Admission to the School of Nursing

2022 SON Owensboro Sim Lab

School of Nursing
Health Sciences Campus, K-Wing
555 South Floyd Street
Suite 3019
University of Louisville 
Louisville, Kentucky 40202

Phone: (502) 852-8300
Website: louisville.edu/nursing

Admission Requirements

Admission to the School of Nursing is a two-level process for the traditional degree program: lower division and upper division. Students must be admitted to the lower division to be eligible to apply to the upper division. Admission to the lower division does not guarantee admission to the upper division. Admission to the upper division of the degree program is selective.

Admission to the Lower Division

Students may be admitted directly to the School of Nursing’s lower division (pre-professional) if the minimum admission standards and university deadlines are met. Admission applications must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applications are available online through the university’s website. Admission to the lower division (pre-professional) does not guarantee admission to the upper division (professional curriculum).

Freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 24 hours of college credit  must submit an official high school transcript or GED scores and official transcripts from all outside college course work, if applicable.

If the transfer applicant applies to the university as a test optional applicant, they are admissible to lower division if they meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Has completed 12-23 credit hours at an accredited post-secondary institution. Dual credit courses do not fulfill this requirement.
  2. Has a minimum college grade point average of 3.0 (excluding dual credit courses).
  3. Has completed College Algebra or higher with a C or better (C- in not accepted).

There are three options to meet admissions standards:

  1. Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 along with a minimum ACT Composite of 22 (SAT 110) and minimum ACT Math sub-score of 22 (SAT 540). 
  2. Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 along with minimum Accuplacer Math QRAS test score of 263; and Reading test score of 250.
  3. Test Optional admissions requirements are a minimum high school grade point average of 3.5; completion of 4 years of high school English with a minimum English grade point average of 3.0; and a rigorous high school math curriculum.  Must earn all A and B grades in math courses.  Must include one of the following math courses during junior or senior year:  AP Calculus; Dual Credit College Algebra; Dual Credit Pre-Calculus; Dual Credit Calculus.

All documents are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Mail to or request mailing to:

The Office of Admissions
Dept. AO
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292.

Transfer Students with More Than 24 Hours of College Credit

For admission into the lower division, applicants must have a minimum cumulative college grade point average of 2.8 (on a 4-point scale) in all undergraduate college course work.  Students who are admitted into the upper division nursing program with a prior failure (C- or below) in a nursing course at another institution are required to enroll in a Student Success course during their first semester enrolled in upper division.

  • Submit all official transcripts from all outside college coursework to the Office of Admissions. Mail to or request mailing to:

The Office of Admissions
Dept. AO
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292.

University of Louisville Students Changing Majors

Students who are enrolled at the University of Louisville in another major may apply to the School of Nursing. They must complete an online change of major form through their ULink account. Students admitted through this process must be advised before registering for courses in their first semester in the lower division nursing program.

To be eligible for admission into the lower division of the nursing major, a change of major student must meet the following criteria: 

  1. Minimum 2.8 cumulative undergraduate GPA from all colleges attended. 
  2. 12 hours completed at UL.  
  3. Does not have 2 or more NURS prefix failures (C- or below) from previous institutions.  
  4. Was not previously dismissed from a Nursing program. 
  5. No more than one failure with a grade below C, in the following courses: ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 111, BIOL 257. BIOL 258, BIOL 260, BIOL 261, BIOL 264, BIOL 265, or CHEM 105. This applies only to UL courses and not transfer course work. 

Admission to the Upper Division

Traditional BSN Degree

Admission to the upper division is selective. Traditional BSN students must be admitted to the lower division of the degree program to be eligible to apply to the upper division of the degree program.

Students admitted to the upper division professional nursing curriculum will be required to meet all clinical compliance requirements prior to entering any clinical facilities.

To be considered for admission, applicants must:

  • Have completed the lower division (pre-professional) curriculum or be in the last semester of completion (see Degree Programs- Nursing).
  • Have earned a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.8. The cumulative grade point average for admission to upper division nursing is calculated based on all course work completed at accredited post-secondary institutions. Transfer credit and transfer GPA are determined by the Office of Adult & Transfer Services in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
  • Have earned a minimum lower division (pre-professional) program grade point average of 3.0. The lower division program grade point average is based on required lower division curriculum course work as determined by the nursing faculty. 
  • Earn a C or higher in required sciences, math, English, and nursing courses. Science courses must have been completed within the last 10 years. Students must submit an exemption request for acceptance of sciences taken prior to the last 10 years to the School of Nursing Office of Student Services. Consideration will only be given to those with experience in the science in which exception is being requested. Transfer credit for science courses taken prior to the last 10 years will be evaluated on an individual basis. There can be no outstanding incomplete grades prior to beginning nursing courses.

Students admitted as a first-time University of Louisville freshman will have 0.2 points added to their program grade point average for ranking during review of upper division applications. 

Applying to the Upper Division, Traditional BSN

To apply to the upper division, a student must:

  • Submit a University of Louisville Undergraduate Application if new to UofL or submit an online change of major form if already enrolled in a school other than the School of Nursing at UofL. 
  • Submit a written essay, narrative, or short story describing your personal qualities and how they fit you for a career in nursing, your perception of the nursing field and what influenced you to select nursing as a career
  • Submit a certified criminal background check. Details on the School of Nursing website.
  • Complete the interview process (if requested).
  • Applications and credentials must be received by the deadlines posted on the School of Nursing website https://louisville.edu/nursing/academics/bsn/louisville/admissions

NOTE: An unsatisfactory background check may prevent a student from being admitted into the program and/or licensed as a registered nurse. Questions regarding licensing should be addressed with the Kentucky Board of Nursing. 

The appropriate undergraduate committees will evaluate applicants for acceptance to an upper division clinical cohort. The committee decision will be communicated to the applicant in writing. Admissions are contingent on successful completion of the lower division (pre-professional) curriculum. Accepted students will receive a letter of agreement stating the anticipated start date, the conditions for accepting the space, and consequences of failing to keep the space. The letter of agreement must be signed and returned within 10 working days of receipt to assure a space in the upper division clinical cohort. All qualified students who meet admission criteria but are not accepted into the requested upper division clinical cohort due to space constraints should meet with their advisor.

Guaranteed Early Admission (GEA) Native College Freshmen

The Guaranteed Early Admission (GEA) program is available to first year University of Louisville freshmen. Forty spaces are reserved in upper division each academic year for first year, full time college freshmen who enter the University of Louisville in the Fall semester. First year college freshmen apply upon completion of their first year of college for a guaranteed admission to a specific upper division cohort. These spaces are awarded based on the student’s competitive application. Transfer students are not eligible.

To be considered as a first-year freshman for guaranteed admission to the upper division, an applicant must:

  • Successfully complete NURS 101 with a minimum grade of B.
  • Successfully complete the first year of full-time coursework with a minimum 3.25 GPA.
  • Complete two required science courses (CHEM 105 and BIOL 102 or their equivalent) with minimum grades of B.

Application requirements:

To maintain GEA status:

  • Accept a start date to begin upper division courses for a specific semester.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 each semester of enrollment in the lower division.

Direct Admission Program for High School Seniors

The Direct Admissions program is available to high school seniors that plan to enroll as first-time freshman at the University of Louisville and major in nursing.   A limited number of spaces are reserved each academic year.  These spaces are awarded based on the student's competitive application.  Students apply while enrolled in their senior year of high school.

To be considered as a high school senior for direct admission into upper division, an applicant must meet the following requirements: 

  • Minimum high school grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
  • Minimum ACT composite score of 25 or SAT 1200
  • Minimum Math ACT sub-score of 25 or SATM 590

Application Requirements:

  • An essay of 500 words or less describing your interest in a career in nursing.
  • School of Nursing Direct Admit application, available on the School of Nursing website.
  • Deadline is November 15th of student's senior year of high school.

To Maintain Direct Admit Status:

  • Accept a specific spring semester upper division start date.  If an earlier start date is determined possible by the nursing academic advisor in the first semester of enrollment at UofL, a fall upper division semester start date may be approved by request.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 each academic year of enrollment in lower division.
  • No repeats of required science or nursing courses: BIOL 102, CHEM 105, BIOL 260, BIOL 261, BIOL 264, BIOL 265, BIOL 257, BIOL 258.
  • Must complete a minimum of 6 science courses, with labs, during freshman year of college: BIOL 102, CHEM 105, BIOL 260, BIOL 264, BIOL 257, BIOL 258.
   

Admission to Lower Division Accelerated BSN (Prerequisite Coursework)

Students wanting to complete prerequisite coursework at the university apply to the lower division portion of the program by submitting an application for admission to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions along with college transcripts from all previously attended colleges.  

To be admitted the School of Nursing to complete professional/prerequisite coursework, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants must have a minimum college cumulative grade point average of 2.4.

Students may be admitted directly to the School of Nursing to complete professional/prerequisite coursework if the minimum admission standards and university deadlines are met. All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to starting the Program/Major portion of the program.  A minimum grade of C is required in all prerequisite science coursework.

Science courses must have been completed within the last 10 years. Students must submit an exemption request to the School of Nursing, Office of Student Services for review for acceptance of sciences taken prior to the last 10 years. Consideration will only be given to those with experience in the science in which exception is being requested. Transfer credit for science courses taken prior to the last 10 years will be evaluated on an individual basis. There can be no outstanding incomplete grades prior to beginning upper division nursing coursework.

Admission to the Lower Division does not guarantee admission to the Program/Major portion of the program. 

Admission to the Accelerated BSN Program Upper Division

Admission to the Accelerated BSN Program is selective. To be considered for admission, applicants must:

  1. have earned a bachelor’s degree in another field from a regionally accredited school
  2. successfully complete all prerequisite requirements prior to beginning the Accelerated BSN coursework
  3. have earned a recommended minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 The cumulative grade point average for admission consideration to the Program/Major of nursing is calculated based on all course work completed at accredited post-secondary institutions. Transfer credit and transfer GPA is determined by the Office of Transfer Articulation in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
  4. have earned a recommended program grade point average of 3.0. The program grade point average is based on required prerequisites as determined by the nursing faculty

Admissions are contingent on successful completion of the prerequisite coursework. Accepted students will receive a letter of agreement stating the anticipated start date, the conditions for accepting the space, and consequences of failing to meet admission conditions.

Admissions Process for Accelerated BSN

  1. Submit all admissions materials to NursingCAS
  2. Official transcripts representing all college coursework.
  3. Applicants who have attended a college or university outside the United States are required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
  4. Within the Nursing CAS application applicant must be prepared to answer questions regarding your short- and long-term nursing goals, leadership experience, community engagement, and healthcare experience/exposure.  For details and guidance regarding the questions visit the School of Nursing webpage.
  5. Students for whom English is not their primary language must show English Proficiency
  6. Submit a certified criminal background check. Details on the School of Nursing website.

NOTE: An unsatisfactory background check may prevent a student from being admitted into the program and/or licensed as a registered nurse. Questions regarding licensing should be addressed with the Kentucky Board of Nursing. 

A holistic review process is used when considering applications for admissions.  The holistic review considers multiple criteria for admissions, such as:  the applicant's professional career goals, academic capabilities, and grade point averages. 

Additional Transfer Student Information

Awarding of transfer credit

A student may earn college credit through a variety of mechanisms. Therefore, students seeking advanced standing through transfer of credit should seek advice from the Office of Student Services, School of Nursing, as soon as possible. Individual evaluations include:

  1. Courses from accredited colleges and universities.
  2. CLEP examinations.
  3. Advanced Placement examinations.
  4. Portfolio documentation, RN-BSN program only. Students in the RN-BSN program will receive 30 college credits from the university after successful completion of the portfolio course.
  5. General Education Block Certifications by accredited Kentucky institutions are recognized.
  6. The School of Nursing has a ten-year limit on science courses. Transfer credit for science courses taken prior to the last 10 years will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  7. Other transfer courses are evaluated on an individual basis for currency and equivalency to required courses in the nursing curriculum. Science, English, and nursing courses taken at another college or university must have been passed with a grade of C or better to be transferred into the nursing curriculum. 

Transfer Policy for Students Transferring from Other Schools of Nursing

Applicants transferring from other schools of nursing will submit complete course syllabi and appropriate supporting documents to the School of Nursing Office of Student Services. These documents must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the application deadline. Syllabi and supporting documents will be reviewed by selected faculty and Office of Student Services staff for the purpose of evaluating course equivalency to University of Louisville courses. Course equivalency must be confirmed prior to admissions. When courses are approved, they become the course of record for that academic year. Nursing courses that have been approved for equivalency will remain equivalent for varying periods of time depending on the course. Nursing courses must be satisfactorily completed at an NLN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program to be considered as equivalent and transfer into the upper division curriculum.

A student who has previously failed two nursing courses at any school of nursing, or was dismissed from a school of nursing, will not be eligible for admission to the pre-licensure BSN programs.  If a student has a previous nursing course failure, it will be considered the first failure by the University of Louisville pre-licensure BSN programs.  One additional failure of a nursing course at the University of Louisville will result in dismissal from the program.

International Student Applicants

Please refer to the university guidelines printed in this catalog regarding International Student Applicants.