Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Science Program (RN-4)

First Year Students

Admission to the four-year bachelor of science program is competitive. Applicants must be graduates of an approved secondary school with a minimum of 16 academic units that include four years of English, three to four years of history/social science, and three to four years of college preparatory mathematics, lab sciences Biology, and Chemistry, and two years of a foreign language. In addition, students must maintain a high school GPA of 3.0 or above. A High School Equivalency Diploma, with satisfactory scores, may also be accepted. Applicants must submit a recommendation from a high school counselor and/or teacher and a personal statement or essay. Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board scores are optional. 

All regular admits (without previous experience) must meet the following criteria in order to be admitted to sophomore-level nursing courses:

  1. A minimum CQPA of 2.75 is needed to continue in the nursing major; and
  2. Successful completion of the following: Critical Writing (ENG 120), Biology 152, Biology 153, Chemistry 113, University 101, Nursing 110, Introduction to Psychology (PSY 112), and any remedial work that is required based on performance on placement exams. NOTE: a grade of B- or higher is required for the following courses or their equivalent: BIO 152, BIO 153, CHE 113, PSY 112. 
Transfer Students

All transfer students and Pace University students wishing to change their major to nursing must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to apply to the nursing program:

  1. A minimum CQPA of 3.0,
  2. Successful completion of prerequisite courses (including BIO 152, BIO 153, CHE 113, ENG 120, and PSY 112) or their equivalent is required to be eligible for application to the RN4 program. Note: A grade of B- or higher is required for the following courses: BIO 152, BIO 153, CHE 113, ENG 120, and PSY 112
  3. Transfer applicants who have been academically successful in their nursing studies at another institution and wish to transfer to Pace Leinhard School of Nursing (LSN) must provide letters of reference from a nursing faculty member and the dean/director of the schools they attended and these must be reviewed by the Department of Undergraduate Studies chairperson prior to acceptance of the student.
  4. Transfer applicants who have failed a nursing course at another institution will not be eligible for admission.

Transfer students admitted to the RN4 program will begin the program at the sophomore level regardless of the number of credits completed. NOTE: Admission decisions for transfer students take place in June of each year. Meeting the above-listed eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree, Nursing Major (ABS)

Admission to this degree program (for non-nurse college graduates) is through the Graduate Admission Office. This degree is an accelerated curriculum. Applicants must show satisfactory achievement in previous undergraduate work. Students must meet all entrance requirements of the Department of Graduate Studies (see College of Health Professions Graduate Catalog for admission requirements and course sequence). Students must maintain a CQPA of 2.75 for progression in and graduation from the program. Following the completion of the baccalaureate program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses.

Admission to the ABS program is highly competitive.

  • The application deadline for January entry for the Pleasantville campus is September 15. The application deadline for September entry for the New York City campus is February 1. 
  • Students who previously failed a nursing course or who were academically dismissed from a nursing program are not eligible for admission to the degree program.
  • Admission of students who have attended other nursing programs (without failing a class or being academically dismissed) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  These students may be required to provide additional application materials (e.g., letter(s) of reference from didactic and clinical faculty).
  • This is an intensive, rigorous program so students must plan to consistently study to be successful. The full-time program requires students to dedicate as many as 36 hours to weekly class and clinical hours, in addition to study hours. We encourage students to think about personal and professional commitments and the significant amount of time necessary to devote to the program on a daily basis. Students will be taking 15 to 18 credits each semester and therefore, should not work.
  • Students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Students must complete all prerequisites with a minimum grade of B- in order to be eligible for application review. Prerequisites include: two semesters of biology (anatomy and physiology) and one semester of microbiology, general chemistry, Introduction to Psychology, and statistics.
  • Students must have achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Applications will not be considered for admission until all required documents have been submitted to the Graduate Admission Office.