Admission Requirements

The Towson University basic/pre-licensure nursing major is a screened, competitive program that accepts a limited number of students each term. This page provides a detailed overview of the major's admission criteria and application requirements. Please review carefully before applying.

Nursing Major (Basic/Pre-Licensure) Option 

The Department of Nursing offers admission to the nursing major's basic/pre-licensure option each fall and spring term.

On this page, students will everything they need to know about our application deadlines, required application materials, minimum criteria to apply, minimum criteria for admission consideration, and instructions to apply and submit required materials.

Screened & Competitive Major Declaration

This is a screened, competitive program which requires a separate application and additional admission criteria than what is required for university admission. Listing nursing as your major on the university application does not constitute an application to the major. All students who select nursing as their major on the university application will be automatically classified as pre-nursing students.

Due to the competitive nature of this program, admission to the university and meeting the minimum nursing admission requirements do not guarantee program admission. The factors used to determine competitive standards for admission are outlined in the "Admission Competitiveness" section of this page.

It is the responsibility of each applicant to be aware of all application and admission requirements and deadlines. The Department of Nursing will not accept late applications or review applications that are incomplete or do not meet the minimum criteria outlined here.

program application status

Nursing Application Closed for Fall 2024

The Department of Nursing is no longer accepting applications for admission to the basic/pre-licensure major for the Fall 2024 term.

The application for Spring 2025 will be made available by May 2024. A link to the application will be available on this page within the "Applying to the Program" section when the application re-opens.

You must read this entire page carefully for application and admission information before applying.

Deadlines

Program start term priority  Deadline Regular application deadline Regular Materials Deadline
Fall December 15 January 15 February 1
Spring
July 15 August 15 September 1 

Priority Application Review

The Department of Nursing offers early application review to qualified students. Meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee early admission. Any application that does not meet the requirements listed below will be deferred to the regular program deadlines.

Requirements for PRIORITY Application Review

Applicants must meet these requirements by the priority deadline in order to qualify for early admission review:

  • Submit online application and fee
  • Submit required application materials
  • Meet minimum criteria for application review
  • Meet minimum criteria for admission review

Students applying under the Individual Admissions Policy are not eligible for early review.

Regular Admission Deadlines

All applicants must meet the regular application and material deadlines in order to be considered for admission. Late applications or materials are not accepted.

REQUIRED FOR REGULAR ADMISSION REVIEW

  • Submit online application and application fee by the regular application deadline
  • Submit all required application materials by the regular materials deadline
  • Meet the minimum application criteria as of the most recent term
    • For fall applicants, this includes coursework completed through the minimester/winter term
    • For spring applicants, this includes coursework completed through the summer term

Application Requirements

It is an applicant's responsibility to ensure that their application and required materials are submitted by 11:59pm of the deadline(s). Instructions for submitting required materials are provided in the "Applying to the Program" section of this page. Incomplete applications will not considered for admission.

Required Materials

In addition to the submission of the online nursing application and fee, students must submit the following with their application:

  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including high school dual enrollment)
  • Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam Transcript for TEAS Version 7
    • Spring 2024 applicants: must have been taken June 3, 2022 or later
    • Fall 2024 applicants: TEAS scores must be taken within two years of application

Minimum Criteria for Application Review

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for application review:

  • At least 42 undergraduate credits/units earned
  • Completion of at least three (3) laboratory science prerequisites with a C (2.0) or higher
  • Completion of English composition with a C (2.0) or higher (TU's ENGL 102 or equivalent transfer credit)
  • Score ranked Proficient or higher on the TEAS Version 7

These criteria must be met by the priority deadline for early admission review or by the materials deadline for regular admission review. Units completed may include credit by exam and high school dual enrollment coursework. Coursework in progress will not satisfy these criteria.

Only the requirements listed above must be completed as of the most recently completed term. Students may apply with additional prerequisites to be completed as long as they have met the criteria listed above. Any offer of admission would be contingent upon the completion of remaining prerequisites prior to the start of the term.

Minimum Criteria for Admission Consideration

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA), complete specific prerequisite courses, and meet certain standards of academic progress in order to be eligible for admission consideration to the nursing major.

The admission criteria is the same for all program applicants, including current TU students, transfer students, reenrolling students, and second bachelor's degree-seeking students. Students with prior nursing program enrollment should refer to the section titled "Applying from Another Nursing Program" for additional information.

If you not meet the minimum admission criteria listed below, please refer to the "Individual Admissions Policy" section for more information.

Admission Criteria

  • Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from all colleges/universities attended
    • This includes all college coursework at the undergraduate level at all institutions attended, including any high school dual enrollment and transfer courses completed during the summer or minimester.
  • Completion of all nursing prerequisite courses with a C (2.0) or higher by the start of the program
    • Pass/fail grades are not accepted. Exceptions may apply for special COVID-19 grading during select terms.
    • Grades below a grade point value of 2.0 are not accepted, even if the grade was accepted by another institution as passing.
    • Prerequisites may be in progress at time of application as long as students meet the minimum criteria to apply.
    • Credit by exam may satisfy nursing prerequisites as long it is posted as test credit or transfer credit equivalent to the required course on a student's TU transcript.
  • Completion of all science and mathematics prerequisites within 10 years of applying
  • Limit of two (2) repeat attempts of nursing prerequisite courses
    • This applies to repeating nursing prerequisite courses in which you earned below a C (2.0).
    • Multiple repeats of coursework to increase a passing grade to a higher grade is discouraged but not prohibited.
    • If a science prerequisite is taught as separate lecture and lab courses, both the lecture and lab count as one course each.
    • Courses repeated only because they were over 10 years old will not count against the repeat limit.

Meeting the minimum criteria for admission consideration does not guarantee admission to the program. Refer to the "Admissions Competitiveness" section of this page for more details.

Individual AdmissionS Policy

If you do not meet one or more of the admission criteria listed above, you may still be eligible to apply for admission review through the Individual Admissions Policy. This does not apply to students who do not meet the minimum criteria for application review.

The Individual Admissions Policy requires submission of additional materials that support a student's request for admission consideration. Special admission consideration requires evidence of academic improvement and a demonstrated ability to succeed in a rigorous program.

It is an applicant's responsibility to understand if the Individual Admissions Policy applies to them. All applicants should review the policy carefully before initiating their application. The Department of Nursing is not responsible for notifying students that this policy applies to them.

APPLYING from ANother nursing program

The basic/pre-licensure major is designed for students with no previous nursing education. However, students who have previous enrollment in a nursing program may still be eligible to apply. For the purposes of admission review, the information in this section only applies to students who took nursing courses. If you were enrolled in a direct-entry nursing program but did not take any actual nursing courses, you are still considered a pre-nursing student.

If you have been successful in another nursing program's courses and want to transfer, you must still meet the application and admission criteria outlined on this page. For questions about transferring nursing courses, refer to the department's transfer student policy.

If you were unsuccessful in another nursing program's nursing coursework, you may  only apply through the Individual Admissions Policy.

Admission Competitiveness

Admission to the nursing major is highly competitive due to the number of applicants, limited space in the major, and rigor of the program. Admission review is focused on a student's academic strengths and ability to handle a rigorous academic curriculum. 

Work or volunteer experience in a healthcare setting does not weigh on the admission decision. Students are still encouraged to seek patient contact experience on a paid or volunteer basis in order to confirm their interest in a nursing career. Additionally, prior experience in a clinical/healthcare environment can help students with their entry into the clinical setting if admitted to the program.

Factors Used to Determine Applicant Competitiveness

The following factors are all considered in the admission review process:

  • overall cumulative GPA from all schools attended
  • GPA between the five (5) science prerequisite courses*
  • TEAS score
  • overall academic record & performance trends
    • positive enrollment trends (consistent full-time enrollment, balancing difficult courses, advanced credits, etc)
    • history of course repeats or excessive withdrawals
    • consistency of academic performance or demonstration of academic improvement over time

Students should aim for a higher, competitive TEAS score, a higher overall cumulative GPA, and a strong science GPA. Meeting the minimum criteria is not the same as being a competitive applicant. Earning the minimum GPA or a proficient TEAS score does not guarantee admission to the program.

*While there is no minimum science GPA requirement, students are encouraged to strive for B (3.0) or higher in their science prerequisites or an overall 3.0 science GPA.

Competitive ADMISSION Averages

The following averages are ranges based on the admission data for the past two years:

  • Overall Cumulative GPA: 3.5-3.7
  • TEAS Score: 83-85%
  • Science GPA: 3.2-3.4

These are averages, not minimums. Meeting these competitive averages does not guarantee admission, and not meeting one of them is not a sign that you will be denied admission. The degree of competitiveness for admission is determined by the number of applications received and the strength of applicant pool each term.

Preparing to Apply

Before you submit your application, it is imperative that you are prepared to properly complete the nursing program application and understand your eligibility to apply and be considered for admission. Here are key actions that every applicant should take before they begin the application process:

  1. Review your eligibility to apply and be considered for admission.
    1. Minimum Application Criteria: Confirm that you will have completed at least 42 undergraduate credits, English composition, and three (3) lab science prerequisites by the end of the most recent term. Minimester/winter courses and/or summer courses should be included if you are applying for regular admission decision.
    2. GPA: Calculate your overall cumulative GPA. GPA is calculated by dividing total grade points earned by total attempted credits. If you have attended more then one school, you should refer to each school's transcript for the grade points and attempted hours. Note that attempted credits are sometimes referred to GPA credits/hours on transcripts. Do not count any withdrawals or transferred credits in the total of attempted/GPA hours for any school.
    3. Repeats: If you have repeated any of the nursing prerequisite courses due to earning below a C (2.0), count how many repeat attempts you have on your transcripts. Please note that withdrawals are not counted as a course attempt.
    4. Course age: If you have any science or math prerequisites that were taken more than ten years prior to your application, you must repeat these courses or submit the materials required under the Individual Admissions Policy. Repeating to refresh your understanding of the content is preferred.
  2. Review the nursing major's prerequisites for admission and confirm transfer equivalencies (if applicable).
    1. Students must be prepared to list the courses they expect to satisfy their prerequisites on the nursing application.
    2. Current TU students with a declared pre-nursing major can refer to the Academic Requirements (AR) report in their Student Dashboard to confirm whether the courses they have completed or are taking will satisfy the nursing prerequisites.
    3. Students should not assume that a course will satisfy the prerequisite just based on course number or title. Students who are planning to transfer to TU should use the transfer student resources to understand how their transfer courses can satisfy the nursing prerequisites.
    4. Any prerequisite courses in progress at time of admission must be completed with a C (2.0) or higher by the start of the program.
  3. Review the Standards and Functional Abilities for Nursing Students (PDF).
    1. The standards outline essential functional abilities that students need to attain the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for entry-level nurses.
    2. These standards are not required for program admission but will be expected of students admitted to the nursing major. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review these functional standards to better understand what will be expected of them in the nursing major.

Applying to the Program

In this section, you will find instructions on how to apply and submit required materials. Please read all instructions carefully before starting the application. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that all required documents have been received. Please read this section carefully; the Department of Nursing is not responsible for materials not received by the deadline.

Nursing Application & Fee

To apply for admission to the nursing major, you must complete the online application form and submit the $75 non-refundable application fee by 11:59 pm of the deadline.

You will be directed to the online payment center upon completion of your application; have your payment method ready when you begin the application. The application fee cannot be waived and must be submitted for each term you apply. Failure to submit payment will result in an incomplete application.

Application & Payment Reminders

  • Students must make sure to read all instructions and details on the application form carefully:
    • You must list all schools attended in the education history section, including Towson University and any schools you have transferred credits to TU from. This form is not connected to your TU student record. The only way the Department of Nursing knows you are a TU student is by you listing it on your application.
    • You must provide course details for each course that you expect will satisfy the nursing admission prerequisites. Courses listed on the application that have below a C (2.0) grade or are not equivalent to the required TU course listed will be rejected.
    • If the payment center times out after you submit your application, go to the payment center and select "Basic/Pre-licensure Nursing Application". Your payment will be matched to your original application. Do not submit a new application to get back to the payment center.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended are required. Transcripts from other institutions must be sent to the University Admissions office. Transcripts should not be sent to the Department of Nursing.

Transcripts can be sent electronically or by mail. Electronic transcripts are strongly preferred. Students should retain copies of any transcript confirmation receipts until the department notifies them that their application is complete.

  • Electronic: Send via your school's electronic transcript service (e.g., Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.) and select Towson University as the recipient.
    • New transfer or second bachelor applicants can also request electronic transcripts through Common App when applying to the university. This method is preferred for easier retrieval of transcripts.
  • Mail: University Admissions, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252

Transcripts must include grades for the most recent course work completed including summer or winter courses. If you send a transcript with in progress courses for summer or winter, an updated transcript must be submitted after those grades are posted.

International Students: Any international coursework requires a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the credential evaluation services accepted by University Admissions.

Transcript Reminders

  • Current or former Towson University students do not need to submit an official TU transcript. The Department will retrieve it from your student record. You must list Towson University in your education history on the nursing application.
  • If you have previously transferred coursework to TU, you do not need to resubmit new official transcripts if there is no change on the transcript. If you have completed new coursework at another institution since transferring to TU, a new transcript is required.
  • Confirmation of electronic transcript delivery does not mean the transcript has been uploaded to your student file. You can confirm receipt by contacting University Admissions; please allow at least 1 week for processing before reaching out. Transcripts may take longer to upload if you have never applied to TU and do not have an admissions file.
  • Due to potential delays in transcript processing time, you should request your transcripts as early as possible. Delaying transcript submission until the last minute may cause delays in application processing or result in an incomplete application.
  • You should confirm that all grades are posted before sending requesting an official transcript by referring to your unofficial transcript.
  • If you drop or withdraw from a course, an official transcript is still required to verify that you did not complete it.

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Transcript

You may submit up to two TEAS transcripts per application cycle. The higher of the two scores will be accepted. TEAS transcripts must be requested when you register for test or through your ATI Testing account after taking it.

Please refer to our TEAS information for answers to frequently asked questions about taking the TEAS and submitting scores.

TEAS Reminders

  • TEAS scores are valid for two years. Any TEAS transcripts older than two years will not be accepted.
  • If you wish to re-use a TEAS score from a previous application, you do not need to resend the transcript. You must email the Nursing Admissions & Advisement Manager with your name and the date of the TEAS score you wish to reuse. This email must be sent by the materials deadline.
  • TEAS transcripts sent directly by a student will not be accepted. TEAS transcripts must come directly from ATI Testing.

University Admissions or Reenrollment Application

Nursing program admission requires students to be enrolled at the university as a degree-seeking student. You may apply to the nursing major prior to applying to the university, but you will not be allowed to start the program without being enrolled as a degree-seeking student.

University Enrollment Reminders

  • Applying for admission to or reenrolling at the university is a separate process adjacent to your nursing application. Both are required.
  • New transfer or second bachelor's students must apply through University Admissions. This includes if you are a current TU student and will complete your first bachelor's degree prior to the start of the nursing program.
  • If you are returning to TU after a break in attendance (without a completed bachelor's degree), you must reenroll at the university.
    • A break in attendance is defined as not enrolling for at least one regular academic term (fall or spring).
    • If you previously attended TU but have since completed a bachelor's degree elsewhere, you are considered a new second bachelor's student.
  • You may apply to the nursing major prior to applying to the university as long as you meet the deadlines for both applications.
    • The university application for spring may not be open by the spring deadline  for nursing. Spring program applicants should not submit a university application for fall if the university is not yet accepting spring applications.
  • Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the major. All students who list nursing on their university application or reenrollment form will automatically be classified as a pre-nursing major.

Refer to the appropriate office for application requirements, deadlines, and instructions:

Questions?

For any questions about the nursing admissions process or requirements, please contact the Nursing Admissions & Advisement Manager at .