Area I - Written Composition (2 Courses, 6 Credit Hours)

1. 3 Credit hours:  EH 101

2. 3 Credit hours:  EH 102

Area II - Humanities & Fine Arts (4 Courses, 12 Credit Hours)

1. 3 Credit hours:  CA 110

2. 3 Credit hours from:  EH 215, EH 216, EH 225, EH 226, EH 235, EH 236

3. 3 Credit hours from:  ARH 100, ARH 103, ARH 123, ARS 101, DRA 110, MUL 101

4. 3 Credit hours from:  AFR 101, ARH 100, ARH 103, ARH 123, ARH 203, ARS 101, CLA 110, DRA 110, EH 215, EH 216, EH 225, EH 226, EH 235, EH 236, LG 101, LG 102, LG 111, LG 112, LG 121, LG 122, LG 131, LG 132, LG 141, LG 142, LG 151, LG 152, LG 153, LG 171, LG 172, LG 173, LG 201, LG 202, LG 211, LG 212, LG 213, LG 221, LG 222, LG 231, LG 232, LG 234, LG 241, LG 242, LG 251, LG 252, LG 271, LG 272, LG 273, LGS 101, LGS 102, LGS 106, LGS 107, LGS 110, LGS 111, LGS 171, LGS 172, LGS 201, LGS 202, LGS 206, LGS 207, LGS 210, LGS 211, MUL 101, PHL 110, PHL 120, PHL 121, PHL 131, PHL 231, PHL 240, REL 100, REL 200, REL 201

Area III – Natural Sciences & Mathematics (3 Courses & Labs, 11 Credit Hours)

1. 3 Credit hours from:  MA 110, MA 112, 

2. 8 Credit hours from:  BLY 101 & BLY 101L, CH 101 & CH 101L

Area IV – History, Social & Behavioral Sciences (4 Courses, 12 Credit Hours)

1. 3 Credit hours from:  HY 101, HY 102, HY 135, HY 136

2. 3 Credit hours from:  PSY 120

3. 6 Credit hours from:  AN 100, AN 101, CA 100, CA 211, CJ 105, ECO 215, ECO 216, GEO 114, GEO 115, GS 101, HY 101, HY 102, HY 121, HY 122, HY 135, HY 136, IS 100, IST 201, NAS 101, PSC 130, PSY 250, SY 109, SY 112

Area V – (21 Credit Hours)

1. 4 Credit hours from:  BLY 213 & BLY 214, BMD 210 & BMD 210L

2. 8 Credit hours:  BMD 251, BMD 252

3. 3 Credit hours from:  ST 210, BUS 245, PSY 220, ST 305

4. 3 Credit hours:   CIS 140

5. 3 hours:  ECO 215, ECO 216

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Students must complete a 6 credit hour sequence either in literature (Area II – EH 215 & EH 216, EH 225 & EH 226, or EH 235 & EH 236) or history (Area IV – HY 101 & HY 102 or HY 135 & HY 136)

All undergraduates must complete two designated writing credit (W) courses, at least one of which must be in the student's major or minor.

Nursing (BS) Major Core (23 Courses, 62 Credit Hours)

1. 62 Credit hours: HSC 342, HSC 343, NU 300, NU 301, NU 304, NU 325, NU 327, NU 311, NU 312, NU 332, AHN 447, AHN 448, CMN 350, CMN 351, CMN 420, CMN 421, MCN 352, MCN 353, MCN 354, MCN 355, NU 412, NU 414, NU 460

2. Elective Courses: NU 302, HSC 324, HSC 400, HSC 401, HSC 450, NU 451, NU 453, NU 455 

A minor is not required for this degree program

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Notes:

* PSY 120 is required

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Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program (BSN)

The BSN program prepares graduates for professional nursing practice. Upon completion of the program graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

The BSN program is offered in a traditional four- year format with nursing courses concentrated in the junior and senior years. The BSN program is also offered in an accelerated format for Associate Degree and diploma- prepared nurses.

BSN Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Baccalaureate Program, graduates should be able to:

1. Deliver professional nursing care for diverse populations across the lifespan to optimize health care outcomes.

2. Demonstrate the application of theory and evidence from contemporary nursing science and related disciplines as a basis for clinical reasoning, management, and evaluation of professional nursing care through the use of professional writing and clinical judgment.

3. Model responsibility and accountability for one's personal and delegated nursing care and lifelong learning to ensure excellence in nursing practice.

4. Translate evidence into professional nursing practice to individualize patient care designed to improve care outcomes.

5. Select principles of leadership and management that guide nursing, influence health policy, and transform health care delivery systems.

6. Collaborate with inter-professional health care teams and consumers in delivering and advocating for safe and effective use of health care resources.

7. Integrate professional nursing values in meeting current and emerging health needs in a dynamic, global society.

8. Evaluate effective use of technology and information management to provide patient-centered care across the lifespan in a variety of environments.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Traditional Pathway

Students wishing to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree who have not completed a prior bachelor degree, may apply to the University of South Alabama as a pre-nursing student. Upon completion of the Pre-nursing requirements, students may apply for admission to the Professional Component of the Traditional BSN Pathway.

Admission Criteria

1. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on all prerequisite courses for the Traditional Pathway. 

2. A minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses.

Application Procedures

Applicants must submit an application for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN degree program.  The application form is available on the College of Nursing's website. Applications are reviewed carefully to determine that students have satisfied all pre-nursing requirements, and satisfy the requirements of emotional and physical health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College of Nursing reserve the right to select the applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Failure to comply with legal, moral, and legislative standards for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama merits immediate dismissal from the nursing program. 

1. Submission of a completed online application to the College of Nursing is required.

2. Payment of $50 non-refundable application fee via debit or credit card.  There is a $20.00 fee for non-sufficient funds.

3. Transfer credit must comply with College of Nursing policies.

4. Notification of missing documents will be sent to your JagMail email account.

5. Submission of Health Data Forms and evidence of health insurance required upon admission.

6. Admission will be contingent on a negative drug screen and results of an acceptable background check.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester Deadline is March 15

Spring Semester Deadline is July 15

Summer Semester Deadline is January 15

In keeping with the dynamic changes in the nursing and health field, the baccalaureate curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible. Advisors are available to assist students in adapting to those changes and planning their course of study accordingly. Applicants MUST meet with their advisor at least two semesters before applying to the Professional Component.

College Of Nursing Early Acceptance Program (CONEAP)

The College of Nursing has an early acceptance program for highly qualified high school seniors and students who have completed their freshman year at USA. Students selected for the early acceptance program and who fulfill all program requirements are guaranteed admission to the upper division professional component of the nursing curriculum. To be considered for the CONEAP, high school seniors must complete all application procedures, have earned a minimum high school grade- point average of 3.5 based on a 4.0 system as computed by USA, submit an ACT score of at least 22 composite (or 1200 SAT), and must have demonstrated leadership qualities and motivation toward the study of nursing. Students who are admitted to the CONEAP are encouraged to complete all Pre-Professional Nursing courses at USA; their curriculum includes core requirements and prerequisites for the upper division nursing program. Transient courses may be accepted upon approval from the College of Nursing Administration. Students participating in the College of Nursing's Early Acceptance Program must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 throughout all course work, must be continuously enrolled a minimum of 12 Credit hours each semester (does not include summer terms) and making acceptable progress toward completing the pre-professional component of the curriculum to be admitted to the professional component of the program. All application documents must be submitted by the end of the senior year in high school to be considered. Applications received at other times will be considered on a space available basis. For questions and applications, contact USA Admissions, 2500 Meisler Hall, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002 or call (800) 872-5247 or (251) 460-6141.

A second opportunity for participation in the CONEAP is available to students who have completed their freshman year of pre- nursing prerequisite courses at USA and have achieved an overall GPA of 3.2 or above (as computed by the USA Registrar's Office). Additional requirements students must complete for admission:  BLY 101 with Lab, MA 110 or MA 112, and CH 101 with Lab, and be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Nursing. To remain in the CONEAP, the student must maintain a 3.2 GPA throughout all course work and all final grades must be a C or better. Application documents will be accepted at the end of the spring term of the freshman year up until the beginning of the fall term of the sophomore year.

Veteran’s Policy For College Of Nursing

The College of Nursing commits to accept students from the Veteran population into the Bachelor of Science programs.  The CON will accept five Veteran students into the traditional program and two Veteran students into the accelerated program each semester.  Veteran students must apply for the program and meet the general admission requirements.  Veteran students must also provide documentation verifying veteran status. If there are no veteran students available to take these seats, the seats will go to the general population of student applicants. 

Academic Partnership Between The University Of South Alabama Department Of Military Science And Leadership (Army ROTC) And Department Of Nursing

1. Both the Department of Nursing and Army ROTC will actively recruit qualified nursing candidates for joint enrollment. Both programs will actively supervise and mentor enrolled ROTC Nurse Cadets and will keep each other informed of candidate’s progress.
2. The Department of Nursing will accept two Army ROTC Nurse Cadets annually into the BSN nursing programs, if they meet the Department of Nursing’s academic acceptance requirements.
3. The Department of Nursing will provide a dedicated nursing academic advisor for all ROTC Nurse Cadets. This academic advisor will act as faculty liaison between the departments.
4. All Army ROTC Nursing Cadets will be required to participate in the nursing department’s clinical training throughout the nursing program with no resistance from the ROTC department.
5. Army ROTC will provide opportunities per academic year in the Army’s Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP), a summer internship/preceptorship offered at Army hospitals in the U.S. and overseas, typically between junior and senior years.

Nursing Honors 

The College of Nursing has two paths to attaining honors designation upon graduation: 1) University Honors in Nursing and 2) Departmental Honors in Nursing. Students admitted to the Honors College at any time prior to beginning the nursing program are automatically accepted into Nursing Honors. University Honors students must maintain all requirements set forth by the Honors College for graduation with the honors designation. University Honors students are required to complete additional upper division courses. Students are encouraged to meet with an Honors College advisor and a Nursing advisor to ensure attainment of requirements needed to receive the Honors designation. 

For students with strong academic backgrounds who desire to participate in honors research, Departmental Honors is offered for students who desire to add honors coursework after starting the Nursing professional component. 

Honors students are required to complete additional upper division courses. Students are not allowed to take nursing honors courses until the second semester of nursing. Departmental Honors students may apply for honors during or after the first semester of nursing; however, the student must have enough time left in the program to complete two full-term semesters of honors courses. 

Academic Progression Policy

The University of South Alabama College of Nursing will recommend for promotion only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of emotional and physical health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing.  Students continually in adjustment difficulties may be dropped from the nursing program. 

1. A grade of “C” or higher is required for all nursing courses.  A student may repeat only one nursing course.  Students repeating a course must take NU 302 Essentials of Professional Nursing at the same time.

2. Student receiving a failing grade in either a didactic course or a clinical course that are co-requisite must repeat both courses the following semester to progress in the program.

3. A second "D", "F", or "U" will result in an academic dismissal from the College of Nursing.

4. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at USA is required to continue in the nursing program.  Students with a GPA below 2.0 may not register for nursing courses.

5. A dosage calculation test is required prior to promotion to NU 300/NU 301, MCN 352/MCN 353, MCN 354/MCN 355, and AHN 447/448 and NU 460. A score of 100% on one of three attempts or successful completion of standards based grading opportunities must be achieved to pass.  

6. After completion of the ATI Capstone course embedded into NU 412, all students are required to complete the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor. If the student is unsuccessful on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, the faculty-selected NCLEX remediation questions will be assigned with completion necessary to pass the course. All students, regardless of ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor performance, are also required to attend the 3-day ATI Live Review given on campus each semester. Failure to complete the ATI Capstone course, ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor and/or remediation, other course requirements as stated in the syllabus, and attend the ATI Live Review will result in a grade of “U” (unsatisfactory) for the NU 412 course and the student must repeat NU 412 the next term.

7. Failure to show good ethical and moral character including but not limited to any of the following may result dismissal from the program: (a) conviction of a crime, (b) disciplinary action against a nursing license in Alabama or any other state, (c) positive drug test, (d) adverse background check, or (e) disruptive behavior, including online behavior.  All students must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of the College of Nursing immediately or no later than 48 hours of any of the above stated incidents.   If the student does not score at least 72% on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, the student will be required to purchase the Virtual ATI review course. Upon successful completion of a prescribed number of modules in Virtual ATI, a grade of “S” will be given for the course. If the required Virtual ATI is not completed by the end of the semester, a grade of “I” will be given. Once the student has completed the required Virtual ATI, the grade will be changed to “S” for the course. Failure to complete virtual ATI requirements as stated in the syllabus by the end of the following semester will result in a grade of “U” (unsatisfactory) for the course.

8. All students must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Dean of the College of Nursing immediately or no later than 48 hours following an arrest.  Failure to report an arrest may result in removal from the program.

9. All students are subject to testing for controlled substances and must submit to random drug testing as requested.  A positive test or refusal to submit to testing will result in removal from the program. 

10. All students are subject to a background check and must submit to additional background checks as requested. An adverse finding or refusal to submit to a background check may result in removal from the program.

11. Once students are admitted to the professional component of the BSN curriculum, the program must be completed within 5 years. If a student's progression is interrupted for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to contact the Office of Student Services and apply for readmission. Students are readmitted on a space-available basis. Any alteration in usual progression may lengthen the student's program. In keeping with dynamic changes in health care and nursing, the curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible. Advisors are available to assist students in adapting to those changes and planning their course of study accordingly.

Uniform Policy

The Uniform policy is provided to students at the time of admission.

Graduation Requirements

Traditional BSN students who will complete all degree requirements are required to apply for graduation by the application deadline established by the Registrar’s Office.  Deadlines for each semester application are located on the Registrar’s website at https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/registrar/commencement/index.html.

Graduates are eligible and prepared to complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam) and apply for licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse and to continue with graduate study. It is the graduates’ responsibility to ensure the program meets the requirements to practice in their selected state or U.S. territory.