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Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Admission Requirements

Description 

The online RN to BSN program is designed for the Associate Degree or Diploma prepared licensed Registered Nurse who desires to expand their scope of practice and build on previous knowledge. Full time and part-time options allow students to join a cohort of learners in an asynchronous learning environment designed specifically for the working adult.  The goals of the RN to BSN program are to educate professionals to integrate evidence-based clinical knowledge and research, with effective communication and leadership skills, in order to translate best clinical practice into care of individual patients, families, communities, and populations. Nurses educated at the baccalaureate level have been shown to enhance patient outcomes.

Requirements

An associate's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program, RN licensure, and sixty semester hours of prerequisite coursework are required for students planning to apply to the RN to BSN program. The preferred minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) is a 2.5. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in prerequisite courses. Coursework may be in progress at the time of application, but must be completed by the initial date of enrollment. Students will receive 30 credit hours for demonstrating competency in their RN education. There is no time limit on coursework. Three of the four required science courses must be completed at the time of application. The required science courses are human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and a science elective. 

Prerequisites for applicants with an ADN degree
Prerequisite Semester Hours
English Composition/Literature 6 s.h.
Lifespan Human Growth and Development 3 s.h.
Human Anatomy 4 s.h.
Human Physiology 4 s.h.
Microbiology 4 s.h.
Science Elective 4 s.h.
Statistics 3 s.h.
Social Science and Humanities electives 15 s.h.
General Electives 17 s.h.
TOTAL 60 s.h

Prerequisites for applicants with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree
Prerequisite Semester Hours
Lifespan Human Growth and Development 3 s.h.
Human Anatomy 4 s.h.
Human Physiology 4 s.h.
Microbiology 4 s.h.
Science Elective 4 s.h.
Statistics 3 s.h.
TOTAL 22 s.h.

Applicants must submit official transcripts, a resume, essay, and references to complete the application. 

This coursework may be completed at any accredited college or university. For students planning to apply to the accelerated BSN program who have not earned a bachelor’s degree in another area, the courses below must be completed by the time you matriculate at the College of Nursing. View course equivalencies at Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston.

English Composition or Literature

Six semester hours of course work that emphasizes expository and critical writing, and utilizes selected works of literature for analysis and composition topics.

Human Growth & Development

A three semester hour survey course of theory and research concerned with human growth and development from conception/birth through senescence and death. A course in child development will not fulfill this requirement. CLEP and Excelsior College exams taken after 2001 are acceptable.

Human Anatomy

A four semester hour survey course of the physical structure of human cells, tissues, and organs. This may be a stand-alone human anatomy course or it may be a combined human anatomy and physiology course. If it is a stand-alone human anatomy course, a stand-alone human physiology course is also required. If it is a combined course, a second human anatomy and physiology course will be required to meet the minimum course content requirements. It must include a lab component. Comparative anatomy and physiology courses do not meet the minimum course content requirements.

Human Physiology

A four semester hour survey course of the function and regulation of the human body and physiological integration of the organ systems to maintain homeostasis. Course content should cover the major function of the major organs and organ systems of the body. This may be a stand-alone human physiology course or it may be a combined human anatomy and physiology course. If it is a stand-alone human physiology course, a stand-alone human anatomy course is also required. If it is a combined course, a second human anatomy and physiology course is also required to meet the minimum course content requirements. It must include a lab component. Comparative anatomy and physiology courses do not meet the minimum course content requirements.

Microbiology

A four semester hour survey course of the morphology, structure, metabolism, and growth of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, protozoan, and parasites. Basic concepts of virology, epidemiology, and pathogenicity should be included. Must include a laboratory component.

Nutrition

A three-semester hour survey course of the functions of the major nutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) and food sources of each. Course content should address the needs of the person through the lifespan and include: diet evaluation, nutritional assessment, energy balance, weight control, nutrition and fitness, and how food choices can enhance health, athletic performance, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Statistics

A three semester hour course that emphasizes basic statistical concepts. Topics should include descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, simple linear regression and correlation, and analysis of variance.

Science Elective

While a four semester hour college transfer course is acceptable, biology, chemistry, and physics courses with a laboratory component are preferred.

Social Science & Humanities Electives

Fifteen semester hours of college transfer course work are acceptable including anthropology, computer science, management, psychology, sociology, geography, art, ethics, education, foreign languages, literature, philosophy, speech, communications, religion, and fine arts.

General Electives

Fourteen semester hours of college transfer course work (non-nursing) are acceptable. Any computer information, public speaking, additional math, and additional science courses are highly recommended. General rule: Any course that is college transfer eligible, the course number is 101 or higher and has not been used to meet other specific prerequisite course work may be used.

Accelerated BSN Student Confirmation Fee

The Accelerated BSN program at MUSC is one of the top programs in the country with a competitive entry, particularly for out-of-state students. Because there is a large out-of-state applicant pool and we have limited enrollment, we must be assured that those out-of-state students who are accepted into our program actually attend. Therefore, all out-of-state students who matriculate are required to pay a one-time, non-refundable confirmation fee of $1,000 that will be applied directly to the student’s first-semester tuition charges. The deposit confirms the intention of the accepted out-of-state applicant to enroll and secures a place in the Accelerated BSN program. The confirmation fee for accepted out-of-state students is due by the date stipulated in the program acceptance letter and is non-refundable. If a student pays the confirmation fee and does not enroll in the program, the confirmation fee is forfeited.

International Applicants

MUSC’s College of Nursing degree programs are unable to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States. Professional Licensure The Board of Nursing for each state dictates licensure requirements for Registered Nurses. MUSC College of Nursing applicants should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the state(s) in which they intend to practice using the links the RN Licensure. The MUSC College of Nursing BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). BSN graduates are eligible to sit for national licensure (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam meets the requirements for professional licensure in South Carolina but other states may have additional requirements.

Professional Licensure

The Board of Nursing for each state dictates licensure requirements for Registered Nurses. MUSC College of Nursing applicants should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the state(s) in which they intend to practice using the links the RN Licensure. The MUSC College of Nursing BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). BSN graduates are eligible to sit for national licensure (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam meets the requirements for professional licensure in South Carolina but other states may have additional

Application Process

  1. Complete an application through NursingCAS (Nursing Centralized Application Service).
  2. Submit official transcripts from ALL colleges attended through NursingCAS.
  3. Complete an essay within NursingCAS. Upload a resume within NursingCAS. It is highly recommended that applicants have volunteer or work experience in a health care setting.
  4. Provide three references, including one academic reference, within NursingCAS.
  5. All application materials within NursingCAS must be received and verified by the posted application deadline. Please note that once your application is in complete status with NursingCAS, it can take several weeks for it to be verified. We recommend that you apply early. 
  6. Complete a separate supplemental university application through Enrollment Management at MUSC by the posted deadline.

In addition to the application itself the applicant must review supplemental reference materials specific to the program to which they are applying. These forms are available in PDF format within the application and are also sent through email once an application is submitted. 

TOEFL Scores

The score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. A TOEFL score of at least 80 is required.

International Applicants

MUSC’s College of Nursing degree programs are unable to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States.

State Authorization

MUSC College of Nursing online programs are approved to offer distance education to students in all SARA states and California.  Additional information can be found here.

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

Scholarship Eligibility

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means those scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC’s code: 003438. We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit the FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the Fall.

Application Deadlines

Start Term Application Type Available Deadline
Fall 2023 Regular Aug 15, 2022 June 30, 2023
Spring 2024  Regular July 1, 2023 Sept 15, 2023
Fall 2024 Regular Aug 15, 2023 June 30, 2024

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