RN to BS Admission
Priority Application Deadlines
Spring Admission: Priority deadline October 1; applications accepted through November 1
Summer Admission:
Early application deadline: March 1
Regular application deadline: March 15
Deadline to submit missing materials: April 1
Prerequisites and Admission Criteria
Admission to the RN to BS is open to registered nurses who have completed the required prerequisites and whose cumulative GPA is 2.5 or higher. RN to BS applications are submitted to the Flexible Education Division and reviewed and approved by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Applicants are notified about admissions decisions by the Elaine Marieb 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 six nursing prerequisites (Nutrition, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Life Span Growth and Development, Statistics)
- All prerequisite courses must be 3 or 4 semester hours. Courses taken as quarter credits will be multiplied by .67; those that don’t equal the equivalent of at least 3 credits will not be considered as fulfilling the Nursing prerequisite requirement. See a list of courses from other institutions that have been approved as prerequisites in the past.
Application Process
After receiving your application and transcripts, the Flexible Education Division will determine admissibility.
Transfer Credits
If you are unsure of admissibility to the Online RN-BS program and if you wish, the Flexible Education Division 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? Learn about the MassTransfer program.
Note: UMass Amherst waives application processing fees 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 Flexible Education Division 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 an unencumbered U.S. RN 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.
Cost and Financial Aid
RN to BS Track | Estimated Costs 2021-2022
Cost per credit = $495
In addition, there is a $60 registration fee per semester.
The cost per credit is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
As an added incentive and to recognize our partnerships in the community, we also offer a 25% discount for the RN/BS program for RNs employed in our active student placement agencies and for Associate Degree in Nursing graduates of Massachusetts Community colleges.
Estimated Fees and Expenses:
- Health Insurance (all students are required to carry health insurance. Insurance is offered through UMass Amherst University Health Services. For more information, visit the UHS website.
- Undergraduate Entering Fee (one-time, non-refundable): $135
- Professional liability insurance (purchased through Nurses Service Organization): $85-$100
- Nursing Textbooks: $1000
Financial Aid
Scholarship aid is available from the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and foundations and private sources. Visit the Flexible Education Division Financial Aid for more information.