Founded in 1943 as the Deaconess School of Nursing, Chamberlain University is now a private, for-profit healthcare and nursing school. With 23 campuses nationwide Chamberlain has some of the largest nursing schools in the country. But how exactly does this school fare in preparing its nursing graduates for the workforce?
Is Chamberlain University a Good Nursing School?
Chamberlain University is a good nursing school with a high graduation rate. Its purpose is to educate its students in nursing and healthcare through in-person and online programs. Even the name Chamberlain is a nod to the field. It derives from “chaumberlein” which means “chief steward”, recognizing the importance of the nurse as the main coordinator of patient care.
In this article, we’ll be going over some of the programs this school has to offer, their admission requirements, acceptance rates, and tuition. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of studying at Chamberlain and provide a few reviews from former students to help you determine if this school is a good fit for you.
Chamberlain University Nursing School Admission Requirements
Chamberlain University offers a wide variety of nursing programs and certificates, each of them with its own set of admission requirements. Here, we’ll be discussing the main nursing programs this school has to offer:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Chamberlain’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing can be completed in as few as three years. From day one, students are exposed to hands-on nursing classes through expert mentorship. Students can practice their skills in the school’s labs to become prepared for clinicals.
To apply for this program, students must provide high school transcripts that show a minimum 2.75 GPA or a GED of 551 (if taken between 2002 and 2013) or 600 (if taken after 2013). They also must present a minimum score of 73 on their HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam.
There are no prerequisite courses required for admission. Once accepted, students must submit themselves to a drug screen and fingerprint checks within the first 120 days to gain clinical clearance.
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing was prepared for nurses, by nurses. It allows students to choose from eight different specialty track options including healthcare policy, nursing informatics, and adult gerontology practice.
To enroll in this program, students need a bachelor’s degree in nursing or higher from an accredited superior institution with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. They must own an active RN license in the US or an NCSBN member jurisdiction.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
This school’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is an online program that can be completed in as few as two years. Students can choose to pursue their research in healthcare systems leadership, educational leadership, or advanced practice leadership.
Admission requirements for this program include an active RN license in the US or an NCSBN member jurisdiction and a master’s degree in nursing. Students can also apply with a master’s degree in a different field, as long as they have a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Students must provide a portfolio of the coursework completed at Chamberlain University or proof of completion for the following courses:
- NR-500: Foundational Concepts and Applications
- NR-501: Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice
- NR- 505: Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice
- NR- 506: Healthcare Policy
- NR-512: Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics
Chamberlain University Acceptance Rate
Chamberlain University’s acceptance rate is 92%. This is a high acceptance rate, especially for a private school. However, it is also expected considering that around 90% of Chamberlain students take all classes online.
Getting into Chamberlain University is not hard, but it still doesn’t have an open-door policy, meaning that there is a chance of some students not being accepted. However, if students make sure to meet all criteria for a particular program their chances of getting in are high.
Chamberlain University Tuition
Chamberlain University’s tuition and fees vary depending on the level of education the student’s pursuing and the campus they’re enrolling. BSN degree programs cost anything from $675 to $725 per credit hour, which comes at $27,000 to $29,000 per year.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees at a private for-profit 4-year university were $18,200 in 2019-20. This means that Chamberlain’s undergraduate programs are more expensive than average.
MS programs in nursing cost $690 per credit and the DNP program costs $800 per credit hour. This means that MS students pay an average of $27,600 per year, while DNP students pay a yearly tuition of $28,800. Chamberlain grads enrolling in their DNP are offered a 20% discount on tuition.
Does Chamberlain University Accept AP Credits?
Yes, Chamberlain University accepts AP credits. To request proficiency credit, incoming students simply have to present official transcripts of their Advanced Placements tests and meet the minimum score required by Chamberlain at the time.
Does Chamberlain University Offer Scholarships?
Yes, Chamberlain University offers scholarships to both their undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarships available for Chamberlain students include:
- Indiana Future Nurses Grant: Dedicated to pre-licensure BSN students attending the Indianapolis campus. Attributes $1,000 per session (can go up to $5,000).
- Clinical Educator Scholarship: Created for Registered Nurses with clinical experience who want to become educators. Attributes $580 per semester.
- Working Parent Grant: Designed for Registered Nurses with dependent children pursuing an MSN at Chamberlain. Grants 15% tuition savings.
Chamberlain students are also encouraged to pursue external scholarships that are not related to the program they’re studying. They offer a few resources where students can search for and apply to these types of financial aid based on their hobbies and particular skillsets, for example.
Chamberlain University Accreditation
Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Specific programs are also accredited by different recognized accreditation agencies. The online DNP program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
The BSN, MSN, and DNP programs plus the post-graduate APRN certificate are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Is Chamberlain University Good?
Chamberlain University is good for self-motivating students who want to graduate quickly and can benefit from an online education system. Fast-track programs require a lot of determination and commitment from students and take up a lot of their time. Online programs require students to manage on their own.
This means that students looking to go at their own pace probably won’t benefit as much from this school. Tuition rates are also high at Chamberlain, this isn’t the right school for students who want to obtain an affordable education.
Pros of Studying at Chamberlain University
- Small class sizes
- Simulated nursing labs
- Vast options for clinical experience
- Fast-track programs
- Online programs
- Students can enroll at three different moments each year
Cons of Studying at Chamberlain University
- Expensive tuition
- No traditional college experiences
- No real sense of a community
- It’s hard to test out of courses (the school doesn’t provide topics nor resources)
- Courses at double the normal speed
Students and Graduate Reviews of Chamberlain University
According to the US News & World Report, Chamberlain ranks at number 645 in nursing, which is a low rank in the field. The school doesn’t rank in any of the other US News & World Report main rankings.
Grad Reports’ reviews show a good level of satisfaction from students. They enjoy the flexibility of online education, which allows them to work full-time and pursue their careers, supportive professors, and user-friendly platforms.
School reviews on Rate My Professors aren’t as great. With an overall quality rating of 2.7 out of 5, students mostly complain about the expensive tuition, lack of organization, unnecessary book charges, and the intense curriculum.
