BSN Program Admissions

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Admissions

Apply Now

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Direct Admit Program

NEW! The BSN program has moved to a Direct Admission Pathway for Seniors in High School, transfer students, and current U of A students. It is designed for students who want to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse (RN). Students offered Direct Admission will complete all lower-division coursework, including General Education, University Foundation, and BSN Coursework, during their first four semesters. This coursework will be completed at the University of Arizona main campus in Tucson, Arizona.

While enrolled in their final semester of lower-division coursework, students will need to be enrolled in their final two nursing foundations courses in order to register for an Advanced Standing Conference with their academic advisor. During this conference, advisors will review all relevant transcripts to ensure the student has met the Continuing Eligibility Requirements.

The BSN Program has two pathways - 

The BSN Conventional Pathway takes place in the College of Nursing building located on the University of Arizona Health Sciences Campus, in the heart of Tucson, Arizona. Attend in person classes, fall, and spring semesters, with summers off, and graduate in 24 months.

The BSN Integrative Health Pathway takes place on our UArizona College of Nursing, Distance Campus, in beautiful downtown Gilbert, Arizona. Attend classes year-round to graduate in 15-16 months. This hybrid program offers a combination of online and in person learning.

Whether you choose our accelerated, hybrid BSN-IH pathway in Gilbert or our conventional, 24-month BSN pathway in Tucson, you will benefit from supportive faculty and a blend of advanced technology, practical simulations, and exceptional clinical experiences designed to hone your skills for real-world success.

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.

See change of major requirements 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.

Learn More