B.S.N. Program Admission

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Students are admitted directly into to the Conway School of Nursing (CSON).
Freshman and sophomore students pursue a general liberal education, take foundational science and math courses, and learn about the profession of nursing through selected courses. The liberal arts courses that meet general education requirements and include The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021) promulgated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Freshman and Sophomore students are assigned an advisor.
Freshman and Sophomore students are invited to participate in a variety of programs, including the Spanish for Healthcare Certificate Program and the Student Nurses Association.
Students are continually reviewed their first two years in the CSON. If they do not meet the Cumulative and Science GPA requirements or if they have not completed the freshman program plan (outlined below), their entire record will be evaluated to determine if they can continue.
At the completion of 60 credit hours, CSON students who meet ALL of the following criteria will progress to the upper-level courses:

Catholic University Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Overall Catholic University Science GPA (BIO 232, BIO 233, BIO 223, CHEM 109, CHEM 119) of at least 2.75. All of these courses must be attempted once at Catholic University. A student may repeat no more than one science course. An attempt is defined as enrollment in a class with the following indication on a transcript a) course grade, b) incomplete = I, c) Withdraw = W.
Successful completion of progression exam (HESI A2 Admissions exam) during the fall semester of the sophomore year, with a minimum composite score of 75% and 75% or higher on the science, English and math composite scores.

In addition to the university requirements, high school courses in biology and chemistry are required. Admission to the school is competitive. Undergraduate admissions to the Conway School of Nursing are coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Students for Whom English is a Second Language

Baccalaureate nursing programs have intensive academic requirements and a heavy practice component. They require proficiency in written and spoken English and familiarity with the educational system in the United States, particularly in terms of teaching and testing methods. In addition, a broad background in liberal-studies and the humanities is necessary to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to function as a professional nurse in the health care system in the United States.

Admission into the School of Nursing, subsequent course load, and length of program will be determined based on a review of the transcript evaluation, TOEFL score, and an English placement examination. Enrollment in intensive English courses may be necessary to progress in the nursing program.

Requesting a transcript evaluation from an approved educational evaluation service is the responsibility of the student and this evaluation must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions by the transcript evaluation service. It must include an English translation and a course-by-course evaluation, as well as credential evaluation.

All students for whom English is a second language must complete the English placement examination offered by the university regardless of the completion of English courses at other institutions. Recommendations based on the English placement examination must be satisfied for progression into the nursing program.