The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Pre-Licensure program prepares you to begin
the practice of professional nursing. Upon graduating, you will be eligible to apply
to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).
The BSN program conducts theory classes on the Cullowhee campus at WCU's state-of-the-art
Health and Human Sciences building. Clinical nursing experiences are held at health
care agencies throughout western North Carolina for both years.
Admission to the BSN Program is granted twice a year. Fall BSN applications are due
February 1. Spring BSN applications are due July 15.
Undergraduate students attending WCU must apply to the nursing program in the sophomore
year for junior entry, and admission is competitive. It is important for students
planning to pursue the BSN to maintain a competitive GPA and to complete all prerequisites.
about the BSN Pre-Licensure Program
WCU’s undergraduate nursing program prepares students to become licensed as registered
nurses who offer high-quality care to patients from children to older adults in settings
from hospitals to schools. Some students go on to pursue advanced nursing degrees
and may take courses toward earning their graduate degree while still an undergraduate.
Students build on foundational courses that include human anatomy, chemistry, infectious
disease and psychology with classes centered on the nursing profession from assessing
patients to nursing in community and mental health settings. During students’ junior
and senior years, they participate in clinical experiences at healthcare institutions
and agencies in rural and urban areas across Western North Carolina.
WCU’s affordable nursing programs feature small class sizes that enable students to
receive one-on-one attention from expert faculty who guide them through coursework
and clinical experiences.
admissions criteria
To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, students
must meet the following admission requirements, including the following course prerequisites,
prior to starting the upper-division curriculum:
The admission criteria are as follows:
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA
- Note: a competitive cumulative GPA is 3.5 or higher
- Complete the Western Carolina University application (if not already accepted into
WCU)
- Complete the BSN Program Application.
- Complete three of the five required science prerequisites by the application deadline
- ACT Composite Score
- The state minimum for ACT is 17. Official high school scores are acceptable.
- Note: a competitive ACT score is 24 or higher.
- Applicants who have never taken or with to improve their score may take/retake the
exam through the WCU Testing Center or an approved ACT test site.
- Applicants are allowed to retake the ACT once every 60 days. Scores must be available
by the application deadline
- TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam
- Note: a competitive TEAS score is 86 or higher.
- At least 60 semester hours and all prerequisites must be completed prior to entering the program
- Complete the BSN Application
Beginning with the Fall 2019 application cycle, only the ACT Composite Score will
be accepted. The SAT Critical Reading score will no longer be accepted.
Liberal Studies Prerequisites
- ENGL 101 & ENGL 202: Writing and Rhetoric & Writing and Critical Inquiry
- MAT 130 or higher: College Algebra
- COMM 201: Foundations of Communication
- PSY 150: General Psychology
- HEAL 111, HEAL 123 or HSCC 101: Nutrition, Fitness & Wellness
- Or approved equivalents with grades of C (2.0) or higher
All additional Liberal Studies courses, including the Perspectives, must be completed prior to the senior year.
*The WCU Liberal Studies Core requirements are waived for students who have received
an approved bachelor's degree or an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree
from a North Carolina community college.
Science Prerequisites
- CHEM 132, 139 or 140: General Chemistry with lab
- CHEM 133: Survey of Chemistry II (Organic and BioChemistry) with lab
- BIOL 291 & BIOL 292: Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs
- ENVH 260/261 Etiology of Infectious Disease (Microbiology) with lab
- Or approved equivalents with grades of C (2.0) or higher
Three of the five sciences must be completed by the application deadline.
Nursing Prerequisites
- NSG 101 - Introduction to Nursing
- NSG 346 - Nursing Pathophysiology
- ND 338 - Normal/Therapeutic Nutrition
Students are required to earn a minimum grade of "B" or better for NSG 101 prior to
admission to the program. A grade of C or higher (no C- or below) is required for
NSG 346 and ND 338. Students are permitted only one repeat for NSG 101 and NSG 346
for grade replacement.
Application
In addition to applying to WCU, students must also submit a supplemental program application
for the BSN Program.
The deadline for submission of the Fall 2019 applications is February 1, 2019.
The application information link will be posted here soon!
curriculum
The suggested curriculum plan is laid out for the Freshman through Senior year
Curriculum
program costs
