC’s published prompts and request references early.
- Estimate total cost using the undergraduate COA or graduate per-credit rate, then review BC financial aid resources.
- Bookmark the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for licensure questions.
- Add application deadlines (Oct. 1 / Dec. 15 for many summer-start programs) to your calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston College Connell offer an accelerated BSN?
The undergraduate route is a four-year BSN. Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree typically choose the 14-month Master of Science, Registered Nurse Track for pre-licensure preparation, or the Direct Entry NP pathway if pursuing the MS NP track. Confirm which option matches your goals with Connell graduate admissions.
What NCLEX-RN pass rate does Boston College Connell report for the BSN?
According to the Connell School Facts & Figures page, the BSN first-time pass rate was 98% in 2024. Confirm the latest cohort with Boston College and cross-check Massachusetts Board publications if needed.
What is graduate tuition at the Boston College Connell School of Nursing?
The Connell School lists $1,876 per credit for graduate nursing on its Tuition & Aid page. Undergraduate tuition for 2025–26 is $72,180 on Boston College’s undergraduate cost of attendance page before housing and fees.
Is the Boston College Connell School of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
Yes—Boston College states CCNE accreditation for its baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs on its Accreditation page, with effective dates. Nurse anesthesia is accredited by COA; nurse-midwifery lists ACME pre-accreditation. Confirm current status with the accreditors and the school.
What is the Direct Entry MS NP program at Boston College?
Direct Entry is for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who seek RN licensure and later NP preparation. It is a long, full-time curriculum (BC cites 96 credits for the combined MS nursing + NP coursework). Review prerequisites, July start, and deadlines on the MS NP track page.
What GPA do you need for Boston College Connell graduate nursing programs?
Many pathways require about a 3.0 minimum and/or a B average in prior coursework; Direct Entry lists a 3.0 minimum explicitly. Requirements vary by pathway—use the page for your specific program.
Where do Boston College nursing students complete clinicals?
Connell publishes a broad partner list across Greater Boston—examples include Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber, and VA Boston. Sites vary by semester and program; the school assigns placements.
Does Boston College Connell require the TEAS for nursing admission?
Graduate pages emphasize prerequisites, GPA, and (for some tracks) optional GRE—not TEAS. Undergraduate nursing admission runs through Boston College’s Office of Undergraduate Admission; confirm whether any nursing-specific entrance exam is required for your entry year.
How do international students apply to Boston College Connell nursing programs?
Graduate materials list TOEFL/IELTS minimums for applicants whose native language is not English. Work with Boston College’s international student office on visas and with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing on licensure steps.
References
- Boston College Connell School of Nursing — homebc.edu — Connell School
- Boston College — Academics (program list)bc.edu — CSON Academics
- Boston College — Facts & Figures (NCLEX tables)bc.edu — Facts & Figures
- Boston College — Undergraduate cost of attendancebc.edu — UG COA
- Boston College Connell — Tuition & Aidbc.edu — CSON Tuition & Aid
- Boston College Connell — Accreditationbc.edu — Accreditation
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursingmass.gov — MA BON
- 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 alignment with Boston College Connell School web pages (programs, tuition, accreditation, Facts & Figures NCLEX tables) and for clear sourcing of outcome statistics.
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 Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy