RN to BSN
Program Overview
The RN-to-BSN program is available to registered nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) seeking to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The 30-credit hour curriculum is delivered entirely online. Students complete individual practicum experiences in their own community throughout the program.
Prior to entry, students must complete approximately 59 semester credit hours of prerequisite courses in the humanities and biological, physical and behavioral sciences. All coursework, including nursing courses, must have been earned from a regionally accredited institution. Students are admitted in the spring and summer terms each year and may complete the curriculum in three or four semesters, depending on their entry term.
Applicants must hold a current, unencumbered RN license or be licensed no later than the end of the first term in the program. New ADN graduates may apply and be admitted but must pass the NCLEX by the end of the first term in the program. Applicants who completed their ADN through a LVN to RN, paramedic bridge or diploma program must have earned a minimum of 35 transferable nursing credits in their program in order to apply. If an admitted student relocates to another state during the course of their enrollment, they may be unable to complete courses with a practicum component due to the regulations which many state boards of nursing impose.
Admission Criteria
Minimum requirements for admission:
- 2.5 nursing science GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- 2.5 prerequisite GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Associate degree in nursing with 2.5 GPA (on 4.0 scale)
- RN license by the end of the first semester
Additional considerations:
- Timed verbal responses and written assessments (through our secondary assessment provider, Kira Talent)
- Community service
- Leadership and involvement in extracurricular and/or professional activities
- Military service
- Regional residency
- History of withdrawals, repeats or failures
To apply, submit your:
- NursingCAS application, including:
- Official college transcripts from each institution (including Texas A&M University, if applicable)
- Professional resume
- One academic or professional reference
- Verification of RN licensure
- Apply Texas applicationand nonrefundable application fee (must be completed upon notification through NursingCAS; required of external applicants and currently enrolled Texas A&M students who will earn their first degree prior to nursing)
- Online verbal and written assessments through our secondary assessment provider, Kira Talent (eligible applicants will be sent invitations to complete this portion following review of their NursingCAS application)
- International applicant credentials if applicable)
Prerequisite Coursework
Courses may be in progress during the application cycle; however, all courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C" by the first class day. See below for a list of required courses. All courses are subject to approval by the College of Nursing.
In addition to the required prerequisites listed below, students receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University must satisfy the coursework requirements of the university's Core Curriculum.
By the application deadline, applicants must have completed a minimum of 40 prerequisite course credit hours of the 59 hours required. Of those 40, 12 credit hours must be from the following nursing science courses: General psychology (3), lifespan psychology (3), statistics (3), chemistry (4), anatomy and physiology (8), and microbiology (4).
Nursing science courses are in bold.
| Subject | Course Name | Texas Common Course Number | Semester Credit Hours | TAMU Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communications | Any two courses from core list | Any two courses from core list | 6 | See TAMU Core Curriculum |
| American History | Any two courses from core list | Any two courses from core list | 6 | See TAMU Core Curriculum |
| Government | Federal Government | GOVT 2305 | 3 | POLS 206 |
| Government | TX Government | GOVT 2306 | 3 | POLS 207 |
| Creative Arts | Any course from core list | Any course from core list | 3 | See TAMU Core Curriculum |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture | Any course from core list (Philosophy or Ethics recommended) |
Any course from core list (PHIL 2306 or 1301 recommended) |
3 | See TAMU Core Curriculum (PHIL 111 or 251 recommended) |
| Science | Nutrition | BIOL 1322 | 3 | NUTR 202, 203 or 222 |
| Science |
Zoology, Biology, Physics or Chemistry II | BIOL 1413, BIOL 1406/1407, PHYS 1401/1402, or CHEM 1412 | 4 | BIOL 107, BIOL 111/112, PHYS 201/202, or CHEM 120 |
| Math | Any course from core list | Any course from core list | 3 | See TAMU Core Curriculum |
| Social and Behavioral Science | General Psychology | PSYC 2301 | 3 | PBSI 107 |
| Psychology* | Developmental Lifespan Psychology | PSYC 2314 | 3 | PBSI 225 |
| Math | Statistics | MATH 1342 | 3 | STAT 201 |
| Science | Anatomy & Physiology I |
BIOL 2401 | 4 | BIOL 319, NUTR 366 or VIBS 305 |
| Science | Anatomy & Physiology II |
BIOL 2402 | 4 | BIOL 320, NUTR 367 (starting spring 2025) or VTPP 423 |
| Science | General/Introductory Chemistry I with lab | CHEM 1405/1105 or 1411 | 4 | CHEM 119 |
| Science |
Microbiology | BIOL 2420 or 2421 | 4 | BIOL 206 or 351, NUTR 440 or VTPB 405 |
* PBSI 307 is acceptable if completed prior to spring 2022
Students applying from other Texas public institutions may take up to three hours of math which meet that institution's core curriculum requirements. Out-of-state or private university applicants must have three hours of math from the Texas A&M Core Curriculum.
Repeated Course Policy
Students may repeat prerequisite courses. A student with two prerequisite course failures in the past five years is ineligible for admission consideration.
When deciding to repeat a course, consider the impact the course will make on your GPA. For example, earning a “C” on the first attempt of biology and an “A” the second attempt may not significantly impact the prerequisite GPA since this calculation includes all grades for completed prerequisite coursework. Applicants must consider the time and cost of repeating courses as it can be difficult to greatly improve one’s GPA.
Visit How to Calculate GPA for assistance in determining your prerequisite coursework and nursing science course GPA.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Proficiency in a foreign language is required to graduate from Texas A&M. This requirement can be met by having completed two years of the same foreign language in high school, completing two semesters of the same foreign language at the university level or demonstrating proficiency in a foreign language by examination.
Texas A&M Course Equivalency
Applicants from other Texas public institutions may transfer courses listed under their institution's core curriculum to satisfy the corresponding requirements for the Texas A&M College of Nursing. For questions about what courses may or may not transfer from other institutions, see the Texas A&M Transfer Course Equivalency Matrix. If a course is not listed in the matrix or noted as "TRNS" (transfer by title), email nursingadmissions@tamu.edu to identify the appropriate course of action to determine course transferability.
Applicants from out-of-state or private universities must complete courses that are Texas A&M core equivalent.
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term | Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Opens | Step 1: Nursing CAS June 1 |
Step 2: ApplyTexas August 1 |
|||
| Application Deadline | Nursing CAS August 1 |
ApplyTexas October 15 |
|||
| Mandatory Nursing School Orientation Date |
TBD | ||||
| Entry Term | Summer | ||||
| Application Opens | Step 1: Nursing CAS Nov. 1 |
Step 2: ApplyTexas Jan. 1 |
|||
| Application Deadline | Nursing CAS Jan. 15 |
ApplyTexas March 1 |
|||
| Mandatory Nursing School Orientation Date |
TBD | ||||
Curriculum
3-Semester Plan
| Semester | Curriculum | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summer |
NURS 460: Nursing Dimensions and Informatics for the RN NURS 461: Application of Evidence-Based Practice for the RN |
3 3 |
| Fall |
NURS 464: Health Promotion Across the Lifespan for the RN NURS 467: Leadership and Management for the RN NURS 462: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for the RN |
3 5 4 |
| Spring |
NURS 463: Health Assessment for the RN NURS 466: Community Health for the RN NURS 465: Care of the Older Adult NURS 468: Professional Practice Issues for the RN |
3 5 2 2 |
|
Total |
30 |
4-Semester Plan
| Semester | Course | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Spring |
NURS 460: Nursing Dimensions and Informatics for the RN NURS 461: Application of Evidence-Based Practice for the RN |
3 3 |
| Summer |
NURS 462: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for the RN NURS 465: Care of the Older Adult for the RN |
4 2 |
| Fall |
NURS 464: Health Promotion Across the Lifespan for the RN NURS 467: Leadership and Management for the RN |
3 5 |
| Spring |
NURS 466: Community Health for the RN NURS 468: Professional Practice Issues for the RN NURS 463: Health Assessment for the RN |
5 2 3 |
| Total | 30 |
Cost of Attendance
For cost of attendance, including estimated cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and more, visit Aggie One Stop.
Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about our programs of study. These sessions provide details on admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, student life, clinical experiences and other opportunities. Students are required to attend an information sessions prior to requesting an individual appointment.
- Reservations are required to attend a session.
- Guests of registered attendees are welcome.
- Sessions last approximately 60-90 minutes.
Articulation Agreements
Articulation agreements between the College of Nursing and community colleges allow a seamless transition from an associate to a bachelor's degree. Articulation agreements identify each school's required coursework to ensure students take the necessary courses.
Contact us to learn more about each school's specific articulation agreement course requirements.
South Texas College
