BSN Program Information

Overview
The College of Nursing offers a four-year undergraduate program that leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The baccalaureate program is approved by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The undergraduate curriculum combines professional education in nursing with a strong foundation in the liberal arts. General education courses include english, statistics, chemistry, biology, psychology, sociology, and electives.

In the freshman and sophomore years, introductory nursing courses focus on health and wellness, communication in nursing, history of the nursing profession, nutrition, and pharmacology. During the final two years. Upper Division nursing students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for complex health problems of individuals, families, and/or communities.

Clinical practice is supported by concurrent classroom study. Students have opportunities for learning experiences and practice in a variety of settings such as hospitals, health care and extended-care facilities, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, schools, and community agencies.

RN Licensure
At the completion of the undergraduate degree program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). A statement of endorsement certifying that the graduate has completed all degree requirements is sent from the University of South Carolina Registrar to the Board of Nursing in the state where the graduate plans to take the NCLEX-RN and practice nursing.

Admissions Requirements
For entering Freshmen - In order to be admitted into the College of Nursing freshmen must meet all University admissions requirements. Acceptance into the University with a Lower Division classification does not guarantee progression into the Upper Division nursing major.

For entering Transfer Students - Transfer students must have a cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in all college work attempted and must meet freshman requirements if less than 30 semester hours have been completed. Transfer students' performance on all science and nursing courses taken at other institutions must be reviewed upon admission.

Progression Requirements
All Lower Division nursing and science requirements must be completed before progressing to the Upper Division. Students must apply and be accepted into the Upper Division. Progression is competitive and is based on a student's cumulative GPA. Once students have entered the Upper Division, they must be full-time, and the courses must be taken in sequence as indicated in the program of study.

Applicants for the Upper Division must:

1. Be admitted to the USC College of Nursing through the admissions office.
2. Have a minimum cumulative USC, collegiate summary of 3.0
3. Have a "C" or better in all required courses in the nursing program.
4. Have repeated no more than one required science or nursing course.
5. Have successfully completed, or will complete at least 45 hours of the nursing curriculum by the end of the semester in which application is submitted.
6. Have completed 9 hours of required nursing and 8 hours of required science.
7. Have submitted a completed application to an academic advisor by the established deadline

Application Process
Applications for the University of South Carolina, Columbia can be obtained at the USC Office of Admissions and may be received by calling or writing University of South Carolina, Office of Admissions, Columbia, SC 29208, (803) 777-7700 or by visiting http://www.sc.edu/admissions/.

Career Opportunities
The undergraduate nursing curriculum prepares graduates for entry level clinical and/or management positions in geriatric, obstetric, pediatric, psychiatric, medical-surgical, home health, occupational, public health, school nursing, and others.

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available in a variety of forms. Loans and grants are offered through the USC Office of Student Financial Aid at (803) 777-8134. The College of Nursing awards scholarships annually. Scholarship applications are available in the Office of Student Services.

The University of South Carolina system provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.