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How Do I Apply?


Application Steps

    • Acceptance to the University of Southern Indiana as an undergraduate.
    • Application to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Standard Admissions Application.
    • Submission of a Personal Statement (150 words or less) describing why you want to become a nurse. Please create a Microsoft Word DOC, DOCX or PDF document to attach to the Standard Admissions Application when prompted.
    • Submission of the Leadership and Community Engagement Resume Form. Attach when prompted in the Standard Admissions Application. Leadership and Community Engagement Resume Form
    • Participation in a personal interview.
    • Non-native speakers of English must meet English proficiency requirements as established by the USI Center for International Programs.
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What is Required?


Admission to the program is competitive, and the selection of applicants is based upon the applicant’s academic performance, personal statement and resume and interview. The maximum achievable score is 100.5 points.

GPA in required first year prerequisite courses x 10 for a maximum possible 40 points. First year courses used for the GPA are as follows:

ENG 101 Rhetoric and Composition I
ENG 201 Rhetoric and Composition II
BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
MATH 114 Quantitative Reasoning
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
CHEM 141* Principles of Chemistry
PSY 201 Introduction to Psychology
HP 115 Medical Terminology
UNIV 101 First Year Experience
CMST 101 or CMS 107 101: Intro to Public Speak or Interpersonal Communications
KIN 192 Concepts in Health & Wellness


*Students may have the option to take both Chemistry 142 Survey of General Chemistry AND Chemistry 143 Survey of Organic & Biochemistry (4 credit hours each) combination that is the equivalent of Chemistry 141 (4 credit hours). If students take the two-course option, the grades for each will be averaged for the points to be applied to the student’s application.

Additional points for grades in BIOL 121, BIOL 122, and CHEM 141 for a maximum 7.5 points, as follows: A=5 pts; B+=2.0 pts; B=1.5 pts; C+=1.0 pts; C=.5 pts.

One additional point per each of the three classes BIOL 121, BIOL 122, and CHEM 141 taken at USI for a maximum possible 3 pts.

Anatomy and physiology and chemistry course credit must be earned or equivalent competence demonstrated within five years of enrollment in clinical nursing courses.

To be eligible for admission to the Nursing Program, all Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in each of the classes listed below:

BIOL 121
BIOL 122
CMST 101 or 107
PSY 201
ENG 101
ENG 201
CHEM 141 (or both Chemistry 142 & 143)


Science Eligibility Rule

Anatomy and physiology and chemistry course credit must be earned or equivalent competence demonstrated within five years of enrollment in clinical nursing courses.

Any student who receives more than one 'D' or 'F' in any of the required science or nutrition courses is ineligible for the nursing program at USI.
Students applying for admission to the USI Nursing Program may enroll in the required science courses a maximum of two times per course including transfer credits from any university or college. This rule applies to all students admitted to the university as of August 2020.

The student will submit a personal statement of 150 words or less describing why they want to become a nurse.

The student will complete a form showcasing leadership and community engagement activities.

List the most current extra-curricular and community service activities, awards/honors, and work experience first.

Describe work experience and include any leadership roles if applicable.

Do not duplicate any entries.

Interview (30 points)

The student will participate in a personal interview and individual time slots will be assigned.


When Do I Start?


Students begin their nursing course work in the spring semester of their second year of university study.

Students applying for admission to the USI Nursing Program may enroll in the required science courses a maximum of two times per course including transfer credits from any university or college. (Effective for incoming students 2021-2022 academic year)


Maintaining Eligibility


Students accepted through the holistic admission process must maintain eligibility by completing all prerequisite second-year courses according to the curriculum.


First Year Courses


    • ENG 101* Rhetoric and Composition I
    • ENG 201* Rhetoric and Composition II
    • BIOL 121* Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    • BIOL 122* Human Anatomy and Physiology II
    • CHEM 141*+ Principles of Chemistry
    • MATH 114 Quantitative Reasoning
    • PSY 201* Introduction to Psychology
    • HP 115 Medical Terminology
    • UNIV 101 First Year Experience
    • CMST 101* or CMS 107*: Intro to Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communications
    • KIN 192 Concepts in Health & Wellness

* To be eligible for admission to the Nursing program, all students must receive a grade of "C" or better in these courses.

Students may have the option to take both Chemistry 142 Survey of General Chemistry AND Chemistry 143 Survey of Organic & Biochemistry (4 credit hours each) combination that is the equivalent of Chemistry 141 (4 credit hours).

If students take the two-course option, the grades for each will be averaged for the points to be applied to the student’s application.

What needs to be edited here:

To maintain direct admission status students must:

  • Maintain a required cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale on first year required courses.
  • Achieve a grade of “C” or better in Biology 121*, Biology 122*, Chemistry 141*, English 101, English 201, CMST 101 or 107, and Psychology 201
    • *Students may have the option to take both Chemistry 142 Survey of General Chemistry AND Chemistry 143 Survey of Organic & Biochemistry (4 credit hours each) combination that is the equivalent of Chemistry 141 (4 credit hours). If students take the two-course option, the grades for each will be averaged for the points to be applied to the student’s application.
  • In order to progress in nursing courses students must also achieve a grade of “C” or better in Biology 272*, Nutrition 376*, Sociology 121 (or Social Inquiry Category)
*Students earning less than a “C” grade in two required science
and/or nutrition courses will not be eligible to enroll in nursing courses
  • Anatomy and physiology and chemistry course credit must be earned or equivalent competence demonstrated within five years of enrollment in clinical nursing courses.
  • Students with three or more failures (a "D" or "F") in any of the required science courses are ineligible for the Nursing program at USI.