2025-2026 University Catalog
Nursing (Pre-Licensure), B.S.N.
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Nursing (Pre-Licensure), B.S.N. Locations
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing combines the “art and science” of nursing with a foundation in the liberal arts to prepare graduates who will assume the scope of practice expected of the professional nurse. The theoretical, laboratory, and clinical patient care experiences support learning and exposure to the profession. The Nursing pre-licensure program is designed for the non-nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse who desires a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Preparing students for the future of nursing practice, the program requires students to participate in face-to-face course formats with extensive online resources. All laboratory, patient care, and face-to-face course work is only offered at the Parkville, MO campus. Acceptance to the program is competitive.
Initial approval by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and has been awarded for the Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (pre-licensure) program at Park University. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Park University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
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Procedure to request admission to the BSN Pre-Licensure Major (all applicants)
The Department accepts two cohorts for the BSN major annually-fall and spring. Cohorts will be selected for the fall semester by the end of June and the spring semester in early December. To be considered for acceptance all requirements must be fully met. - If not a current Park University student, the applicant must apply for admission to Park University.
- Applicants for the nursing program are accepted through NursingCAS. Deadlines will be published on the Park University website and/or NursingCAS. In order to be considered for the nursing program, all official transcripts must be sent to NursingCAS, the application must be complete, and the fee charged by NursingCAS must be paid.
- ATI Admissions score must meet minimum admission requirements. Admission Test scores will be valid for one year from testing date. Students may repeat the test to improve their scores. Each attempt requires the student to pay the testing fee.
- Will need to provide a short written essay for admission.
- For students with an active LPN license, that license must be current and have no state board restrictions.
Prior learning credit for Practical Nurses and Other Healthcare Professionals
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Since 1987, Park University has provided Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with the opportunity to apply for academic credit based on their Practical Nursing education. LPNs may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit—up to 9 credit hours—toward BSN pre-licensure program requirements. To be eligible for PLA credit, LPN applicants must meet all of the following criteria: - Submit evidence of a current, unrestricted, and undisciplined LPN license at the time of application to Park University. New graduates must have passed the NCLEX- PN and hold an active license.
- Any license restrictions or disciplinary actions will be reviewed by the Department of Nursing and may result in ineligibility for admission to the BSN major.
- Submit official transcripts from their Practical Nursing program and all other college-level coursework through NursingCAS.
LPNs who meet the above criteria may be awarded PLA credit for the following courses: - CH204 Nutrition for the Health Sciences – 3 credits
- PS125 Lifespan Development – 3 credits
- EXS175 Medical Terminology – 3 credits
Total: 7 credit hours LPNs who elect to pursue PLA credit are expected to have a working knowledge of the course content for which credit is awarded. EMTs, CNAs, CCMAs, and Other Students with Clinical Experience Students who hold credentials as EMTs, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs), or those who have participated in a structured healthcare program that included a minimum of 25 hours of clinical experience in a healthcare setting may be eligible for PLA credit for the following course: - EXS175 Medical Terminology – 3 credits
All students seeking PLA credit must follow the standard procedure for admission to the BSN major through NursingCAS, and must also apply to Park University if not already enrolled. Cohort Selection Priorities
Each cohort is selected based on the admissions criteria. Priority is given to Admissions Test scores, GPA in the Math and Sciences and completion of all requirements. Incomplete submission (including, but not limited to, nonpayment to NursingCAS or not applying to Park University) of required information removes the candidate from consideration. It is the student’s obligation to assure all requirements are met. Progression and Graduation Requirements
- All NUR designated courses require a testing (unit exams, standardized exams, and final exams) average of 78% to pass the course.
- All NUR designated courses require a 78% average in the clinical component of the course, if present, to pass the course.
- Students who earn less than the minimum requirements in any nursing-designated course will fail that course.
- Students who earn less than the minimum requirements in more than one class will be removed from the program.
- A nursing GPA of 2.8 is required for graduation.
- Pursuant to Section 335.066, RSMo, of the Missouri Nursing Practice Act (http://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=335.066), completion of the Pre-licensure BSN program does not guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination.
All requirements (i.e., admission, within program and exit) are subject to change as per the Missouri State Board of Nursing and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
PRE-NURSING COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning and Scientific Inquiry (Natural & Physical Science) Requirements 31-32 CR
Only one Chemistry course with lab is required. Ethical Reasoning 3 CR
See the Liberal Education section below for courses that fulfill the Ethics requirement. Nursing majors may take CS300 or EDU310 to fullfill both the Ethics requirement and the Writing Intensive (outside of the major) requirement. Artistic Interpretation and Creation Requirement 6 CR
See the Liberal Education section below for courses that fulfill Humanities. Nursing majors may take EN201 , EN221 , EN232 , or EN234 to fulfill both a Humanities requirement and the Writing Intensive (outside of the major) requirement. Scientific Inquiry Social Science Requirements 6 CR
Note Regarding Admission and Graduation Requirements
The Liberal Education/Graduation requirements below must also be completed prior to Admission to the Nursing major: The following requirement may be completed after admission to the Nursing major:
For more information about these requirements, see the Liberal Education and Graduation requirements sections below.
NURSING MAJOR CORE COURSES
Liberal Education Nursing
Human Diversity, Intercultural Understanding and Social Justice Requirement 3 cr.
Select on of the following: AN100 , EN221 , GGH110 , SO206 , SO342 , SW205 Information Literacy and Logic Requirement 3 cr.
Select one of the following: BAI209 , CA322 , PH101 , PH103 Graduation Requirements
Student Seminar 3 CR.
FYE100 First-Year Seminar (required for all incoming first-time freshman and highly encouraged for transfer students) Writing Across the Curriculum 9 cr.
3 credit hours of Professional Writing (EN306* or equivalent from the list below) plus 6 credit hours of Writing Intensive coursework are required. EN306A , EN306B , EN306C , EN307 , EDU300 , CJ450 , HIS455 , MG306 , NS306 , PA430 , PO405 , PS300 , PS406 or SO310 6 credit hours to fulfill the Writing Intensive requirement must be chosen from among the courses designated in the catalog as “WI” (Writing Intensive ), composed as follows: - 3 of the credit hours must come from a WI course outside the student’s major(s); that is, the course must be offered by a program other than the one(s) that house(s) the student’s major area of study at the time the course is taken.
- 3 of the credit hours must come from a WI course that is offered by the student’s major program; that is, the course must be offered by the same program that houses the student’s major at the time the course is taken.
AR316 , AR498 , BIO327 , BIO498 , CA218 , CA322 . CA510 , CH342 , CJ221 , CS300 , EDU310 , EN201 , EN 204 , EN221 , EN232 , EN234 , EN490 , EXS375 , GGP350 , HC 263 , HIS261 , HIS334 , HIS453H , HIS453M , IDS410 , MA301 , MG495 , ML251 , MU401 , NUR450 , NUR460 , PA432 , PC202 , PO210 , PS315 , SO141 , SW325 Upper Division Requirements 36 cr.
36 hours of upper division (300-400 level) college nursing course work Additional Requirements
Park University grants the Bachelor of Science in Nursing upon completion of the following requirements: - Completion of a minimum of 129 semester hours with a cumulative 2.8 GPA.
- Satisfaction of major requirements.
- Completion of degree specific requirements.
- Completion of Liberal Education requirements.
- Completion of residency requirement, 30 hours of earned and graded (A, B, C) college hours at Park University. At least 15 of these 30 hours must be in the major.
- Application to the BSN Program is required.
- Submission of an Application for Graduation.
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