Navigating the Concordia University Nursing Program Requirements
Concordia University offers various pathways to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), each with specific requirements. Whether you're considering the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, the traditional BSN program, or already have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), understanding these requirements is crucial for a smooth application and progression. This article will explore the requirements for nursing programs at Concordia University.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program Requirements
Concordia University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a rigorous, 16-month program designed for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field or have a significant number of college credits. Due to the program's intensity, it's essential to understand the specific requirements and ensure you feel prepared before enrolling.
Prerequisites
Before being admitted into the ABSN program, students must have completed a number of prerequisite courses. All accelerated nursing program prerequisites must be completed prior to admission with a “C” grade or higher.
- Credit Hours: Students are required to complete 30 semester credit hours in general education.
- Natural Science: 4 credits in natural science.
- GPA: Minimum required cumulative GPA is 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of B (3.0) or higher and a "C" or better must be earned in each course, except the science courses (see below). Each science prerequisite class with lab must be completed with grade “B-” or higher.
- Course Validity: All science and math prerequisites must be current within seven years from the date of acceptance to the University. General education requirements transferred from another institution do not expire.
Application Process
Applications for the program are processed through NursingCAS, a centralized application system servicing nursing programs nationwide. Admission to Concordia's Accelerated BSN program is selective. The university considers a student's academic records, professional references, and experiences. Applications are reviewed continually throughout the cycle as they are completed.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process of applying to the Accelerated BSN program:
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- Submit an online application to the ABSN program.
- Ensure all prerequisite courses are completed with the required grades.
- Provide professional references.
- Highlight any relevant healthcare-related volunteer or work experience.
Note: Students may be provisionally accepted to the program pending degree completion and/or completion of prerequisite coursework.
Additional Requirements
- Previous Education: ABSN applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in any discipline or a minimum of 65 non-nursing college credits from a regionally accredited institution.
- Course Repeats: Prerequisite courses may be repeated in their entirety in order to meet the grade and GPA requirements: Two re-takes due to failure/withdrawal are allowed.
- Transfer Credits: With the exception of Foundation in Christian Theology and New Testament study, students may transfer all required pre-requisite units from any regionally accredited institution*.
- Online Science Classes: All science classes must also include a laboratory portion and be completed within 5 years of intended admission term. Online science classes that solely rely on virtual laboratories will not be accepted. However, online science classes that incorporate home-kit laboratories are acceptable.
- In-Progress Courses: Applicants are allowed to have a maximum of three (3) classes in-progress at the time of application with proof of enrollment.
Support and Guidance
Concordia University provides support to prospective students throughout the application process. Admissions counselors are available to help navigate the pre-nursing school journey and can be reached out to at any point in the process. They can provide guidance on meeting the ABSN track entrance requirements and answer any questions about the ABSN application process.
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program Requirements
Concordia University also offers a traditional four-year BSN program with start dates in St. Paul. This program is designed for students entering college for the first time or transferring from other institutions.
Admission to Program
Students must be accepted to the university in order to be considered for admission to the BSN program. The BSN program offers course lectures, labs, clinical learning experiences, and simulations are offered in person at the St. Paul campus. The University may use online delivery of coursework to support student learning. Students begin clinical learning experiences in their first semester of the nursing program.
Direct Admission Pathway
CSP Nursing offers a Direct Admission Pathway for incoming first-year and transfer students waiting to pursue the Traditional BSN Program.
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Prerequisites and Co-requisites
Students must complete a number of courses before beginning the BSN program, including prerequisite coursework, TEAS, and additional Nursing program requirements.
Listed below is the typical timeline for CSP’s 4-year degree program.
The CSP BSN program also requires completion of specific general education content areas prior to beginning the nursing program. While these content areas must be completed, they are not considered formal prerequisites to the program with minimum grades required (e.g., C or higher). However, students must still meet the 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA requirement.
The following general education courses or areas can be fulfilled while in the nursing program: Literature/History/Political Science, Fine Arts, and Intermediate Theology. Electives may be completed, as needed.
Additional requirements
- GPA: CSP requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 cumulative Science GPA to be considered for admission to the BSN program.
- TEAS Exam: Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) must be submitted with a score of 65% or higher. The TEAS Exam is offered through CSP virtually. This is open to anyone to register, including CSP pre-nursing and non-CSP students.
- Transcripts: Unofficial college transcripts for any in-progress courses or courses taken outside of CSP.
- Nursing Application Waived: Direct admission students will be exempt from submitting CSP’s nursing program application.
Additional Information
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: CSP’s Minnesota NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate was 90.38% in 2023.
- Program Starts: Our traditional BSN offers two starts a year in St.
- Tuition and Financial Aid: The nursing program follows our traditional undergraduate tuition and financial aid structure.
Nursing Program Features at Concordia University
Regardless of the specific BSN program, Concordia University provides a range of features designed to support nursing students' success:
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Christ-Centered Education: Concordia offers a rigorous, Christ-centered education dedicated to developing students holistically into highly skilled nursing professionals-prepared to serve their patients with excellence, integrity, and compassion.
Experienced Faculty: Nursing theory courses are taught by highly qualified nurse educators with years of experience in hospitals, healthcare, and other community settings. Our experienced faculty is dedicated to your success … from your first day, through your National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Hands-On Experience: Concordia's Simulation and Skills Lab provide vital, hands-on experience. The Anatomage Table is a life-sized, touchscreen digital anatomy system that helps students explore God’s design of the human body with clarity and depth.
Interprofessional Education: Students will be prepared in interprofessional communication, collaboration, professionalism, and leadership-all of which are integrated into our nursing program.
Direct Admission: Students are accepted directly into the nursing major. No additional applications are needed. Progression through the sequence of courses is guaranteed to all students who maintain full-time status and continue to meet the academic progression criteria as outlined by the CUW School of Nursing.
Clinical Learning Experiences: Students begin clinical learning experiences in their first semester of the nursing program.
Additional Information
- State Board of Nursing: While at the present time, we cannot provide a particular state’s educational requirements for licensing, we can assure you that we will provide you with the contact information for the state Board of Nursing for the state in which you are doing study.
- NCLEX-RN Exam: The pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing track is designed to prepare graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and to enter the nursing profession as a generalist in a variety of care settings, serving culturally diverse clients of all ages in an ever-changing, dynamic health care context.
- Learning Environment: Learning takes place in a variety of settings including; the classroom, simulation laboratory, and supervised clinical practice experiences to ensure students have a solid foundation for practice.
- Program Readmission: An applicant denied admission to the CSP nursing program may reapply once.
- Licensure Eligibility: CSP BSN program graduates eligibility to be licensed in any state is at the discretion of that state's nursing regulatory body. States may require additional licensure application conditions including but not limited to background studies that may include fingerprinting.
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