Jul 14, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Bulletin

Nursing BSN


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The baccalaureate nursing degree offers preparation in general education and in education for the professional practice of nursing in a variety of settings. Courses in the liberal arts and humanities, the sciences and the professional nursing component are selected to prepare the student to effectively assume the role of citizen and professional nurse. Part-time studies are available; however, priority will be given to full-time students regarding space availability.

To apply for admission to the BSN Program, select the most appropriate avenue based on your academic history:

Nursing (BSN): This nursing pathway leads to the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and qualifies the student to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to practice as a registered nurse. Students generally complete prerequisite courses during the first two years, apply for admission to the BSN program, and upon acceptance complete the last two years of the plan of study focusing on nursing.

Early High School Admission (BSN): This nursing pathway leads to admission to the traditional BSN program mentioned above for high school seniors. Students qualified for early admission to the BSN program must meet specific criteria, application deadlines, and choose USM as their university of choice as freshman.

Nursing (ABSN): This nursing pathway acknowledges students who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree to be granted a second baccalaureate degree. The pathway qualifies the student to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to practice as a registered nurse. All students are required to complete a Second Baccalaureate Degree Plan prior to the start of the nursing plan of study. The plan must be signed, approved by the Director of the ABSN pathway, and remain on file in the Office of the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions.   

BSN Admission Procedure

All students interested in a BSN degree are subject to the admission procedures and standards of the University. Students admitted to the University who wish to pursue entrance into the BSN program must make a separate application, gain acceptance, complete all prerequisites, and meet all clinical requirements before starting the plan of study.

Students having completed at least 75 percent of the prerequisite nursing courses including three of the four natural sciences may complete and submit their application to the BSN program. Admission to the BSN program is competitive and is not guaranteed, regardless of grades or other dimensions of academic performance. Students who meet all prerequisites and fulfill minimum requirements may apply. Qualified applicants admitted to the BSN program are selected from an applicant pool. If admitted to nursing, students will have their major as nursing and become students in the BSN program.

Application forms may be obtained online.

The deadline for return of completed applications is as follows:

Fall term admission is February 1; Spring term admission is September 1

There are no exceptions to these deadline dates.

In addition to applying, the following requirements must be met by the student for consideration to the program, admission, and starting the BSN plan of study.

  1. Admitted to the USM as an undergraduate student.
    1. All official transcripts of any colleges/universities attended must be on file in the USM Office of Admissions.
  2. ACT composite of 21 or higher including a Science sub-score; Super Scores are not accepted.
    1. A grade of “C or higher” in each prerequisite course including an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
  3. Completion of all prerequisite courses.
    1. Only one natural science course may be repeated one time.
  4. Nursing Entrance Exam within the last three (3) years from date of application (see SPNP website for more information).
  5. Successful completion of a criminal background check, immunizations, CPR, physical health exam, and substance screening.

Early High School Admission

Early admission to the BSN program allows high school seniors who meet specific criteria and choose The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) as their university of choice as freshmen will be admitted to the BSN program when nursing prerequisite courses are complete and if they maintain eligibility for early admission. The students admitted via this option are referred to as Dean’s Scholars. 

The criteria for early admission include each of the following:

  1. Application for early admission submitted by the first Monday in April during the student’s senior year of high school.
  2. High School GPA 3.5 or higher as computed by USM Admissions.
  3. ACT Composite score of 25 or higher including a Science sub-score; Super Scores are not accepted.
  4. Entering as a first-year student at USM.
  5. Mississippi High School Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP) credit classes and/or transfer courses are accepted up to the total of 15 hours for required nursing prerequisite courses. All other courses and hours must be taken at USM.

The criteria to maintain eligibility for early admission:

  1. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher each semester in required nursing prerequisite courses. 
  2. Maintain at least 15 credit hours each fall and spring semesters at USM.
  3. No course may be repeated.
  4. Continuous enrollment as a full-time USM student during the academic year (fall and spring semesters).
  5. Maintain eligibility for admission to the BSN program.
  6. Must remain in good academic standing (cannot be on probation, probation continued, or suspension) at USM.
  7. Nursing Entrance Exam is not required for qualified early admission students.
  8. Successful completion of a criminal background check, immunizations, CPR, physical health exam, and substance screening.

Each student who has been accepted for early admission is required to apply to the nursing program by September 1st for a spring semester or by February 1st for a fall semester.

If a student fails to maintain requirements for early admission, the student may apply to the traditional BSN program by the posted deadlines along with the general pool of nursing applicants. All applicant requirements including a Nursing Entrance Exam score must be met.

Nursing ABSN

The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway acknowledges students who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree to be granted a second baccalaureate degree. The pathway qualifies the student to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to practice as a registered nurse. All students are required to complete a Second Baccalaureate Degree Plan prior to the start of the nursing plan of study. The plan must be signed, approved by the Director of the ABSN pathway, and remain on file in the Office of the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions.   

ABSN Admission Procedure

All students interested in an ABSN degree are subject to the admission procedures and standards of the University. Students admitted to the University who wish to pursue entrance into the ABSN program must make a separate application, gain acceptance, complete all prerequisites, and meet all clinical requirements before starting the plan of study.

Students having completed at least 75 percent of the prerequisite nursing courses including three of the four natural sciences may complete and submit their application to the ABSN program. Admission to the ABSN program is competitive and is not guaranteed, regardless of grades or other dimensions of academic performance. Students who meet all prerequisites and fulfill minimum requirements may apply. Qualified applicants admitted to the ABSN program are selected from an applicant pool. If admitted to nursing, students will have their major as nursing and become students in the ABSN program.


Application forms may be obtained online.

The deadline for return of completed applications is as follows:

Fall term admission is February 1; Spring term admission is September 1

There are no exceptions to these deadline dates.

In addition to applying, the following requirements must be met by the student for consideration to the program, admission, and starting the ABSN plan of study.

  1. Admitted to the USM as an undergraduate student.
    1. All official transcripts of any colleges/universities attended must be on file in the USM Office of Admissions.
  2. Graduate of an accredited college/university.
    1. Official transcript with Degree conferred must be on file in the USM Office of Admissions.
  3. Completion of all prerequisite courses.
    1. A grade of “C or higher” in each prerequisite course including an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
    2. Only one natural science course at the undergraduate level may be repeated one time.
  4. Nursing Entrance Exam within the last three (3) years from date of application (see SPNP website for more information).
  5. Successful completion of a criminal background check, immunizations, CPR, physical health exam, and substance screening.

 

Nursing BSN Degree Requirements (124 hours)    

Nursing BSN Semester Guide  

Availability: Hattiesburg Campus, Gulf Park Campus (for ABSN pathway)

Admission Requirements:

Program Academic Policies and Requirements:

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