Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Kent State's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four-year pre-licensure program that will prepare you to meet the challenges of today's healthcare needs as a professional registered nurse.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed to prepare practitioners for professional nursing, help them understand their role in society and prepare them for graduate study. The program emphasizes professional knowledge, skills, and compassionate nursing practices.

Learning through a combination of classroom, laboratory, and supervised clinical setting instruction, Kent State nursing students graduate with a solid foundation of nursing knowledge.

Why Kent State? We offer you:

• Individual advising, program planning and guidance by experienced academic advisors
• Clinical experiences at major hospitals and health care facilities throughout northeastern Ohio
• Hands-on learning experiences in our state-of-the-art simulation laboratories
• A 95% average NCLEX pass rate
• High graduate placement — you will be in demand

Get Your BSN Close to Home

As part of our mission to address the health care needs of Ohioans, the BSN program is available at 5 area campuses. Depending on which campus you are enrolled in, you will complete some or most clinical hours at hospitals and facilities in the local community.

The entire program can be completed at the Kent, Geauga, Salem, Stark and Trumbull campuses.

Admission Requirements

Nursing Major Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds. 
Prospective applicants must have completed high school mathematics.  The College of Nursing recommends students complete a high school level biology and chemistry course. 
In addition, students must have achieved one of the following: 

• Minimum 2.7 overall high school grade point average (on a 4.0 scale); and a minimum 22 ACT composite or a minimum 1100 SAT.
• Minimum 3.0 overall high school grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). 

Admission to the Nursing major is selective; the process is competitive, and acceptance is never guaranteed.

Transfer Students

Transfer Students are required to request all official transcripts from each college or university attended other than Kent State University. Transfer students are required to apply to Kent State University and be accepted prior to acceptance into the Nursing program. Call the Office of Student Services at 330-672-7911 for additional information.

Professional Nursing Sequence Requirements

Students can apply for admission to the professional nursing sequence upon meeting these requirements:

• 30 semester hours of college-level coursework, including in-progress
• A 2.75 cumulative GPA
• An overall average 2.75 GPA in the required science courses, with a 2.0 (C) or better in each of those courses
• Completion of the required math course with a 2.0 (C) or better

Curriculum

You will begin with courses that demonstrate the core foundations of the nursing profession and its historical roots. The capstone preceptorship will expose you to research and professional-practice concepts that will ensure your ability to be a nurse leader and healthcare advocate.

Throughout the program, you will study life-span and cultural diversity issues while applying evidence-based practice to the profession. 

Sample 4-Year Curriculum Plan