Balance School, Work, and Life

Making it Easy

Figuring out how to schedule classes around your life can be hard, as each student has their own unique situation and history. For example, you may have already taken a few classes, work nights, or have children with a set childcare schedule. 

While we provide course options for this program by semester so you can figure things out on your own, there is an easier option: let us help you design a schedule that works for you.

Make it easy on yourself by:

• Applying Today – its free, and only takes a few minutes
• Scheduling an Advisor Appointment – after you receive confirmation of acceptance

An advisor will then meet with you to work through the options, helping you understand what’s possible given your specific circumstances.

Deciding When to Start

Cincinnati State offers classes during three semesters each year: spring, summer and fall. 

• Fall – a traditional 15-week semester that starts in late August and ends in December
• Spring – a traditional 15-week semester that starts in mid-January and ends in early May
• Summer – both an abbreviated 10-week as well as a full 15-week session that starts in mid-May and ends in August

The RN to BSN Completion Program can only be started during the fall semester. You can apply to the college – and for this program – during any semester, and can also take other classes you may have an interest in outside of this program during any semester. 

The next program start date is the Fall of 2025.

Please note, not every class is offered during every semester or in every location or format. See an advisor to discuss options. There are abbreviated sessions offered in both spring and fall, but with limited class choices as compared with the abbreviated summer session.

See more information on important dates or course options.

Full-Time vs Part-Time

While we always encourage full-time studies, all Cincinnati State programs can be completed on both a full or part-time basis. Learn more about the different approaches below:

• Full-Time: Complete your program in the shortest possible time, ideal for those who can dedicate more hours per week to their studies.
• Part-Time: In some instances, students may choose to spread their coursework over a longer period to fit their work and personal schedules. 
• Non-Consecutive Study: Need a break? This option lets you take semesters off, allowing you to balance your education with personal and professional responsibilities without falling behind.

Each program’s page on this website outlines a full-time schedule.  However, most students enroll PT. Generally, a full-time student can also work a part-time job, a part-time student a full-time job.

Note that some classes are only offered certain semesters currently, so if you start part-time, you may have to wait a year to get a specific class that is only offered in fall or spring for example.  That is why we always recommend applying and then scheduling an advisor meeting where they can help you work through those decisions.

Class Times, Formats & Locations

Ultimately, making this program fit into your life revolves around when and where you can take classes. 

First, we offer classes in the following formats:

• In-person
  • Traditional classes that take place in a building on one of our campuses at specific days and times with live instructors
  • Not every course is offered at every campus
• Online & Hybrid
  • These classes are offered in a variety of ways, from “totally online” to “live web hybrid”
  • While some of these formats offer classes at set times, others have weekly deadlines that allow you to take classes on your own schedule
  • See a complete list of options with their descriptions

For this program, classes are offered online in Asynchronous format, meaning you don’t have a required meeting time and can complete the coursework around your schedule! Students plan and complete a community-based health promotion project, which includes community-based experiential learning. This tends to occur on-site at a local agency or healthcare facility. See our course page for more information.

What’s the best way to put together a class schedule that works with your life? Apply today – it’s free and only takes 5 minutes – and then schedule an advisor meeting where they’ll help you work through the options.

When You’ll Finish

This program can be completed in as few as 3 semesters, or in roughly 12 months – and unless you are missing some required general education classes, that’s typically how long this program takes to complete. Its also possible to complete necessary general education classes at the same time, meaning you could still graduate in 12 months even if you needed them.

This assumes that you take a “full load” of classes each semester, do so consecutively with no breaks, and have already completed any prerequisites or secondary requirements. 

Ultimately, the time to complete this program is based on a combination of the above:

• When you start
• Whether you go full or part-time
• Classes are available when and where you need them

How can you figure it out? We always recommend applying early and then meeting with an advisor to help you make a plan.

Childcare

Are you a parent? Our comprehensive childcare options are designed to provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your studies while making sure your child receives quality care.

• William L. Mallory Early Learning Center
  • Comprehensive childcare services for students
  • Convenient location for students attending classes
  • Professionally staffed with trained early childhood educators
  • Age-appropriate programs and activities for children
  • Educational programs tailored for different age groups
  • Financial assistance for child care costs may be available to eligible parents
  • Information on state and federal childcare assistance programs
• Parenting Resource Center
  • Workshops on topics that are relevant to students who are also parents
  • Referrals to resources for academic and community support
  • Administers the Federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant that supports eligible students with child care costs
  • Assistance with finding off-campus childcare options if on-campus facilities are full
• Counseling Services
  • For student parents dealing with stress or time management issues

Transportation & Parking

We provide accessible, safe, and environmentally conscious transportation options for all students at Cincinnati State.

• Campus Parking
  • Convenient parking options for students, faculty, and visitors across our campuses.
  • All parking areas have handicapped-accessible spaces, and daily/semester parking permits can also be purchased.
  • For locations, costs, and maps, read more about our parking options
• Public Transit
  • Thanks to our partnership with Cincinnati Metro, Cincinnati State is able to offer discounted student bus fares of only $1, valid for any Metro route, anywhere, anytime
  • See our transportation page for more information