The curriculum in the undergraduate nursing program is designed as an upper-division major. The program requires a strong liberal arts and science base as a prerequisite to nursing courses. Students complete theory courses in the major as well as hospital and community-based clinical practice. Full-time and limited part-time study options are available.
The School of Nursing has an educational initiative to accept college-level credits earned during high school to be used towards a nursing degree at SCSU. This advanced-degree initiative is structured to further a students’ progress toward curriculum completion. Students interested in this opportunity will gain a head start on their higher education journey and prepare them for a stronger transition into college life and academics. By earning college credits while in high school, students and their families can save money on future college tuition and reduce the time needed to complete a bachelor’s degree. Students can begin preparing for a degree in nursing by completing the nursing prerequisites at the SCSU campus, another college or university, one of the CT Community Colleges, or earning college-credit on AP level courses in high school.
Students engaging in college-level courses and earning credit may develop stronger academic skills, time management, study habits, and be well prepared to engage in academically rigorous courses. For more information please fill this form:
SCSU’s Early College Program enables eligible high school students the opportunity to enroll in and earn credit in college courses. Students can earn up to 30 college credits towards a degree from SCSU prior to full matriculation. If your school or district is a partner of the university’s Early College program, tuition and general fees are waived for Early College courses. Students are also allowed to take courses at any of the CT-Community Colleges for any nursing prerequisites, or university requirements, while also participating in SCSU’s Early College Program. Students may apply SCSU credits, and credits earned from other colleges/universities, towards their degree at SCSU. Please review the plan of study.
SCSU Nursing Prerequisite list,
*Indicates Early College Course at SCSU
AP College Board - Score
BIO120—Microbiology
BIO200—Human Anatomy & Physiology I
BIO201—Human Anatomy & Physiology II
CHE125—Principles and Applications of
General, Organic, and Biochemistry
*MAT107 (substituted by MAT221—Inter
Applied Statistics)
Statistics – 3
MAT108 (substituted by MAT122—
Precalculus or MAT150 Calculus I)
Calculus AB/BC – 3
*PCH200—Introduction to Nutrition 3
*PSY100—Introduction to Psychology
Psychology – 3
PSY219—Lifespan Development
Recommended Courses (Optional), Early
College Program at SCSU*
AP College Board - Score
*CHE120—General Chemistry I
Chemistry - 3
ENG112—Writing Arguments
English Lang & Comp – 4
English Lit & Comp – 4
*HLS 120 – Skills for Becoming a Certified
Nurse Aid
*HLS 200 – Health Professions and Medical
Terminology
Students participating in SCSU’s Early College Program with an interest in pursuing nursing are identified upon entry and meet with our YNHH Scholarship Coordinator each semester to ensure proper course completion, receive guided mentoring, and participate in workshops geared towards academic success.
For more information
To review important deadline dates for application, please click here.
The High School Admission Pathway is available to students applying as first-time college students in their senior year of high school. Applicants should apply to the university through the Common App and indicate nursing as their major of first choice. High School Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive and only the most qualified applicants will be offered admission.
The Direct Admissions process for Nursing at Southern Connecticut State University is inclusive. Our belief in the importance of a thorough and careful review of all aspects of your application reflects our mission as an intentionally diverse and comprehensive university, committed to access, social justice, and service for the public good. We seek to empower every undergraduate student with the knowledge, skills and perspectives essential for active participation and impassioned, ethical leadership, and our admission practices reflect that goal.
In review of applicants for Direct Admissions, we seek to learn about you through: the subject-specific courses you’ve completed; the level and rigor of those courses (including AP level courses and college-credit courses); your overall cumulative GPA (minimum 3.4); your academic profile (minimum course requirements indicated below), including extracurricular activities and leadership roles; and your personal statement.
The submission of SAT/ACT test results is optional at Southern. The School of Nursing encourages applicants to submit their ACT/SAT scores if they wish to do so. Test score submission is not a requirement for Direct Admissions consideration, nor is there a penalty for not submitting test scores. In deciding whether or not to submit your standardized test scores, consider your overall academic record. Your decision should be based on whether you believe your scores are an accurate representation of your academic abilities.
Southern recognizes the Common Application as its own application form. When applying for Direct Admissions, please be advised that your submitted complete application, and the following supporting credentials must be submitted by the application deadline, December 1 st , 2024:
We regard your academic record from high school as the most important part of your application for admission. Although we certainly consider your final grade point average and overall record over four years, we do look deeper, considering your performance during each year in high school, including academic rigor. We look for students who have challenged themselves personally and academically. Not only are your final grades considered, we look very carefully at the quality of the academic program you have pursued. Below are the minimum high school academic requirements required for Direct Admissions consideration.
While your academic record is clearly a critical element of the entire admission application, we are also interested in the personal qualities, talents and interests that you will bring to our campus community and the field of nursing. We want to know about your extracurricular involvement, the quality of your writing as reflected in the personal statement, and the reflections of teachers, counselors, and others who submit recommendations on your behalf.
Because our applicant pool increases each year, the admissions process remains very competitive and selective. All those who apply and meet minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.
Students admitted to the university will begin with a declared major in STEM Foundations for Nursing within the Healthcare Studies major. This program includes the necessary prerequisite coursework for the Nursing Program and optimal advisement towards the nursing program requirements. Upon successful completion of the program requirements below, students will be able to progress directly into the Nursing program to complete the remaining two years.