Nursing BSN Admission Requirements

The PA State Board of Nursing requires high school students to have a minimum of 4 units of English, 3 units of Social Studies, 2 units of Mathematics (1 of which is Algebra) and 2 units of Science with a related laboratory or the equivalent. The Messiah University Department of Nursing highly recommends a high school chemistry course as one of the science courses or a college level Intro to Chemistry course should be completed prior to starting the nursing program. Overall, the high school academic course of study should include:

• Natural and social sciences (biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology)
• Social studies and/or history
• Foreign language
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Writing composition

If SAT/ACT/CLT scores are not available, the following admission criteria will be followed:

• High school GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Must have two or more science classes with a lab with grade of B or higher
• One of the science courses must be high school chemistry course with grade of B or higher
• Evidence of extracurricular activities and/or strong-leadership in school or community activities
• Honors courses, evidence of dual enrollment, or AP courses is preferred

If SAT/ACT/CLT scores are available, the following scores are required:

SAT Scores:

> 560 SAT ERW or SAT Reading sub score > 27 and > 530 SAT Math OR

ACT Scores:

> 21 ACT composite and > 44 combined English + Reading ACT score and > 21 ACT Math OR

CLT Scores:

> 52 CLT combined Verbal Reasoning + Grammar Writing and > 20 CLT Quantitative Reasoning

AND minimum of two science classes with a lab component and science grades > B-

• Focused, committed student
• Maintain healthy, balanced lives
• Well organized - calendar, assignments
• Emotionally stable in stressful environments
• Responsible behavior
• Embraces critical nursing values - altruism, autonomy or freedom, human dignity, integrity, and social justice

• The student must meet with the undergraduate coordinator of nursing or a designated faculty member to review the 8-semester plan.
• The student must complete a change of major form through the Registrar's Office.
• Upon enrollment in the nursing major, internal transfer students must meet the admission criteria as stated in the "Admission" section of the Student Policy Handbook.

• Students must apply to the University by April 15 (fall admission) and October 15 (spring admission) and meet all University admission criteria prior to the nursing admission review process.
• Students transferring from a college or university other than Messiah University must have an earned cumulative GPA of 3.3 to be admitted to Messiah University as a nursing major.
• Depending upon the student's type and number of transferred courses, it may take up to an additional four years to complete the nursing program.
• The achievement of a "B" or higher is required in all equivalent pre-requisite courses to the major.  Pre-requisite courses include:
  • BIOL 185 and BIOL 186 Anatomy and Physiology I and II from the same college
  • SOAN 101 Introduction to Sociology and/or
  • PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology and/or
  • HDFS 101 Foundations of Marriage and Family
  • PSYC 209 Life Span Development
  • CHEM 103 Chemical Science
  • NURS 203 Historical and Conceptual Basis for Nursing
  • BIOL 189 Genetics for Health Professions
  • BIOL 265 Microbiology
  • NUTR 222 Principles of Nutrition
  • STAT 269 Introductory Statistics
• Transfer students applying to the nursing major are notified of acceptance upon completion of the application review process. Notification of acceptance into the nursing major will occur on an ongoing basis.
• Upon enrollment in clinical courses, transfer students must meet the admission criteria as stated in the "Admission" section of the Student Policy Handbook.

In addition to the external transfer requirements above:

• Students applying directly to the first clinical nursing courses must have transcripts and descriptions of previous course content (course syllabi) submitted to the Admission & Progression committee by November 15.  A reference letter from the current college/university Dean/Director is also required.  Students interested in NURS 210 & NURS 211 placement must  have completed at least 42 college credits prior to enrollment.  The following pre-requisite courses or their equivalents must be included in these credits.

• BIOL 185 and BIOL 186 Anatomy and Physiology I and II from the same college
• SOAN 101 Introduction to Sociology and/or
• PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology and/or
• HDFS 101 Foundations of Marriage and Family
• PSYC 209 Life Span Development
• CHEM 103 Chemical Science
• NURS 203 Historical and Conceptual Basis for Nursing

• Admission decisions for junior and senior placement are made on an individual basis upon review of college course work and space available in clinical nursing courses. Students applying to the nursing major at junior or senior levels must have transcripts and descriptions of previous nursing course content, submitted to the Admission & Progression Committee by May 15 (fall admission) and November 15 (spring admission).

• Please visit the Graduate Programs in Nursing website for general questions and admissions information.