Nursing Programs Admission Requirements

Candidates for the nursing program must first meet general Columbia College admission requirements.

Selection criteria for the Nursing Course Sequence:

Applicants are evaluated through a comprehensive, holistic review process that considers multiple indicators of academic readiness and professional potential. A composite score is calculated using:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended. A minimum grade of C is required for all prerequisite courses. All NURS courses require a minimum score of 80% (B) in Tier 1 and 80% (B) in the class.
• All prerequisites must have been completed within the past seven years before the cohort start date you’re applying to.
• Possess the necessary functional abilities to provide safe and effective patient care.
• Prerequisite courses are ENGL 133W, MATH 106 (or higher), PSYC 101, CHEM 109 or 110, BIOL 110 and 110L, BIOL 223 and 223L, and BIOL 326 and 326L.
• Possess the necessary functional abilities to provide safe and effective patient care.
• Kaplan Admission Test score (60 or higher recommended). Applicants will be allowed three attempts.
• Resume and/or documented job shadowing experience.
• LPN students must submit a copy of their LPN license (current and undisciplined) for the state of Missouri.

For those pursuing the RN State Board Licensure Exam: High school completion (or its equivalent) and graduation from a professional nursing program is mandatory.

Additional requirements for those selected for the Nursing Program:

• Urine drug test
• Physical forms, including documentation of immunizations/titers
• Current CPR certification by the American Heart Association, Health Care Providers course, or the American Red Cross
• Criminal background check

To be admitted to the nursing program: 

1. Apply to Columbia College. 
2. Complete prerequisites and the entrance exam. 
3. Submit the ASN Application with either Job Shadowing Form or the Healthcare Experience Resume.  

Transfer students must submit official transcripts from every college attended.

Important Dates for the ASN Program

1. Students starting in the fall/August (Main Campus) can graduate the following August after 3 semesters of Nursing School.
   1. Application deadline is May 15th
   2. Kaplan entrance exam requirement due by May 15th
   3. Students know of acceptance by June 15th
2. Students starting in the summer/end of April or 1st of May (Main Campus and the Lake of the Ozarks campus) can graduate the following Spring after 3 semesters of Nursing School.
   1. Application deadline is February 15th
   2. Kaplan entrance exam requirement is due by February 15th
   3. Students know of acceptance by March 15th

Missouri Nursing Practice Act 

Successful completion of the program does not guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination 

According to the Nursing Practice Act, licensure may be withheld or revoked due to controlled substance abuse, criminal prosecution and a variety of other offenses. A copy of the Nursing Practice Act is available at the Nursing Education Center and can also be accessed online on the Missouri State Board of Nursing website. 

The Missouri Nursing Practice Act, Section 335.066: Denial, revocation, or suspension of license, grounds for, civil immunity for providing information. 

Questions regarding the relevance of this section to a particular situation should be addressed to the director/coordinator of the program.

• Apply or re-apply to Columbia College via the online undergraduate application 
• This is how Admissions verifies you graduated and have your RN license. 
• By selecting the proper location, including online and evening, you help ensure you are charged proper tuition. 
• Wait for confirmation that the location you applied to has processed your request. 
• You will be assigned a new academic advisor based on your location. 
• With your advisor, select your first RN to BSN classes. 

RN to BSN online admissions criteria include:

1. Completion of the online undergraduate application
2. Completion of associate degree in nursing (ASN)
3. Successful completion of National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses

*For students who do not have their RN license- conditional acceptance can be granted for two, 8-week sessions.

Application Deadline and Start Date

• Students can start at the beginning of any 8-week session
• Typical RN-BSN completion timeline is 1.5 years

Candidates for the nursing program must first meet general Columbia College admission requirements. Additional requirements include:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended. A minimum grade of C is required for all prerequisite courses. All NURS courses require a minimum score of 80% (B) in Tier 1 and 80% (B) in the class.
• All prerequisites must have been completed within the past seven years before the cohort start date you’re applying to.
• Prerequisite courses are ENGL 133W, NURS 311, MATH 106 (or higher), PSYC 101, CHEM 109 or 110, BIOL 110 and 110L, BIOL 223 and 223L, and BIOL 326 and 326L.
• Possess the necessary functional abilities to provide safe and effective patient care.
• Resume and/or documented job shadowing experience.
• LPN students must submit a copy of their LPN license (current and undisciplined) for the state of Missouri.

Additional requirements for those selected for the Nursing Program:

• Urine drug test
• Physical forms, including documentation of immunizations/titers
• Current CPR certification by the American Heart Association, Health Care Providers course, or the American Red Cross
• Criminal background check
• Resume and/or documented job shadowing experience
• LPN students must submit a copy of their LPN license (current and undisciplined) for the state of Missouri

To be admitted to the nursing program: 

Admission to the BSN program is competitive, and applicants are reviewed through a holistic admissions process that considers academic performance, prerequisite coursework, and relevant experience. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

1. Apply to Columbia College as a freshman or transfer student (not required for current Columbia College students).
2. Complete the necessary courses.
3. Submit the BSN Application with either the Job Shadowing Form or the Healthcare Experience Resume.

Early Admission BSN Student - College Students (Rolling Admission)

A limited number of Early Admission seats are available for current college students who have completed at least one semester of college coursework. Up to ten (10) qualified students may be granted a reserved seat in the BSN Clinical Nursing Program based on academic achievement and program capacity.

Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher at the time of application. Students granted Early Admission must continue to meet all Nursing Program admission requirements, successfully complete prerequisite coursework, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, and demonstrate professional conduct consistent with Nursing Program standards.

Early Admission status may be rescinded if academic, conduct, prerequisite, health/compliance, or program requirements are not maintained.

Early Admission BSN Student - High School Students

A limited number of Early Admission seats are available for high-achieving high school students who have completed their junior year of high school. Up to five (5) qualified students may be granted a reserved seat in the BSN Clinical Nursing Program based on academic achievement and program capacity.

Applicants must possess a cumulative high school GPA of 3.7 or higher at the time of application. Students granted Early Admission must continue to meet all Nursing Program admission requirements, successfully complete prerequisite coursework, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.5 throughout their senior year of high school and any pre-nursing coursework completed prior to enrollment in the BSN CCNP, and demonstrate professional conduct consistent with Nursing Program standards.

Early Admission status may be rescinded if academic, conduct, prerequisite, health/compliance, or program requirements are not maintained.

Important Dates for the BSN Program

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and seats are filled as qualified applicants are admitted. Each BSN cohort is limited to 40 students, and early application submission is encouraged.

1. The priority deadline for the BSN program is May 15th.
2. Priority consideration for fall admission is given to applications submitted by May 15th. Applications received after this date may be considered on a space-available basis.
3. Students are notified of acceptance decisions by June 15th.

A reminder: Being a Columbia College student doesn’t automatically secure a seat in the BSN program.