The RN to BSN program is now accepting students. The applications for Fall 2024 have now closed. Applications for the Fall 2025 semester will open on February 1, 2025.
For more information about the two program of study options, click here.
To be eligible for the RN-BSN program, prospective students must meet all College of Nursing and University admission requirements. Specific RN-BSN program admission requirements are as follows:
- Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing from an ACEN (formerly NLNAC) accredited community college.
- Official Transcripts from all schools attended.
- Application.
- Application Fee.
- English Proficiency Requirement.*
- Criminal Background check and drug screen.
- Current unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license to practice professional nursing in the United States.
- Minimum cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.0.
- Prospective students with a cumulative collegiate GPA between 2.8 – 2.99 may be conditionally admitted, provided they have not completed more than 100 hours of prior collegiate coursework [and have met all other admission requirements]. Conditionally admitted students will remain in this status for their first 9 hours in the program, during which they must earn no grade less than a B and earn an overall USC GPA of at least 3.0. Conditionally admitted students will be reviewed by the College of Nursing at the completion of 9 hours and, if these conditions have been satisfied, will be allowed to continue in the program as fully-admitted students. Prospective students who are unable to meet these requirements will be unable to progress further in the program.
* International applicants must be proficient in the English language. A score of 550 or above on the paper version of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required. (A score of 210 or higher on the computerized version is required, and a minimum score of 77 on the Internet version is required.) TOEFL scores are not required for international students from countries where the primary language of instruction is English nor from graduates of high schools in the United States.
RN Education Competency Credits
After admission to the RN-BSN program and completion of all BSN degree requirements:
Students awarded an Associate Degree in Nursing from an accredited (ACEN, formerly NLNAC) program will be awarded up to 38 credits towards meeting educational competencies for their ADN. degree (RN Licensure); OR Students with a Diploma in Nursing from an accredited (ACEN, formerly NLNAC) program will be awarded up to 25 credits towards meeting educational competencies for their diploma degree (RN Licensure). This credit is held and will be awarded upon successful completion of all BSN degree requirements.
USC Residency requirements for BSN graduation
The last 25% of a student's degree must be completed in residence (through USC Columbia coursework or another USC campus), and at least half of the hours in the student's major courses and minor courses (if applicable) must be taken at the university. i.e., 122 credits = 31 hours. Advanced placement exam credits or transfer credits do not met this requirement. Students must meet these requirements to be eligible for BSN graduation.
Total = 123