Oakland University School of Nursing: What to Know for Applicants (2026)
In Rochester, Michigan, Oakland University School of Nursing (SON) offers CCNE-accredited pathways from Traditional BSN and Accelerated Second-Degree (ASD) BSN through online RN-to-BSN, MSN (including NP and forensic tracks), DNP, DNP nurse anesthesia (OU–Beaumont), and a Ph.D. in Nursing. OU publishes 2025–26 differential nursing tuition and a flat RN-to-BSN program rate; for first-time NCLEX-RN percentages, use Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDFs and confirm with the SON.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Oakland University SON highlights Southeast Michigan clinical partnerships (the university cites 500+ clinical connections for pre-licensure BSN marketing), the Human Health Building simulation environment, and high-profile pathways such as the Corewell Health Nurse Scholars Program (scholarship and structured employment with Corewell Health after graduation—confirm current terms on the SON page). Traditional BSN and ASD admission are competitive, with published prerequisite GPA rules and holistic review (essay, professional reference, character assessment).
Overview & Why Students Choose Oakland University School of Nursing
Oakland University School of Nursing sits on OU’s Rochester campus in Metro Detroit’s northern corridor, with pre-licensure students rotating through hospitals and community agencies across Southeast Michigan. OU’s careers materials describe the basic BSN as the largest state-funded nursing program in Michigan—treat that as institutional positioning and confirm scale details with the SON. The college emphasizes evidence-based practice, simulation, and interprofessional learning in the Human Health Building, while graduate programs blend online, hybrid, and clinical immersion formats.
Students choose OU for a public-university nursing portfolio that spans Traditional BSN, an Accelerated Second-Degree (ASD) track, a flat-rate online RN-to-BSN, MSN NP and forensic options, post-master’s DNP, a COA-accredited DNP nurse anesthesia partnership with Corewell Health William Beaumont, and a Ph.D. in Nursing. OU also promotes no hidden fees at the institutional level alongside SON-specific scholarships and the Corewell Nurse Scholars pathway.
Michigan LARA publishes NCLEX score summary PDFs (calendar-year reports) that list first-time pass rates by nursing program. Download the latest summary, locate Oakland University / School of Nursing in the RN table, and record the pass rate and tester counts. The SON also requires pre-licensure students to meet an ATI Comprehensive Predictor threshold before graduation—see the BSN catalog plan for the exact rule.
Reasons students choose Oakland SON
Detroit-area clinical density
OU markets 500+ clinical partnerships for BSN students, placing learners inside major health systems serving a large, diverse patient population.
Accelerated & traditional entry points
Choose Traditional BSN (direct or transfer progression) or the ASD BSN intensive track for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Online RN-to-BSN with flat pricing
The SON advertises a $9,995 flat rate for the 32-credit, fully online RN-to-BSN with no additional fees—confirm eligibility and cohort caps on the RN-BSN page.
Graduate breadth (NP, DNP, CRNA, Ph.D.)
MSN NP tracks (AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP), Forensic Nursing MSN, post-master’s DNP, DNP Nurse Anesthesia, and Ph.D. support advanced practice, leadership, and research goals.
Scholarship-to-employment pathways
The Corewell Health Nurse Scholars Program combines scholarship support with a defined employment commitment at Corewell hospitals—review award amounts, service obligations, and deadlines on the SON site.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list reflects Oakland University School of Nursing program pages and the 2025–2026 undergraduate/graduate catalogs linked from SON. Pre-licensure pathways prepare graduates for NCLEX-RN; post-licensure and graduate programs prepare for advanced certification or doctoral competencies as described by each track.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
For students admitted to the Traditional BSN track after completing SON prerequisites (minimum B- in each listed course, 3.0+ pre-nursing science GPA). Holistic review uses GPA plus essay, professional reference, and character assessment. Applications open April 1–June 1 (fall start) and August 1–October 1 (winter start) per the SON Traditional BSN page.
Accelerated Second-Degree (ASD) BSN
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at Oakland University the program is called Accelerated Second-Degree (ASD) BSN. Intensive four-semester, full-time track for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s outside nursing; didactic on the main campus and West Center. Same prerequisite GPA rules as Traditional BSN; applications for Summer, Fall, and Winter starts with published windows (e.g., Dec 1–Feb 1, Apr 1–Jun 1, Aug 1–Oct 1).
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN-to-BSN (BSN Degree Completion)
32-credit, 100% online, full-time-only completion program; $9,995 flat program rate with no fees per SON. Requires ADN and unrestricted RN license; 2.5+ ADN GPA. Starting Fall 2025, admits once per year in fall (e.g., priority deadline June 1, 2026 for Fall 2026, 70 seats).
Graduate & doctoral
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nurse Practitioner Program with Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, and Family NP specialties—online/hybrid didactic with facilitated clinical placements per SON. Separate Forensic Nursing MSN track plus optional graduate certificate.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Post-master’s DNP, fully online, with two- or three-year plan options per SON. Distinct DNP Nurse Anesthesia track through the Oakland University–Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia (COA-accredited) with semester tuition listed on OU financial services.
Ph.D. in Nursing
Research-focused doctorate preparing nurse scientists for academic and research careers; details on the SON graduate programs page and graduate catalog.
Tracks, emphases, and delivery can change. Always confirm the current Oakland University catalog and the relevant SON program page before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), through the Bureau of Community and Health Systems, publishes NCLEX score summary PDFs (for example, annual calendar-year reports) that list first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by nursing program. Open the most recent file and locate Oakland University School of Nursing (or the exact program label used in that table) to read the percentage and number of first-time testers.
For context, the same LARA summaries also report statewide Michigan aggregates for first-time NCLEX-RN testers—use those rows only as a state benchmark, not as a substitute for Oakland’s program-specific line. Always confirm cohort year and methodology in the PDF header.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (program-specific) | See the latest Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDF; find Oakland University in the RN program table. This page does not paste a percentage so numbers stay aligned with the official file you download. |
| Pre-licensure graduation requirement | OU’s BSN catalog language requires pre-licensure students to pass the ATI Comprehensive Predictor at a defined predicted probability of passing NCLEX-RN threshold before graduation, with remediation if needed. |
| Source | Michigan LARA — Bureau of Community & Health Systems (NCLEX score summaries). Confirm current cohort data with LARA and Oakland University SON. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting year. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with Michigan LARA and the School of Nursing before making decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants and internationally educated nurses must coordinate Oakland University admissions, School of Nursing requirements, clinical clearance rules, and Michigan nursing licensure steps. ASD applicants with foreign bachelor’s degrees need a NACES-approved course-by-course evaluation demonstrating U.S. bachelor’s equivalency per the SON ASD page.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm required exams and minimum scores with OU admissions or the international programs office.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Use evaluators and formats accepted for nursing prerequisites and prior degrees.
- Michigan Board of Nursing (via LARA): For RN licensure pathways, NCLEX eligibility, and any CGFNS-related steps, confirm current rules with Michigan nursing regulators.
- Immigration & visa: Clarify F-1 or other status implications for didactic vs. clinical components and any restrictions on placement sites.
Policies change frequently. Verify with OU international services, the SON, and Michigan LARA.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN and ASD BSN applicants must first be admitted to Oakland University, activate an OU email, complete SON prerequisites, and submit the School of Nursing application during the published window. Prerequisite courses require a grade of B- or higher in each listed class; the five science courses form the pre-nursing GPA, which must be 3.0 or higher for consideration. Admission is competitive—meeting minimums does not guarantee selection.
Holistic review combines pre-nursing GPA with an essay, professional reference (supervisor or professor), and character assessment scored by faculty into a composite ranking. RN-to-BSN applicants need an ADN, 2.5+ cumulative ADN GPA, and unrestricted RN license. Graduate NP applicants use NursingCAS, hold a CCNE- or NLN-accredited BSN with 3.0 GPA, Michigan RN license, recommendations, and a professional statement per the NP program page.
Application timeline
| Program | Application window | Entry term |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | Apr 1–Jun 1 (example: Fall 2026) | Fall |
| Traditional BSN | Aug 1–Oct 1 (example: Winter 2027) | Winter |
| ASD BSN | Dec 1–Feb 1; Apr 1–Jun 1; Aug 1–Oct 1 (per SON ASD page) | Summer; Fall; Winter starts |
| RN-to-BSN | Priority deadline June 1, 2026 for Fall 2026 (70 seats) | Fall only (annual) |
| MSN / DNP / Ph.D. | Varies; use NursingCAS or SON graduate instructions | Confirm with graduate advising |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Prerequisite grades (Traditional & ASD) | B- or higher in each listed prerequisite; pre-nursing science GPA 3.0+. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on SON Traditional/ASD pages reviewed for this guide; confirm for your entry term. |
| RN-to-BSN capacity | Example: 70 seats for Fall 2026 per SON RN-BSN page—confirm current cap. |
Practical tips
Because holistic scoring weights essay, reference, and character assessment alongside GPA, draft your essay early and choose a reference who can speak to clinical or academic professionalism. Attend a SON information session and meet SON academic advising for transfer course planning. After admission, complete clinical health requirements on the SON forms page before the first clinical course.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Oakland University’s 2025–2026 Tuition and Cost of Attendance page lists academic year 2025–2026 rates. OU markets no hidden fees at the institutional level (tuition plus housing, if applicable, is the billed core). Nursing undergraduates pay School of Nursing differential rates; graduate nursing students typically pay the graduate or doctoral per-credit bands unless enrolled in a special program such as nurse anesthesia.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| School of Nursing undergraduate courses (MI resident example) | $584.50 per credit for course levels 0001–2999; $685.75 per credit for 3000+ courses (2025–26 table). |
| Other undergraduate differentials (comparison) | Arts & Sciences lower/upper tiers and non-resident rates are listed separately on the same OU page—confirm how non-resident status applies to SON courses with the bursar. |
| RN-to-BSN flat program rate | $9,995 total for the 32-credit online program (per SON and financial services pages). |
| Graduate nursing (most MSN/DNP coursework) | $951.50 per credit in-state; $1,078.25 non-resident (2025–26 graduate table). |
| DNP Nurse Anesthesia | $11,362 per semester plus listed ancillary costs (SEE exams, membership, books, travel) on OU tuition page. |
| Cost of attendance estimates | OU links to Google Sheets COA workbooks for budgeting beyond tuition; housing and personal expenses vary by living arrangement. |
| Source | Oakland University — Tuition and Cost of Attendance; SON RN-to-BSN. Confirm current amounts with OU Financial Services. |
Review SON scholarships, the Corewell Health Nurse Scholars Program, and OU’s financial aid listings for stackable aid opportunities.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pre-licensure graduates earn a BSN and become eligible for NCLEX-RN. For numeric pass-rate reporting, rely on Michigan LARA NCLEX summaries. Oakland’s careers marketing page for the basic BSN states a 99% job placement rate upon graduation and successful passing of the NCLEX-RN—confirm the definition of “placement,” cohort year, and methodology with OU Career Services or institutional outcomes dashboards.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (pre-licensure BSN) | See Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDFs for Oakland University School of Nursing. |
| Employment / placement (school-reported marketing) | OU careers content cites 99% job placement after graduation and NCLEX passage for the basic BSN narrative—confirm current figures and methodology with the university. |
| Source | Michigan LARA — BCHS; OU Careers — BSN; OU post-graduation outcomes dashboard. |
Is Oakland University School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Oakland fits learners who want a large public-university nursing program anchored in Southeast Michigan’s hospital systems, with options from traditional and accelerated pre-licensure BSN through online RN-to-BSN and graduate APRN and doctoral study. It may be less ideal if you cannot meet competitive GPA and holistic review standards or need a pre-licensure program far from Metro Detroit clinical sites.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value CCNE-accredited pathways plus a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia option and forensic nursing graduate focus areas.
- Want access to Corewell Health and other major systems for clinical immersion and optional scholar–employment programs.
- Can organize prerequisites to hit B- minimums and 3.0 science GPA thresholds for Traditional/ASD admission.
- Seek a flat-fee RN-to-BSN completion route with fully online delivery.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure RN program (Traditional and ASD BSN require in-person didactic and clinical attendance in Michigan).
- Prefer rolling admission without competitive ranking for nursing major decisions.
- Cannot travel to Rochester, West Center, or assigned Southeast Michigan clinical sites for the duration of the program.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
[Describe local hospitals and clinical partners for this school only. Do not copy from another school or template.]
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| [Facility name] | [Details] |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Undergraduate nursing students use the Human Health Building on Oakland’s Rochester campus—home to simulation suites, skills labs, and interprofessional learning spaces highlighted in SON marketing and virtual tours. ASD didactic courses meet on the main campus and West Center. Campus life includes NCAA Division I Golden Grizzlies athletics, hundreds of student organizations, and SON-specific community building through student groups and honors societies; graduate students access online communities and NP program networking such as the MICNP student chapter referenced on the NP program page.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- SON location
- Rochester, MI
- Address
- Human Health Building, Room 3027, 433 Meadow Brook Road, Rochester, MI 48309-4452, US
- Telephone
- (248) 364-8733
- nrsinfo@oakland.edu
- Undergraduate admissions
- (248) 370-3360 · Apply to OU
- Website
- oakland.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the BSN plan of study and map prerequisites against your transcripts.
- Register for a SON information session for your target track.
- Open the latest Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDF and bookmark Oakland’s program row for your records.
- Model costs with the 2025–26 tuition table (or RN-to-BSN flat rate).
- Review Corewell Nurse Scholars eligibility if you plan to work in that system.
- Create your SON Slate account and list required documents before the window opens.
- Email nrsinfo@oakland.edu with pathway-specific questions you cannot resolve on the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Oakland University School of Nursing offer?
Per the SON website, offerings include Traditional BSN, ASD BSN, online RN-to-BSN, MSN (Forensic Nursing and NP specialties), post-master’s DNP, DNP Nurse Anesthesia (OU–Beaumont), Ph.D. in Nursing, and a Forensic Nursing graduate certificate. Confirm current tracks on oakland.edu/nursing.
Is Oakland University School of Nursing accredited?
The SON states CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs, and COA accreditation for the Oakland University–Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia. Verify status with CCNE, COA, Michigan LARA, and the SON before enrolling.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Oakland University’s pre-licensure BSN students?
Locate the numeric first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Oakland University in the latest Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDF. Confirm the cohort year and program label printed in that table with the SON.
How much is Oakland University nursing tuition in 2025–26?
SON undergraduate courses are $584.50 (0001–2999) and $685.75 (3000+) per credit for 2025–26 per OU’s tuition page. Graduate nursing is $951.50 in-state and $1,078.25 non-resident per credit; RN-to-BSN is a $9,995 flat program rate; DNP Nurse Anesthesia is $11,362 per semester. Confirm on oakland.edu/financialservices/costs/tuition-rates.
When are Oakland University Traditional BSN and ASD application deadlines?
Traditional BSN lists April 1–June 1 and August 1–October 1 windows for fall and winter starts. ASD lists December 1–February 1, April 1–June 1, and August 1–October 1 for summer, fall, and winter cohorts. Verify the exact calendar year on the SON undergraduate pages.
Does Oakland University SON require the TEAS exam?
Traditional and ASD admission pages emphasize prerequisite grades, essay, professional reference, and character assessment; a TEAS requirement is not stated there in the sources used for this guide. Confirm for your entry term with SON advising.
How does the Oakland University RN-to-BSN program work?
It is a 32-credit, fully online, full-time-only completion sequence costing $9,995 with no fees per SON. Starting Fall 2025 it admits once per year in fall (example: priority deadline June 1, 2026, 70 seats).
What is the Corewell Health Nurse Scholars Program at Oakland?
SON advertises scholarship funding and a structured employment pathway with Corewell Health hospitals after graduation. Review the current award amount, service obligation, and application steps on the SON Corewell program page.
What should international students know about Oakland University nursing?
ASD applicants with foreign degrees must submit a NACES course-by-course evaluation. All international students should verify English proficiency, visas, clinical eligibility, and Michigan licensure steps with OU international services, the SON, and Michigan LARA. This FAQ is general guidance only, not legal advice.
References
- Oakland University School of Nursing — homeoakland.edu/nursing
- Traditional BSN (pre-licensure)SON Traditional BSN
- Accelerated Second-Degree BSNSON ASD BSN
- RN-to-BSN completionSON RN-to-BSN
- Graduate programs overviewSON graduate programs
- Oakland University — Tuition and Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)Tuition rates
- Corewell Health Nurse Scholars ProgramSON scholarship page
- Michigan LARA — Bureau of Community & Health Systems (NCLEX publications)michigan.gov/lara
- Michigan LARA — NCLEX Score Summary (example 2024 PDF)NCLEX-Score-Summary-2024.pdf
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
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 program-list alignment with Oakland University SON pages, tuition figures against OU’s 2025–26 tuition table, published application windows, and NCLEX guidance tied to Michigan LARA NCLEX score summaries.
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 Oakland University School of Nursing and Michigan nursing regulators.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy