RN to BS Admission

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Please review the application instructions and complete the online application.

Priority Application Deadlines

January Admission: Priority deadline October 1; applications accepted through November 1
June Admission: February 1

We will continue to accept applications until all slots are filled.

Prerequisites and Admission Criteria

Admission to the RN to BS is open to registered nurses who have completed required prerequisites and whose cumulative GPA is 2.5 or higher. RN to BS applications are submitted to the University Without Walls Admissions office and reviewed and approved by the College of Nursing. Applicants are notified about admissions decisions by the College of Nursing.

• Minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Current RN licensure (new graduates must obtain prior to starting their 2nd semester in the program)
• Completion of 52 of the 60 non-nursing credits, including a grade of C or better in all seven nursing prerequisites (Nutrition, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Abnormal Psychology, Life Span Growth and Development, Statistics)

Application Process

To apply to the online RN-BS program, please review the application instructions and complete the online application.

Along with your application, you will need to submit a copy of your current RN license, one recommendation (please use the Nursing Applicant Reference Form in the "Downloads" section below), and transcripts from all colleges you have previously attended. See the Prospective Student Recommendation Form in the "downloads" section below.

After receiving your application and transcripts, the University Without Walls Admissions office will determine admissibility.

Transfer Credits

If you are unsure of admissibility to the Online RN-BS program and if you wish, the University Without Walls Admissions office will evaluate your prior coursework and let you know which credits will transfer into the RN to BS program. If you wish, you may request a Transfer Credit Evaluation before you apply. 

Looking to transfer credits from a Massachusetts community college? Find yours here.

Note:  UMass Amherst waives the $75 application processing fee for Massachusetts Community College graduates (or current MA community college students in their last semester) who wish to transfer to the RN to BS program. For more information about the transfer process, visit the University Without Walls Admissions Office website.

NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NLN Achievement testing is not available at UMass Amherst at this time.

Information for international students:

Applicants need to pass the NCLEX and have a US license to be admitted to the RN to BS track. Here are two resources that can provide some guidance:

• The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International (CGFNS) provides programs and assistance to individuals to ensure competency for nurses to obtain licensure in the US. CGFNS, an international and credible organization, evaluates credentials and assists students with the process of taking the NCLEX.  See the CGFNS website for information about services and fees. 
• The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website provides a great deal of information about international NCLEX administration.  Note that Pearson VUE is the only company that has the authority to administer the NCLEX.