Admission to the Nursing Program

Apply now for the clinical portion of the nursing program

Any student admitted to EMU may declare a nursing major, but all students must complete an application to begin the clinical level of the nursing program which typically begins during the junior year. Students may begin the clinical nursing program in either the Fall or the Spring semester.

If you’re a prospective first-year undergraduate student, find your admissions counselor and start the conversation. If you’re a transfer student, contact the admissions counselor who works with transfers. RN to BSN students should contact the RN to BSN office. Masters of Nursing students should contact the graduate and professional studies office.

Nursing Clinical Program Admission Requirements

Students are eligible to apply to the clinical level of the nursing program when they have met the following admission requirements:

cumulative GPA of 2.8 at the time of application
58 semester hours of college credit completed by the time they begin the clinical level
Kaplan Admission Test

Prerequisite courses

CHEM 105 – Chemistry for the Life Sciences
BIOL 112, 122 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II
BIOCH 152 – Human Biochemistry
BIOL 205 – Introduction to Microbiology
PSYC 202 – Developmental Psychology
SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology (or other approved sociology course)
BIOL 145 – Nutrition Fundamentals
STATS - Any statistics course

All prerequisite courses must be passed with a C or higher.

Prerequisite courses may still be in progress at the time of application, but must be completed prior to beginning the clinical level of the program.
Laptop Requirement

A newer laptop (i.e. purchased within the last 3-4 years) with a Windows, Mac, or iPad operating system is required. Chromebook, Android, or Linux operating systems are not supported by the testing application used in the nursing program.
Criminal Background Check

Admitted students will be required to complete a criminal background check prior to beginning the clinical level of the nursing program. Students should be aware that certain crimes may prohibit them from participating in clinical experiences that are required for the program and/or may affect their ability to take the NCLEX-RN.

For more information, please refer to Guidance Document 90-55 from the Virginia Department of Health and the Department of Health Professions. Note that regulations may vary among states.
TOEFL and international students

For students whose first language is not English, we require a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (does not include speaking section) on the written test, 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) that includes a speaking section, or a 213 on the computer-based test. Students who take the IELTS must obtain a score of 6.5 or higher. EMU’s Intensive English Program is available helps students with certain TOEFL scores achieve the level of English skill required to succeed in a degree program. Upon successful completion of the IEP, up to 15 credits may be applied to a degree program.

Also, a NACES member credential evaluation is required for all foreign university transcripts. Incoming EMU students often use World Education Services. Learn more by reading our admissions checklist for international students.
Application deadlines for clinical level of program

Application deadline for fall semester is February 15 for submission of all application materials with final decision of admissions by March 30.

Application deadline for spring semester is June 15 for submission of all application materials with final decision of admissions by July 30.

The nursing department reserves the right to adjust the current admission criteria when outcome assessment data demonstrates the need for such changes.

Curriculum Plans

Traditional 4-Year Curriculum Plan