The BSN Pathway is built on a traditional four-year undergraduate curriculum that provides a foundational education that includes both academic and professional nursing courses essential for clinical competence and informed judgments about health and patient care in a variety of settings with families and individuals of all ages.
Graduates of the BSN Pathway are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and become a registered nurse.
Program Information
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Pre-Nursing Advising
All students are assigned an academic advisor upon admission to UAB. Information about your assigned advisor is provided on your BlazerNet homepage. The advisor is the first person to contact with questions about your education.
How to make an appointment with a Pre-Nursing Advisor?
Current and Prospective Students can make an appointment conveniently online.
Pre-Nursing Advising for the Prelicensure BSN Pathway
All students interested in applying to the Prelicensure BSN Pathway should meet with one of the UAB School of Nursing pre-nursing advisors after being accepted into UAB.
The pre-nursing advisors will help you navigate the BSN admission process by:
- Helping you to identify your goals and develop educational plans to reach them.
- Helping you to understand degree requirements, course selection, and schedule planning.
Transfer Students: Visit the Transfer Course Equivalency Database to evaluate how your transfer coursework may articulate to meet the BSN requirements.
The UAB School of Nursing Pre-Nursing Advisors:
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BSN Nursing Prerequisites
Your nursing education at UAB begins with the pre-nursing foundation courses and core/general studies courses that provide the base for the upper division courses in nursing.
BSN applicants must earn a “C” or better in the pre-nursing foundation courses and have a pre-nursing foundation GPA of 2.75 or higher in the specific pre-nursing foundation courses that are listed below in blue.
All applicants must also maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher to be considered for the BSN program. For Second Degree BSN applicants, the overall GPA would include all undergraduate coursework taken at all regionally accredited institutions attended.
Students transferring in less than 24 credit hours to UAB will follow the Blazer Core curriculum. Students transferring 24 or more credit hours into UAB will meet with their advisor to determine core completion in Blazer Core or AGSC Core Curriculum.
Core Curriculum (AGSC)
(Transfer students with 24 or more credits)Blazer Core Curriculum
(New freshmen or transfer students with less than 24 credits)Pre-Nursing Foundation Courses Credit Hours Pre-Nursing Foundation Courses Core Area I: Written Composition EH 101 English Composition I 3 EH 101 English Composition I First Year Writing EH 102 English Composition II 3 EH 102 English Composition II Core Area III: Natural Sciences and Mathematics MA 105 Pre-Calculus or
MA 110 Finite Math3 MA 105 Pre-Calculus or
MA 110 Finite MathQuantitative Literacy CH 105/106 Intro to Chemistry I 4 CH 105/106 Intro to Chemistry I Scientific Inquiry CH 107/108 Intro to Chemistry II1 4 CH 107/108 Intro to Chemistry II1 Core Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts Fine Arts 3 Creative Arts course Creative Arts Humanities 3 Communicating in the Modern World course Communicating in the Modern World Area II Elective 3 Reasoning course Reasoning Literature2 3\6 3 History & Meaning course History & Meaning Core Area IV: History, Social & Behavioral Sciences History2 3\6 PY 101 Psychology 3 PY 101 Psychology Humans & Their Societies Area IV Elective 3 City as Classroom City as Classroom Area V: Pre-Nursing BY 115 Human Anatomy 4 BY 115 Human Anatomy Nursing Foundation BY 116 Human Physiology 4 BY 116 Human Physiology BY 261 Microbiology 4 BY 261 Microbiology NTR 222 Nutrition 3 NTR 222 Nutrition Descriptive Statistics 3 Descriptive Statistics PY 212 Developmental Psychology 3 PY 212 Developmental Psychology Humans & Their Societies UAB: FYE NUR 100 or other approved FYE Course3 2 3 NUR 100 or other approved Local Beginnings Course3 Local Beginnings TOTAL CREDIT HOURS
(All Pre-Nursing Prerequisite Coursework)61 59 TOTAL CREDIT HOURS
(All Pre-Nursing Prerequisite Coursework)1 Students may take an additional approved science with lab (see UAB Pre-Nursing Advisor for eligible substitutions). 2 Students need either a 6-hour sequence of literature (Area II) or history (Area IV) under AGSC. 3 Exceptions may apply for transfer students. Students transferring 24 or more credit hours into UAB are not required to complete an FYE course. Note: Pre-nursing foundation courses are listed in blue. -
BSN Admission Requirements
Prospective students must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the BSN Program:
- Have applied for and been admitted to UAB through UAB Undergraduate Admissions. Applicants must be admitted to the university as an undergraduate degree-seeking student no later than one month prior to the School of Nursing BSN application deadline.
- Students are admitted to the BSN program twice each year, in the fall and spring semesters.
- Complete all pre-nursing course requirements (UAB core curriculum and pre-nursing foundation courses).
- Earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required pre-nursing foundation courses (listed in blue under BSN Nursing Prerequisites).
- Achieve an overall GPA of at least 2.75, which must be maintained through the admission cycle. Second degree students please reference the Information for Second Degree Students section below for more information.
- To apply to the BSN Program, applicants must sign up to receive an application using a link that will appear on this page (under Application/Application Deadlines) during the application cycle.
Please Note:- Meeting the minimum requirements does not constitute admission to the BSN Program.
- Admission decisions are based on your academic record, supporting documents and your application to the BSN Program.
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Application/Application Deadlines
Students are admitted to the BSN program twice each year, in the fall and spring semesters.
Application Deadlines
Entry Date: Fall 2025
Deadline: April 4, 2025Entry Date: Spring 2026
Deadline: September 2, 2025- Apply to UAB Undergraduate Admissions and submit required application materials:
- A completed UAB Application.
- $40 application fee (non-refundable).
- Submission of Official Transcripts:
- High School Students: Submit your high school transcript directly to UAB. Submit your IB/AP/CLEP directly to UAB. For more information click here.
- Transfer Students and Second Degree Students: Submit official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended to UAB.
- Your official ACT or SAT scores submitted from ACT or College Board to UAB, only if below 24 credit hours.
- Apply to UAB School of Nursing BSN Pathway:
- To apply to the BSN Program, applicants must sign up to receive an application using a link that will appear under the application deadlines above during the application cycle.
- The application will require you to submit supporting documents: (1) essay (responding to a prompt provided in the application), (2) resume.
- All application materials must be received by posted deadlines to be considered for admission. Incomplete files will not be considered.
- Apply to UAB Undergraduate Admissions and submit required application materials:
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Information for Transfer Students
Students who transfer from another college or university, must apply and be accepted to UAB as a degree-seeking student before they can be considered for admission to the BSN Program.
Official transcripts for all previous coursework must be sent to UAB for admission consideration.
Visit the Transfer Course Equivalency Database to evaluate how your transfer coursework may articulate to meet the BSN requirements.
Individuals qualifying for transfer to UAB and apply for the BSN program include:
- Students transferring to UAB from another college or university who have completed all or some foundation and nursing pre-requisite courses.
- Individuals with an Associate's Degree in Nursing are eligible to apply for admission to the RN to BSN Pathway - Please refer to our RN to BSN Pathway page for application and admission information.
Steps to Application
- Apply to UAB Undergraduate Admissions and submit required application materials:
- A completed UAB Application.
- Pay application fee (non-refundable).
- All official transcripts required for admission.
- Apply to the UAB School of Nursing:
- To apply to the BSN Program, applicants must sign up to receive an application using a link that will appear on this page during the application cycle.
- All application materials must be received by posted deadlines to be considered for admission. Incomplete files will not be considered.
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Information for Second Degree Students
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree outside of the nursing discipline and who meet the UAB criteria for regular undergraduate admission may apply for admission to the BSN Program as a Second Degree Students or to the Accelerated Masters in Nursing Pathway (AMNP).
Second Degree BSN applicants must also have an overall GPA or 2.75 or higher to be considered for the BSN program. The overall GPA would include all undergraduate coursework taken at all regionally accredited institutions attended.
Applicants with less than the required overall undergraduate 2.75 GPA may submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores to complete their application. The minimum scores required are a combined 297 on the verbal and quantitative sections. Only scores completed within the last 5 years are accepted.
Students in this option must first apply to UAB where they are assigned a UAB Pre-Nursing Advisor who will assist them in determining eligibility for application to the upper-division major.
Additionally, Second Degree BSN applicants must earn a “C” or better in the pre-nursing foundation courses and have a pre-nursing foundation GPA of 2.75 or higher in the specific pre-nursing foundation courses that are listed in the table below.
Courses Credit BY 115 Human Anatomy 4 BY 261 Microbiology 4 BY 116 Human Physiology 4 CH 105/106 Intro to Chemistry I 4 CH 107/108 Intro to Chemistry II1 4 PY 212 Developmental Psychology 3 Descriptive Statistics 3 MA 105 Pre-Calculus
OR
MA 110 Finite Math3 NTR 222 Nutrition 3 1Students may take an additional approved science with lab (see UAB Pre-Nursing Advisor for eligible substitutions). Important Considerations for Second Degree Students:
- The curriculum is identical to the traditional BSN Program, but the prerequisites are slightly different from the traditional program.
- The Program is not an accelerated program.
- The Program is five consecutive semesters, requires full-time study, and it is not designed for students that need to work while in school.
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BSN Program Outcomes
The BSN Curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for entry into professional nursing practice.
This foundation offers both academic and professional nursing courses that provide the base for clinical competence and informed judgments about health care situations and care of patients in both in- and out-patient settings.
The curriculum prepares graduates to:
- Demonstrate the assimilation of multiple perspectives and knowledge, nursing history, liberal arts, and science into nursing practice to develop a unique way of knowing, caring, and clinical judgement.
- Practice person-centered, holistic care by establishing relationships, effective communication, and formulation of individualized plans of care
- Apply theoretical foundations and evidence-based care concepts to support high-quality healthcare delivery and ongoing scholarly nursing practice.
- Apply theoretical foundations and evidence-based care concepts to support high-quality healthcare delivery and ongoing scholarly nursing practice.
- Incorporate established and emerging principles of quality and safety science in care delivery and maintain a culture of safety within healthcare organizations.
- Collaborate with professionals across healthcare disciplines and lead within care-oriented interprofessional teams.
- Develop plans of care that incorporate innovative solutions that promote patient outcomes in highly complex health care systems.
- Utilize healthcare information technologies to facilitate care delivery and support the expansion of knowledge for practice.
- Develop a professional identity that reflects the values of the nursing profession including ethical comportment, intentional participation, professional accountability, and principles of social justice.
- Utilize reflection and personal development strategies to support ongoing professional growth, resilience, maturity, and capacity for leadership.
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BSN Sample Program of Study
The BSN Program offers a full-time program of study1 that can be completed in five semesters. Students that successfully complete the program requirements will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree.
Semester 1 (to be taught in Fall and Spring) Course Number Course Title Credit Hours NUR 301 Introduction to Professional Nursing 3 NUR 302L Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts and Skills 4 NUR 303L Basic Competencies for Nursing Care: Fundamentals 2 NUR 304L Principles of Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment for Nursing Practice 4 Semester Credit Hours 13 Semester 2 (to be taught in Spring and Summer) Course Number Course Title Credit Hours NUR 319 Adult Health and Pharmacotherapy I 5 NUR 329L Adult Health Nursing Practicum I: Application and Skills 3 NUR 330L Public Health and Care of the Community: Concepts and Practicum 4 NUR 331 Intermediate Competencies for Nursing Care: Vulnerable Populations 2 Semester Credit Hours 14 Semester 3 (to be taught in Summer and Fall) Course Number Course Title Credit Hours NUR 339 Adult Health and Pharmacotherapy II 5 NUR 340L Adult Health Nursing Practicum II: Application and Skills 3 NUR 341L Behavioral Health Nursing: Concepts and Practicum 4 Semester Credit Hours 12 Semester 4 (to be taught in Fall and Spring) Course Number Course Title Credit Hours NUR 407 Complex Care of Adults 3 NUR 408L Complex Care of Adults Practicum: Application and Skills 3 NUR 415L Obstetric Nursing: Concepts and Practicum 3 NUR 416L Pediatric Nursing: Concepts and Practicum 3 NUR 417 Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Technology 3 Semester Credit Hours 15 Semester 5 (to be taught in Spring and Summer) Course Number Course Title Credit Hours NUR 422 Leadership and Role Transition 2 NUR 423L Professional Nursing Preceptorship 5 NUR 424 Advanced Competencies for Nursing Care: Entry to Nursing Practice 2 NUR XXX Nursing Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours 12 BSN Program Total Credits 66 Please Note: Students may deviate from this curriculum plan only with permission of the Assistant Dean for BSN Education.
Q = Web-based
L= Lab or Clinical1Program of Study is subject to change.
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Tuition and Fees
The following tuition and fees are valid for the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition and fees and are SUBJECT TO CHANGE annually based on approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and/or University.
The estimates below are based on the costs listed at the UAB Office of Planning and Analysis website.
Each student’s costs will vary depending upon a number of factors including state of residence, the number of credits taken in a semester, or whether the student attends class live or through a distance-accessible format. Fees vary by program and course.
Tuition and Fees
UAB School of Nursing 2024-2025Resident
Charge ($)Non-resident
Charge ($)International
Charge ($)Undergraduate coursework (classroom; each semester hour) 445 1,108 1,192 Undergraduate coursework (internet-based distance learning; each semester hour) 541 541 623 Fees - UAB School of Nursing Cost ($) Educational Support and Technology Fee (per course - undergraduate and pre-licensure) 185 Campus Dining Fee1 (undergraduate only) 225 Student Hospitalization Insurance Fee2 (per month) 270 Student Dental Fee2 (per term) 39 Other Expenses (Estimated) Cost ($) Uniforms3 350 Books and supplies (estimate per term) 600 Lab Kit3 (undergraduate, upon admission) 225 Background Check (annual estimate) 92 Room and Board (on campus, per term, cost varies depending on dorm) 3,600 1 Flat fee per semester, excluding the summer term, for students taking 12 or more hours.
2 Estimate based on one student. May be waived with documented proof of equal or greater coverage.
3 These must be purchased upon initial enrollment in the School of Nursing and should be planned for in the student budget. -
Funding Your Education
UAB Financial Aid and Scholarships
Information on Financial Aid, University Scholarships and other funding opportunities is available at:
UAB School of Nursing Scholarships
- The School of Nursing at UAB has an excellent scholarship program that provides financial support to Alabama’s best and brightest nursing students.
- Currently, the School’s scholarship portfolio consists of 76 endowed scholarships and 3 active sponsored scholarships.
- The school currently has an $10.1 million endowed fund that supports nursing scholarships annually.
- Scholarships are awarded twice a year – spring and fall semesters. The scholarship application process is simple. One application is needed to be considered for all undergraduate or graduate scholarships.
- Application and additional information can be found at https://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/scholarships-financial-aid
For Information about School of Nursing Scholarships, Contact:
Stephanie Hamberger, MPADirector of Student Engagement, Recruitment and Scholarshipsssallen@uab.edu 205.934.5483 -
Student Nurse Internship Program (SNIP)
The Student Nurse Internship Program (SNIP) is a unique opportunity for BSN students who are potential future employees of Children’s of Alabama (COA) to gain work and learning experiences that will accelerate their transition to professional nursing practice upon graduation.
BSN students selected for the three semester internship (3rd, 4th or 5th semesters of the BSN Program) will have the opportunity to:
- Work as a Student Clinical Assistant (CA) at COA.
- Complete the elective course (Care of the Medically Complex Child) designed specifically for student interns.
- Complete the final student preceptorship (5th preceptorship) on a designated unit at COA.
Application
BSN students may apply for the SNIP during the second semester of the BSN program. Applicants will complete an application and participate in an interview. Applicants are notified of their selection prior to the start of the SNIP program in the third semester. Students will be notified of the application period and provided a copy of the application at the beginning of their second semester of the BSN program.
Application Deadline: March 1
Selection Criteria
- Applicants must submit by the deadline:
- A completed application.
- A copy of your resume/CV.
- A video essay (maximum of 5 minutes) that addresses the following:
- Describe prior experience in working with a pediatric population (ex. Daycare, previous employment, volunteer experiences, etc.)
- Describe your nursing career goals after graduation
- Describe how this opportunity will help you prepare to achieve your career goals
- Participate in a formal interview.
- Be in good academic standing at the time of application with a minimum Nursing GPA of 3.0.
- Verify their intention to seek employment at COA upon graduation from the BSN program.
- Agree to:
- Work as a Student Care Assistant a minimum of 16 hours per month (maximum of 24 hours) during the internship.
- Complete their senior preceptorship on a designated unit of COA.
- Not be currently employed.
- Meet all employment requirements of COA.
For more information, contact:
Tedra Smith, DNP, CRNPAssistant Dean, Graduate Clinical Education – MSNtedraka@uab.edu 205.996.4153 -
Dean’s Scholars Program
The Dean’s Nursing Scholars Program is designed for academically talented high school seniors who are strongly considering a career in nursing.
- Scholars receive a number of benefits, including:
- Opportunities to attend School of Nursing special events designed for the Scholars.
- Priority admission to the highly regarded and competitive BSN nursing program as long as the Scholar:
- Enrolls at UAB directly from high school.
- Successfully completes the required undergraduate pre-requisite foundation and core classes.
- Achieve and maintain a 3.2 or higher GPA in the required pre-nursing foundation courses and cumulative GPA (All Area V courses must be taken at UAB).
- Individuals selected for the Dean’s Nursing Scholars Program must:
- Be a high school senior.
- Possess a minimum high school grade point average of 3.8
- Be admitted to UAB through the UAB Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- For priority consideration, admission applications to UAB must be submitted by December 1 of the applicant’s high school senior year.
- Scholars receive a number of benefits, including:
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Nursing Honors Program
The UAB School of Nursing Honors Program provides unique experiential learning opportunities in research where students are introduced to basic research concepts and provided the opportunity to complete defined research activities as part of a faculty research team. Students have the opportunity to explore the role and career path of a nurse scientist. All undergraduate nursing students are eligible to apply for admission to the Nursing Honors Program.
Students who successfully complete the Nursing Honors Program will receive a certificate of acknowledgement at the UAB Honors Convocation and will graduate “With Honors in Nursing.” Students completing both the UAB Honors Program and the School of Nursing Honors Program will graduate “With University Honors in Nursing.”
The Nursing Honors Program is supported by an endowed fund established by Celia A. Wallace in 2005 to honor Kristen Celia and Gerald Leon Wallace, Jr.
Eligibility
- Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for acceptance into the Nursing Honors Program:
- A minimum 3.4 GPA in BSN foundation courses.
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for all coursework completed.
Requirements
- To remain in the Nursing Honors Program, students must:
- Maintain a minimum overall UAB GPA of 3.0 and a minimum 3.25 GPA in nursing coursework.
- Complete the required six credit hours of Nursing Honors Program Courses (NUR 450, NUR 451, and NUR 452).
Application
- To apply for the Nursing Honors Program, applicants must:
- Complete and submit the Honors Program Application Form.
- Attach a one-page resume to the Application Form.
- Please include college activities as well as leadership and research experiences.
- Record a video essay that addresses the items below and attach it to the Application Form:
- Your name
- How you heard about the Honors Program
- Why you are interested in the Honors Program
- Nursing career goals
- How participation in the Honors Program will help you reach your goals
- The video must be no longer than 5 minutes in duration. Each of the items above must be addressed in order for the application to be considered.
- To complete an Honors Application Form, please click here.
For more information, contact:
- Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for acceptance into the Nursing Honors Program:
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Information for Veterans
The UAB School of Nursing offers a special initiative. The Veterans Career Advancement in Nursing (Veterans CAN!) is for our military veterans, active duty members reservists, and members of the national guard, who wish to transition into a professional nursing career and earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
The UAB School of Nursing also supports the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) and AAMED Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP). For information on UAB School of Nursing eligibility requirements and the processes for applying for NECP/AECP at the School, contact Ms. Crimsynn Dover at cdover@uab.edu.
Goals of Veterans CAN:
- Recognize the experience and training of veterans and members of the military who desire a career in nursing.
Highlights:
- Early admission review for qualified applicants.
- Opportunity for academic credit for select coursework based on military training and experience completed within the past 5 years (training and experience completed longer than 5 years ago will require a waiver and additional validation process).
- Dedicated advisors and peer support.
Eligibility:
- For military veterans, active duty reservists, and those in the National Guard.
- Must be admitted to UAB prior to applying for the Veterans CAN program.
- Career goal is to become a registered professional nurse.
- Provide a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
- Completion of the general education and nursing prerequisites courses required for the BSN degree which are listed under the BSN Nursing Prerequisites tab above.
For more information, contact:
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Information for International Students
NOTE: Prospective International students must first contact UAB International Admissions to determine eligibility to study in the U.S. and/or submit an application for admission to UAB.
The information below provides information on eligibility requirements:
BSN F1 or J1 Visa Acceptable Required College Degree Not Required Foreign Transcripts Evaluated Required English Proficiency Required Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Not Required Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the U.S. Not Required All applicants must meet the BSN Program Admission Requirements. The following are additional requirements for International applicants.
Application Requirements
- Meet English language requirements. Scores on Tests of English Language (TOEFL or IELTS) are used to determine English language proficiency. Applicants must meet minimum scores to be considered for admission:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL
- Score of 500 or higher on the written examination.
- Score of 173 on the computer-based version.
- Score of 80 on the Internet-based version.
- International English Language Testing System, IELTS
- Score of 5.5 overall bandwidth with no less than 5.0 on any module.
- All scores must be sent directly to UAB from the testing agency.
- The scores should be no more than two years old.
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