This program requires at least 59 prerequisite credits.
Seamlessly transfer credits when you start with a Pre-Nursing track or undergraduate degree at one of our partner four-year universities.
Find out how your prerequisites transfer.
Before you begin the admissions process, you can submit copies of your unofficial transcript(s) to us for review, and an admissions counselor will advise you on your requirements for admission.
Do you currently attend a Maryland community college?
Visit our prerequisite course equivalencies page to identify equivalent courses that meet UMSON's prerequisite requirements.
The entry-into-nursing BSN program is offered at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland.
Before beginning your studies at UMSON, you must complete your first two years of undergraduate education at another accredited college or university, ensuring you fulfill the necessary prerequisites.
As a BSN student, you will learn from:
- faculty who are leaders in their fields
- scientists who are on the cutting edge of nursing research
- expert clinicians with decades of experience.
While they're a diverse group, they have one main goal: Help you become an exceptional registered nurse.
During your coursework, you will:
- prepare for a nursing career across a broad spectrum of acute, chronic, and community-based settings
- build your nursing competencies in state-of-the-art facilities
- develop relationships with bright, driven students like you
- take part in engaging clinical experiences that challenge you to succeed in real-life situations and teach you clinical decision making — simulation is integrated into all clinical courses.
Once you've completed your degree, you will:
- be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, qualifying you for positions in a variety of health care settings
- be prepared to succeed in a wide range of health care environments
- have the qualifications you need to pursue graduate studies.
The entry-into-nursing BSN curriculum features:
- elective courses
- reflective practice
- community and clinical experiences
- a focus on resiliency and wellness for workforce retention
- a two-part professional development series in the first and four semesters, focused on wellness, mindfulness, and mental health
- exploration of a breadth of career options.
The BSN curriculum is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, which focus on competency-based education (CBE). CBE is a student-centered approach that focuses on demonstrating knowledge, skills, and attitudes as students progress through their education. It prepares students to provide equitable care to diverse patient populations by encouraging cultural competence, understanding of social determinants of health, and the importance of addressing health care disparities. It also:
- fosters personal responsibility
- promotes equity by accommodating diverse learners
- provides individualized learning through focused feedback
- clarifies faculty expectations and enhances relationships between faculty and student
- connects curriculum to real-world scenarios
- fosters collaboration with shared goals
- ensures practice readiness for a seamless transition into the workforce
- promotes personal growth through motivation, collaboration, and lifelong learning
Nursing graduates with the competencies outlined in the Essentials will be well prepared to take the Next Generation NCLEX exam. CBE effectively develops critical thinking and judgment skills in graduates, enhancing their chances of passing the licensing exam and thriving in their nursing careers.
Ranked in the top 10 nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, our entry-into-nursing BSN is a rigorous and nationally respected program that transforms students who are new to the field into top-tier nurses — professionals who can make an immediate and lasting impact in any health care setting.