Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing is an independent professional discipline requiring critical inquiry and discriminating judgment to assist individuals, families, and communities to attain and maintain health. Qualified students are prepared as professional nurses and receive a foundation for graduate study in nursing.

The undergraduate program in nursing at UNC is a nine semester program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing major plan of study consists of a 4 semester 'pre-clinical' and 5 semester 'clinical' course sequence. Progression to the clinical portion of the nursing major requires formal admission after a professional application and selection process.

General Information:

• Pre-clinical Phase

  The pre-clinical portion of the nursing major plan of student consists of 4 semesters of prerequisite and general education courses which provide the liberal arts and science foundation for the clinical nursing major.

  Students interested in nursing are designated as pre-clinical nursing students (Exploring: Nursing) if they meet the general admission requirements of the University. Formal application is made to and obtained from UNC's Office of Admissions.

  Students enrolled in the pre-clinical portion of the nursing major will receive academic advisement from a pre-nursing professional advisor in coordination with a nursing faculty advisor.

  All students in the pre-clinical nursing (Exploring: Nursing) designation will be required to declare a degree-granting major, other than nursing, after completion of 30 credit hours if they are not accepted into the clinical portion of the nursing major. Credits used to calculate earned hours include all applied transfer credit, college credit earned in high school, and UNC credit hours. A No-Major Hold will be applied to student's account upon completion of 30 credits, which will be removed upon completion of the required major declaration. Students will not be able to register for future course until the No-Major Hold is removed. 

• Clinical Phase

  The clinical portion of the nursing major consists of 5 semesters of nursing clinical and supporting theoretical courses. The clinical courses start during the 5th semester of the overall major, after completion of 4 semesters of prerequisite and general education courses and formal admission to the clinical portion of the major.

  The designation of pre-clinical nursing (Exploring: Nursing) does not assure admission to the clinical portion of the nursing major. A separate application and acceptance process is required for the student to enter clinical nursing courses. Forms for applying to the clinical program and information about application procedures are obtained at the School of Nursing.

  The number of students admitted to the clinical portion of the nursing major is determined by available resources. Available resources may also limit possibilities for readmission for those students who withdraw for any reason.

  All students entering the clinical portion of the nursing major must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the adult and child/infant (health professional) as evidenced by current CPR card. This certification must be maintained while in the program. CPR courses are available outside the School of Nursing.

Program Admission Requirements:

• Pre-clinical nursing (Exploring: Nursing) Admission:

  Students interested in nursing are designated as pre-clinical nursing students (Exploring: Nursing) if they meet the general admission requirements of the University. Formal application is made to and obtained from UNC's Office of Admissions.

• Admission to the Clinical Nursing Major:

  There are 2 opportunities to gain admission in the clinical portion of the nursing major. If a student is accepted during the early admission process and meet progression criteria, they do not need to apply for admission a second time.

  Early 'Bear' Admission

  Early admission to the nursing program is for students enrolled at UNC who have completed a minimum of 20 credits at UNC and meet specific admission criteria. These students would be required to complete the remaining prerequisite and general education requirements, in addition to performance on a standardized exam, before progression to the clinical portion of the nursing major.

  Eligibility:

  • Minimum of 20 earned UNC credits (excluding college credit earned in high school or advanced placement (AP) credit)
  • Minimum of 15 credits of general education or prerequisite courses still in progress
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
  • Completion of a minimum of 4, and a maximum of 6, prerequisite courses or course equivalents with a grade of 'C' or higher ('C-' is not acceptable). All prerequisite courses or equivalents must be completed within 10 years of application, except PSY 230, STAT 150, and ENG 123
  • Demonstration of English Proficiency

  Eligible applicants will be selected to the clinical portion of the nursing major based on an admission GPA (calculated using the most recent 30 non-remedial/non-technical college level credits and grades in prerequisite courses) and other admission criteria (e.g. statement of intent, letters of recommendation, program entrance examination). Admission criteria is subject to change. Specific admission criteria can be found on the School of Nursing website.

  Students admitted to the clinical nursing major through early 'Bear' admission will be required to maintain a minimum of a 'C' ('C-' is unacceptable) in all remaining prerequisite courses, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and meet required benchmarks on The program entrance examination before progression and full admission to the clinical portion of the nursing major. If the progression requirements are not met during the expected timeframe to enter the clinical courses, the student's admission to the clinical major will be rescinded.

  Open Admission

  Open admission to the clinical portion of the nursing major will occur before the start of the clinical nursing major coursework. The number of seats available for 'open' admission will be limited.

  Eligibility:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
  • Completion of minimum of 6 prerequisite courses or course equivalents with a grade of 'C' or higher ('C-' is not acceptable). All prerequisite courses or equivalents must be completed within 10 years of application, except PSY 230, STAT 150, and ENG 150. Up to 4 prerequisite courses may be in-progress at the time of application.
  • Demonstration of English Proficiency

  Eligible applicants will be selected to the clinical portion of the nursing major based on an admission GPA (calculated using the most recent 45 non-remedial/non-technical college level credits and grades in prerequisite courses) and other admission criteria (e.g. statement of intent, letters of recommendation, program entrance examination). Students who have taken credits/coursework at UNC will be given priority for admission. Specific admission criteria is subject to change. Specific admission criteria can be found on the School of Nursing website.

  Students admitted to the clinical nursing major through open admission will be required to maintain a minimum of a 'C' ('C-' is unacceptable) in all in-progress prerequisite courses before progression and full admission to the clinical nursing major.