Total number of hours for the program: 120.
WCU offers multiple pathways to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The traditional BSN program is for current WCU students or transfer students who do not already have a bachelor’s degree. Classes are offered in-person on the main campus. The accelerated BSN (ABSN) program is designed for students who have already obtained at least a bachelor’s degree and are interested in an accelerated route to the BSN. Classes for the ABSN program take place at the Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville, NC. Please see other areas of the WCU catalog or the nursing program website for information about Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program and RN to BSN program pathways.
Declaration of a major in pre-nursing does not guarantee admission into the program. Students must formally apply and be admitted into the program before beginning the professional sequence of courses and/or proceeding into clinical placements. Admission requirements are listed below. Applications for the traditional program are accepted two times per year. Applications for the accelerated option are accepted once per year. Applicants should refer to the nursing program website (http://nursing.wcu.edu/) for information about the application process and deadlines.
Progression Requirements: Students must obtain a grade of C (2.00) or better on all required nursing courses in sequence and meet professional comportment requirements to support safe nursing practice. For more information on progression policies in the nursing program, refer to the School of Nursing and specific program websites.
Admissions Requirements
- Offer of admission to Western Carolina University (if not already admitted to the university); Transfer students must provide all official transcripts to the admissions office.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- GPA from all undergraduate coursework (including non-WCU institutions attended) is used for the BSN program GPA requirement
- GPA from all coursework from all institutions is used for the ABSN program GPA requirement
- Earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (ABSN program) or 60 earned credit hours (traditional BSN program)
- Submission of narrative response or reflection (ABSN program only); Applicants are expected to submit their own work without the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
- Test Scores
- Test of Essential Academic Skills exam (TEAS)
- ACT (traditional BSN program only)
- Prerequisite coursework: All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. For courses taken elsewhere, approved equivalents can be substituted. Unless otherwise noted, courses must be completed prior to program matriculation.
Science Prerequisites: At least three of the courses must be completed prior to the application deadline. The remaining prerequisite must be completed prior to program matriculation.
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- CHEM 132 - Introductory Chemistry with lab (or higher-level course)
- BIOL 291 - Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab
- BIOL 292 - Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab
- ENVH 260 & 261 - Etiology of Infectious Disease with lab or BIOL 313 - Microbiology in Health and Nutrition
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Nursing Prerequisites:
Nursing Prerequisites:
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- ND 330 - Human Nutritional Needs
- NSG 346 - Pathophysiology for Nursing; This course may only be repeated once for a total of two attempts for the purpose of admission to the nursing program.
Other Prerequisites: These courses also satisfy WCU’s C2 and P1 liberal studies requirements.
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- MATH 170 - Applied Statistics
- PSY 150 - General Psychology
Additional Liberal Studies Prerequisites:
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- C1: ENGL 101 & ENGL 202 - Writing and Rhetoric & Writing and Critical Inquiry
- C3: COMM 201 - Foundations of Communication
- C4: HEAL 111 or HEAL 123 or HSCC 101 - Nutrition, Fitness & Wellness
- Note that any remaining liberal studies requirements must be completed to be eligible for graduation. Completion of all liberal studies requirements before matriculation into the program is highly recommended.
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