Associate in Science in Nursing admission process

The Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) program at Columbia College enjoys respect statewide and across the country. Graduates consistently achieve more than a 90 percent pass rate on the NCLEX.   

Admission to the Associate in Science in Nursing program is granted on a selective basis.

The associate in nursing admission criteria include general admission requirements and completion of prerequisites.

At our campus in Columbia, Missouri, students are admitted to the nursing course sequence twice a year with selections made in July and December. At our Lake of the Ozarks location, students are admitted once with selections made in December.

The maximum number of students, including LPN and non-LPN students, varies per location.

To be admitted to the nursing program:

  1. Apply to Columbia College

    Complete the application for admission

  2. Complete courses and testing

    Take prerequisite courses and the entrance test at Columbia College.

  3. Apply to the program

    Complete the AS Nursing Application, including either the Job Shadowing Form or the Healthcare Experience Resume.  

Transfer students must submit official transcripts from every college attended.

Associate in Science in Nursing admission criteria

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

  • The GPA used for acceptance into the nursing program will be based on your grades in the following courses, which must be completed at the time of the nursing application deadline. Prerequisites for the associate in nursing are:
    • 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.
    • You must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for general education, mathematics, science and nursing prerequisite classes.
    • No class may have a grade of less than a C.
  • Achieve a competitive score on the Admission Assessment HESI (HESI A2®). The HESI A2® exam must be administered at Columbia College to be considered for admission.
  • Possess the necessary functional abilities to provide safe and effective patient care.

LPNs also must:

  • Submit a copy of your current undisciplined LPN license 
  • Include relevant information in the application packet.

Additional requirements for those selected for the program:

  • Urine drug test (those selected will receive more information)
  • Physical forms, including documentation of immunizations/titers
  • CPR certification by the American Heart Association, Health Care Providers course

Applicants taking the RN State Board Licensure Exam must have completed high school (or equivalent) and a professional nursing program.

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.

The Associate in Nursing program at the Columbia College campus, located in Columbia, MO and the Lake of the Ozarks campus, located in Osage Beach, MO is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate in Nursing program is initial accreditation.

 
 
 

Take the first step to becoming an RN

There's never been a better time to pursue your goal of becoming a nurse. The demand for nurses continues to rise as the population ages. Start with an ASN to prepare for licensure examination.

Apply to Columbia College today
Apply with the Common Application