RN to BSN Program
Laura Opton, DHSc, RN, CNE
Professor, Associate Dean/Department
Chair
Darlene Lacy, PhD, RN-C, CNE
RN to BSN Program Director
Program Overview
The RN to BSN Program offers an opportunity for
registered nurses (RNs) with either an associate
degree or diploma to be challenged professionally
and personally through its innovative online
curriculum. It is ideal for RNs who want to
advance their careers through practice, leadership,
or education. Students can attend full-time and
complete the degree in two semesters, or parttime
which is three semesters.
Students are admitted three times per year in the
fall, spring, or summer semesters. The RN to BSN
Admissions and Progressions Committee sets the
admission criteria for the RN to BSN Program.
Although no single applicant’s attribute is used to
make an admission decision, a consistent pattern
of success based on grade point averages in prerequisite
and nursing coursework as well as the
frequency of course withdraws and failures is
important.
Application Dates
Fall
| Dec. 15 - Aug 3
|
Spring
| May 1 - Dec. 14
|
Summer
| Sept. 15 - April 13
|
Admissions Requirements
All applicants to the RN to BSN Program
complete an online application as directed on the RN to BSN Program website. Students must
meet the minimum requirements listed below for
admission consideration:
Note: Inernational students with F1 and F2 visa status are not eligible to apply to an online program.
Academic Requirements
- Current RN License that is active and in good standing, without any restrictions or stipulations.
- A cumulative GPA is calculated for both
prerequisites and nursing courses. Each must
meet the minimum cumulative of 2.5. Courses
earned must be from an accredited institution.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed
with a grade of “C” or better prior to
beginning the program.
- Students must have NCLEX results prior to
enrollment.
- A Test of English as Foreign Language
(TOEFL) is required unless a degree has been
earned from an accredited college/university
in the U.S.
- All general education requirements (core
curriculum) and prerequisites must be
documented on official transcripts prior to
enrollment in nursing courses.
Non-Academic Admission Considerations
- First generation college student
- Permanent resident of the TTUHSC service
area
- Prior enrollment within a Texas Tech
University System institution
- Military service
- Multilingual
- Clearing a criminal background check
Academic Admission Criteria Effective
Fall 2019
- Current RN License that is active and in
good standing, without any restrictions or
stipulations. If an early Early Decision student,
submission of NCLEX-RN results may be
delayed to no later than the end of the first
semester of classes.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
– courses earned must be from an accredited
institution.
- Minimum cumulative nursing GPA of 2.5
or higher – courses earned must be from an
accredited institution.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed
with a grade of “C” or better prior to
beginning the program.
- A test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) is required, unless a degree has been
earned from an accredited university in the
U.S.
- All general education requirements (Core
curriculum) and prerequisites must be
documented on an official transcript prior to
enrollment in nursing courses.
- Consideration of the number of withdraws
in prior courses. State law permits students
to withdraw from no more than 6 courses
while enrolled in another institution of higher
education. See Texas Education Code §51.907.
Applicants with 7 or more transcripted
withdraws will not be eligible for admission
consideration regardless of meeting other
admission criteria.
Non-Academic Admission Considerations
Effective Fall 2019
- Prior enrollment within a TTU System
institution
- Permanent resident of TTUHSC service area
- First generation college student
- Multilingual
- Military service and/or training
- Completion and submission of the SON
Computer Literacy Score
The Admissions and Progressions Committee
sets the admission criteria for the RN to BSN
Program. No single applicant attribute is used
to make an admission decision. Admission is
competitive. The actual number of students
offered admission is dependent upon the
overall number of qualified applicants as well as
institutional, financial, and educational resources.
Additional Considerations for
Prospective Students
Tuition for Repeated or Excessive Undergraduate
Hours
See Tuition for Repeated or Excessive Undergraduate Hours under the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Computer Requirements
See Computer Requirements under the Student Information section of this catalog.
Criminal Background Checks
All applicants who receive offers of admission
will be required to consent to a criminal
background check. A history of criminal conduct
or convictions may result in withdrawal of the
admission offer. See Criminal Background Check Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog. No student will be
allowed to start classes without a cleared criminal
background check.
Drug Screening
Drug Screenings may be required if requested
by the clinical institution site at the cost of the
student. See Drug Screening Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Immunizations
See Immunization Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Provisional Admission
Provisional admission will only be granted
to students graduated from Associate Degree
Nursing (ADN) schools with current Early
Decision admissions agreements with TTUHSC
School of Nursing and who have submitted the
Declaration of Intent to seek Early Decision
Admission at the start of the ADN program.
These designations are noted in the letter of
admission, along with the condition for removal
of the provision. Provisionally admitted students
may take two courses, NURS 4342 Evidence
Into Practice and NURS 4233 Art of the Human
Experience. Once the student presents evidence
of licensure as a registered nurse per admission
guidelines, the student will be granted full
admission to the RN-BSN Program. If a student
is unsuccessful in passing the NCLEX, a leave of
absence for one semester will be granted. If the
student has not been licensed during the leave
of absence, the student will be academically withdrawn and encouraged to reapply upon
passage of the NCLEX.
Conditional Admission
RN to BSN candidates may be offered conditional
admission if they have not met the following
requirements for full admission:
- Nursing degree completion confirmation
(student graduating in current semester and
verification is not available until the end of the
semester)
- Prerequisite courses have not been completed
prior to the deadline for application for
admission for the semester to which the
student is applying.
The student with conditional admission is
required to comply with the conditions stated in
the letter of admission offer prior to the first day
of class for the semester to which the student has
applied. Failing to do so will result in retraction of
the offer.
Note: If a student is offered both provisional and
conditional admission, the terms of conditional
admission govern at the time of the first class day.
Readmission
All requests for readmission must be made no
later than two (2) months prior to the first day of
the semester in which readmission is requested.
The RN to BSN Program Council is responsible
for overseeing all requests for readmission via
the Admissions and Progressions Committee. A
student who left in good standing and seeking
readmission shall complete and submit a
readmission application showing the expected
entry point to the appropriate Student
Affairs Coordinator. The Coordinator will notify
the chair of the Admissions and Progressions
Committee of the request for readmission along
with providing the most current transcript, and
a summary of the circumstances of the student’s
withdrawal, if known.
A student who left with a record not in good
standing for disciplinary causes must complete
and submit a readmission application to the
appropriate Student Affairs Coordinator along
with a letter explaining the circumstances
resulting in the withdrawal/dismissal and the
plan to improve or correct performance if
offered readmission. The appropriate Student
Affairs Coordinator will forward the application,
the letter, and any available academic records
including the most recent transcript to the chair
of the Admissions and Progressions Committee.
The Admissions and Progressions Committee
review all such requests and may take one of the
following actions regarding readmission of a
student:
- eligible and admit,
- eligible pending space availability in nursing
courses and in sequence to date of action in
relation to other readmission applicants,
- not eligible.
The Admissions and Progressions Committee may
assign requirements to be met as a condition of
enrollment, i.e. readmission on a part-time degree
plan.
Transfer Admission
All requests for transfer to TTUHSC School
of Nursing from a different School of Nursing
must be made no later than two months prior
to the first day of the semester in which transfer
admission is requested. The minimum cumulative
GPA for transfer admission consideration is 3.0.
A student seeking transfer completes an online
application showing the expected entry point. The
criteria considered for transfer are the same as
those criteria considered for a new admission. In
addition, the transfer student must submit a letter
of standing from the dean or department chair
of the School of Nursing previously attended.
Requests for transfer of credits to the RN to BSN
Program is not an option due to state regulations
requiring 25% of credits must be earned at the
institution awarding the degree.
Special Student Enrollment
Under certain circumstances, it may be
appropriate for an individual to seek admission
as a special non-degree seeking student. This
admission is for the purpose of taking a limited
number of courses for one semester only. It is not
an avenue for seeking a degree. The individual
must receive approval from the RN to BSN
Program Council for enrollment.
Enrollment without Credit/Course Audit
Students who wish to audit a course for no
grade must obtain approval from the Associate
Dean/Department Chair. Students who audit a
course will not be listed on the class roll, and no
notation of the audit will be made on the student’s
transcript. Students who are enrolled for 12
semester credit hours or more may audit a course
without paying an additional fee.
Prerequisite Courses and
Requirements
The prerequisite course requirements listed below
should be completed with a grade of “C” or higher
in each course prior to enrollment in the first
nursing course. These requirements as detailed
in the table below include a total of 54 semester
credit hours and can be taken at any regionally
accredited college or university. A maximum
of 15 credit hours can be earned via credit by
examination.
The prerequisite courses listed in the
following table for the RN to BSN Program
also incorporates the 42 hours of the Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center Core
Curriculum for undergraduate nursing degrees. See Core Curriculum Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog to review the Texas Core Curriculum
requirements.
Important Information about General
Education and Associate Degree Nursing Course
Requirements
- Pass/Fail grades for general education
prerequisites are NOT accepted for credit
toward degree requirements.
- Pass/Fail grades for nursing course
prerequisites will be awarded a 2.0 grade value
in determination of admission GPA. Students
may not take any courses required for a degree
in nursing as Pass-Fail.
- Courses previously taken as Pass-Fail will
not be transferred for credit if the course is
required for a School of Nursing Degree
- Applicants may choose to request grades
for all non-nursing courses greater than
10 years old not be considered in the GPA
for admission. If this option is selected,
those credits excluded are not eligible for
prerequisite course consideration. The
applicant must have at least 34 credit hours
within the past 10 years to use this option.
- Courses taken at Texas Tech University or
any other college/university are not used in
calculating the TTUHSC grade point average
once a student has been admitted to the
School of Nursing. However, all grades earned
at all schools attended are calculated in the
admission grade point average. The quality
points and semester credit hours used to
calculate the cumulative grade point average
for admission to the School of Nursing are
taken from the official transcripts submitted
during the application process.
- The School of Nursing accepts courses
completed via classroom, internet,
correspondence, CLEP (College Level
Examination Program), or advanced
placement examination for which credit
has been awarded and posted on an official
transcript from an accredited college or
university when determining completion of
prerequisite non-nursing course requirements.
RN to BSN Program Prerequisite Coursework Table
| HOURS
|
Microbiology w/lab (BIOL 2420 or BIOL 2421)
| 4
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab (BIOL 2401)
| 4
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab (BIOL 2402)
| 4
|
Chemistry w/lab (CHEM 1305/1105 or CHEM 1406/CHEM 1411)
| 4
|
General Psychology (PSY 2301)
| 3
|
Life Span Human Development (PSY 2314)
| 3
|
Statistics (MATH 1342, 1442, 2342 or 2442)
| 3
|
Science of Nutrition (BIOL 1322 or HECO 1322)
| 3
|
History of the United States to 1877 (HIST 1301)
| 3
|
History of the United States since 1877 (HIST 1302)
| 3
|
American Government Organization (GOVT 2305 or POLS 1301)
| 3
|
American Public Policy (GOVT 2306 or POLS 2302)
| 3
|
English Composition I (ENGL 1301)
| 3
|
English Composition II (ENGL 1302)
| 3
|
Any Texas core approved course in Creative Arts
| 3
|
Any Texas core approved course in Language, Philosophy, or Culture
| 3
|
Elective
| 2
|
TOTAL
| 54
|
- Course numbers listed are based on the Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS).
Check with your academic institution to verify the course number corresponds with the TCCNS
number.
- Students must complete 3 credit hours of math to meet core curriculum requirements. Students
who take math statistics will simultaneously meet the requirements for the nursing prerequisite
and the core curriculum. Students, who take any other statistics course as the nursing prerequisite,
must also take an upper level mathematics course in order to meet the core curriculum
requirement.
- All courses are considered prerequisite to admission and beginning first semester of nursing
course work.
|
Recognition of Previous Nursing Learning
The TTUHSC School of Nursing utilizes two
methods to acknowledge previous nursing
learning for students enrolled in the RN to BSN
Program. They are (a) transfer of credit and (b)
advanced placement. Both methods are described
below:
Transfer of Credit
- Applicants must submit original copies of
official college transcripts from all institutions
in which the student has enrolled. These
transcripts will be reviewed and course work
evaluated by the program administrator’s
office. Final determination regarding
applicability of completed course work toward
degree requirements lies with the Associate
Dean/Department Chair.
- Course equivalencies for transfer credit
are assessed based upon the catalog course
description or the course syllabus and/or notes
provided by the student. Generally, courses
of equivalent course content completed with
the grade of “C” or higher at any accredited
educational institution will be accepted for
transfer credit toward degree requirements.
- The School of Nursing accepts courses
completed via classroom, internet,
correspondence, College Level Examination
Program (CLEP) or advanced placement
examination for which credit has been
awarded and posted on an official transcript
from an accredited college or university when
determining completion of general education
course requirements.
- No more than 54 general education course
hours will be transferred, as well as a
minimum of 36 hours of basic nursing
education courses will be posted, for a total
of 90 semester credit hours that may be
transferred in fulfillment of RN-BSN degree
requirements. (If a basic nursing program
has less than 35 hours, details for this should
be arranged with the Associate Dean/
Department Chair.) These transfer hours will
be posted upon admission to the School of
Nursing by the Registrar’s office of TTUHSC,
thus the RN-BSN student will be classified
as a senior student upon entering TTUHSC
School of Nursing.
- Applicants are encouraged to meet with or
send transcripts to (fax is acceptable) the
Student Affairs office to discuss applicability
of transfer credit for degree purposes before
submitting their application.
Offer of Admission
Offers of admission will be made from the RN
to BSN Associate Dean/Department Chair
approximately eight weeks following the
application deadline. Applicants are required to
respond to the offer of admission no later than
the deadline stated in the letter offering admission
by returning a $175 non-refundable placement
guarantee/orientation fee, as well as a signed
response form accepting the offer. Failure to
respond by the deadline results in withdrawal of
the offer of admission.
Degree Requirements for Students
Admitted to Program
Graduation under a Particular Catalog
A student is expected to complete the degree
requirements set forth in the School of Nursing
Catalog in effect at the time the student enters
the chosen area of study. Only with the specific
approval of the Non-Traditional Undergraduate
Associate Dean/Department Chair may a different
Catalog be selected. Students, in all cases are
prohibited from completing the requirements
set forth in a catalog more than seven years old.
The Catalog is published at least biennially and
its provisions are applicable during the following
academic year (September 1 through August 31).
Maintaining Minimum Academic Requirements
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA for each semester and
overall cumulative.
- A minimum grade of “C” in all nursing
courses is required.
- Students receiving a “D”, “F” or “WF” in a nursing course are eligible to repeat the course
one time only pursuant to recommendation of
course faculty.
- Students earning an overall cumulative
GPA or a semester GPA less than a 2.0 in
the semester of graduation are ineligible for
graduation.
Academic Dismissal
- Students earning a “D”, “F” or “WF” in two or
more nursing courses is cause for academic
dismissal even when the first D or F has been
replaced by a passing grade upon retaking the
course.
- Earning less than a 2.0 semester or cumulative
GPA for two consecutive semesters.
- Making a “D”, “F”, or “WF” in the same
nursing course twice.
Residence Credit
The minimum credit required of each
undergraduate RN to BSN student is 30 hours
at TTUHSC which includes the final 15 hours
in nursing courses taken for a grade. Final
determination for completed course work toward
degree requirements is with the Non-Traditional
Undergraduate Associate Dean/Department
Chair.
Semester Credit Hours and Course Loads
The semester credit hour is the unit of measure
for credit purposes. Didactic (lecture) hours are
measured on a one-to-one basis; clinical hours are
measured on a one-to-three basis. Approximately
two hours in preparation for each hour of lecture
or recitation and an appropriate amount of time
for preparation for clinical activity is required.
Non-Traditional Undergraduate enrollment
in 12 or more credit hours per semester (6 or
more credit hours in each summer session or 12
or more credit hours in a full summer session)
constitutes full-time enrollment. The number
of semester credit hours a student may carry
(course load) is regulated by the Non-Traditional
Undergraduate Associate Dean/Department
Chair, taking into account the quality of prior
scholastic work performed and the types of
courses involved. Permission is needed to enroll
in more than 15 semester credit hours. Refer to
example course loads in the sample degree plans
for the RN to BSN student.
RN to BSN Program
|
54
| Semester Hours from general education preprequisite courses
|
36
| Semester Hours awarded for completion of the Basic Nursing Program
|
30
| Semester Hours from the RN to BSN curriculum
|
120
| Total Semester Hours
|
Degree Plan
The RN to BSN Program degree plan is provided as a sample
degree plan for reference. This degree plan is
designed for applicants with a RN license only.
The information is provided here as an overview
of a basic course schedule of a full-time student
and will vary depending on each student’s ability
to progress through the program. Standard
program degree plans are approved by RN to
BSN faculty and completed by the RN to BSN
Enrollment Coordinator in the Office of Student
Affairs during the initial advising session with
the student prior to enrollment. The degree plan
may be revised based on a student’s ability to
successfully progress through the curriculum.
All general education courses must be completed
prior to enrollment. Students can expect to
complete this program going full-time while
maintaining a standard 40 hour work week.
Attempting to carry greater than 15 semester
credit hours per semester and working in excess
of 40 hours per week is discouraged.
If a student is unable to complete the program in
three semesters, the student must seek approval
of the extended degree plan from the RN to
BSN Program Director. Approval will only be
granted for demonstration of an unexpected life
event due to illness or change in job which has
disrupted the student’s progression of studies. If a student is unable to enroll in any courses for a semester, a leave of absence (LOA) request should be submitted by the student for one semester
and maybe renewed for a second semester if
circumstances require. (See Student Handbook).
The degree requirements must be completed
within 4 semesters (16 months) unless a student
took an approved leave of absence. If at any time
the student elects to not enroll in a course for an
entire semester or does not complete the program
within 16 months, without authorization, the
student will be dismissed from the program.
All pre/co-requisites and any designated
conditions/criteria for previous courses apply
throughout the curriculum. All general education
courses should be completed prior to beginning
the nursing curriculum.
