Fairleigh Dickinson University Henry P. Becton School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The Henry P. Becton College of Nursing and Allied Health (CoNAH) at FDU offers pre-licensure BSN and Accelerated BSN, an Entry-to-Practice MSN for career changers, RN-to-BSN completion, nurse practitioner MSNs, and a DNP—with clinical ties across northern New Jersey and NYC-adjacent systems. Figures below come from FDU’s published nursing program and tuition pages unless noted.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
CoNAH publishes a wide pre-licensure mix (traditional BSN, 15-month Accelerated BSN, and a 72-credit Entry-to-Practice MSN) plus RN-to-BSN and NP-focused graduate tracks—backed by HRSA-funded graduate scholarships and clinical contracts across Hackensack Meridian, RWJBarnabas, Atlantic Health, and other regional systems (see FDU’s clinical sites page).
Overview & Why Students Choose Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Henry P. Becton College of Nursing and Allied Health (CoNAH), part of FDU Health, sits on the Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck with nursing skills labs at Dickinson Hall and simulation at Park Avenue Plaza (Florham Park). The college emphasizes hyflex coursework with in-person labs and clinicals; students may commute up to roughly 50 miles to placements depending on availability.
FDU’s public materials highlight multiple entry points to RN licensure—traditional four-year BSN (with an optional three-year accelerated plan for qualified freshmen), a 15-month Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for second-degree students, and a 72-credit MSN Entry-to-Practice track—as well as RN-to-BSN, nurse practitioner MSNs, administrative MSN options, postgraduate NP certificates, and a DNP. U.S. News & World Report has ranked FDU’s graduate nursing programs nationally; confirm the current year and methodology on USNews.com.
On its Nursing Programs page, FDU reports BSN NCLEX-RN 2024: 82.4% first-time and 95% ultimate pass rates, with additional outcome lines for MSN certification and employment. Confirm current cohort results with CoNAH and compare quarterly figures published by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (Nursing).
Reasons students choose FDU CoNAH
Three RN prep pathways
Choose traditional BSN, condensed ABSN, or Entry-to-Practice MSN depending on prior degree and timeline—each designed for NCLEX-RN eligibility per FDU.
Regional hospital depth
Published affiliations include Hackensack Meridian, RWJBarnabas, Atlantic Health, Valley Health, Englewood Health, Holy Name, and University Hospital of Newark—among others on FDU’s clinical sites page.
Simulation & interprofessional labs
Skills labs in Teaneck and simulation at Florham Park; interprofessional scenarios with PA, OT, pharmacy, and respiratory therapy students per CoNAH.
Graduate aid signal
CoNAH notes a federal HRSA ANEW grant supporting graduate nursing scholarships (amounts and eligibility per FDU’s scholarships page).
NP concentration breadth
MSN Nurse Practitioner tracks in Family, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health, and Women’s Health, plus postgraduate certificates in those populations.
Nursing Programs Offered
Programs below are organized as pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility), post-licensure completion, and graduate, matching how FDU lists them. Details and prerequisites are on each program page and the CoNAH nursing programs hub.
Pre-licensure (RN licensure)
Traditional BSN
Four-year BSN (optional three-year plan for qualified students). Nursing major coursework typically begins fall of sophomore year. ~500 direct-care clinical hours cited on the BSN program page.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at FDU the program is called Nursing BSN Accelerated: 56 credits over ~15 months (summer start). Recommended application deadline December 1 for a May cohort start.
Latino Promise AA + Nursing BSN (combined)
Combined-degree pathway for students in FDU’s Latino Promise AA track leading to NCLEX-RN eligibility; see FDU’s program table for prerequisites.
MSN Entry-to-Practice
72-credit, ~24-month pre-licensure MSN for applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree; graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN. Rolling admission; summer or fall starts.
Post-licensure
RN to BSN
Online RN-to-BSN completion. CoNAH lists a $698 per credit discounted completion rate for 2025–26 when total degree cost is positioned under roughly $20,000 for many students.
Graduate nursing
MSN Nurse Practitioner
Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Women’s Health. Post-master’s NP certificates mirror those populations.
MSN leadership / specialty (non-NP)
FDU lists Healthcare Administration MSN, Infection Preventionist MSN, and Healthcare Education Administration MSN in its nursing program matrix—confirm track details with CoNAH.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Post-master’s DNP for MSN-prepared nurses. 2025–26 graduate schedule: $1,640/credit plus a $261 doctoral program fee per credit (FDU graduate tuition page).
CoNAH also houses allied health and health studies degrees (radiography, respiratory care, etc.). This guide focuses on nursing programs only; see CoNAH’s allied health pages for non-nursing tracks.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Fairleigh Dickinson University publishes aggregate BSN NCLEX outcomes on its Nursing Programs page. The 2024 line reads: NCLEX-RN 2024: 82.4% / 95% (first-time / ultimate) for the BSN cohort notation shown there. This is school-reported, not a substitute for New Jersey’s quarterly RN school reports.
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs publishes quarterly NCLEX-RN PDFs for RN programs (linked via NJCCN’s NCLEX scores page). Figures may differ by reporting period and candidate pool from FDU’s annual disclosure—use both sources and confirm the latest cohort with FDU and the Division.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN) | 82.4% (2024, school-reported on FDU Nursing Programs page) |
| NCLEX-RN ultimate pass rate (BSN) | 95% (2024, same FDU disclosure) |
| Source | FDU — Nursing Programs (Achievement Outcomes); NJCCN — NJ NCLEX quarterly PDFs. Confirm current rates with CoNAH and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Fairleigh Dickinson University and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- New Jersey Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Fairleigh Dickinson University’s international office and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
FDU’s pathways differ: traditional BSN uses freshman/sophomore progression rules with GPA thresholds for change-of-major; ABSN and Entry-to-Practice MSN require science prerequisites within 10 years with grades of B- or better; transfer students to BSN may need a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Entry MSN uses NursingCAS (“MSN – Entry to Practice/Pre-Licensure”).
Application timeline (from FDU program pages)
| Program | Deadline / pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ABSN (May start) | Recommended December 1 for cohort starting the following May | Rolling review; undergraduate transfer application |
| MSN Entry-to-Practice | Rolling | Summer or Fall start; NursingCAS |
| Traditional BSN | Follow general undergraduate admissions | Nursing courses begin fall of sophomore year |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; treat all entry tracks as limited-seat. |
| Minimum GPA | BSN change-of-major: cumulative FDU GPA 2.67+ and high school GPA 3.0+ per BSN page; transfer to nursing: 3.0 cumulative. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not publicly disclosed on the BSN/ABSN pages reviewed; confirm with CoNAH whether a standardized test is required for your entry term. |
Honest tip: If you are ABSN or Entry MSN, complete anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, and statistics before applying—these courses gate progression and must meet FDU’s benchmark equivalencies (see NJTransfer for NJ coursework).
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Fairleigh Dickinson is a private university; rates are not NJ in-state vs. out-of-state in the same way as public colleges. Figures below are taken from FDU’s 2025–2026 schedule pages unless noted.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (per credit, on-campus) | $1,084 per credit + $4 wellness fee per credit per semester + $245 technology fee per term (Undergraduate Part-Time Tuition page). |
| Full-time undergraduate tuition (12–18 credits, COA) | $37,364 annual tuition line in the COA table on the same page (indirect housing/meals/fees vary by living arrangement). |
| RN-to-BSN completion | $698 per credit for 2025–26 when published as the discounted completion rate (CoNAH nursing programs page). |
| Graduate nursing (MSN, post-master’s certificate) | $1,284 per credit (Graduate Tuition — Henry P. Becton College of Nursing & Allied Health). |
| DNP | $1,640 per credit + $261 doctoral program fee per credit (same graduate table). |
| Clinical-affiliation tuition discount (graduate) | Eligible employed RNs at affiliated facilities: $971/master’s-level credit and $983/doctoral-level credit for 2025–26 when approved (CoNAH nursing programs page). |
| Source | Undergraduate tuition & fees; Graduate tuition & fees; CoNAH nursing programs (RN-BSN & discount notes). |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
The following lines are copied from FDU’s Nursing Programs “Achievement Outcomes” block (school-reported; confirm methodology).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (BSN) | 82.4% first-time / 95% ultimate (2024, FDU disclosure) |
| Program completion (BSN) | 87% within 5 years (FDU disclosure) |
| Employed in RN role within graduation year (BSN) | 94% (FDU disclosure; includes those who sought RN credential but not RN employment) |
| Advanced practice certification (MSN) | 89% aggregate (2024, FDU disclosure) |
| DNP employment in leadership role | FDU reports a high employment rate for DNP graduates; confirm cohort definitions and methodology on FDU’s outcomes page. |
| Source | Fairleigh Dickinson University — Nursing Programs (Achievement Outcomes). Confirm current figures with CoNAH. |
Is Fairleigh Dickinson University the Right Fit for You?
FDU’s CoNAH programs suit students who want multiple RN entry designs and dense northern New Jersey hospital access—but private tuition and hybrid scheduling demand careful financial and commute planning.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want ABSN, traditional BSN, or Entry MSN options in one college.
- Plan to work in Hackensack, Newark, or NYC-adjacent hospitals and value named regional systems for clinicals.
- Are seeking NP-focused MSNs with several population concentration choices.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need the lowest tuition (compare NJ public ADN/BSN pathways).
- Cannot travel to Teaneck/Florham Park and varied clinical sites.
- Expect fully online pre-licensure nursing (FDU emphasizes in-person labs and clinicals).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Teaneck sits in Bergen County with rapid access to Hudson County and Manhattan, placing FDU students in one of the densest hospital markets in the United States. CoNAH’s published affiliation examples include:
| System / facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Hackensack Meridian Health | Named on FDU’s clinical sites page (e.g., Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore, Mountainside). |
| RWJBarnabas Health | Examples include Clara Maass, Jersey City Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas, and RWJ University Hospitals. |
| Atlantic Health System | Morristown, Overlook, Newton, Chilton, Hackettstown. |
| Valley Health System | The Valley Hospital (Ridgewood area). |
| Englewood Health; Holy Name; University Hospital | Also listed among entry-level nursing affiliations. |
Specific rotations vary by cohort; confirm with the CoNAH clinical affairs team.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Undergraduate nursing skills labs are at Dickinson Hall on the Metropolitan Campus (Teaneck), while high-fidelity simulation occurs at Park Avenue Plaza (Florham Park). CoNAH lists student organizations, honor societies, and externship pipelines (e.g., Atlantic Health, Hackensack Meridian, RWJBarnabas) on its student-life and clinical pages—externships are competitive and typically open in late fall for the following summer.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Teaneck, NJ (Metropolitan Campus)
- Address
- 1000 River Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666, US
- Telephone
- (201) 692-2882 (CoNAH main line)
- Contact email
- CONAH@fdu.edu
- Website
- fdu.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open the CoNAH Student Manual and the program page for your pathway (BSN, ABSN, or Entry MSN).
- Map prerequisites to your transcripts; use NJTransfer if you took courses at another New Jersey college.
- If you are Entry MSN, create your NursingCAS account and confirm document requirements with NursingCAS@fdu.edu.
- Call (201) 692-2882 to ask about TEAS/HESI or any entrance testing for your cohort.
- Review the clinical sites & externship list and commuting expectations.
- Estimate total cost using the undergraduate and graduate tuition tables plus the RN-BSN or clinical-affiliation discount rules if you qualify.
- Bookmark the NJ nursing board page for future licensure questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairleigh Dickinson University a good school for nursing?
CoNAH’s baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP nursing programs are ACEN-accredited, and the college states New Jersey State Board of Nursing approval on its site. FDU’s nursing programs page lists BSN NCLEX-RN outcomes (e.g., 82.4% first-time for 2024, school-reported). Confirm current data with the school and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (Nursing).
What are the admission requirements for Fairleigh Dickinson University CoNAH nursing?
Requirements vary by pathway: traditional BSN uses high-school coursework and later a 2.67+ FDU GPA for change-of-major; ABSN and Entry MSN require science prerequisites with B- or better within 10 years. TEAS/HESI is not clearly stated on the public BSN pages reviewed—ask CoNAH. Confirm current criteria on the official program pages.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Fairleigh Dickinson University BSN students?
According to FDU’s Nursing Programs achievement section, the BSN program reported 82.4% first-time and 95% ultimate NCLEX-RN pass rates for 2024 (school-reported). For board-published quarterly statistics, see NJ’s RN school PDFs linked from NJCCN. Confirm current cohort rates with FDU and the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Does FDU offer an Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—and what is it called?
Yes. Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is the standard label; at FDU the program page title is Nursing BSN Accelerated—about 56 credits over 15 months with a summer start and a recommended December 1 application deadline for the next May cohort.
What is the MSN Entry-to-Practice program at FDU?
It is a 72-credit, pre-licensure MSN for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN. Admission is rolling with summer or fall starts.
How much is tuition for FDU nursing (2025–26)?
Undergraduate nursing courses bill at the undergraduate rate—$1,084 per credit on the 2025–26 Metro part-time table, plus fees. Graduate nursing MSNs list at $1,284 per credit; DNP at $1,640 per credit plus a $261 doctoral program fee per credit. RN-to-BSN completion is listed at $698 per credit for 2025–26 on the CoNAH page.
Where do FDU nursing students complete clinicals?
FDU’s clinical sites page names systems such as Hackensack Meridian, RWJBarnabas, Atlantic Health, Valley, Englewood Health, Holy Name, and University Hospital of Newark—among others. Students may need to commute up to roughly 50 miles depending on placement.
Does FDU require an RN license for the Nurse Practitioner MSN?
Yes—advanced practice MSN tracks are for licensed RNs. Post-master’s certificates mirror the NP concentrations. Verify certification exam eligibility with CoNAH and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Are international students accepted into FDU nursing programs?
Policies vary by program and visa type; use the international checklist on this page and confirm English proficiency, credential evaluation, and clinical eligibility with FDU’s international office and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
References
- Fairleigh Dickinson University — Henry P. Becton College of Nursing and Allied Healthfdu.edu/academics/colleges-schools/nursing
- Fairleigh Dickinson University — Nursing Programs (outcomes & tuition notes)fdu.edu/…/nursing-programs
- Fairleigh Dickinson University — Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2025–26)fdu.edu/admissions/tuition-fees/undergraduate-part-time
- Fairleigh Dickinson University — Graduate Tuition & Feesfdu.edu/admissions/tuition-fees/graduate-tuition-fees
- Fairleigh Dickinson University — Clinical Sites & Externshipsfdu.edu/…/clinical-sites
- NJCCN — New Jersey NCLEX quarterly PDFsnjccn.org/nj-nclex
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Nursingnjconsumeraffairs.gov/nur
- 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 accuracy of program names, NCLEX citations, tuition figures, and CoNAH contact points against FDU’s published 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 New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (Nursing).
Published: 2026-03-27 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy