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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.

Fall 2024 BSN Application
Learn more about the BSN Pathway Add a nursing special interest session to your on-campus tour to include the School of Nursing building.

Program Information

  • 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:

    Wayne Spencer
    Pre-Nursing Advisor
    Last Names A-K
    205.975.7529
    Photo of Alexandra Bushery
    Alexandra Bushery
    Pre-Nursing Advisor
    Last Names L-Z
    205.975.7529
  • 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 can select between the Blazer Core curriculum or the Core Curriculum (AGSC).

    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 CoursesCredit HoursPre-Nursing Foundation Courses
    Core Area I: Written CompositionEH 101 English Composition I3EH 101 English Composition IFirst Year Writing
    EH 102 English Composition II3EH 102 English Composition II
    Core Area III: Natural Sciences and MathematicsMA 105 Pre-Calculus or
    MA 110 Finite Math
    3MA 105 Pre-Calculus or
    MA 110 Finite Math
    Quantitative Literacy
    CH 105/106 Intro to Chemistry I4CH 105/106 Intro to Chemistry IScientific Inquiry
    CH 107/108 Intro to Chemistry II14CH 107/108 Intro to Chemistry II1
    Core Area II: Humanities and Fine ArtsFine Arts3Creative Arts courseCreative Arts
    Humanities3Communicating in the Modern World courseCommunicating in the Modern World
    Area II Elective3Reasoning courseReasoning
    Literature23\63History & Meaning courseHistory & Meaning
    Core Area IV: History, Social & Behavioral SciencesHistory23\6
    PY 101 Psychology3PY 101 PsychologyHumans & Their Societies
    Area IV Elective3City as ClassroomCity as Classroom
    Area V: Pre-NursingBY 115 Human Anatomy4BY 115 Human AnatomyNursing Foundation
    BY 116 Human Physiology4BY 116 Human Physiology
    BY 261 Microbiology4BY 261 Microbiology
    NTR 222 Nutrition3NTR 222 Nutrition
    Descriptive Statistics3Descriptive Statistics
    PY 212 Developmental Psychology3PY 212 Developmental PsychologyHumans & Their Societies
    UAB: FYENUR 100 or other approved FYE Course323NUR 100 or other approved Local Beginnings Course3Local Beginnings
    TOTAL CREDIT HOURS
    (All Pre-Nursing Prerequisite Coursework)
    6159TOTAL 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.
    CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

    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.

  • Application/Application Deadlines

    Students are admitted to the BSN program twice each year, in the fall and spring semesters.

    Application Deadlines

    Entry Date: Fall 2024
    Deadline: April 5, 2024
    Entry Date: Spring 2025
    Deadline: September 3, 2024

    Fall 2024 Application Sign Up Link Available Starting March 1, 2024

    Steps to Application

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
  • 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

    Step One:

    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.
    Step Two:

    Apply to 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.
  • 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 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.

    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.

    CoursesCredit
    BY 115 Human Anatomy4
    BY 261 Microbiology4
    BY 116 Human Physiology4
    CH 105/106 Intro to Chemistry I4
    CH 107/108 Intro to Chemistry II14
    PY 212 Developmental Psychology3
    Descriptive Statistics3
    MA 105 Pre-Calculus
    OR
    MA 110 Finite Math
    3
    NTR 222 Nutrition3
    1Students may take an additional approved science with lab
    (see UAB Pre-Nursing Advisor for eligible substitutions).

    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.

    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.
  • 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 nurses to:

    • Apply knowledge from diverse liberal arts educational content to generalist nursing care principles and practice experiences.
    • Incorporate a basic understanding of organizational systems and the application of knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, quality care to individual patients and to function as part of an interprofessional team.
    • Participate in and utilize structure, process, and outcome measures to evaluate the implementation of patient safety and quality improvement initiatives.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of the evidence-based practice and participates in the retrieval, appraisal, and application of best practices.
    • Demonstrate skills in the ethical use of healthcare information communication technology (ICT) and how technology supports safe practice and examination of patient data for outcome analysis.
    • Demonstrate understanding of healthcare policy, advocacy, global health, legal, and regulatory issues as factors that may influence healthcare delivery and practice.
    • Utilize effective intra and interprofessional communication skills to advocate for evidence-based, holistic care as a member of the healthcare team.
    • Assess determinants of health in relation to multiple factors (genetics, environmental exposure, family history, individual health, and health preferences) to guide and advocate for the delivery of health promotion/disease prevention strategies.
    • Apply knowledge of nursing history, nursing standards, and one’s own beliefs and values to the application of professional nursing behaviors, communication, and actions.
    • Practice safe, evidence-based, compassionate, holistic, and patient and family centered care applying knowledge of leadership and healthcare delivery for individuals and communities.
  • BSN Sample Program of Study

    The BSN Program offers a full-time Program of Study 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
    Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
    NUR 310Concepts of Professional Nursing3
    NUR 311LNursing Skills Development I2
    NUR 312LHealth Assessment Across the Lifespan2
    NUR 313LConcepts of Professional Nursing Practicum2
    NUR 315Population Focused Health Care2
    NUR 318Pathophysiologic Concepts3
    Total Credit Hours14
    Semester 2
    Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
    NUR 321LNursing Skills Development II1
    NUR 322Concepts of Behavioral Health Nursing3
    NUR 323LConcepts of Behavioral Health Nursing Practicum2
    NUR 326Concepts in Adult Health Nursing I3
    NUR 327LConcepts in Adult Health Nursing I Practicum2
    NUR 328Pharmacotherapy I2
    NUR 336Leadership2
    Total Credit Hours15
    Semester 3
    Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
    NUR 388Concepts in Adult Health Nursing II 3
    NUR 389LConcepts in Adult Health Nursing II Practicum 2
    NUR 338Pharmacotherapy II 2
    NUR 409QHealth Care & Information Technology 2
    NUR 428Concepts of Community & Public Health Nursing 2
    NUR 429LConcepts of Community & Public Health Nursing Practicum2
    Total Credit Hours13
    Semester 4
    Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
    NUR 392Concepts of Maternal Child Health Nursing4
    NUR 393LConcepts of Maternal Child Health Nursing Practicum3
    NUR 410Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing2
    NUR 426Concepts of Complex Nursing2
    NUR 427LConcepts of Complex Nursing Practicum2
    NUR 431LNursing Skills Development III1
    Total Credit Hours14
    Semester 5
    Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
    NUR 447LSynthesis and Assimilation Practicum4
    NUR 449Synthesis Review1
    NUR 448Transition to Professional Nursing2
    NURNursing Elective3
    Total Credit Hours10

    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 Clinical

  • Tuition and Fees

    The following tuition and fees are valid for the 2023-2024 academic year. Tuition and fees and are SUBJECT TO CHANGE annually based on approval from the University of Alabama 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 2023-2024
    Resident
    Charge ($)
    Non-resident
    Charge ($)
    International
    Charge ($)
    Undergraduate coursework (classroom; each semester hour)4341,0761,157
    Undergraduate coursework (internet-based distance learning; each semester hour)525525605
    Fees - UAB School of NursingCost ($)
    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 ($)
    Uniforms3350
    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:

    Photo of Stephanie Hamberger
    Stephanie Hamberger, MPA
    Director of Student Engagement, Recruitment and Scholarships
    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:

    Photo of Tedra Smith
    Tedra Smith, DNP, CRNP
    Assistant Dean, Graduate Clinical Education – MSN
    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).

    Criteria for Selection

    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.
  • 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.
    • Write a one-page essay on how participation in the Honors Program will contribute to achievement of your future professional goals.
    • Complete an interview with an Honors Program Selection Committee.

    For more information, contact:

    Photo of Allison Jones
    Allison Jones, PhD, RN
    Nursing Honors Program Director
    205.934.6607
  • 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:

    • Increase diversity of the professional nursing workforce.
    • 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:

  • 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.

    UAB International Admissions
    Email: IntlAdmin@uab.edu
    Phone: 205.934.4686
    Fax: 205.934.8664

    The information below provides information on eligibility requirements:

     BSN
    F1 or J1 Visa AcceptableRequired
    College DegreeNot Required
    Foreign Transcripts EvaluatedRequired
    English ProficiencyRequired
    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:
      1. 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.
      2. 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.

Contact

Crimsynn Dover

Crimsynn Dover

MSA

BSN Program Manager
Office of Student Success

205.975.7529

Caroline Littleton

Caroline Littleton

MSN, RN

Prelicensure BSN Pathway
Co-Director - First Year

205.996.1679

Dana Mitchell

Dana Mitchell

DNP, CRNP

Prelicensure BSN Pathway
Co-Director - Second Year

205.975.2824