CON Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Home

Student Policies

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER COLLEGE OF NURSING
Undergraduate Admission Requirements	Policy: 2203 (5.2.3)
Student Policies - Undergraduate Students	Originating Date: May 1973
Responsible Reviewing Agency: Undergraduate Affairs Committee Approving Agency: General Faculty Organization	Revised: April 2000 Revised: March 2005 Revised: May 2008 Revised: February 2009 Revised: December 2009 Revised: March 2010 Revised: May 2011 Revised: November 2011 Revised: May 2012 Revised: November 2012 Revised: January 2014 Revised: October 2014 Revised: September 2015 Revised: February 2016 Revised: December 2016 Revised: September 2017 Revised: March 2018 Revised: May 2019 Revised: May 2020 Revised: January 2021 Revised: January 2022 Revised: October 2023 (changes) Revised: February 2024 (changes) Revised: February 2025 (changes) Revised: August 2025 (administrative) (changes) Revised: December 2025 (changes)
Related documents: UNMC Immunization Policy 2204 English as a Second Language - Undergraduate Students 2223 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation

Purpose

Establishes criteria for admission into the undergraduate program.

Scope

This policy applies to undergraduate applicants.

Policy

The faculty of the College of Nursing develop admission criteria to be utilized in screening selected applicants.

Admission Requirements:

1. To be admitted into the nursing program, a student must:
   1. Be at least 18 years of age at the time of matriculation.
   2. Complete the application in the College Application System and submit the following information as requested:
      • Completed application form
      • Official transcripts of all university/college course work
      • Two professional references
      • Division preference
      • Applicant reflection questions
      • Admission bio-letter of status from any prior nursing program where a degree was not awarded
   3. Choose a program of study for the BSN.
      The options for BSN program of study are:
      • Four semester program of study: please see section A
      • Six semester program of study: please see section B
      • The accelerated BSN plan of study: please see section C
      • The RN-BSN plan of study: please see section D.

2. To be admitted into the traditional or accelerated nursing programs, the following criteria must also be met in addition to criteria in sections A, B, and C:
   • Have college cumulative prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 or higher
   • Have a grade no lower than a C (or satisfactory AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate) (IB) in any individual prerequisite course. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be non-graded (e.g.: AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate) (IB). AP, CLEP, and Dantes pass/no pass scores must be listed on an official college transcript.
   • Complete a preadmission interview (Accelerated program of study only).
3. To be admitted into the RN-BSN nursing program, the following criteria must also be met in addition to criteria on section D:
   • Have college cumulative prerequisite grade point average of 2.0 or higher
   • Have no lower than a C (or satisfactory AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate) in any individual prerequisite course. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be non-graded (e.g.: AP, CLEP, Dantes, P/NP, International Baccalaureate).
   • Complete a preadmission interview if requested.
4. Acceptance into the nursing program is a competitive and selective process. Priority admittance into the nursing program is given based on the following criteria:
   • Number of prerequisites courses completed.
   • Applicant’s prioritized division preference(s) (for traditional and accelerated).
   • Prerequisite grade point average.
   • Two satisfactory recommendations.
5. Final acceptance is dependent upon the successful completion of all admission requirements and upon receipt of the following:
   • Signed document with the choice of program of study
   • Completed medical health forms
   • Proof of active CNA certification or if LPN license
   • Unencumbered RN licensure for RN-BSN
   • UNMC College of Nursing compliance forms
   • Submit Technical Standards worksheet.
   • Proof of immunization or immunity as defined by UNMC policy.
   • In addition to the UNMC immunization policy:
     • FLU IMMUNIZATION All students are required to have an annual flu immunization.
       Immunization must occur between September 1 and December 31.
     • MENINGOCOCCAL The College of Nursing recommends the meningococcal immunization.
     • Verification of current certification valid for the academic year in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for health professionals. This is defined as American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for infant, child and adult one man/two man and AED training. Verification of current CPR must be documented annually through graduation and depending on the length of the program of study may need renewal prior to graduation.
       • American Heart Association is the preferred certifying agency; further, many clinical agencies require American Heart Association CPR certification.
       • Exception for RN-BSN applicants: Any nationally accredited healthcare provider BLS may be accepted. Certification must include infant, children, adults, and AED training. However, certain clinical facilities may still require AHA.
6. Students will not be allowed to attend clinical nursing courses without meeting immunization and BLS requirements.
7. The complete mandatory UNMC background check is required prior to the first day of class including disclosure statement form. Drug screening tests and other institution specific obligations may be required prior to clinical placement at the discretion of the clinical agencies; any costs are the responsibility of the student.
8. International professional nurses seeking admission into the RN to BSN program will be evaluated on an individual basis including Policy 2204 English as a Second Language - Undergraduate Students.

Section A: THE TRADITIONAL BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR FOUR SEMESTERS

For the program of study for four semesters, the student is required to:

•    Complete the following prerequisite college courses at any time prior to beginning Semester one nursing courses: *
  •    English Composition I
  •    English Composition II
  •    Introduction to Psychology
  •    Introduction to Sociology
  •    Ethics
  •    Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
  •    Humanities
  •    Political Science/Social Organization
  •    Family & Human Behavior

  ^* NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation (See Policy 2223 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation).

•    Complete the following prerequisite college courses within seven years PRIOR TO beginning Semester one nursing courses *
  •    College Algebra or higher
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Human Growth & Development
  •    Chemistry
  •    Statistics
  •    Microbiology
  •    Nutrition
•    The following courses require a letter grade assignment:
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Chemistry
  •    Statistics
  •    Microbiology
  •    Nutrition
  •    College Algebra or higher
•    The following courses require a lab:
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Chemistry
  •    Microbiology

SECTION B: THE TRADITIONAL BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR SIX SEMESTERS:

For the program of study for six semesters, the student is required to:

•    Complete the nine following prerequisite college courses and at least one additional course from the list below and at any time prior to beginning Semester one of the six semester program:
  •    College Algebra or higher
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Human Growth & Development
  •    Chemistry
  •    Statistics
  •    Microbiology
  •    English Composition I
  •    English Composition II
•    Complete the following prerequisite college courses PRIOR TO Semester three of the six semester program to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program. (See Policy 2223 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation)
  •    Introduction to Psychology
  •    Introduction to Sociology
  •    Ethics
  •    Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
  •    Humanities
  •    Political Science/Social Organization
  •    Family & Human Behavior
  •    Nutrition

  * NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation and meet prerequisite grade requirements of 3.0 (See Policy 2223 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation).

•    The following prerequisite college courses must be completed with seven years of admission into the program. The following courses require a letter grade assignment:
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Chemistry
  •    Statistics
  •    Microbiology
  •    Nutrition
  •    College Algebra or higher
•    In consideration of any of the prerequisites, the following courses require a lab:
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Chemistry
  •    Microbiology

SECTION C: THE ACCELERATED BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR ONE YEAR:

For the program of study for the accelerated BSN program, the student is required to

• Have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university/college. International students must have their course work evaluated and have the equivalency of a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation.
•    CNA Certification
•    Complete the following prerequisite college courses at any time prior to beginning Semester one nursing courses: *
  •    English Composition I
  •    English Composition II
  •    Introduction to Psychology
  •    Introduction to Sociology
  •    Ethics
  •    Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
  •    Humanities
  •    Political Science/Social Organization
  •    Family & Human Behavior
•    Complete the following prerequisite college courses within seven years PRIOR TO beginning Semester one nursing courses *
  •    College Algebra or higher
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Human Growth & Development
  •    Chemistry
  •    Statistics
  •    Microbiology
  •    Nutrition
•    In consideration of any of the prerequisites, the following courses require a letter grade assignment:
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Chemistry
  •    Statistics
  •    Microbiology
  •    Nutrition
  •    Intermediate College Algebra or higher
•    In consideration of any of the prerequisites, the following courses require a lab:
  •    Human Anatomy
  •    Human Physiology
  •    Chemistry
  •    Microbiology

* NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation and meet prerequisite grade requirements of 3.0 (See Policy 2223 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation).

SECTION D: THE RN-BSN PROGRAM OF STUDY:

To be admitted into the RN-BSN Nursing Program, the applicant must:

• Document provisional RN licensure or current RN licensure allowing practice in the state where clinicals will be conducted.
  • Guidelines relating to Provisional RN licensure will be followed according to Nebraska State Board of Nursing rules (i.e.: time allowed with provisional license)
  • Complete and file an official course projection with the Student Services office.
• Complete the following prerequisite college courses within seven years prior to beginning Semester one nursing courses *
  • College Algebra or higher
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Human Growth & Development
  • Chemistry
  • Statistics
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • English Composition I
  • English Composition II

  * NOTE: An exception to the seven year rule is made for students entering the RN-BSN program. For RNs who have been working in nursing or enrolled in a nursing program for the previous year, the seven year rule is waived.

• Complete the following prerequisite college courses at any time prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation (See Policy 2223 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation)
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Ethics
  • Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Gender
  • Humanities
  • Political Science/Social Organization
  • Family & Human Behavior

  * NOTE: Free electives must be completed prior to graduation to total 120 credit hours necessary for completion of the nursing program prior to graduation and meet prerequisite grade requirements of 3.0 (See Policy 2223 Requirements for Undergraduate Graduation).

• The following courses require a letter grade assignment:
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology before
  • Chemistry
  • Statistics
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • College Algebra or higher
• The following courses require a lab:
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Chemistry
  • Microbiology