Nursing (BSN) - Traditional

Degree Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements
Select General Education Requirements		62
Major Requirements
Nursing (BS) Major Core
A. Complete the following:
HSC 342	Administration of Medication	1
HSC 343	Clinical Pharmacology	3
NU 300	Foundations of Prof Nsg	5
NU 301	Foundations of Prof Nsg Clin	3
NU 304	Evidence Based Practice NU- W	3
NU 325	Health Assessment	3
NU 327	Patho Basis of Nursing	3
NU 311	Clinical Nursing Skills	3
NU 312	Clinical Skills Immersion	1
NU 332	Clinical Nutrition	2
AHN 447	Adult Gerontological Nursing	4
AHN 448	Adult Gerontological Nsg Clin	4
CMN 350	Psy-Mental Health Nsg	2
CMN 351	Psy-Mental Health Nsg Clin	2
CMN 420	Community Health Nursing	3
CMN 421	Community Health Nurs Clinical	1
MCN 352	OB & GYN Nursing Care	2
MCN 353	OB & GYN Nsg Care Clinical	2
MCN 354	Pediatric Nursing Care	2
MCN 355	Pediatric Nsg Care Clinical	2
NU 412	Dec Making Prof Nsg Practice	3
NU 414	Issues & Trends Healthcare -W	3
NU 460	Practicum	5
Minor Requirements
A minor is not required for this degree program		0
Total Hours		124

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Area I – Written Composition
A. Complete the following:
EH 101	English Composition I	3
B. Complete the following:
EH 102	English Composition II	3
Area II – Humanities & Fine Arts
A. Complete the following:
CA 110	Public Speaking	3
B. Select one of the following Literature Courses: see footnote table below ¹		3
EH 215	Brit Lit before 1785
EH 216	Brit Lit after 1785
EH 225	Am Lit before 1865
EH 226	Am Lit after 1865
EH 235	World Lit before 1650
EH 236	World Lit after 1650
C. Select one of the following Fine Arts Courses:		3
ARH 100	Survey of Art
ARH 103	Art History I
ARH 123	Art History II
ARS 101	Art Appreciation
DRA 110	Introduction to Theatre
MUL 101	Introduction to Music
D. Select one of the following Humanities Electives:		3
AFR 101	Intro to African Amer Studies
ARH 100	Survey of Art
ARH 103	Art History I
ARH 123	Art History II
ARH 203	Survey of Non-Western Art
ARS 101	Art Appreciation
CLA 110	Intro Anc Greek Roman Culture
DRA 110	Introduction to Theatre
EH 215	Brit Lit before 1785
EH 216	Brit Lit after 1785
EH 225	Am Lit before 1865
EH 226	Am Lit after 1865
EH 235	World Lit before 1650
EH 236	World Lit after 1650
LG 101	Introductory Latin I
LG 102	Introductory Latin II
LG 111	Introductory French I
LG 112	Introductory French II
LG 121	Introductory Chinese I
LG 122	Introductory Chinese II
LG 131	Introductory Spanish I
LG 132	Introductory Spanish II
LG 141	Intro Classical Greek I
LG 142	Intro Classical Greek II
LG 151	Introductory German I
LG 152	Introductory German II
LG 153	Accelerated Intro German
LG 171	Introductory Russian I
LG 172	Introductory Russian II
LG 173	Accelerated Intro Russian
LG 201	Intermediate Latin I
LG 202	Intermediate Latin II
LG 211	Intermediate French I
LG 212	Intermediate French II
LG 213	Accelerated Inter French - H
LG 221	Intermediate Chinese I
LG 222	Intermediate Chinese II
LG 231	Intermediate Spanish I
LG 232	Intermediate Spanish II
LG 234	Inter Spanish Accel -H
LG 241	Interm Classical Greek I
LG 242	Interm Classical Greek II
LG 251	Intermediate German I
LG 252	Intermediate German II
LG 271	Intermediate Russian I
LG 272	Intermediate Russian II
LG 273	Intensive Second Year Russian
LGS 101	Introductory Japanese I
LGS 102	Introductory Japanese II
LGS 106	Introductory Arabic I
LGS 107	Introductory Arabic II
LGS 110	Intro American Sign Language I
LGS 111	Intro American Sign Lang II
LGS 171	Introductory Korean I
LGS 172	Introductory Korean II
LGS 201	Intermediate Japanese I
LGS 202	Intermediate Japanese II
LGS 206	Intermediate Arabic I
LGS 207	Intermediate Arabic II
LGS 210	Intermediate ASL I
LGS 211	Intermediate ASL II
MUL 101	Introduction to Music
PHL 110	Introduction to Philosophy
PHL 120	Critical Thinking
PHL 121	Introduction to Logic
PHL 131	Introduction to Ethics
PHL 231	Social Ethics
PHL 240	Western Philosophy: Classical
REL 100	Intro to the Study of Religion
REL 200	Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
REL 201	Survey of the New Testament
Area III – Natural Sciences & Mathematics
A. Select one of the following Math Courses:
MA 110	Finite Mathematics	3
or MA 112	Precalculus Algebra
B. Complete the following Science Courses:
BLY 101 & 101L	Life Science I and Life Science I Laboratory	4
CH 101 & 101L	Survey of Inorg and Org Chem and Survey Inorg-Org Chem Lab	4
Area IV – History, Social & Behavioral Sciences see footnote table below ¹
A. Select one of the following History Electives:		3
HY 101	HY of Western Civilization I
HY 102	HY of Western Civilization II
HY 135	US History to 1877
HY 136	US History since 1877
B. Select nine hours from the following History/Social/Behavioral Sciences Electives:		9
AN 100	Intro to Cultural Anthropology
AN 101	Intro Archaeology-Bio Anthro
CA 100	Intro to Communication
CA 211	Interpersonal Comm
CJ 105	Introduction to Criminal Justice
ECO 215	Prin of Microeconomics
ECO 216	Prin of Macroeconomics
GEO 114	People, Places, Environment
GEO 115	World Regional Geography
GS 101	Intro to Gender Studies
HY 101	HY of Western Civilization I
HY 102	HY of Western Civilization II
HY 135	US History to 1877
HY 136	US History since 1877
IS 100	Global Issues
IST 201	Seasons of Life
NAS 101	Intro Native American Studies
PSC 130	Intro to US Government
PSY 120	Introduction to Psychology (see footnote table below) ²
PSY 250	Life Span Development
SY 109	Introductory Sociology
SY 112	Social Problems
Area V Major In Nursing Requirements
A. Select four hours of the following Microbiology Courses:
BLY 213 & BLY 214	Microbiology and Lab Studies Microbiology	4
or BMD 210 & 210L	Microbiology in Healthcare and Microbiology in Healthcare Lab
B. Complete the following Human Anatomy & Physiology Courses:
BMD 251	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4
BMD 252	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	4
C. Select one of the following Statistic Courses:		3
ST 210	Stat Reason and Application
BUS 245	Data Analytics I
PSY 220	Res Design and Analysis I
ST 305	Applied Stat Health Sciences
D. Select one of the following Computer Courses:
CIS 140	Intro to Tech for Healthcare ³	3
or CIS 150	Intro to Computer Applications
E. Select one of the following Economics Courses:
ECO 215	Prin of Microeconomics	3
or ECO 216	Prin of Macroeconomics
Total Hours		62

Footnote

¹: Students must complete a 6 credit hour sequence either in literature (Area II – EH 215 & EH 216, EH 225 & EH 226, or EH 235 & EH 236) or history (Area IV – HY 101 & HY 102 or HY 135 & HY 136)
²: PSY 120 is required

All undergraduates must complete two designated writing credit (W) courses, at least one of which must be in the student's major or minor.

Additional Information

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)

The BSN program prepares graduates for professional nursing practice. Upon completion of the program graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

The BSN program is offered in a traditional four- year format with nursing courses concentrated in the junior and senior years. The BSN program is also offered in an accelerated format for Associate Degree and diploma- prepared nurses.

BSN Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Baccalaureate Program, graduates should be able to:

Deliver professional nursing care for diverse populations across the lifespan to optimize health care outcomes.
Demonstrate the application of theory and evidence from contemporary nursing science and related disciplines as a basis for clinical reasoning, management, and evaluation of professional nursing care through the use of professional writing and clinical judgment.
Model responsibility and accountability for one's personal and delegated nursing care and lifelong learning to ensure excellence in nursing practice.
Translate evidence into professional nursing practice to individualize patient care designed to improve care outcomes.
Select principles of leadership and management that guide nursing, influence health policy, and transform health care delivery systems.
Collaborate with inter-professional health care teams and consumers in delivering and advocating for safe and effective use of health care resources.
Integrate professional nursing values in meeting current and emerging health needs in a dynamic, global society.
Evaluate effective use of technology and information management to provide patient-centered care across the lifespan in a variety of environments.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Traditional Pathway

Students wishing to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree who have not completed a prior bachelor degree, may apply to the University of South Alabama as a pre-nursing student. Upon completion of the pre-nursing requirements, students may apply for admission to the Professional Component of the Traditional BSN Pathway.

Admission Criteria

A minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75 on all prerequisite courses for the Traditional Pathway.
A minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses.
Minimum University of South Alabama GPA of 2.5 and be in good standing within the University.
Students dismissed from a previous nursing program may be considered as follows:
1. Admission will only be considered for the Traditional BSN program
2. Students will compete for a seat among all other applicants to the program.
3. All previous nursing courses will be evaluated and accepted based on college and University requirements.

Application Procedures

Applicants must submit an application for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN degree program. The application form is available on the College of Nursing's website. Applications are reviewed carefully to determine that students have satisfied all pre-nursing requirements, and satisfy the requirements of emotional and physical health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College of Nursing reserve the right to select the applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Failure to comply with legal, moral, and legislative standards for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama merits immediate dismissal from the nursing program.

Online submission of Traditional BSN Application to the College of Nursing is required.
Payment of $50 non-refundable application fee via debit or credit card. There is a $20.00 fee for non-sufficient funds.
Transfer credit must comply with College of Nursing policies.
Submit unofficial transcripts from other universities to the College of Nursing via email (conbsn@southalabama.edu) for review of prerequisite courses.
Students who have attended a Nursing program at another school are required to provide the following to the College of Nursing email at conbsn@southalabama.edu
1. Letter of Good Standing (verifying student was in good moral, ethical, and legal standing with no previous disciplinary action)from the Nursing Program, signed by the Nursing Administrator of the program
2. Transcript of all nursing courses taken with the grades earned
3. Transfer credit will be considered upon review of course syllabi

Contingency for Admission and Initial Registration

Admission and initial registration is contingent on completion of the following requirements.

Acceptance Packet
Negative Drug Screen
Acceptable Background Check
All Health Requirements as outlined in the Medical Documents Manager.

Notification of missing documents will be sent to your JagMail email account. Only students who have successfully completed the Acceptance Packet in its entirety, have a negative drug screen and acceptable background check, and completed all required portions of the Medical Documents Manager will be permitted to register for classes.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester Deadline is March 15
Spring Semester Deadline is July 15
Summer Semester Deadline is January 15

In keeping with the dynamic changes in nursing and healthcare field, the baccalaureate curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible. Advisors are available to assist students in adapting to those changes and planning their course of study accordingly. Applicants MUST meet with their advisor at least two semesters before applying to the Professional Component.

College of Nursing Early Acceptance Program (CONEAP)

High School Early Acceptance

The College of Nursing has an early acceptance program for highly qualified high school seniors who demonstrate leadership qualities and motivation toward the study of nursing. Students participating in the early acceptance program are guaranteed admission to the upper division professional component of the nursing curriculum when they meet the following requirements. Students who meet early acceptance requirements must also submit a Traditional BSN Application to the Professional Component by the deadline on the Traditional BSN webpage that corresponds to the semester you wish to begin the Professional Component.

Academic Requirements

Have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 based on 4.0 scale as computed by USA Office of Admissions
Submit an ACT score of at least 22 composite (or 1100 SAT).
Apply for admission to USA.
Apply for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN program.

Upon Admission to USA - Student Requirements

USA students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 on all coursework, as computed by the USA Office of Admissions, before entering the professional component.
Students are encouraged to complete all pre-professional nursing courses at USA.
Make a grade of C or better on all final grades.
Must be continuously enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (No minimal credit hour requirement for summer semesters).
Be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Nursing.

The College of Nursing priority deadline for the High School Early Acceptance Program is February 15th. Early admission is determined upon receipt of an application to the University of South Alabama for admission to the pre-nursing program. Applications received at other times will be considered on a space available basis. For questions and applications, contact:

USA Admissions
2500 Meisler Hall
Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
or call (800) 872-5247 or (251) 460-6141

Freshman Early Acceptance

A second opportunity for participation in the CONEAP is available to students who have completed their freshman year of pre-nursing prerequisite courses at USA and have achieved an overall GPA of 3.2 or above (as computed by the USA Registrar's Office). Students who meet early acceptance requirements must also submit a Traditional BSN Application to the Professional Component by the deadline on the Traditional BSN webpage that corresponds to the semester you wish to begin the Professional Component.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must:

Have a minimum GPA of 3.2 on all coursework completed at USA, as computed by the USA Office of Admissions
Complete the freshman year of college
Complete the following courses: BLY 101 with Lab, MA 110 or 112, and CH 101 with Lab
Maintain a 3.2 GPA throughout all coursework.
Make a grade of C or better on all final grades.
Apply for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN program.
Be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Nursing

Freshman Early Admission Application Form - Return by August 1st.

Veteran's Policy for College of Nursing

The College of Nursing commits to accept students from the Veteran population into the Bachelor of Science programs. The CON will accept five Veteran students into the traditional program and two Veteran students into the accelerated program each semester. Veteran students must apply for the program and meet the general admission requirements. Veteran students must also provide documentation verifying veteran status. If there are no veteran students available to take these seats, the seats will go to the general population of student applicants.

Academic Partnership Between The University Of South Alabama Department Of Military Science And Leadership (Army ROTC) And Department Of Nursing

Both the Department of Nursing and Army ROTC will actively recruit qualified nursing candidates for joint enrollment. Both programs will actively supervise and mentor enrolled ROTC Nurse Cadets and will keep each other informed of candidate’s progress.
The Department of Nursing will accept two Army ROTC Nurse Cadets annually into the BSN nursing programs, if they meet the Department of Nursing’s academic acceptance requirements.
The Department of Nursing will provide a dedicated nursing academic advisor for all ROTC Nurse Cadets. This academic advisor will act as faculty liaison between the departments.
All Army ROTC Nursing Cadets will be required to participate in the nursing department’s clinical training throughout the nursing program with no resistance from the ROTC department.
Army ROTC will provide opportunities per academic year in the Army’s Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP), a summer internship/preceptorship offered at Army hospitals in the U.S. and overseas, typically between junior and senior years.

Nursing Honors

The College of Nursing has two paths to attaining honors designation upon graduation: 1) University Honors in Nursing and 2) Departmental Honors in Nursing. Students admitted to the Honors College at any time prior to beginning the nursing program are automatically accepted into Nursing Honors. University Honors students must maintain all requirements set forth by the Honors College for graduation with the honors designation. University Honors students are required to complete additional upper division courses. Students are encouraged to meet with an Honors College advisor and a Nursing advisor to ensure attainment of requirements needed to receive the Honors designation.

For students with strong academic backgrounds who desire to participate in honors research, Departmental Honors is offered for students who desire to add honors coursework after starting the Nursing professional component.

Honors students are required to complete additional upper division courses. Students are not allowed to take nursing honors courses until the second semester of nursing. Departmental Honors students may apply for honors during or after the first semester of nursing; however, the student must have enough time left in the program to complete two full-term semesters of honors courses.

Academic Progression Policy

The University of South Alabama College of Nursing will recommend for promotion only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of emotional and physical health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. Students continually in adjustment difficulties may be dropped from the nursing program.

A grade of “C” or higher is required for all nursing courses. A student may only repeat one nursing course. Students retaking a course must take NU 302 Essentials of Professional Nursing at the same time.
Students receiving a failing grade in either a didactic course or a clinical course that are co-requisites must repeat both courses the following semester to progress in the program.
Students at risk of failing a didactic course or clinical course at midterm (course average 68% or below) must make an appointment and meet with an academic advisor.
A second “D”, “F”, or “U” will result in an academic dismissal from the College of Nursing. Students who are dismissed may apply one time for readmission to the Traditional BSN program only.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at USA is required to continue in the nursing program. Students with a GPA below 2.0 may not register for nursing courses.
A dosage calculation test is required in NU 300/301, MCN 352/353, MCN 352/353/354/355, and AHN 447/448 and NU 460. A score of 100% on one of three attempts or successful completion of standards-based grading opportunities must be achieved to pass.
After completion of the ATI Capstone course embedded into NU 412, all students are required to complete the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor. If the student is unsuccessful on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, the faculty-selected NCLEX remediation questions will be assigned with completion necessary to pass the course. All students, regardless of ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor performance, are also required to attend the 3-day ATI Live Review given on campus each semester. Failure to complete the ATI Capstone course, ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor and/or remediation, other course requirements as stated in the syllabus, and attend the ATI Live Review will result in a grade of Unsatisfactory (U) for the NU 412 course. If a grade of U is earned, the student must repeat NU 412 the next term. If the student does not score at least 72% on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, the student will be required to purchase the Virtual ATI review course. Upon successful completion of a prescribed number of modules in Virtual ATI, a grade of Satisfactory (S) will be given for the course. If the required Virtual ATI is not completed by the end of the semester, a grade of Incomplete (I) will be given. Once the student has completed the required Virtual ATI, the grade will be changed to Satisfactory (S) for the course. Failure to complete virtual ATI requirements as stated in the syllabus by the end of the following semester will result in a grade of Unsatisfactory (U) for the course.
Failure to show good ethical and moral character including but not limited to any of the following may result in dismissal from the program:
1. conviction of a crime,
2. disciplinary action against a nursing license in Alabama or any other state,
3. positive drug test,
4. adverse background check, or
5. disruptive behavior including online behavior. All students must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of the College of Nursing immediately or no later than 48 hours of any of the above stated incidents.
All students must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of the College of Nursing immediately or no later than 48 hours following an arrest. Failure to report an arrest may result in removal from the program.
All students are subject to testing for controlled substances and must submit to random drug testing as requested. A positive test or refusal to submit to testing will result in removal from the program.
All students are subject to a background check and must submit to additional background checks as requested. An adverse finding or refusal to submit to a background check may result in removal from the program.
Once students are admitted to the professional component of the curriculum the program must be completed within 5 years. If a student’s progression is interrupted for any reason, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office of Student Services and apply for readmission. Students are readmitted on a space-available basis. Any alteration in usual progression may lengthen the student’s program. In keeping with dynamic changes in healthcare and nursing, the curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible.

Updated 05/02/2023

Readmission Policy

Students who are academically dismissed from either the Accelerated BSN or the Traditional BSN program may apply for readmission one time. Students may only apply to the Traditional BSN program after an academic dismissal from either program. All policies in place at the time of readmission will be applicable to readmitted students.

Uniform Policy

The Uniform policy is provided to students at the time of admission.

Clinical Attendance

Students will be expected to attend clinical as scheduled. Some courses may require more than 20 hours per week of clinical attendance. Clinical orientation is mandatory.

Graduation Requirements

Traditional BSN students who will complete all degree requirements are required to apply for graduation by the application deadline established by the Registrar’s Office. Deadlines for each semester application are located on the Registrar’s Graduation Website.

Eligibility for National Licensure

Graduates are eligible and prepared to complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam) and apply for licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse and to continue with graduate study. The program meets state educational requirements for licensure in Alabama and all other states in the U.S. and its territory.

Graduation Plan

Multiple Degree Plans Available. Select To View Option:

On This Page

Nursing (BSN): Traditional for History Sequence
Nursing (BSN) : Traditional for Literature Sequence