Admission Requirements

Four-Year Bachelor of Science Program (RN-4)

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 including four years of English, three to four years of history/social science, three to four years of college preparatory mathematics, Lab sciences Biology and Chemistry, and two years of foreign language.  In addition, students must maintain a high school GPA of 85 or above. A High School Equivalency Diploma, with satisfactory scores, may also be accepted. Applicants must submit satisfactory scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board, a recommendation from a high school counselor and/or teacher, and a personal statement or essay. All regular admits (without previous experience) must meet the following criteria in order to be admitted to sophomore level nursing courses:

  1. Minimum CQPA of 2.75 is needed to continue in the nursing major; and
  2. Successful completion of the following: Critical writing, Biology 152 and Biology 153 (a grade of C+ or higher is required), Chemistry 113, University 101, Nursing 110, Introduction to Psychology, and any remedial work that is required based on performance on placement exams.

All transfer students and Pace University students wishing to change their major to nursing must meet the following criteria in order to be admitted to the nursing major: a minimum CQPA of 3.0, satisfactory scores on the standardized nursing entrance exam and successful completion of prerequisite courses needed to enroll in sophomore level nursing courses. Transfer applicants who have been academically successful in their nursing studies at another institution and wish to transfer to Pace 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. Transfer applicants who have failed a nursing course at another institution will not be eligible for admission.

Placement Examinations

All new and transfer students and students changing their major to the RN4 track must adhere to the University Placement Examinations policy. Students who need remedial courses must take the remedial courses as either pre- or co-requisite with the first nursing course. All remedial work must be completed successfully before beginning the first clinical nursing course.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree, Nursing Major (ABS)

Admission to this degree program (for non-nurse college graduates) is through the Graduate Admission Office. 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). This degree program is an accelerated curriculum. Students must maintain a CQPA of 2.75 for progression in and graduation from the program. Following the completion of the baccalaureate (BS), students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses.

Admission to the this program is highly competitive.

  • The application deadline for January entry is September 15. The application deadline for September entry is February 1. 
  • Class size is limited to a maximum of 80 students per class. Admission to the program is competitive, and class size is limited to a maximum of 80 students per class. Applications will be processed on a space available basis until the 80 seats are filled.
  • 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 of weekly class and clinical hours not including 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.
  • All applications are not reviewed until all pre-requisites have been completed. Applications will not be considered for admission until all required documents have been submitted to the Admission Office.
  • A personal interview is required before a candidate is admitted to matriculated status.

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RN to BS Degree in Nursing Online Program (RN-BS)

Admission to the RN to BS in Nursing Online Program is competitive. Minimum requirements include scholastic achievement as evidenced by prior academic performance, graduation from an associate degree or diploma nursing program – unless applying for provisional admission (as described below) and licensure (or near licensure).

  • Students should have a completed Associates in Nursing (unless applying for provisional admission - see below), diploma in nursing, or RN license (which is equivalent to 30 nursing credits).
  • Students should have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for admission to the BS in Nursing.
    • Students with less than the preferred minimum GPA may be asked to interview or provide a writing sample.
  • Applicants for the RN-BS Program are required to provide a resume and RN license and proof licensure of Registered Nursing on the application.
  • Applicants are also required to provide their high school transcripts and a copy of their diplomas before admission.
  • Graduates of foreign nursing programs must have TOEFEL and transcript evaluation.
  • Students should have the following pre-requisite courses and/or competency in the subject matter: ENG 110 Composition OR ENG 120 Critical Writing Composition; BIO 152 Anatomy and Physiology I; BIO 153 Anatomy and Physiology II; Introduction to Psychology; and Math/Psychology Statistics (Statistics must be completed prior to NURS 498 Spirit of Inquiry: Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice which can be prior to entry or before starting the nursing courses). Competency is demonstrated by a grade of C+ or better. Competency may also be demonstrated through CLEP or Pace Experiential Learning.

Provisional Admission to RN to BS in Nursing Online Program

Students who are completing their associates degree can enroll in the RN to BS in Nursing Online Program if they meet the following requirements.

  • Students should hold a bachelor’s non-nursing degree from another college/university and be enrolled in the last semester of your AAS/AD nursing program and/or have completed 90 credits of liberal arts and sciences courses in accordance with the University’s transfer credit policy
  • Students must have a math/psychology statistics as a pre-requisite;
  • Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least a 2.75
  • Students may enroll for a maximum of two (2) courses or six (6) credits during their first  semester (fall, spring and summer semesters apply)
  • Students will be restricted to core nursing courses;
  • Students will be required to meet with the Nursing Advisor to discuss the status of their coursework;
  • Students must attain a minimum cumulative Pace QPA of 2.75 by the end of the first semester to matriculate
  • You must complete your AAS in Nursing by the end of the first semester to matriculate

Once the above requirements are satisfied, students may register for classes beyond the first semester. If students do not satisfy these requirements, they will not be permitted to register for future semesters at Pace University.

The Nursing Advisor will review each students eligibility for matriculation upon successful completion of their Associate degree and first term in the program as an pre-matriculated student.

Students will be required to submit their final undergraduate transcript showing degree completion, resumption of studies form, and change of major form to the Nursing Advisor.

Resumption of Studies for RN-BS

Any RN to BS in Nursing Online Program applicant who previously took any course at Pace University, regardless of major, should file a resumption of studies form and a change of major form, not an application for admission. Forms should be filed with Christie Wisecarver at cwisecarver@pace.edu. There is no fee. Applicants will still need to provide their resume, references, and transcripts.

Transfer Credits (RN 4 Program and RN-BS Degree in Nursing Online Program)

Students may transfer up to 90 credits from a four-year college (or 68 from a two-year college) into the baccalaureate nursing program. At least one half of the nursing credits must be completed at Pace. Transfer credits may be awarded for approved courses taken at other universities in which a grade of C+ or better was earned or for successful completion of external examinations. The list of external examinations and equivalent courses may be obtained from the Office of Admission.