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 is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Inc. and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The Master of Science program in Nursing is accredited by ACEN.

*Please note that program completion does not equate to automatically becoming a Registered Nurse. Successful graduates of the Traditional BS Nursing Program must take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become registered.

 

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.  The Traditional BS Nursing Program accepts applications each spring and fall semester. Students are expected to complete the Traditional BS Nursing Program in two and half (2.5) years after receiving admission to the nursing program.

BSU freshman students can anticipate eligibility to apply to the Traditional BS Nursing Program upon successful completion of the required general education courses outlined in the program of study. This typically occurs during the fall or spring of the sophomore level year. The student will meet with an assigned Nursing Academic Advisor to prepare for admission. Students are required to have no less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA along with a 3.0 GPA in the science and math prerequisites.

Transfer candidates are also welcome to apply to this nursing program option. Science courses cannot be older than five (5) years from the date of the submission of the nursing application. Please visit the Undergraduate Nursing webpage for more information.

Please note that the undergraduate nursing application process entails a highly competitive selection admission review process and there will be more applicants than space available. This selection review process is comprised of a team of nursing faculty.

 

What is NursingCAS?

NursingCAS is the Department of Nursing’s online application system. All Traditional BS Nursing program applications are submitted using this system upon meeting eligibility for program admission consideration!

Access the Traditional BS Nursing Program online application

 

I am interested in transferring to the BSU Nursing Program, how can I get my transcripts evaluated?

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 admission to the university.  Prospective transfer students must contact the BSU Office of Admissions regarding the equivalency of all transfer courses.

Get more information on the BSU transfer credit evaluation process

 

I am a new transfer student interested in the BSU Nursing Program. How do I transfer to Bowie State University (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.

Get more information on transferring to BSU

 

Can a new transfer student to the University be accepted into the BSU Nursing program?

There is no direct transfer admission into the nursing program.

All transfer students must first receive general admission to BSU as a degree-seeking student declaring nursing as a major and complete one (1) full academic semester at BSU to qualify for program admission eligibility.  It is highly recommended to transfer to BSU one semester ahead of the intended nursing admission application period!

Access the undergraduate nursing program of study

 

Transfer applicants will become eligible for nursing admission consideration pending successful completion of all general education courses outlined in the Traditional BS Nursing program of study. All applicants must have no less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the science and math course requirements. Transfer applicants must also successfully complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), which is required to be taken on BSU’s campus through University Testing Services.

Get more information on the TEAS requirements and policies

 

How long will it take a student to complete the BSU Nursing program?

Upon receiving admission, candidates pursuing the Traditional BS Nursing Program can expect a two and a half (2.5) 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 the Traditional BS Nursing Option.

 

Does BSU offer a part-time Undergraduate BS Nursing program?

No. The Traditional BS Nursing Program requires full-time study.

 

Can a student test out of nursing prerequisites 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?

No. 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 Masters level courses is at the review and discretion of the Graduate Nursing Program Coordinator.

 

Is there a program for licensed Registered Nurses (RN) to earn a bachelor's degree?

Yes. However, the RN to BS Nursing Program option is currently on off-line due to curriculum revision. It is scheduled to re-launch for fall 2025.

 

Can a student with an international degree gain admittance to the BSU Nursing program?

Yes. International students must first receive general university admission and have their foreign transcripts evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) or a similar certifying agency approved by the BSU Office of Admissions. Upon receiving general admission to BSU, the student will meet with an assigned Nursing Academic Advisor for guidance on becoming eligible to apply for nursing admission.

Learn more about the BSU International Admissions process

 

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 may be waived. 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: