Freshmen
Incoming Freshman can apply directly to the College of Nursing by completing the U of A main campus application. If they don’t meet the BSN-DA eligibility requirements, they will be admitted to an alternate major of their choice. It is recommended they choose a major in health sciences that has similar prerequisite requirements to Nursing.
Change of Major
Current U of A students who are interested in nursing can request a change of major provided that they have completed four prerequisites, 12 credit hours and have cumulative GPA of 3.75. Change of Major requests are granted on a space available basis. Students are still required to attend an Advanced Standing Conference while enrolled in their final two prerequisites.
Transfer
Transfer students are generally assumed to have completed most or all of prerequisite coursework of the BSN program as well as the University's general education and foundation requirements. With the criteria met, transfer students can apply to the University of Arizona, selecting Nursing as their first choice of major, and then selecting a close alternative as their second choice. Students may be admitted into their second choice but can attend an Advanced Standing Conference once their are enrolled in their final two prerequisites.
Transfer students are admitted to Nursing if they have earned a minimum of 3.75 cumulative GPA on all transfer coursework. This would primarily benefit students who still have general education and prerequisite coursework to complete at the U of A.
All students interested in Nursing must select a second choice major upon application to the U of A. Incoming first-year students and transfer students who do not meet the eligibility requirements are placed into their alternate major. Eligibility is determined based on the Undergraduate Admissions Application and the criteria stated above. Students may still work towards admission to the BSN program while in another major at the U of A.
Current U of A students interested in declaring the pre-nursing major must attend an information session, after which, they will be reviewed for eligibility for the major by an advisor. The schedule for information sessions is available here.
BSN Program Prerequisites
Prerequisites are the same for both BSN pathways: Conventional and Integrative Health Accelerated. Please see all required prerequisites.
- First Year Composition Sequence
- One year General Chemistry (2 lectures and 1 lab) OR one semester Allied Health Chemistry (1 lecture and 1 lab; please contact an advisor regarding this option)
- One year Human Anatomy & Physiology (2 semesters including lectures and laboratories)
- One semester Introductory Biology (lecture only)
- One semester Microbiology (lecture only) (lab needed for CA RN License)
- One semester Statistics
- One semester Lifespan Development
- One semester Nutrition
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of B or better. Descriptions of these courses can be found in the UA Academic Catalog.
Equivalencies can be searched and viewed on the University of Arizona's Transfer Credit Guide. If a course does not appear in this guide students will need to submit a course equivalency request to the Office of Transfer Credit & Articulation.
- Building Connections (3 courses at 3 credits each)
- Exploring Perspectives Artist (1 course at 3 credits each)
- Exploring Perspectives Humanist (1 course at 3 credits)
The University of Arizona has additional degree requirements for General Education for Bachelor of Science candidates. Please refer to the U of A Academic Catalog for specific details.
- English Composition (1-2 semesters, depending on placement)
- Math – College Algebra or higher math course
- Second Language – student must demonstrate second semester proficiency by either:
- The completion of two semesters of the same second language OR
- A proctored proficiency exam, testing at second-semester level
Student Responsibility
The College of Nursing expects all students to act responsibly in their academic performance. As a competitive program, the college holds its students to the highest academic standards. Students are responsible for the academic information that is shared with them during Orientation, that is sent out via email, that is listed on this website, and that is shared with them through other outlets. Students are also expected to act with academic integrity in the classroom and beyond.
Registration Dates and Deadlines
The College of Nursing adheres to the registration dates and deadlines as determined by the Registrar's Office each semester. Students are expected to be aware of their class schedules and the posted dates and deadlines. Effective Fall 2014, students are able to withdraw from courses through the tenth week of the semester. Beyond this posted deadline, the College of Nursing does not support late registration requests, except in the most extreme situations. Please contact your Academic Advisor for more information.
Late Withdrawal Requests
There is no formal petition process for late change or late withdrawal requests. If you feel that you have extenuating circumstances, please speak with your Academic Advisor. Academic advising services are offered in College of Nursing room 112.
Academic Probation and Disqualification
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be in Academic Good Standing at the University. Students who fall below 2.0 will be on Academic Probation, and must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0 by the end of the very next semester in order to continue as a student in the College of Nursing. Students who do not achieve a 2.0 Cumulative GPA by the end of the very next semester will be removed from the College of Nursing and may also face University Academic Disqualification.
Students on Academic Probation are expected to participate in the U of A Wildcat Track program. Students who do not participate in the Wildcat Track program as part of their academic probation may not be eligible to continue in the pre-nursing major.
Petitions
The College of Nursing supports and adheres to the University policies as set forth in the Academic Catalog. If a student believes that they deserve redress or exception to a university policy, they can explore a University General Petition. To discuss the General Petition requirements and initiate the process, students should contact their College of Nursing academic advisors.
Interested in learning more about the BSN program?
Information Sessions and Application Workshops are available and hosted by advisors in the College of Nursing. Students must attend a workshop before requesting an advising appointment.