Where Compassion Meets Science
If you’re called to care for others and driven to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, Southwestern’s Pre-Nursing pathway offers a clear, accelerated track to becoming a registered nurse. Through our Pre-Nursing pathway, students gain a rigorous academic foundation and a unique opportunity to pursue an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through a special partnership with Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) in Dallas.
A Fast Track to a Nursing Career
Southwestern’s Pre-Nursing pathway, in partnership with Baylor University, offers a streamlined 4+1 route to becoming a registered nurse. You’ll spend four years at Southwestern earning your bachelor’s degree and completing the required nursing prerequisites. Then, qualified graduates transition directly into Baylor’s FastBacc® BSN program, a 12-month, full-time, accelerated nursing track with reserved seats and preferential admission consideration for SU students.
FastBacc® blends rigorous classroom instruction with online learning, lab work, clinical rotations, and hybrid coursework. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX, the national licensure exam for registered nurses. With a 98% pass rate, FastBacc® provides a proven pathway to success in the nursing profession.
A Strong Liberal Arts Foundation
At Southwestern, your nursing preparation is grounded in a people-centered liberal arts education. Our interdisciplinary curriculum encourages you to think critically, communicate effectively, and explore healthcare through multiple lenses—from biology and chemistry to ethics and psychology.
You’ll receive guidance from SU advisors and from LHSON staff to ensure you complete the correct prerequisite courses and are fully prepared for the application and interview process.
Required Courses
To be eligible for Baylor’s FastBacc® program, students must complete the following prerequisite courses:
- Physiology and Anatomy I and II
- General Chemistry I
- Microbiology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology (Lifespan)
- Nutrition
- Statistics
- English Literature
- Bible-based Religion (Christian Traditions)
- World Religion
- Federal Government
- History
- Introduction to Sociology
- 2 SU Writing Attentive courses
SU Advisors and LHSON staff can assist with determining specific SU courses that match these required courses. Students must apply separately to Baylor and meet all GPA and transfer requirements. Applicants should also be prepared for the faith-based environment at LHSON.