Getting Started On Your Nursing Degree

We're excited that you're considering nursing as your career choice! This section of the website will assist you through the first steps in pursuing your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree.

The nursing program is a four-year baccalaureate degree with a nursing major, called the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). The four years consist of one year of prerequisite nursing courses and three years of sequenced nursing coursework. Students may complete the prerequisite courses through another school or college within or outside of the University system, and then transfer to the School of Nursing for their final three years.

The nursing major is available at both the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus and the University of Minnesota Rochester campus. Click here to find out more information about the Two Campus Locations.

Incoming College Freshman

If you are an incoming college freshman and plan to start your college experience at the University of Minnesota, review the steps below.

Step 1: Apply to the University of Minnesota

• If you are interested in pursuing nursing at the Twin Cities campus, visit the Office of Admissions website to apply to the University of Minnesota: http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/.
• If you are interested in pursuing your BSN degree at our University of Minnesota Rochester campus and wish to complete prerequisite courses at RCTC, visit the RCTC website: http://www.rctc.edu/.

Step 2: Enroll in the Prerequisite Courses

• If you wish to take courses at the University of Minnesota, review the Prerequisite Planning Sheet (PDF).

Step 3: Review the Nursing Admission Criteria

Step 4: Apply to the BSN program

Transfer Student

If you plan to transfer courses from another college or university, already have some previous college education completed, or have earned a BA/BS degree in a non-nursing area, review the steps below.

Step 1: Complete the Prerequisite Courses

• If you wish to take courses at the University of Minnesota, review the Prerequisite Planning Sheet (PDF).

Step 2: Review the Nursing Admission Criteria

Step 3: Apply to the BSN program

Visit the School of Nursing

Attend a BSN Information Session to find out more about the nursing major and about how to get started working on your degree. The dates and times of the BSN Information Sessions are available.