Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements
Select General Education Requirements		59
Major Requirements
Nursing RN to BSN Major Core
A. Complete the following:
NU 450	Lead/Mang Roles Prof Nsg Pra-W	4
NU 451	Current Issues/Trends Prof Nsg	4
NU 452	Clinical Preven & Pop Health	4
NU 453	Infor Manag & Tech in Hlthcare	4
NU 454	Research & EBP Practicum-W	4
NU 455	Concept Interprofessional Care	4
Minor Requirements
A minor is not required for this degree program		0
Total Hours		83

General Education Requirements

Gen Ed Formatting Note: Graduate of an Associate Degree in Nursing

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Area I – Written Composition
A. Complete the following:		6
EH 101	English Composition I	3
EH 102	English Composition II	3
Area II – Humanities & Fine Arts
A. Select one of the following Literature Electives:		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
B. Select one of the following Fine Arts (Music, Drama, or Art) 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
C. Select six hours from the following Humanities Electives (Literature for sequence, Philosophy, Foreign Language, Music, Art, Drama, Public Speaking, or Religion):		6
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
CA 110	Public Speaking
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 (College Algebra, Finite Math, or Pre-Calculus):		3
MA 110	Finite Mathematics
MA 112	Precalculus Algebra
MA 113	Precalculus Trigonometry
MA 115	Precal Algebra-Trigonometry
MA 120	Calculus and Its Applications
MA 125	Calculus I
MA 126	Calculus II
MA 227	Calculus III
MA 237	Linear Algebra I
MA 238	Differential Equations I
B. Select either Chemistry with Lab or Biology with a Lab:		4
BLY 101 & 101L	Life Science I and Life Science I Laboratory
BLY 121 & 121L	General Biology I and General Biology I Lab
CH 101 & 101L	Survey of Inorg and Org Chem and Survey Inorg-Org Chem Lab
CH 131 & 131L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab
CH 132 & 132L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab
C. Select a Second Natural Science with a Lab (Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, or Astronomy):		4
AN 121 & 121L	Biological Anthropology and Biological Anthropology Lab
BLY 102 & 102L	Life Science II and Life Science II Lab
or BLY 122 & 122L	General Biology II and General Biology II Laboratory
CH 131 & 131L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab
CH 132 & 132L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab
GY 111 & 111L	Physical Geology and Physical Geology Lab
GY 112 & 112L	Earth History and Earth History Lab
MAS 134 & 134L	Ocean Science and Ocean Science Lab
PH 101 & 101L	Introduction to Astronomy and Introduction to Astronomy Lab
PH 104 & 104L	Concepts of Physics and Concepts of Physics Laboratory
PH 114 & 114L	Physics with Algebra-Trig I and Alg-Trig Based Physics I Lab
PH 115 & 115L	Physics with Algebra -Trig II and Alg-Trig Based Physics II Lab
PH 201 & 201L	Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab
PH 202 & 202L	Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab
Area IV – History, Social & Behavioral Sciences
A. Select one of the following Psychology Courses:
PSY 120	Introduction to Psychology	3
or PSY 250	Life Span Development
B. 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
C. Select two of the following History/Social/Behavioral Science Electives:		6
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
PSY 250	Life Span Development
SY 109	Introductory Sociology
SY 112	Social Problems
Area V
A. Select one of the following Microbiology Courses:		4
BLY 213 & BLY 214	Microbiology and Lab Studies Microbiology
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 Statistics 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 (see footnote table below)	3
or CIS 150	Intro to Computer Applications
or CIS 010	Computer Proficiency Exam
Total Hours		65

Footnote

¹

Students who complete CIS 010 Computer Proficiency Exam, must replace the credit hours with a 3 credit hour computer course.

Notes:

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

RN to BSN and RN to BSN/MSN Pathways for Associate Degree and Diploma Nurses

The College of Nursing has a Pathway designed especially for registered nurses pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. The RN to BSN Prerequisites consist of eighteen (18) courses, totaling 59 semester credit hours. These general education courses may be completed at any regionally accredited institution. They must be successfully completed before admission to the Professional Component. It is the policy of the College of Nursing to average grades for all coursework repeated.

Online RN to BSN Professional Component

1. The Professional Component consists of six (6) fully online nursing courses for a total of 24 Credit hours.

2. These courses must be completed at the University of South Alabama.

3. Upper division nursing courses taken at another institution will not transfer or apply toward the 24 Credit hours required to earn the BSN degree at USA.

4. Students proceed through the six online nursing courses at their desired pace.

5. The Professional Component may be completed in a minimum of two (2) semesters.

6. The Professional Component must be completed within five (5) years of beginning the BSN curriculum.

7. Thirty credit hours of nursing credit are awarded the semester students graduate.

8. Nine credit hours are applied as residential credit during the final semester of the pathway.

Admission Criteria for RN-BSN Pathways

1. Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States of America.

2. Current registered nurse licensure with no restrictions. Nurses with any restrictions on their license, including participation in a voluntary disciplinary alternative program, cannot be admitted.

3. Completion of an accredited diploma or associate degree in nursing. Degrees must be from a regionally accredited institution

4. Complete all eighteen (18) required pre-requisite courses at a regionally accredited school. These 59 Credit hours of general education courses are in addition to the nursing courses completed to become a Registered Nurse.

5. Minimum grade of “C” in all pre-requisite courses.

6. RN-BSN Pathway: Minimum GPA of 2.5 on all prerequisite courses and Minimum University GPA of 2.0.

7. RN-BSN/MSN Pathway: Minimum Prerequisite GPA of 2.50. In addition, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required on all academic course work completed at all institutions, including repeated courses. 

Application Procedures

RN to BSN and RN to BSN/MSN applicants are required to complete a Primary Application in NursingCAS, as well as a supplemental application available on the College of Nursing's website. Students who drop out of the program for two or more consecutive semesters must apply for readmission through the Office of the Admission. Readmission is not automatic.

Admission Procedures For RN-BSN Pathway

Completion of Primary and Supplemental Applications are required for admission.

1. Primary Application submitted through Nursing Centralized Application System (NursingCAS). Official transcripts of all college and university studies, regardless of the outcome of enrollment, must be sent directly from the home institution to the NursingCAS. These documents become the property of the NursingCAS and will not be returned to the applicant. Applicants are responsible for any fees required by NursingCAS for their services. Primary Application in NursingCAS VERIFIED prior to submitting Supplemental Application.
2. Supplemental Application submitted online. This application requires a non-refundable processing fee of $50.00, by the deadline. Application can be submitted via credit or debit card. There is a $20.00 fee for non-sufficient funds.

Contingency for Admission and Initial Registration

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

1. Acceptance Packet

2. Negative Drug Screen

3. Acceptable Background Check

4. 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 Deadline

• Fall Semester Deadline is March 15

• Spring Semester Deadline is July 15

• Summer Semester Deadline is January 15

The deadlines for admission to RN-BSN program are rolling. Applications will be accepted past the stated deadline for the RN- BSN and RN-BSN/MSN pathways.

Academic Progression Policy for RN-BSN

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.

1. In accordance with University policy, students may not use the Grade Replacement Policy to replace professional nursing courses.

2. A grade of "C" or higher is required for all professional nursing courses. A student may repeat only one nursing course in the curriculum. A second "D", "F", or "U" will result in an academic dismissal from the nursing program. Students who are academically dismissed may not return to the RN-BSN program.

3. A minimum GPA of 2.0 at the University of South Alabama is required to continue in the program and for graduation.

4. Students in the RN-BSN/MSN program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all work attempted in the program at USA. Student must complete the degree requirements for the RN-BSN program prior to applying for admission to the MSN degree program.

5. 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 screen,

   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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 testing will result in removal from the program.

9. Students must complete the RN-BSN program with 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.

Graduation

RN-BSN students who will complete all BSN 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.

RN-BSN Students May Continue to MSN Program

Students who have completed the RN-BSN program at the University of South Alabama may continue on to pursue the MSN degree at the University. Once the RN-BSN student applies to graduate with the BSN degree, the student may apply for admission to start the MSN program after graduation.

Students in this pathway are guaranteed seats in non-Nurse Practitioner tracks upon successful completion of the BSN component of the pathway. Students may pursue the following specialties toward the completion of their MSN degree: Informatics, Nursing Administration, Clinical Nurse Leader, or Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult-Gerontological Nursing.

Students who wish to pursue nurse practitioner preparation must obtain a minimum of 2 years of clinical experience before beginning clinical nurse practitioner specialty courses and have a competitive overall undergraduate GPA to compete for a seat in the NP specialty selected. Students are admitted to a specialty track and may not change their track without permission. Students must be in good standing with all academic institutions/nursing programs they have attended in order to be admitted to the MSN program. Courses for the specialty component of the curriculum are offered on-line. Clinical requirements are completed in faculty-facilitated preceptorships. Curricula for all MSN specialties are located in the graduate section under Master of Science in Nursing.

Admission to Graduate Program

Upon satisfactory completion of the BSN degree the RN-BSN/MSN student will contact the Graduate Advisors at congradapp@southalabama.edu for additional information regarding the Supplemental Application needed for admission as a graduate student to continue through the MSN program. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the MSN program. 

Academic Progression Policy

RN-BSN/MSN students will follow the Academic Progression Policy for the RN-BSN program while completing the BSN degree. Students will then follow the Academic Progression Policy for the MSN program while in the second portion of the program.

Program Completion Requirements

Students in the RN-BSN/MSN pathway will graduate with both BSN and MSN degrees. Deadlines for each semester application are located on the Registrar’s Graduation Website