General Description

The College of Nursing offers a baccalaureate degree program with a major in nursing.  Students must complete a minimum of 126 semester hours of credit, including 58 semester hours in nursing.  Opportunity is provided for admission and program completion for individuals with a variety of educational backgrounds.  There are specific program plans for the following groups:

1. Basic students (those entering nursing without prior nursing education
2. Transfer students from another baccalaureate nursing program
3. Non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field
4. Registered nurses who have a diploma or associate degree

The following sections describe the admission criteria and program requirements for each of these groups of individuals.

Basic Students

Applicants must meet the University admission requirements.  Individuals apply to the University and indicate nursing as a major on the application form.  Once students are admitted to TWU, they are classified as nursing majors and are advised in the Academic Advising Center as Freshman and by a Nursing Admissions Coordinator as Sophomores.

The program is four years in length.  A Summer term may be necessary to complete prerequisite coursework.  The first four semesters consist of non-nursing courses which are the essential foundation for nursing courses.  Upper division nursing courses are taught in the last four semesters.  Students may take all course work at TWU or may take the lower division non-nursing courses at another college or university and the upper division nursing courses at TWU.

The first two years of required lower division non-nursing courses are offered on the Denton campus.  Students who complete 32 or more semester credit hours of the required non-nursing lower division courses at TWU and meet the minimum criteria for admission into the upper division nursing program will have 0.40 grade points added to their grade point average for consideration for admission into upper division nursing.  These additional grade points will not be used for any purpose other than progression into upper division nursing courses.

The required upper division nursing courses are offered only in Dallas and Houston.  Admission Coordinators are available at each campus/center to assist students in evaluation of prior course work, selection of equivalent courses, and verification of eligibility to transfer.

Students may not enroll in upper division nursing courses unless they have been accepted to do so.  Class space in nursing courses is limited and progression into nursing courses is competitive.

Admission Eligibility

To be eligible to be considered for progression into upper division (3000-4000 level) nursing courses, students must have:

1. Been admitted to TWU using the Texas Common Online (Apply Texas) application

2. Completed at least 46 hours of required lower division non-nursing courses to include these selected major prerequisite nursing courses (Anatomy and Physiology + Labs 8 hours, Chemistry + Lab 4 hours, Microbiology + Lab 4 hours, Growth and Development Across the Life Span 3 hours, Nutrition 3 hours, Statistics 3 hours) and be able to complete all 58 hours of the lower division course work specified in the degree plan before beginning nursing courses except for Multicultural Women’s Studies (3 hours)

3. A minimum grade of C in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and microbiology including all labs

4. A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 on the required non-nursing lower division courses. All courses which are shown in the lower division degree plan are calculated in the grade point average. Other courses which an applicant may have taken are not calculated in the grade point average for admission

• Instructions for Calculating GPA [Word]
• First Degree Students: Baccalaureate Worksheet [xls]

5. Successfully passed an entrance test before application and admission to upper division nursing courses. Entrance testing results must be submitted to the TWU College of Nursing by application dates. It is the applicant's responsibility to inform the testing agency at the time of registration to forward their score to TWU. An applicant is allowed to take the entrance test only once before each deadline date.  ** Admission test requirements will be changing for the Spring 2010 admissions (September 1, 2009 deadline).  Please refer to the CON website for updates.**

6 a. Submitted to the College of Nursing a completed application for upper division nursing with the required nursing processing fee. b. Submitted to TWU Student Records Processing in Denton, official transcripts from all colleges attended postmarked no later than one of the following dates:

February 1 for a fall semester entry
September 1 for a spring semester entry

Required Proof

At the time of enrollment in clinical nursing courses, the student must provide proof of:

1. Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (must include one person, two person, infant, child, adult, choking, and one-way valve mask breathing for Health Care Providers).
2. Current required immunizations.  Information on specific requirements is sent with the acceptance letter.
3. Drug testing and criminal background screening by a company designated by the College of Nursing. If enrollment is continuous at TWU, the student does not have to repeat the drug testing and criminal background screening.

Professional liability insurance will be provided for each student through the TWU student professional liability group policy.

Required Courses

The following courses are required for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing.  The non-nursing courses are in compliance with the nursing field of study curriculum.

126 Hour Program (admission prior to Fall 2007)
Non-nursing prerequisite courses	Nursing courses
ENG 1013 & 1023	BIOL 4344
HIST 1013 & 1023	NURS 3602
PSY 1013	NURS 3604
SOCI 1013	NURS 3612
PSY 1603	NURS 3614
MATH 1703	NURS 3803
Chemistry with Lab (4 hrs.)	NURS 3805
BACT 1001 & 1003	NURS 3812
ZOOL 2011 & 2013	NURS 3815
ZOOL 2021 & 2023	NURS 4602
GOV 2013 & 2023	NURS 4604
NFS 2323	NURS 4605
Multicultural Studies (3 hrs.)	NURS 4612
Women's Studies (3 hrs.)	NURS 4614
Philosophy or Literature (3 hrs.)	NURS 4803
Visual or Performing Arts (3 hrs.)	NURS 4805
	NURS 4806

 

120 Hour Program (admission Fall 2007 or later)
Non-nursing prerequisite courses	Nursing courses
ENG 1013 & 1023	BIOL 4344
HIST 1013 & 1023	NURS 3602
PSY 1013	NURS 3604
MATH 1013	NURS 3612
PSY 1603	NURS 3614
MATH 1703	NURS 3803
Chemistry with Lab (4 hrs.)	NURS 3805
BACT 1001 & 1003	NURS 3812
ZOOL 2011 & 2013	NURS 3815
ZOOL 2021 & 2023	NURS 4602
GOV 2013 & 2023	NURS 4604
NFS 2323	NURS 4605
Multicultural Women’s Studies (3 hrs.)	NURS 4612
Philosophy or Literature (3 hrs.)	NURS 4614
Visual or Performing Arts (3 hrs.)	NURS 4803
	NURS 4805
	NURS 4806

Core Courses

In accordance with the Texas Education Code, students who have satisfactorily completed a 42 hour core curriculum at an institution of higher  learning in Texas are not required to complete the core curriculum at TWU.  The College of Nursing faculty has defined a set of courses that must be taken by all students either to meet a state requirement or to have the foundation necessary for upper division nursing courses.  The following courses meet the nursing core requirement and must be taken by all students, whether or not they have completed a core curriculum at another institution.  Courses that have previously been successfully completed do not have to be repeated.

Core Courses	Credit Hours
Anatomy & Physiology with Lab	8
Chemistry with Lab	4
Government	6
Growth & Development (Life Span)	3
History	6
Microbiology with Lab	4
Nutrition	3
Statistics	3

Computer Literacy Competency Test Requirement

As stated in the 2005-2007 and 2007-2009 General Catalogs (page 69 and 78 respectively), Texas Woman's University requires that each student pass a designated computer science course or competency examination in computer literacy. For more information and test review go to Computer Literacy Exam.

The computer core competency must be completed prior to graduation.  However, the College of Nursing STRONGLY RECOMMENDS completing the competency requirement prior to progressing to NURS 3643.  Designated TWU computer courses are CSCI 1403, CSCI 2433, or CSCI 3002. 

Students can also meet this competency by taking a CLEP exam.  The test is called Information Systems and Computer Applications and will be transferred into TWU as the course equivalent of CSCI 1403.  For more information regarding the CLEP exam please contact the Office of Admissions.

Transfer Students from Another Nursing Program

Transfer students must meet the admission requirements of the University and the progression requirements of the College of Nursing. In addition, students wishing to transfer into the College of Nursing from another nursing program must meet the following requirements.

1. Nursing courses were completed at a nationally accredited nursing program.
2. A grade of C or better was earned in all nursing courses (including pathophysiology) as well as anatomy and physiology, chemistry and microbiology including all labs.
3. Nursing courses were completed within the last five years.
4. Eligibility to continue in or return to the previous nursing program must be verified by a statement from the dean of the previous program.
5. Applicants must submit to the College of Nursing a course description and outline for each completed nursing course for evaluation. If the course(s) is/are determined to be equivalent to TWU nursing courses, credit may be granted.
6. At least 30 of the last 62 hours have to be completed at TWU.
7. A minimum of 45 hours have to be completed at TWU to graduate with honors.
8. Successful completion of a minimum of 25% of the total hours required for the degree must be taken at TWU.

Program requirements for transfer students are the same as those stated for basic students. If a transfer student has not been enrolled in a nursing program for more than one year, placement test(s) and clinical skills assessment may be used to determine the level of entry into the nursing program.

Non-nurses with a Bachelor’s Degree

The program plan leading to a baccalaureate degree in nursing has been modified for individuals who have previously earned a college degree to facilitate a career change for the more mature and experienced student. Applicants who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree must meet the University’s admission requirements for transfer students.Second degree students who complete 16 or more semester credit hours of the required non-nursing lower division courses at TWU and meet the minimum criteria for admission into the upper division nursing program will have 0.40 grade points added to their grade point average for consideration for admission into upper division nursing. These additional grade points will not be used for any purpose other than progression into upper division nursing courses.

Students may not enroll in upper division nursing courses unless they have been accepted to do so. Class space in nursing courses is limited and progression into nursing courses is competitive.

To be eligible to be considered for progression into upper division (3000-4000 level) nursing courses, students must have:

1. Been admitted to TWU using the Texas Common Online Application (Apply Texas)

2. Completed at least 25 hours of required lower division non-nursing courses to include core nursing courses (Anatomy and Physiology + Labs 8 hours, Chemistry + Lab 4 hours, Microbiology + Lab 4 hours, Growth and Development Across the Life Span 3 hours, Nutrition 3 hours, Statistics 3 hours) and be able to complete all 37 hours of the lower division course work specified in the degree plan before beginning nursing courses;

3. A minimum grade of C in anatomy and physiology I & II, chemistry, and microbiology including all labs

4. A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 on the required non-nursing lower division core courses. All courses which are listed below are calculated in the grade point average. Other courses which the applicant may have taken are not calculated in the grade point average

5. Successfully passed an entrance test before application and admission to upper division nursing courses. Entrance testing results must be submitted to the TWU College of Nursing by application deadline dates. An applicant is allowed to take the entrance test only once before each deadline date. ** Admission test requirements will be changing for the Spring 2010 admissions (September 1, 2009 deadline).  Please refer to the CON website for updates.**

6 a. Submitted to the College of Nursing a completed application for upper division nursing with the required nursing processing fee. b. Submitted to TWU Student Records Processing in Denton, official transcripts from all colleges attended postmarked no later than one of the following dates:

February 1 for fall semester entry
September 1 for spring semester entry

The following courses and requirements are necessary for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing for students who have completed a previous bachelor’s degree. The College of Nursing faculty has defined a set of courses that must be taken by all students either to meet a state requirement or to have the foundation necessary for upper division nursing courses. The following courses meet the nursing major prerequisite requirement and must be taken by all students who have completed a previous bachelor’s degree.

Non-nursing prerequisite courses (37 hours)
HIST 1013 & 1023
GOV 2013 & 2023
PSY 1603
MATH 1703 or PSY 3303
NFS 2323
Chemistry with Lab (4 hrs.)
BACT 1001 & 1003
ZOOL 2011 & 2013
ZOOL 2021 & 2023

Registered Nurses

Please go to the particular program of interest:

• RN to BS
• RN to MS

Catalog 

For a descriptive list of courses regarding the 126 hour program, please refer to the TWU General Catalog 2005-2007 [pdf] (admission prior to Fall 2007)

For a descriptive list of courses regarding the 120 hour program , please refer to the TWU General Catalog 2007-2009 [pdf] (admission Fall 2007 or later)

Prerequisite Course Equivalencies

A Prerequisite Course Equivalency form is available to guide you in course selection at local colleges and universities. The student is, however, responsible for verifying program requirements.

Choose a location:

• Denton/Dallas Prerequisite Studies and Courses [pdf]
• Houston BS Equivalency List [pdf]

Expenses of the Nursing Program

In addition to general University tuition and fees, the student majoring in nursing assumes financial responsibility for the following:  uniforms, other clinical accessories, immunizations, drug and criminal background screening and Board of Nurse Examiners application fees. The student must also provide his or her own transportation.  Information regarding required tuition and fees and length of program is printed in the catalog.

Readmission into Nursing Program: All Students

If a baccalaureate student who was in good academic standing has been absent from the program for more than one year, the procedure for re-entry into the nursing program will consist of:

a. placement test(s)

b. clinical skills assessment

The placement test(s) and clinical skills assessment will determine the level of re-entry.  Enrollment will be based on the availability of clinical faculty and clinical space.

An individual who has been unsuccessful in meeting the progression requirements, after being admitted to the baccalaureate program in the College of Nursing, is eligible to apply to the College of Nursing and be considered for admission as a new student in the baccalaureate program after a period of five years.

Academic Policies: All Students

The following policies apply to all students in the nursing program.

1. A minimum grade of C is required in pathophysiology.
2. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses in the nursing major. If a student earn a grade of D, F, or WF in a nursing course (including pathophysiology), that course must be repeated.  A course in which a grade of less than C (D, F, or WF) was earned may be repeated only once.  
3. A student who had earned a grade of less than C (D, F, or WF) in two nursing courses (including pathophysiology) or who has earned a grade of less than C (D, F, or WF) twice in the same nursing course (including Pathophysiology) will be required to leave the nursing program.  
4. Students receiving a grade of I, D, F, or WF in a nursing course (including Pathophysiology) may not progress to courses for which that course is a prerequisite.  
5. All nursing courses must be completed within a period of five consecutive calendar years from the date of first enrollment in a nursing course.  Any current or returning student unable to complete the program within this allotted time frame must apply and compete for admission as a beginning nursing student.  
6. To be eligible to graduate, students who are not already licensed in Texas as a registered nurse are required to achieve a passing score on a nursing comprehensive exam.  If a student does not pass by the second attempt, the student must enroll the following semester in a 3 credit hours nursing independent study course, designed for the student’s area of deficiency, and take another nursing comprehensive exam.  If, after one attempt during the independent study course, the student does not achieve a passing score on the nursing comprehensive exam, the student will receive an F in the course and will not be allowed to continue in or graduate from the program.

Health and Safety Requirements

All students in nursing are required to have been immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B and have annual TB skin testing.  Proof of immunizations will be required at the time of admission to upper division nursing courses.  Texas Woman’s University does not require HIV testing of students; however, some clinical agencies with which the College of Nursing affiliates for student clinical experience may require such testing.

Many clinical facilities and school systems with which the University affiliates require that students be tested for drugs and have criminal background checks done.  When this is required, students will have the screening done at their own expense.  Departmental policy governs the procedures to be followed.  Failure to meet the screening standards may result in the student being required to withdraw from the program.

Dismissal

The College of Nursing reserves the right to require the withdrawal from the College of Nursing of any student whose behavior is deemed to threaten the welfare of any individual or whose behavior is deemed unsafe in any manner.

Honors Scholar Program

The College of Nursing provides the opportunity for students to participate in the Texas Woman's University Honors Scholar Program. The program seeks to develop scholars with excellent technological, writing, and research skills, as well as clinical expertise. These skills will be developed through both enhanced course work and experiential learning in the college, as well as related health care agencies. To participate, students must meet the Texas Woman's University Honors Scholar Criteria. All applicants who are currently participating in the Honors Scholar Program at TWU and meet the minimum requirements for admission to upper division nursing courses are automatically granted admission to upper division nursing courses.

THEA

State law requires that any full-time or part-time student who has not earned at least three semester hours of college credit prior to the beginning of the Fall 1989 term must be tested for reading, writing, and mathematics skills under Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA, formerly TASP). No student may graduate from a baccalaureate degree program without having passed all sections of the examination. The TWU web site has more information about THEA, as well as a practice test.