School of Nursing (SON)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through the School of Nursing (SON) at U of M Twin Cities follows a cohort model -- it is a structured, highly sequenced program with capacity limits due to the practical nature of lab and clinical requirements. 

Caution: Nursing is not a path to becoming a doctor. Pre-med students must take more chemistry, physics, and other courses that nursing students do not take during their program. 

Applying as a U of M First-Year

You should complete the U of M first-year application by the November 1st deadline and select Nursing as your first choice. If you apply after this deadline or do not put Nursing as your first choice, you will not be considered for the program. 

If you miss the November 1 deadline, contact the School of Nursing advisors (bsnadvising@umn.edu) to discuss your options.  

• Also, explore the U of M Rochester's Early Assurance Nursing option. 

Academics

The BSN program typically takes students 4 years to complete. If PSEO students have completed the "foundational courses" listed below, there might be an option to start in the 2nd year nursing cohort. See Advanced Progression below for more information. 

• • View a sample 4-year plan.  Click on Fall 2021 and Later to view the latest requirements. 

  • A student's first undergrad year may involve a minor, electives, a language, etc.

  • The main reason that students are encouraged to take 4 years to complete the nursing degree is for them to build maturity and experience, crucial qualities for BSN success. 

  • PSEO students admitted to the School of Nursing must also take the two introductory nursing courses during their first year as a degree-seeking student.

During PSEO

Early prerequisites are called “foundational courses” and can be taken in PSEO.

• • Chemistry: 

    • • CHEM 1015/1017, or

      • CHEM 1061/1065 (Review the information in the PSEO Handbook)

  • Psychology: PSY 1001 (Equivalent to AP Psychology)

  • Biology: BIOL 1009 (Equivalent to AP Biology)

  • Nutrition: FSCN 1112

  • Development: 

    • • FSOS 1201 (also fulfills the Race Power and Justice liberal education requirement), or

      • NURS 2001 (taught by a Nursing faculty member, but more challenging to get into as a PSEO student during spring semester. There is a better chance for this course in the fall, less likely in the spring. )

  • Writing: Writ 1301 (Equivalent to AP Language Composition and AP Literature)

These Nursing 2nd-year courses are open to PSEO students. You must complete biology and chemistry before taking them. 

• Anatomy

• ANAT 3001 - Human Anatomy (3 Cr.) [Offered fall only]

• Or ANAT 3651: Principles of Human Anatomy with Cadaver Laboratory (5 crs)

  • Offered spring only and very rigorous. 

    • Or KIN 3027: Human Anatomy for Kinesiology, Physical Activity, and Health Promotion (4 crs)

• Physiology

  • • PHSL3051 - Human Physiology (4 Cr.) [Requires BIOL 1009 + CHEM]

• Microbiology

  • • VBS2032 - General Microbiology With Laboratory (5 Cr.) [Requires BIOL 1009 + CHEM]

Caution: NURS 1300 and 1301, required "First Year Seminars,"  are closed to PSEO students. Students admitted for advanced progression (see below) take modified versions of these in their first year after high school.

Advanced Progression

PSEO students admitted to the School of Nursing who have completed the "foundational courses" listed above can petition to join the 2nd year nursing cohort.  This petition would be completed at the student's first-year orientation over the summer, and approval, which depends on various factors, is not guaranteed. Students can learn more about this option on the School of Nursing's current student site.  

General Information

The School of Nursing has several policies to be aware of if you choose to pursue this academic path. Admitted nursing students are held to these policies. 

• First-Year Policy: students must achieve a 3.000 in the foundational courses listed above and pass all of them with a C- or better. 

• Two Strikes Policy: starting during a nursing student's second year, students are dismissed from the SON program if they get more than two grades of [W or below a C-].