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)
    • 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)
    • Science prerequisites grade point average of 3.00 or above. All science labs must be in person labs except for Chemisty lab which may be online. 
  • Additional Admission Requirements
    • Physical/Statement of Health
    • Immunizations
    • Criminal Background Check and Dependent Adult/Child Abuse Checks
    • CPR and First Aid Certifications
    • 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: Intro to Nursing (3)
  • NRS 303: Pathophysiology and Applied Pharmacology (6)
  • NRS 305/305P: Nursing Care of the Older Adult, Aging, theory and practitum (2/1)
  • NRS 306: Nursing Care at the End of the Continuum: End of Life (3)
  • NRS 307/307P: Nursing Care of the Adult Population I, theory/lab and practicum(4/4)
  • NRS 308/308P: Care of the Child-Bearing, Pediatric Populations, theory and practitum (5/2)
  • NRS 309/309P: Mental Health: Pathophysiology and Health Care Team Management, theory and practicum (4/1)
  • NRS 310: Basic Concepts and Skills in Nursing: Assessment (2)
  • NRS 311: Basic Concepts and Skills in Nursing: Nursing Interventions (2)
  • NRS 401: Research in Nursing and Healthcare (3)
  • NRS 402: Leadership and Management in Nursing and Health Care (3)
  • NRS 403/403P: Care of the Client Across the Continuum Within the Context of Community, theory and practicum (3/2)
  • NRS 404: 21st Century Issues in Health Care: Health Care Systems, Economics, and Politics (2)
  • NRS 415/415P: Nursing Care of the Adult Population II: Health Care Team Prevention and Condition Management, theory and practicum (3/1)
  • NRS 495P: Senior Internship Practicum: Integration of Evidence-Based Health Care Management, Quality Improvement, and Leadership (Senior Seminar/Capstone) (5)

Four-Year Plan of Study: Nursing