Pre-Nursing Programs

First-year (non-transfer) students admitted to the University with a Pre-Nursing major designation are not yet officially enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program and must complete the pre-requisite coursework, as well as satisfy the minimum academic and program requirements to be eligible for entrance into the traditional BSN (TBSN) degree program. Assignment to the Pre-Nursing option is based on high school GPA with emphasis placed on satisfactory completion of high school math and science coursework and academic performance in those courses. The Pre-Nursing program offers additional support and the flexibility of time to establish a strong foundation to succeed in the TBSN program.

Pre-Nursing (BS.NUR/PRE)

Students are expected to complete the prerequisite coursework in two years (four semesters) and meet minimum qualifications before they are eligible to apply to the BSN program. Once admitted, the remaining academic requirements are intended for completion in three years with the total time to degree completion being 5 years.

Pre-Nursing Fast Track (BS.NUR/PREFT)

Eligibility for the fast track option is based on more stringent high school GPA, math and science coursework and academic performance in those courses. Students in the fast track option are eligible to satisfy prerequisite coursework in one year (two semesters) prior to being considered for admission to the TBSN program. Once admitted, the remaining academic requirements are intended for completion in three years with the total time to degree completion being 4 years. If the student does not complete the prerequisite coursework in the first year, they can stay in the pre-nursing program to be considered for TBSN admission the following year.

Pre-Nursing Direct Track (BS.NUR/PREDIR)

Mount Saint Mary’s University TBSN Program extends eligibility, to be reviewed for admission, to high school early action applicants who qualify for guaranteed (direct) admission consideration by meeting the following requirements. Meeting the following requirements does not necessarily constitute a guaranteed (direct) admission spot.

1. Complete two science advanced placement courses with AP test scores of four or five, or two IB science courses with IB Higher Level exam scores of 6 or 7, or complete three years of natural science courses in high school. Of these three years of science requirements, the student must complete at least one year of chemistry and one year of biology. 

2. Achieve an overall weighted high school GPA of 3.8 or greater.

3. Complete three years of math with pre-calculus as the minimum attainment.

To maintain and progress into their guaranteed spot in the BSN program, the student must meet all of the following requirements in their first year at MSMU:

1. Complete and pass (C or higher) all nursing prerequisite courses at the University.

2. Maintain an overall Science GPA of 3.2 and Cumulative GPA of 3.0.

3. Obtain a minimum score of 70 or above on the Kaplan evaluation taken during the Spring semester.

Upon satisfactory completion of the above criteria, the Pre-Nursing Direct Track student will be admitted into the TBSN program with sophomore status. Should the student fail to meet the minimum requirements above, they will no longer be eligible for the guaranteed spot in the TBSN program. However, the student will be eligible to be added to the general pool of pre-nursing admission candidates for that academic year, provided they meet the BSN admission requirements. If the student does not meet the BSN admission requirements, but has not been disqualified from the pre-nursing program, they have the option to remain in the pre-nursing program and be considered for TBSN admission the following year.

Undeclared (BA.UND)

Students who are admitted as Undeclared students may apply to transfer into the Pre-Nursing Program if they meet the following criteria:

1. Pass BIO 5 and PHS 1 with a C or better. 

2. Science GPA (BIO 5 and PHS 1) is at least 2.7.

3. Cumulative GPA is at least 3.0.

Students who fail to meet the minimum requirements within the first year will be ineligible for the Pre-Nursing Program.

All pre-nursing students regardless of their admission track as well as undeclared majors desiring to be considered for the Pre-nursing Program must adhere to the following:

• Students may take a maximum of two science courses—inclusive of the lecture and the laboratory portion—per semester. 
• The completion of both BIO 50A and BIO 50AL with a grade of C or above is required to take BIO 50B and BIO 50BL. 
• In order to be considered for Fall admission into the BSN program, all prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or above by the preceding Spring semester, with the exception of ENG 1B. 
• Students may not have more than two withdrawals from any given Science prerequisite course.

See Nursing Program for specific TBSN Admissions Requirements.