Admission to the baccalaureate degree in nursing major does not guarantee admission to the upper division. Progression is competitive, based on progression GPA and interview score. Progression to upper division is limited to a set number of qualified students based on available clinical faculty and clinical placement sites. Factors considered in the progression decision include:
- A progression GPA (which consists of all designated (*) courses below) of 3.000 or higher.
- Institutional GPA of 3.000 or higher.
- Grade forgiveness will not be recognized in the GPA calculation.
- No more than 1 science course or lower division nursing course with a grade of below C.
- A grade of “C” or better is required in all designated (*) courses by the end of the term in which application is made to upper division.
- A completed Parallel Plan on file with your nursing advisor by the application deadline.
- Completion of all designated (*) general education and lower division courses by the end of the term in which application is made to upper division.
- An application must be submitted by the application deadline.
- Completion of interview process.
Progression Courses (effective for Fall 2024 and beyond consideration)
Upper Division Application Process
The meeting of minimum admission criteria (GPA of 3.000) does not guarantee admission to the upper division.
- Progression into upper division nursing for pre-licensure students occurs in the summer and fall. Students should be prepared to start upper division in a summer term. There is no guarantee that students will get placed in their term of preference.
- Students are encouraged to investigate their financial aid/scholarship/funding sources in preparation for their upper division start.
- Approximately 260 competitive admission seats may be available each progression cycle based upon clinical availability.
- Direct entry Smart Start Nursing Honors Program students that meet eligibility requirements are automatically accepted into Upper Division.
- All accepted upper division applicants are notified no later than early January via email.
- Average Nursing Progression GPA of eligible applicants for the last 3 progression cycles was 3.696.
- An application must be submitted by the published deadline.
- Completion of interview process.
Students who are not accepted to the upper division should talk with their advisor regarding the feasibility of reapplication. If the student chooses to reapply to the upper division, the student must submit a new application for the next admission date and must compete with the new applicant group.
Accepted Students
All accepted upper division applicants are mandated to attend a College of Nursing Upper Division Orientation held on a Saturday in late February/early March. This session will provide an overview of the Upper Division BSN curriculum, clinical information, faculty, and student panel; review of required clinical health information; scrub and equipment ordering, and advisement. Notification of when and where the session will be held will be included in the acceptance notification email. These sessions are restricted to students only.