BSN90 is a new 90-credit pathway to a Joyce University BSN, built on rigorous standards and hands-on clinical training
Joyce University Launches Nation’s First Accredited 90-Credit BSN Degree
SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences today announced the launch of BSN90, the nation’s first 90-credit pathway to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. BSN90 is offered within Joyce University’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited BSN program. Enrollment opens today, with the first cohort of Utah students beginning in January 2027.
BSN90 is part of a broader movement in higher education toward 90-credit bachelor’s degrees, challenging the long-standing assumption that a bachelor’s degree must require 120 credits. Rather than compressing an existing curriculum, Joyce University built BSN90 by starting with the outcomes a nursing graduate must demonstrate and designing the coursework required to produce them. Graduates will be expected to meet the same academic and clinical benchmarks as students in Joyce University’s other BSN pathways.
“At Joyce University, we believe every part of a student’s education should have a clear purpose and contribute to preparing them for the profession,” said Josh Knotts, President and CEO of Joyce University. “BSN90 reflects our willingness to question long-standing assumptions about how nursing education is delivered while remaining uncompromising about what our graduates must know and be able to do. We are not asking students to learn less. We are designing their education differently, with the same high expectations for licensure readiness, clinical competence, and professional practice.”
The program is built around the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) competencies and maintains Joyce University’s established expectations for clinical judgment, critical thinking, communication and patient care. BSN90 emphasizes experiential learning, with direct care clinicals and simulated experiences. Students receive the same comprehensive preparation for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination as other Joyce pre-licensure nursing programs.
“Every element of BSN90 was designed around the knowledge, skills and clinical judgment nurses need to provide safe, high-quality care,” said Dr. Tami Rogers, Dean of Nursing at Joyce University. “BSN90 is an innovative option for students to earn their BSN, and our expectations remain rigorous. Hands-on clinical experience is built into BSN90 from the start, giving students meaningful opportunities to apply what they learn and build confidence before entering professional practice.”
BSN90 will initially be available to qualified Utah residents. No previous bachelor’s degree is required. BSN90 complements Joyce University’s existing pre-licensure nursing offerings. The university also offers an Associate of Science in Nursing, 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, serving students with different needs, circumstances, and educational goals. Joyce University plans to expand BSN90’s reach beyond Utah in the future.
For more information about BSN90, admissions requirements and upcoming start dates, visit www.joyce.edu.
ABOUT JOYCE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1979, Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences’ mission is to prepare students to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning. Located in Draper, Utah, Joyce University is proud to have helped thousands of students across the US graduate and launch lasting healthcare careers. Joyce University currently enrolls students in select states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. In these regions, Joyce University gives aspiring nurses access to the same high-quality education and opportunities that have defined the institution for decades. Join the thousands of students who continue to shape the future of healthcare, one student at a time.
Joyce University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degree programs.
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- Joyce University Launches Nation’s First Accredited 90-Credit BSN Degree
CONTACT: Brittany Cooper Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences 5016286737 [email protected]
