Bachelor of Science in Nursing admission

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

The bachelor 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 once a year with sections made in April (priority deadline) and June (final decision) to start each Fall.

The maximum number of students accepted to the program is 40.

To be admitted to the nursing program transfer students must submit official transcripts from every college attended.

BSN admission process

1. Apply

   Apply to Columbia College as a freshman or transfer student (not required for current Columbia College students)

2. Complete courses

   Complete prerequisite courses and achieve a competitive score on the Admission Assessment HESI (HESI A2®)

3. Apply to the program

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

Acceptance into Columbia College does not guarantee acceptance into the nursing sequence courses. Students must apply to the BSN program, and admission is on a selective basis. 

Bachelor in Science in Nursing admission criteria

Candidates for the nursing program must first meet general admission requirements. Additional selection criteria 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 bachelor in nursing are:
  • MATH 110, MATH 150, MATH 250 or MATH 201
  • PSYC 101, ENGL 133w, CHEM 109 or CHEM 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 a D or less. 
• 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:

  • Behavioral/emotional

    You must be able to maintain effective, therapeutic relationships with patients, families, students, faculty and other professionals at all times. You must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of your intellectual abilities. You must exercise good judgment. You must ensure prompt completion of all responsibilities involved in the care of patients and families.

  • Cognitive

    You must be able to evaluate and apply knowledge and engage in critical thinking in the classroom and clinical settings.

  • Communication

    You must be able to communicate effectively and therapeutically with students, faculty, patients, family and other professionals. This includes both oral and written communication.

  • Professional conduct

    You must be able to reason morally and practice nursing in an ethic and legal matter. You must be willing to learn and abide by professional standards of practice. You must be able to deliver safe, effective nursing care to all patient populations. This includes, but is not limited to, children, adolescents and individuals with various emotional, development and medical problems and needs. You must be able to adapt to rapidly changing environments and situations while maintaining a professional demeanor.

  • Psychomotor skills

    You must be able to to maintain motor coordination, strength, flexibility, dexterity, balance and sensory capabilities sufficient for safe and accurate assessment of the patient and performance of patient-care tasks.

  • Sensory/perceptual

    You must be able to utilize vision, hearing and senses of touch and smell to thoroughly analyze patient data and provide accurate and safe treatment/care.

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 or the Red Cross Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers course

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