BSN Pre-Licensure Program

The suggested curriculum plan is laid out Freshman through Senior year in the 8-semester plan.

As each student's situation may vary students should communicate with their advisor to complete their liberal studies and University requirements for graduation.

Thanks to NC Promise, tuition for all undergraduate students at WCU is $500 per fall and spring semesters for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state students. Students admitted into the BSN program will be required to make additional purchases for supplies and other requirements as needed for class and clinical placement throughout the program.

UNDERGRADUATE TUITION AND FEES

The BSN program application should only be completed by students who have or are nearly finished with their program prerequisites as detailed below. 

Application Deadlines:
Fall Entry - February 15th
Spring Entry - September 15th 
BSN Program Application

Students should reference this checklist when completing their NursingCAS application. 

INCOMING TRANSFER STUDENTS:
Transfer students will need to submit a WCU Transfer Application for admission into the institution. To allow time for receipt and processing of transcripts transfer students should submit this application at least 10 days prior to the program application deadline. Following that, they will need to apply to the BSN Program. 

Applicants are responsible for reviewing the admission and prerequisite requirements in advance of the application deadline. University admissions and/or meeting the minimum requirements for program admission does not guarantee acceptance into the BSN Program.

To be eligible for admission, students must complete the following admission requirements:

1. Western Carolina University Application (if not already a student)
   • Transfer students must complete the WCU Transfer Application and provide all offical transcripts to the admissions office
2. Cumulative GPA of a 3.0 (minimum)
3. ACT Composite Score
   • Official high school scores are acceptable
   • Applicants that need to take/retake the exam can do so through the Testing Center at WCU or an approved ACT testing site
4. Test of Essential Acadmic Skills (TEAS)
5. Science Prerequisites

   1. Chemistry 132 – Introductory Chemistry with lab (4hr)

   2. Chemistry 133 – Survey Organic/Biochemistry with lab (4hr)

   3. Biology 291 – Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (4hr)

   4. Biology 292 – Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (4hr)

   5. Environmental Health 260/261 – Etiology of Infectious Disease with lab (3hr)

      • 3 of the 5 must be complete with a grade of 'C' or higher prior to the application deadline
      • The remaining must be completed prior to program matriculation
6. Nursing Preresquisites
   1. ND 338 – Normal & Therapeutic Nutrition (only taken through WCU)
   2. NSG 101 – Introduction to Professional Nursing (only taken through WCU)
   3. NSG 346 – Pathophysiology for Nursing (may only be repeated once for a total of two attempts/only taken through WCU)
      • Must be complete with a grade of 'C' or higher prior to program matriculation (NSG 101 requires a 'B')
7. Liberal Sudies Preresquisites - The courses listed below must be completed with a grade of 'C' or higher prior to matriculation
   1. ENGL 101 & ENGL 202 – Writing and Rhetoric & Writing and Critical Inquiry
   2. MAT 130 or higher – College Algebra
   3. COMM 201 – Foundations of Communication
   4. PSY 150 – General Psychology
   5. HEAL 111, HEAL 123, or HSCC 101 – Nutrition, Fitness & Wellness
      • The remaining Liberal Studies requirements must be completed by the start of the senior year
8. 60 Credit Hours - Applicants must have 60 hours of completed coursework (recommended 72 hours) prior to program matriculation
9. Complete the BSN Program Application

Transfer Course Credits:
If courses were completed at another institution,  we will accept (approved) equivalents with grades of C (2.0) or higher. You can check what courses will transfer in as through the "Credits Earned Elsewhere" tool.