B.S.N. Program Admission Information
First-year Students
(High school students or adults with fewer than 18 credits earned at another university)
First-year students are admitted directly to the B.S.N. program in Nursing in the fall semester only. Admission is competitive and requires a strong high school GPA.
The B.S.N. degree program is offered at Penn State Altoona, Behrend (Erie), Fayette, Mont Alto, and Worthington Scranton, as well as University Park. Students must begin and remain at the campus to which they are admitted. The general B.S.N. program is very sequential and takes four years to complete, regardless of the number of AP/IB credits. The Penn State application is available at the Undergraduate Admissions home page.
The College of Nursing requires state and federal criminal background checks of all Nursing students prior to their sophomore year. A criminal record may restrict clinical site availability, delay progress in the program, and/or delay the licensing exam. Students may not sit for the NCLEX if they have a felony conviction within the past ten years.
Students Changing Majors or Returning to Penn State
Current and previous Penn State students and those from other universities will be considered for the B.S.N. program at Altoona, Behrend (Erie), Fayette, Mont Alto, and Worthington Scranton campuses. University Park will remain first-year admission only.
Students who meet the qualifications under “Requirements for Students Not Admitted Directly to the Major” (below) should complete the Nursing Major Applicationfor consideration.*
* Current Penn State students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, including the courses listed below, are guaranteed admission to the program.
Students Transferring from Another College or University (Advanced Standing)
Transfer students will be considered for the B.S. program at Altoona, Behrend (Erie), Fayette, Mont Alto, and Worthington Scranton campuses. Interested students should apply through the Undergraduate Admissions Office for consideration.
University Park will remain first-year admission only.
Requirements for Students Not Admitted Directly to the Major
- By the end of fall semester of application:
BIOL 129 (Mammalian Anatomy)
—OR—
BIOL 141/142 (Introductory Physiology w/ lab)
—OR—
Equivalent of Anatomy and Physiology I at another college/university - By the end of spring semester following application:
Both anatomy and physiology (or the equivalent at another college/university) - At least 9 additional nonremedial credits
Application deadline is November 30. Applications received after November 30 are considered on a space-available basis only.
Students who have never taken courses at Penn State should apply through the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Once enrolled, it will take at least three years to complete the Nursing program, even if all non-nursing courses have already been completed. Students remain at their campus of admission for the duration of the program.
Questions?
Send an email to nursing@psu.edu with any questions you may have.