Online RN-to-BSN: Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The RN-to-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.  

You'll work with your advisor to construct an individualized plan of study and, if applicable, to ensure you maintain the academic courseload necessary for scholarship requirements.

• Availability of classes may vary semester to semester.
• NURS 450 and NURS 452 are prerequisites for NURS 460, NURS 462, and NURS 467. NURS 454 and NURS 460 may be taken with or before NURS 467.
• For NURS 467, students must register during the relevant registration period to secure a clinical slot. Registration periods are indicated in the academic calendar.
• The Nursing Electives (NELC 400-level) can be taken in any semester as long as you are meeting requirements for prerequisites for your other courses.

If you enrolled prior to Fall 2014:

• Download a PDF of the Plan of Study‌

Find out how your prerequisites transfer. 

If you have taken coursework in Maryland, the Articulation System for Maryland Colleges and Universities (ARTSYS) is an online evaluation system that can help you determine how courses taken at any two year college in Maryland transfer to UMSON.

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. Visit the Prerequisite Course Information Resources webpage to learn more about prerequisite requirement.

Prerequisite Courses

The following lower-division, pre-professional courses may be completed at any accredited college or university. 

Bold: Applicants who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are required to complete only these prerequisite courses.

General Notes:

• Applicants who have not earned a bachelor’s degree are required to complete all 59 prerequisite credits.
• Courses may be taken online.
• No course can be used to fulfill more than one requirement.
• All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to enrollment at UMSON. Final transcripts and scores must be submitted one week prior to classes starting.

Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.

UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your undergraduate education.

Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships

All students receiving funds through the University must:

• be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in a degree-seeking program
• complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline
• FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
• FAFSA School code: 002104

The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.

Contact Us:

UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu

UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu

To help you get ahead, we've partnered with schools and hospitals in Maryland to offer academic pathways that will simplify your busy life.

In this section:

• Deadlines
• Qualifications
• Prerequisites
• Admission Materials and Instructions
• Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S

Deadlines:  

For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to have all required application materials submitted by the respective deadlines to ensure your application is considered for admission and scholarships.

Should the deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted through the subsequent business day.

Qualifications:

Competitive candidates for admission typically exhibit an academic and professional background that includes the following.

• an overall GPA of 2.5
• a preferred science GPA of 2.75 (chemistry, anatomy and physiology I and II, microbiology)
• experience in nursing

Prerequisite Coursework:

Applicants are required to complete 59 credits of prerequisite course work from an accredited institution.

Prior to applying, applicants must complete a minimum of:

• two science prerequisite courses:
  chemistry with lab, anatomy and physiology I or II with lab, or microbiology with lab
• one of the following prerequisite courses: 
  human growth and development, statistics, or nutrition

Additionally, applicants can have no more than four courses in progress at the time of application.

All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to enrollment at UMSON. Effective immediately, applicants must submit final grades at least two weeks prior to classes starting.

Admissions Materials and Instructions:

Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:

• If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
• If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.

More information.

This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore due to the amount of online courses.

If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.

What credit by examinations do you accept?

The University of Maryland School of Nursing recognizes the following proficiency examination programs for credit:

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• International Baccalaureate Exams (IB)

How do I know if my score can be used, and how do I request a score?

Advanced Placement (AP) 

UMSON will award credit on the scores listed on the AP Transfer Equivalencies for UMSON Chart.

Request your score.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

UMSON will award credit on the scores listed on the CLEP Transfer Equivalencies for UMSON Chart.

Request your score.

International Baccalaureate Exams (IB)

UMSON will award credit on the scores listed on the IB Transfer Equivalencies for UMSON Chart.

Request your score.

Can I use a score that falls below the requirement?

No. Scores that fall below the listed requirements cannot be used towards credit.

My previous school accepted a score below your requirement so I did not have to take the course. Will UMSON?

No, if you did not meet UMSON’s minimum requirements you will need to take an appropriate course to satisfy the prerequisite.

My scores are listed on my transcript, do I still need to send an official AP, CLEP, or IB transcript?

Yes. Credit will not be awarded without an official AP, CLEP, or IB transcript.

How long does it take for an AP/CLEP/IB score to be received?

It often takes more than 10 business days. If your score is archived it takes much longer. It is best to make your request early.

Where do I submit my credit by exam transcript?

Official transcripts are required if requesting to use towards UMSON prerequisites. All AP, CLEP, or IB scores should be sent to:

University of Maryland School of Nursing
655 West Lombard St., Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21202

I requested my official score be sent to UMSON a while ago but it still hasn’t arrived and now the deadline has passed. Can my application still be reviewed? 

No, we require all transcripts by the deadline. It is recommended you request your score early to avoid this.

Program Outcomes for Students Enrolled Fall 2022 and Later

• Integrate knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences to enrich nursing knowledge and practice.
• Implement the nursing process to provide person-centered, holistic nursing care.
• Advance equity in all health care settings using principles of social justice, advocacy, and collaboration, both intra- and interprofessionally.
• Engage in scholarly inquiry to identify best evidence to deliver effective, innovative, and ethical nursing care.
• Incorporate quality improvement principles to promote a culture of safety.
• Coordinate care that anticipates and meets the needs of diverse populations, informed by an understanding of nursing practice, health policy, and social determinants of health.
• Integrate information management and patient care technologies to provide equitable and safe care for individuals and communities.
• Use self-reflection and feedback from others to promote personal well-being, leadership capacity, and lifelong professional development.
• Develop a nursing identity guided by principles of ethics, legal responsibility, emotional intelligence, and social justice to ensure excellence in nursing practice.
• Recognize and appreciate the unique aspects of being human within person-centered nursing practice with an emphasis on equity, cultural humility, and compassion.

Program Outcomes for Students Enrolled Fall 2014 and Later

• Combine theoretical knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and nursing as a foundation to professional nursing practice that focuses on health promotion and prevention of disease for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• Use the nursing process to manage care for individuals, families, communities, and populations integrating physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental considerations. Integrate competencies in leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety to improve health and promote interdisciplinary care.
• Use the research process through translation of evidence-based findings to advance professional nursing and the delivery of health care.
• Incorporate information management and patient care technology in the delivery of quality patient-centered care.
• Integrate knowledge of health care policy from social, economic, political, legislative, and professional perspectives to influence the delivery of care to individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• Employ interprofessional communication and collaboration to ensure safe, quality care across the lifespan.
• Use principles of ethics, legal responsibility, and accountability to guide professional nursing practices across the lifespan and across the health care continuum.
• Accept personal accountability for lifelong learning, professional growth, and commitment to the advancement of the profession.