Nursing, B.S.N.

Admission to Major

Traditional BSN Track

Admission is selective and will be granted only after successful completion of prerequisite courses. The application process uses multiple methods to evaluate candidates including, but not limited to, essays, grade point average, references and interviews.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for entering the Traditional BSN Track include:

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.50
• Completion of the nursing prerequisite courses with an average GPA of 3.00

Application Deadlines

• Traditional BSN Daytime Cohort admitted in Fall semester: The application deadline is March 1
• Traditional BSN Evening Weekend Cohort admitted in Spring: The application deadline is September 1

Accelerated BSN Track

Admission is selective and will be granted to students who graduated with a degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Applicants must demonstrate successful completion of prerequisite courses. The application process uses multiple methods to evaluate candidates including, but not limited to, essays, grade point average, references and interviews. Accelerated BSN students follow the same admission criteria and take the same nursing major courses as the Traditional pathway to the BSN. We offer the Accelerated track in person with cohorts beginning every January, and online with cohorts beginning every August and May. Only the online cohorts participate in mandatory campus residencies to fulfill a portion of their clinical course work.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for entering the Accelerated BSN Track include:

• Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an Accredited Institution of Higher Education
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.50
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 average in prerequisite courses are required to apply.
• A minimum of “B or higher” within two (2) attempts is required for College Mathematics, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, and Microbiology
• A minimum of “C or higher” within two (2) attempts is required for all other pre-requisite courses

Application Deadlines

• In-Person Cohort admitted in Spring semester: The application deadline is June 1
• Online Cohort admitted in Fall semester: The application deadline is April 1
• Online Cohort admitted in Summer semester: The application deadline is February 1

Admission Requirements

Selection of students for the Nursing major is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including prerequisite and overall grade-point averages (GPA), essays, interviews and related health-care experience. Program capacity is limited.

Applicants to the Traditional BSN Track are notified of admission decisions by the end of the spring semester for the fall cohort and by early October for the spring cohort. Applicants to the Accelerated pathway to the BSN receive notification of their acceptance approximately three months before their intended start date. Students who are accepted but are unable to enroll for their designated starting semester may request to be deferred to the following start term.

All admission requirements must be completed prior to beginning the Nursing major. Admission requirements include the following:

1. Admission to Cleveland State University and the School of Nursing. CSU Admissions Applications are available through the Office of Admissions and should be submitted six weeks prior to the application deadline of the program for which they are applying. Students must be matriculated to CSU before they can be accepted by the School of Nursing.
2. All nursing program application materials for fall-semester admission to the Traditional BSN Track must be submitted to the School of Nursing by March 1 of that year. For spring semester admission to the Traditional BSN Evening/Weekend Track, the deadline is September 1, and for the spring semester In-Person Accelerated BSN Track is June 1 of the preceding year. Applications for all Nursing programs are available on the School of Nursing’s website. For the fall semester admission to the Online Accelerated BSN Track, the application deadline is April 1. For the summer semester admission to the Online Accelerated BSN Track, the application deadline is February 1. Information and application materials for the ONLINE accelerated option can be found here: https://onlinelearning.csuohio.edu/programs/online-accelerated-bsn-program?schoolsrc=44220
3. Completion of all prerequisite courses by the start of the intended semester with a prerequisite grade-point average of 3.0. Students may repeat each course two times. The higher grade will be used.
4. Successful completion of two of the following science courses (these CSU courses or their equivalent) by the application deadline prior to submitting an application: BIO 264/BIO 265, BIO 266/BIO 267, BIO 268/BIO 269, CHM 251/CHM 256, CHM 252/CHM 257.
5. Traditional BSN Track - A cumulative overall grade-point average of 2.50 or above in all coursework at CSU and all other schools of higher education. Accelerated BSN Program - requires a cumulative overall grade-point average of 2.5 or above on the previously earned Baccalaureate degree.
6. Attending an advising session or speaking with the recruiter/adviser.
7. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): Students who have received their secondary or tertiary education in a language other than English will be required to contact the English as a Second Language Program in the College of Public Affairs and Education and arrange for additional prerequisites that must be completed by the student prior to enrollment in the nursing program.
8. Candidates who have satisfied all other requirements for admission and who are competitively placed for admission will be interviewed.

Transferring from Other Nursing Programs

Students who were previously enrolled in a nursing program at another institution and wish to transfer to Cleveland State University should contact the School of Nursing recruiter/advisor to initiate a transcript evaluation. Admission for transfer students is competitive and based on the applicant’s academic profile, prior standing in the previous nursing program, a nursing GPA of 2.5 or higher in each term, and space availability. The level of entry-sophomore, junior, or senior-is determined by the Admission, Progression, and Academic Standards Committee following a review of prior nursing coursework.

Students accepted via transfer must complete a minimum of 20 semester credits in the Nursing major at CSU. Students who need to complete a nursing course at Cleveland State in order to graduate from another institution will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Licensed Practical Nurses

Applicants with active unencumbered LPN licensure, should apply to the Traditional BSN Track.

General Progression Requirements

In order to progress through the Nursing major, students must:

• Achieve a “C” grade or better in each Nursing course and required support courses
• Maintain clinical compliance per the handbook policy
• Demonstrate appropriate leveled competency in all areas (e.g., lecture, lab, simulated learning environments, and clinical practice areas)
• Earn a grade of 75% or better in all required nursing major coursework
• Receiving a grade below a 75%, or “D+”, “D”, “W” or “U” in one required nursing course will require the student to repeat the course and receive a 75% or greater to progress in the program
• Students may be dismissed for receiving two or more course grades below 75%
• All students must comply with policies as described in the baccalaureate student handbook, with specific general emphasis on compliance, and professionalism.

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for the degree: 120

Minimum hours required in the major: 70 hours for all pre-licensure students

College Requirements

See college page  for college requirements.

Major Requirements

All students must complete all compliance documentation by mandated due dates to ensure placement in clinical courses.

A clinical background check is required for admission and annually thereafter.

OABSN Residency

The OABSN Program has 3 residencies on campus to practice skills and demonstrate mastery of concepts. The residencies are detailed below.

Electives

The School of Nursing and College of Health offer electives to meet the needs and interests of nursing students. Not all courses are offered every semester, check the catalog for offerings. 

The university also offers several elective courses that are open to all nursing students.

• COH 250 - Pathways to Health and Healing

Honors Program/ University Scholars Requirements

Nursing Honors/Scholars Program Objectives

• Encourage academically talented students to pursue nursing as a profession
• Demand rigorous academic written work from honors/scholars students
• Support reflective professional practice
• Enhance existing educational coursework by developing opportunities for independent research
• Foster close relationships between an honors/scholars faculty advisor and honors/scholars students

Admission to the Nursing Honors/Scholars Program
The Nursing Honors/Scholars program is open to all honors/scholars students in good standing in the School of Nursing. Students must be enrolled in the Traditional Entry Level BSN Program. Students interested in applying to the program should contact the University Honors Program.

The Nursing Program
The Traditional Entry Level Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a structured program, with no required electives. Each course must be completed in sequence prior to taking the next one. Each of the Honors/Scholars courses is part of the 70 credits required to complete the Traditional Entry Level BSN Program. Additional work is required for each of these designated honors courses. An Honors/Scholars contract must be completed for each of these courses.

The Honors/Scholars Contract
Honors/Scholars students have additional required assignments specified within the syllabus. These assignments are designed to challenge you and increase your knowledge of nursing to an advanced level, aiding you in your chosen nursing career and preparing you for further study. This additional work will constitute 20% of your grade for that course. These assignments are individualized in addition to the Traditional Entry Level requirements for the course.

Nursing Honors/Scholars Courses
The following courses are designated as the School of Nursing Honors/Scholars courses:

• Sophomore Year: No Nursing Honors/Scholars courses are offered during this academic year. Consult your Honors/Scholars Advisor in the Honors Program for this academic year.
• Junior Year Fall: NUR 342H 
• Junior Year Spring: NUR 352H 
• Senior Year Fall: NUR 400H 
• Senior Year Spring: NUR 462H