Department of Nursing
Fequently Asked Questions
Does Bowie State University (BSU) offer degree-producing Nursing programs?
Yes. BSU offers the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing (BS and MS). The Bachelor of Science program in Nursing accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Inc. and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The Master of Science in degree in Nursing is accredited by ACEN.
Can graduating high school students gain direct admission into the BSU Nursing Program?
No. BSU incoming freshman students must first receive general admission to BSU as a degree-seeking student declaring nursing as a major. BSU freshmen students are encouraged to pursue the Traditional BS Nursing Option. This nursing option accepts applications each spring semester and admits students for each fall. Students are expected to complete the Traditional BS Nursing Option in three (3) years after receiving admission to the nursing program.
BSU freshman students can anticipate eligibility to apply to the Traditional BS Nursing Option during the spring semester of their sophomore year upon successful completion of the prerequisite courses outlined in the Traditional BS Nursing Option curriculum plan. The student will meet with an assigned Nursing Academic Advisor to prepare for admission. Candidates are required to have no less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA along with a 3.0 GPA in the science prerequisites.
Transfer candidates are also welcome to apply to this nursing option. Additionally, transfer candidates are required to provide sealed official academic transcripts as outlined within the nursing admission procedures located in the Traditional Option webpage. Science courses cannot be older than five (5) years from the date of the submission of the nursing application.
Please note that the nursing selection process is highly competitive and there will be more applicants than space available.
I am interested in transferring to the BSU Nursing Program, how can I get my transcripts evaluated?
Please know the Department of Nursing does not provide unofficial transfer credit evaluations. All transfer student transcripts are officially evaluated through the BSU Office of Admissions upon receiving general university admission to the university. Prospective transfer students must contact the BSU Office of Admissions regarding the equivalency of all transfer courses.
I am a new transfer student interested in the BSU Nursing Program. How do I transfer to BSU?
The very first step for all prospective transfer students is to begin with the BSU Office of Admissions. All prospective transfer students must first apply through the BSU Office of Admissions and gain general university admission to become eligible for nursing admission consideration. All transfer credits will be officially evaluated through the BSU Office of Admissions. If admitted to the university, applicants will be informed about when to meet with a Nursing Academic Advisor to determine nursing admission eligibility!
Can a new transfer student to the University be accepted into the BSU Nursing program?
Yes. The transfer student must first receive general admission to BSU as a degree-seeking student declaring nursing as a major. It is highly recommended that transfer students transfer to BSU for enrollment during the fall semester. Transfer students will meet with an assigned nursing Academic Advisor to prepare for admission to the program.
Transfer students with 50 or more academic credits are encouraged to apply to the Accelerated BS Nursing Option. Students are accepted into the Accelerated Option each spring semester and students are admitted for each summer. Accelerated students are expected to complete this nursing option in eighteen (18) months.
Applicants are eligible for nursing admission consideration pending successful completion of all prerequisite courses based on the criteria for admission outlined in the Accelerated BS Nursing Option curriculum plan. Accelerated BS candidates must have no less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the science prerequisites. Traditional BS applicants must have no less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the science prerequisites.
Additionally, transfer candidates are required to provide sealed official academic transcripts as outlined within the nursing admission procedures located on the Accelerated Option (pdf). Science courses cannot be older than five (5) years from the date of the submission of the nursing application.
Please note that the nursing selection process is highly competitive and there will be more applicants than space available.
How long will it take a student to complete the BSU Nursing program?
Upon receiving admission to the nursing program, candidates pursuing the Traditional BS Nursing Option can expect a three (3) year time to degree completion.
Upon receiving admission to the nursing program, candidates pursuing the Accelerated BS Option can expect an eighteen (18) month time to degree completion.
Upon matriculation, candidates pursuing the RN to BS Nursing Option can expect a two (2) year time to degree completion.
All Masters level candidates can expect a two (2) to three (3) year time to degree completion based on full-time or part-time enrollment.
Does BSU offer a special program for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)?
No, the BSU Department of Nursing does not offer programs for persons who are CNAs or LPNs. Those who possess an active CNA certificate or an LPN license are considered undergraduate students pursuing a degree in their choice of the Traditional or Accelerated BS Nursing Option.
Does BSU offer a part-time Undergraduate BS Nursing program?
No. The undergraduate pre-licensure nursing option curriculums require full-time study. Students are expected to complete their selected nursing option according to the curriculum design.
Can a student test out of nursing prerequisite or upper division NURS courses based on knowledge or prior experience?
No. The Department of Nursing policies require that all coursework be completed in a didactic and/or clinical course.
Can a prospective transfer student transfer NURS courses completed at a prior institution?
The transfer of upper division nursing (NURS) courses is not permitted for candidates seeking admission to our pre-licensure undergraduate nursing options. The Department of Nursing policies for candidates interested in our pre-licensure nursing options require that all upper division nursing (NURS) coursework be completed at Bowie State University.
The transfer of upper division nursing (NURS) courses is permitted for Register Nurse (RN) candidates seeking admission to the RN to BS Nursing Option based on the State of Maryland Articulation Agreement.
The transfer of Masters level courses is at the discretion of the Graduate Nursing Coordinator.
Is there a program for licensed Registered Nurses (RN) to earn a bachelor's degree?
Yes. The BSU Department of Nursing offers the RN to BS Nursing Option. This upper-division nursing curriculum provides academic and experiential programs that assist a licensed registered nurse (RN) to expand their knowledge base and pursue advanced study. The admission requirements for this program are:
- An unencumbered license as an RN in the State of Maryland.
- General admission to BSU as degree-seeking student.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Submission of the completed RN to BS Option application packet.
- Successful completion of nursing prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or higher.
Additionally, RN to BS candidates are required to provide sealed official academic transcripts as outlined within the nursing admission procedures located on the RN to BS Nursing Option (pdf). There are no set term limits for general education courses for this nursing option.
Can a student with an international degree gain admittance to the BSU Nursing program?
Yes. Students must have their foreign transcripts evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) or a similar certifying agency approved by the BSU Office of Admissions. The student must first receive general admission through the BSU Office of Admissions. Upon receiving general admission to BSU, the student will meet with an assigned Nursing Academic Advisor to become eligible to apply to the nursing option selected.
Can a second-degree student pursue the BSU Undergraduate Nursing program?
Yes. The student must first receive general admission to BSU as a degree-seeking student declaring Nursing as a major. General education prerequisites completed by the second-degree applicant will be waived. All Second Degree students are encouraged to pursue the Accelerated BS Second Degree Nursing Option. The student will meet with a nursing academic advisor to prepare for admission to the program.
How can a prospective student get additional information about the BSU Department of Nursing program offerings?
In addition to visiting the BSU Department of Nursing website, prospective candidates may email their questions or concerns to:
nursingsupport@bowiestate.edu or call our central office at (301) 860-3201
Prospective candidates may also contact the BSU Office of Admissions:
- BSU Undergraduate Admissions: ugradadmissions@bowiestate.edu
- BSU Graduate Admissions: gradadmissions@bowiestate.edu