RN to BS

For students who hold current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Alaska, the School offers Bachelor of Science, Nursing Science, Registered Nurse Option distance delivered "RN-only" courses and sections within the nursing major designed to build upon the RN's basic preparation and experience and to facilitate progress in meeting program objectives. Previous college credits are evaluated for comparability to established requirements within the program and may be accepted for transfer. In addition, credit by examination is available to satisfy some General Education Requirements. Additional information is available upon request.

Admission Requirements

Registered nurses returning to complete the baccalaureate degree in nursing science must successfully complete the same academic prerequisites as basic students.  Students who apply to the baccalaureate nursing major and who qualify for admission to baccalaureate study are admitted as nursing pre-majors.  Admission as a pre-major does not guarantee admission to the Nursing major.  Registered Nurses must apply for admission to the nursing major during the semester in which they are completing the final prerequisites for the first RN course, NS 205.  The deadline for RN admission is twice a year; November 1st and March 1st.  Formal admission to the Nursing program is based on the Registered Nurse's relative standing on the following minimum requirements:

1. UAA Certificate of Admission to the BS nursing pre-major and transcript evaluation from Enrollment Services.
2. Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Alaska.  Copy of licensure on file with the School..  
3. A current Plan of Study signed by a Nursing advisor and the RN student on file with the School of Nursing.  The student may call (907) 786-4550 to set up an advising session.
4. An extracted minimum grade point average of 2.00.  The grade point average will be calculated using grades from all courses which are required for the nursing major that have been completed at the time of application to the major.  
5. A grade of "C" or better in all specified courses required for the nursing major.
6. Completion of or credit for specified prerequisite courses (17 credits):  BIOL A111 (4 credits); CHEM A103/L (4 credits); ENGL A111 (3 credits); COMM A111, ENGL A120, PHIL A101, PHIL A201, or PSY A150 (3 credits); General Education Requirement (3 credits).
7. Enrollment in, or credit for the following courses, at the time of application to the major, on achieving a "C" in the specified courses for the major that are in progress when admission is sought (i.e., CHEM A 104/L, BIOL A112), and on maintaining a minimum of 2.00 grade point average until beginning nursing courses.  Courses are:  BIOL A112 (4 credits); CHEM A104/L (4 credits); ENGL A120, PHIL A101, or PHIL A201 (3 credits) or PSY A150 (3 credits); ENGL A213 (3 credits).  
8. A School of Nursing application on file in the School of Nursing.
9. Three letters of recommendation:  two from individuals you have dealt with on a professional basics, i.e., instructor of employer; one from a non relative who knows you well.

Registered Nurse students not formally admitted by UAA as a baccalaureate seeking student in the Nursing program or admitted as pre-majors are eligible to take Nursing electives for which prerequisites have been met.

RN CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Courses NS305L, NS314L, NS408L and NS411L are clinical courses requiring clinical attendance. These may be accomplished in any community in Alaska. Students need not come to Anchorage for these courses.

RN ACADEMIC PROGRESS:  See Academic Progress under the Basic Student Option.

GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS:  Students must complete the following graduation requirements:  

• General University Requirements - Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees in the UAA Course Catalog.
• General Education Requirements -  Complete the baccalaureate general education requirements listed in the UAA Course Catalog.  In the Nursing program, some required prerequisite courses fulfill general education requirements.
• Application for Graduation - Submit UAA Application for Graduation.

Support Courses:  Complete support courses for the Nursing Science major (44 credits).  All support courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to admission to 300-level clinical nursing courses.

*Reasoning Skills and Human Development must be in addition to the required General Education Requirements.  

RN Licensure Credit
An accepted, degree seeking UAA nursing student who has successfully passed the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) and has current RN licensure in the State of Alaska may be granted the following UAA course credits upon admission to the BS Major:

An administrative fee will be charged for these credits.  To receive credit, the student must complete the appropriate form with a Nursing Advisor.  Contact the School of Nursing (907) 786-4550 for further information.

Nursing Courses for Academic Credit:  Complete the following required nursing courses within the Nursing Science major (37 credits).  Courses marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to admission to 400-level clinical nursing courses.

A total 126 credits is required for the degree, 42 credits of which must be upper-division.