School of Nursing
S. Burke, Interim Director
bsu.edu/nursing
Nursing programs are designed to prepare students for careers as professional nurses. Admission to these programs are competitive. Assessments must be completed by all majors in nursing.
General Information
- Admission to Ball State University does not guarantee admission to the baccalaureate nursing program (Bachelor of Science degree with nursing major) in the School of Nursing. The School of Nursing designates the number of students admitted to the baccalaureate nursing program on a term-by-term basis.
- Applicants with a record of substance abuse or conviction of violations of federal, state, or local laws related to controlled substances, alcohol, or other drugs or any offense (misdemeanor or felony) should know they may not be eligible for licensure as a registered nurse.
- Any students with a pending charge for a felony, misdemeanor, in a diversion program, or on probation are not permitted in clinical agencies and not allowed to apply until case-closed documents are provided.
- Criminal background and Medicare/Medicaid Exclusion checks are required when admitted to the baccalaureate nursing program and annually thereafter. Students must complete the Semesterly Disclosure of Criminal Background Form.
- School of Nursing requires each student to sign a consent form related to risks and safeguards inherent in the study of clinical nursing, maintain CPR and health requirements, and meets other school and agency requirements.
Admission Requirements
General Applicant Pool
Satisfactory completion of the nursing prerequisites and fulfillment of minimum requirements do not guarantee admission to the baccalaureate nursing major.
Admission Minimum Requirements
- Cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher based upon a minimum 30 semester credits completed, based on all undergraduate course work attempted, including nontransfer/transfer credits and repeated courses. Preference will be given to students who matriculated at Ball State University who meet this requirement.
- Credit in ANAT 101, CHEM 101, BIO 113, PSYS 100, SOC 100, with a grade of C (2.0) or higher and repeated no more than one time. A grade of C- or less is not passing in these courses for the baccalaureate nursing program.
- Credit in NUR 228 and PHYS 215 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher or these courses in progress at the time the application is filed and repeated no more than one time for a grade of C (2.0) or higher on completion.
Admission to the baccalaureate program is competitive. In order to apply, students must have met the prerequisite course requirements. Students will be ranked by:
- Pre-nursing grade-point average (Pre-nursing GPA) based on the following BSU course grades or grades in course equivalents: CHEM 101, BIO 113, ANAT 201, PSYS 100, and SOC 100. (30%) Science courses including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology must have been complete within the past seven (7) years. If Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and/or Microbiology course credit is more than 7 years old, the applicant for the nursing program will be required to retake or transfer current course credit.
- Pre-nursing Assessment Score. (35%)
- Cumulative grade-point average (Cumulative GPA) based on all undergraduate course work attempted, including nontransfer/transfer credits and repeated courses. (35%)
For other requirements and admission information, contact the School of Nursing.
All applicants must meet the minimal requirements of the general applicant pool.
Degree in 3 Concentration – Students admitted to the university as incoming matriculating students will sign a Degree in 3 contract during undergraduate orientation. Students take all prerequisite courses following the 3-year plan of study.
Partners in Nursing Education (PNE) – Students in the PNE Concentration must meet all admission criteria and be approved by the Department of Military Science.
LPN to BS Concentration – Students who are licensed practical nurses (LPNs), with unencumbered Indiana license, will follow the BS plan of study.
BS Accelerated Second Degree Concentration - Students who have an earned baccalaureate degree in another major, as verified by an official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university, will follow the 19-month plan of study. Second Baccalaureate Degree applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Post-licensure RN to BS Concentration
Minimum Requirements
- Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
- Graduation from an accredited National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) school.
Exception to this criterion:
Grade-point average of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale in pre-licensure nursing program or achieve a 2.75 grade-point average or better after the completion of 16 credits at Ball State University.
For other requirements and admission information, contact the School of Nursing.