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, biology and chemistry courses.
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.
Early Admission
Early admission students are granted admission to the professional nursing sequence as new students provided they meet the earlyadmission criteria and maintain the progression requirements. Students must signify they want to be considered for early admissionand agree to declare Kent State as their college of choice in early September. The early admission program has a limited numberof seats, with an emphasis on students who can enhance the College of Nursing's mission to improve healthy living in a diverse, changing society.
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 are eligible to apply to the Professional Nursing Sequence during the semester in whichthey anticipate completing or have completed 30 credit hours.
Admission to the Professional Nursing Sequence is based on overall; and science GPA. Students who completed required prerequisitescience courses while in the College Credit Plus (CCP) program may elect to repeat prerequisite science courses to be used in thecalculation of the science GPA.
Students must meet all the following requirements to be eligible for admission to the Professional Nursing Sequence:
•Minimum 2.750 overall GPA
•Minimum 2.750 GPA in the required sciences:
•BSCI 21010
•BSCI 21020
•BSCI 20021 or BSCI 30171
•CHEM 10050 or CHEM 10055 or CHEM 10060
•Minimum C grade in each of the prerequisite science courses:
•BSCI 21010
•BSCI 21020
•BSCI 20021 or BSCI 30171
•CHEM 10050 or CHEM 10055 or CHEM 10060
Candidates who meet the admission criteria for the Professional Nursing Sequence will be selected using a holistic admissionprocess including the individual's personal experiences, attributes and metrics.
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
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Kent State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Kent State University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) concentrations within the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and APRN Certificates, along with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP) program qualify graduates to sit for national APRN certification and APRN licensure in Ohio. States other than Ohio may have additional requirements to apply for or obtain an APRN license, including but not limited to specific state examinations, letters of recommendation, or proof of completion of an accredited nursing program. The College of Nursing is in the process of collecting information from all states and has not yet made a determination whether graduates from the Kent State University College of Nursing MSN, Certificate, and BSN-to-DNP programs meet the requirements for APRN licensure outside the state of Ohio.