Nursing Curriculum

Curriculum Requirements

All bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours, inclusive of UD general education and major requirements as well as elective courses.

The pre-licensure BSN curriculum consists of 61 credits of required nursing core courses (NRS) offered in a traditional face-to-face classroom format. One cohort of students is admitted each year in the fall. General education/core requirements for graduation from the University of Dubuque must be fulfilled by all candidates for any baccalaureate degree. In addition, prior to entering the major in the fall, all of the following must be completed:

  • Prerequisites
    • Composition and Rhetoric
    • College Algebra
    • Speech Communication
    • Research Writing
    • A chemistry course which incorporates principles of general, organic, and biochemistry (with lab)
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Microbiology (with lab)
    • Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with labs)
    • Human Development
    • Nutrition (BIO 205 or HWS 246)
    • Statistics
    • NRS 201: Introduction to Nursing*
      * Transfer students may be allowed to take this course after entry into the nursing program with advisor approval.
  • Admission Criteria
    • At least sophomore standing (24 credits or more)
    • Cumulative (overall) grade point average of 3.00 or above
    • Pre-nursing grade point average of 3.00 or above (courses listed above)
    • C or better grade in all prerequisite courses - no prerequisite course may be repeated more than once (courses listed above)
    • Nursing Admission -- Brochure
  • Additional Admission Requirements
    • Physical/Statement of Health
    • Immunizations
    • Criminal Background Check and Dependent Adult/Child Abuse Checks
    • CPR for Health Professionals certification
    • Current CNA Certification
    • Provided two references from former professor of natural and social sciences
    • Successful Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) at Required Level
    • English language learners must obtain an English proficiency score of 84 with a minimum speaking score of 26 for TOEFL iBT or an IELTS of 6.5 overall band score minimum and a minimum of 6.0 for any one IELTS.

Students should refer to the BSN Student Handbook and consult with the Department of Nursing faculty for complete admission information as the content presented here is an overview and not comprehensive.

Nursing Core Courses:

  • NRS 201: Introduction to Professional Nursing (3)
  • NRS 303: Pathophysiology & Applied Pharmacology (6)
  • NRS 305: Nursing Care of the Aging Population (3)
  • NRS 307: Adult Nursing I (8)
  • NRS 309: Mental Health Nursing (5)
  • NRS 312: Foundations of Clinical Nursing Practice (5)
  • NRS 313: Maternal-Child Nursing I (4)
  • NRS 401: Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Research (3)
  • NRS 402: Nursing Leadership in Complex Systems (3)
  • NRS 403: Community and Public Health Nursing (5)
  • NRS 404: Issues in Nursing: Practice, Policy, and Advocacy (Intercultural Engagement) (2)
  • NRS 413: Maternal-Child Nursing II (4)
  • NRS 415: Adult Nursing II (5)
  • NRS 495: Transition to Practice Internship: Personal, Professional, And Leadership Development (Senior Seminar/Capstone) (5)

Four-Year Plan of Study: Nursing