Nursing Requirements
The mission of the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing at Shenandoah University is to empower lifelong learners who provide evidence-based, compassionate care to promote wellness for all.
Applicants for all nursing program tracks must have a strong and thorough background in the sciences and mathematics. Transfer nursing applicants may enter the program through one of three tracks:
- First-Year Track
- Transfer Track
- BSN-Accelerated Second Degree Track
Applicants must submit their official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended to be evaluated for program prerequisite courses and general education requirements. Delay in submitting transcripts and completing the TEAS exam will result in a delay of application processing.
Prerequisite courses can be taken at any regionally-accredited institution – see our transfer credit page for full details. We also accept online courses from Portage Learning that match our requirements.
Once enrolled to be in the program, all students are required to undergo a criminal background check and random urine drug screening, as well as have up-to-date required vaccinations. Additional information about the School of Nursing.
Admission and application requirements for each nursing track
This track can be completed in five semesters during the academic year.
This track is offered at Shenandoah University’s Winchester Main Campus.
Applicants seeking admission to the BSN-Transfer Track must meet the following guidelines:
- Meet all requirements for admission to Shenandoah University.
- Submit official transcript(s) from each college/university attended.
- Submit a letter of good standing from prior institution(s) if they were enrolled in a nursing program.
- Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all prerequisite science courses.
- Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all other prerequisite courses.
- Minimum overall score of 65 percent on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam
- Students are cautioned to carefully review prerequisite courses and general education requirements prior to enrollment.
- Completion of 75% of all prerequisite coursework for provisional admission; 100% completion prior to starting courses
Students are cautioned to carefully review prerequisite courses and general education requirements when registering for courses at other institutions in order to ensure those courses will transfer to Shenandoah and fulfill the general education requirement.
Please Note:
- All science coursework must have been completed within the last ten years to be eligible for transfer credit. Any science coursework completed more than ten years ago is not eligible for consideration.
- No more than two science prerequisites may be repeated more than one time.
Required Pre-requisite courses:
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology, I & II, with labs | 8 |
| Microbiology with lab | 4 |
| College or General Chemistry, Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry with lab | 4 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| English Composition | 3 |
| Psychology (General, Abnormal, or Developmental) | 3 |
| Sociology | 3 |
| Public Speaking | 3 |
| General Education, Cultural Understanding | 3 |
| General Education, Creative Expression | 3 |
| General Education, Ethical Reasoning or Second Cultural Understanding Course | 3 |
| Free Electives (3-4 Courses) | 10 |
This track is an intensive approach, 15 months in length and designed for the student who already holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field of study. The program begins in the fall and spring semesters.
This track is offered at Shenandoah University’s
Applicants seeking admission to the BSN-Accelerated Second Degree Track must meet the following guidelines:
- Meet all requirements for admission to Shenandoah University.
- Have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit a letter of good standing from prior institution(s) if they were enrolled in a nursing program; or be in the process of completing one.
- Complete ALL prerequisite courses prior to enrollment.
- Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all science prerequisite courses.
- Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all other non-science prerequisite courses.
- For priority consideration, applicants must submit all required materials by February 15 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester.
- Completion of 75% of all prerequisite coursework for provisional admission; 100% completion prior to August 1 for the fall semester and December 15 for the spring semester.
- Because of the intensity of the BSN-Accelerated Second Degree Track, it is strongly recommended that students not be employed while enrolled in this accelerated track.
Please Note:
- All science coursework must have been completed within the last ten years to be eligible for transfer credit. Any science coursework completed more than ten years ago is not eligible for consideration.
- No more than two science prerequisites may be repeated more than one time.
Pre-Requisite Courses
Students in the BSN-Accelerated Second Degree Track must have all pre-requisite courses completed prior to enrolling at Shenandoah University.
Required Pre-requisite courses
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| College or General Chemistry, Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry with Lab | 4 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II with Lab | 8 |
| Microbiology with Lab | 4 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Nutrition | 3 |
| English Composition | 3 |
| Sociology | 3 |
| Psychology (General, Abnormal, or Developmental) | 3 |