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Program Information

NOTE: This page contains information pertaining to the BSN program at Oklahoma City University for Traditional, Transfer and Accelerated BSN students. If you already have an RN license, this information does NOT apply to you; visit our RN-BSN program pages for more information.

On This Page:

Deadlines, Admission Requirements, Curriculum, Progression and Eligibility

Deadlines

Oklahoma City University uses a rolling admissions process, so students technically have until the first week of classes in any given term to be admitted and enrolled. However, prospective nursing students do need to meet specific deadlines for the NursingCAS Application and any relevant exams. Those who fail to adhere to transcript deadlines will automatically have their admission deferred to the next available cohort.

Click the menu below to see term-specific deadlines and contact us if you have any questions.

Deadlines

Spring 2024:

  • Dec. 1, 2023 – NursingCAS must be submitted. This includes official transcripts from student’s last completed semester in school. The deadline for international student applicants is Oct. 1.

Fall 2024:

  • Aug. 1, 2024 - OCU Application must be submitted. This includes official transcripts from student’s last completed semester in school. The deadline for international student applicants is July 1.

Spring 2025:

  • Nov. 15, 2024 – OCU Application must be submitted. This includes official transcripts from student’s last completed semester in school. The deadline for international student applicants is Oct. 1.

Admission Requirements

Accelerated BSN Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to the 12-month ABSN option, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Admission to Oklahoma City University
  • A bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university*
  • An Associate of Art or an Associate of Science degree (but not an Applied Associate degree) in any field from a regionally accredited college or university**
  • 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA
  • English proficiency as outlined in the English Proficiency Policy for Admission to NURS Courses
  • All prerequisites must be completed prior to starting NURS courses
  • A grade of B (3.00) or better in any college microbiology course with a lab
  • A grade of B (3.00) or better in any college human anatomy course with a lab+
  • A grade of B (3.00) or better in any college human physiology course with a lab+
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any college chemistry course with a lab
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any basic college psychology course
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any college algebra course
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any college nutrition course or OCU equivalent religion course for students entering with an associate degree**
  • A student who was accepted into another nursing program, and earned a grade below a C in nursing courses is not eligible for the ABSN option

+A full semester of Human Anatomy with a lab and a full semester of Human Physiology may be substituted for Anatomy and Physiology I (A&P I) and Anatomy and Physiology II (A & P II). This option requires both courses, not just one course.

*For students whose first bachelor’s degree was 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 grated by a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Course prerequisites to the accelerated BSN program taken internationally must be equivalent to the corresponding courses offered at Oklahoma City University. These equivalencies must be determined by a company acceptable to Oklahoma City University that evaluates international transcripts.

**Students with an associate degree are required to complete a religion course in addition to the 56 credits of nursing courses per OCU's Undergraduate Catalog. Due to the rigor of the accelerated schedule, applicants with an associate degree must have completed either a nutrition course or a religion course with a grade of C (2.00) or better prior to starting the program. Either the nutrition or religion course that remains to be completed will be included in the 12-month degree plan. The course must be evaluated and confirmed transfer through OCU’s TESS system prior to starting the program. To graduate with a BSN, you must complete 124 credits; 56 credits are in the nursing program. To enter the accelerated track, you must have completed a minimum of 68 credits that will transfer to OCU; your associate degree is included within the required 68 credits.

Traditional BSN Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Admission to Oklahoma City University
  • 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA
  • English proficiency as outlined in the English Proficiency Policy for Admission to NURS Courses
  • Must have six credit hours or fewer in remaining general education or elective requirements before beginning NURS courses*
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any college microbiology course with a lab
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any college human anatomy course with a lab+
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any college human physiology course with a lab+
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any college chemistry course with a lab
  • A grade of C (2.00) or better in any basic college psychology course

* Students who already have an approved bachelor’s degree in another field are not required to fulfill OCU’s general education requirements. Students entering with an approved associate degree are required to take OCU’s Introduction to Biblical Literature or World Religions courses, unless a previous course is approved to transfer for this requirement in OCU’s TESS system.

For students whose first bachelor’s degree was 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 grated by a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Course prerequisites to the BSN program taken internationally must be equivalent to the corresponding courses offered at Oklahoma City University. These equivalencies must be determined by a company acceptable to Oklahoma City University that evaluates international transcripts.

+A full semester of Human Anatomy with a lab and a full semester of Human Physiology may be substituted for Anatomy and Physiology I (A&P I) and Anatomy and Physiology II (A & P II). This option requires both courses, not just one course.

Curriculum

Click below to view general education and nursing course requirements necessary for degree completion, in addition to nursing-specific prerequisites listed above in the Admissions Requirements section.

Required General Education Courses

Students pursuing the BSN who already have bachelor's degrees in other fields have already fulfilled the equivalency of the university's general education requirements.

Transfer students who have a conferred Associate of Art or an Associate of Science degree (but not an Applied Associate degree) with a minimum of 60 semester hours completed will be admitted to Oklahoma City University as having completed their general education requirements, with the following exceptions:

  • Students must complete a religion course (REL 1003 or REL 1513) if they have not taken an equivalent course.
  • Students must complete an approved Service Learning course. (This will be satisfied with the Community Health Nursing course.)

For freshman and transfer students without a qualifying degree, OCU's general education requirements must be met. These requirements can be located in OCU's Undergraduate Catalog (PDF document).

Nursing Courses (56 credit hours)

  • Nutrition (3)*
  • Clinical Judgment in Nursing (2)
  • Health Assessment (3)
  • Foundations of Nursing (5)
  • Nursing Pharmacology (3)
  • Mental Health Nursing (4)
  • Adult Health Nursing I (6)
  • Community Health Nursing (4)
  • Adult Health Nursing II (6)
  • Nursing Research (3)
  • Family Health Nursing (4)
  • Critical Care Nursing (4)
  • Child Health Nursing (4)
  • Nursing Leadership (5)

*Nutrition course is taken during the first semester of the nurse program, if not already completed.

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Progression and Eligibility

Once admitted to the Nursing Program, students are expected to maintain a certain level of coursework. Explore the progression requirements below and contact us if you have any questions.

Progression Process

  • All students must earn a "C" or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in each course required for the BSN degree.
  • In nursing courses, students must receive a minimum 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 meet all graduation requirements to receive the BSN degree, to apply to take the NCLEX-RN, and to become eligible to apply for RN licensure.
  • Students may repeat only one nursing course. Failure to complete the repeated course with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better within two enrollments or failure of a second nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing major.
  • Withdrawal from a nursing course after two-thirds of the course is over will be counted as one enrollment.
  • Students can re-enroll in only one nursing course, regardless of the reason.
  • Minimum number of credit hours required for the BSN, if first bachelor’s degree: 124
  • Minimum number of credit hours required for the BSN, if second bachelor’s degree: 56

Eligibility Requirements by the State of Oklahoma for Registered Nurse Licensure

Oklahoma City University 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 to the Board office, 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 convictions. 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].

OCU Eligibility

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 includes attitudinal and behavioral components. These elements are evaluated each semester.

Clinicals Eligibility

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.

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