Kramer School of Nursing
Bachelor's-to-BSN Program

ELIGIBILITY, ADMISSIONS AND PROGRESSION PROCESS
CURRICULUM
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ADMISSION

As our commitment to addressing the severe shortage of nurses, all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and qualifications listed below are accepted. The Kramer School of Nursing has no waiting list.

To be admitted to the Bachelor's-to-BSN program:

• Apply to Oklahoma City University. Click here to learn how. The Kramer School of Nursing has no separate application form.

• Email the Gateway Programs Specialist at schristian@okcu.edu. You can also call (405)208-5901 between 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Monday-Friday or leave a message anytime. Schedule a personalized evaluation of your qualifications for entry. Official transcripts will be required for admission to the university, but the Specialist can begin with unofficial copies.

Entry requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited United States university (applicants who earned degrees outside the United States, see below)
• 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
• Chemistry course (with a lab) with a grade of B or higher
• Anatomy and Physiology course(s) with a grade of B or higher. Must cover the whole human body and all systems, and the anatomy portion had a mammalian dissection lab.
• Microbiology course (with a lab) with a grade of B or higher
• Psychology course with a grade of C or higher
• If English is not the mother tongue, a TOEFL score of 550 or higher, even if a permanent US resident or US citizen

For students whose first bachelor's degrees were earned outside the United States, English must have been the language of instruction. The first bachelor's degree must also be equivalent to a bachelor's degree granted by a regionally accredited United States college or university. Course prerequisites to the Bachelor's-to-BSN program taken internationally must be equivalent to the corresponding courses offered at Oklahoma City University.

Application Deadlines

To be considered for entry into the nursing program, the application process must be complete by the deadlines shown below. This includes application to the university received by the Office of Admissions, the most current official transcripts received by the university Transcript Coordinator, and the “Verification of English Language Requirement” form with an accompanying TOEFL score, if warranted, received by the relevant Kramer School of Nursing program specialist.

The only exception is for courses in progress during the fall semester prior to the January start date. Confirmation of the grades earned for those courses can be submitted after the deadline listed below, but must be received prior to beginning nursing classes. The only acceptable temporary confirmations are an unofficial transcript, a signed original letter on university letterhead from the course’s professor listing the grade for the designated course with the student’s name, or a copy of the grade report printed from the university’s system. To enroll in courses the second semester of the nursing program, an official transcript verifying those grades must be received.

• Early admission: September 1, if all prerequisites are met
• Late admission: December 1, if completing requirements during the fall semester before starting the nursing program

ELIGIBILITY STATEMENT

Due to the strenuous nature of nursing and practice orientation of Oklahoma City University's Kramer School of Nursing program, the School reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any student to enroll or continue in the nursing program. This decision is based on considerations including, but not limited to, characteristics required of a professional nurse. Eligibility is determined by the faculty's evaluation of a student's ability to perform the skills necessary to complete the course objectives, and include attitudinal and behavioral components. These elements are re-evaluated each semester.

Every student must pass background checks and drug screenings to enter clinical settings. Inability to meet these requirements will prevent the student from completing the program. Graduates must also meet the licensure requirements of the Board of Nursing in the state where the first license will be sought. Such requirements may include further background checks, investigations of felony convictions, and other measures related to public safety. If in doubt about your eligibility to receive a nursing license, contact the Board of Nursing for further information before proceeding with nursing school.

PROGRESSION PROCESS

All students must earn a "C" or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in each course used to complete the BSN degree. In nursing courses, students must receive a minimal grade of 75% in theory, 75% in clinical application, and a passing grade in clinical performance to progress to the next clinical course. Students must pass the Exit Exam to graduate. Kramer School of Nursing students must maintain a 3.0 minimum GPA at Oklahoma City University throughout the nursing program.

All nursing courses must be completed in sequence as listed in the undergraduate course descriptions unless approved by the Faculty Organization at the Kramer School of Nursing. It is the responsibility of the student to enroll in courses as they are offered. Students may repeat only one nursing course. Failure to complete the repeated course with a grade of "C" or better within two enrollments will result in dismissal from the nursing major. Withdrawal from a course after 10 weeks from the beginning of each class will be counted as one enrollment.

Eligibility for RN licensure: The Kramer School of Nursing is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Graduates of this state-approved program are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses. Applicants for Oklahoma licensure must meet all state and federal requirements to hold an Oklahoma license to practice nursing. In addition to completing a state-approved nursing education program that meets educational requirements and successfully passing the licensure examination, requirements include submission of an application for licensure, a criminal history records search, and evidence of citizenship or qualified alien status. Applicants for practical nurse licensure must also hold a high school diploma or a graduate equivalency degree (G.E.D.) [59 O.S. §567.5 & 567.6]. To be granted a license, an applicant must have the legal right to be in the United States (United States Code Chapter 8, Section 1621). In addition, Oklahoma law only allows a license to be issued to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent resident aliens. Other qualified aliens may be issued a temporary license that is valid until the expiration of their visa status, or if there is no expiration date, for one year. Applicants who are qualified aliens must present, in person, valid documentary evidence of:
1. A valid, unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States;
2. A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States;
3. Admission into the United States in refugee status;
4. A pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
5. Approved deferred action status; or
6. A pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status or conditional resident status.
The Board has the right to deny a license to an individual with a history of criminal background, disciplinary action on another health-related license or certification, or judicial declaration of mental incompetence [59 O.S. §567.8]. These cases are considered on an individual basis at the time application for licensure is made, with the exception of felony charges. An individual with a felony conviction cannot apply for licensure for at least five years after completion of all sentencing terms, including probation and suspended sentences, unless a presidential or gubernatorial pardon is received [59 O.S. §567.5 & 567.6].