The four-year baccalaureate program in nursing prepares professional nurse generalists to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a variety of health care settings. The program is available to qualified high school graduates, college students and college graduates. Graduates of the program meet the education requirement to apply to take the National Registered Nurse Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN).
Baccalaureate nursing education provides a foundation in the humanities and the biological, social and behavioral sciences. Students are able to apply this foundation, as well as a strong base in nursing science, to the professional practice of nursing. In addition to achieving the professional goals of the nursing program, students also become responsible members of society and are required to complete the university general education core requirements.
The program includes a clinical practice component which gives students opportunity to apply nursing theory and skills in caring for individuals, families, groups, and communities in clinical health care settings. The program uses Cabell Huntington Hospital, River Park Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center, the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Mildred Mitchell Bateman Hospital, Encompass Health, Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC), King’s Daughters Medical Center (Ashland, Ky.), Pleasant Valley Hospital (Point Pleasant, W.Va.), Holzer Medical Center (Gallipolis, Ohio) and others for clinical experiences. In addition, various clinics, doctors’ offices, health departments and schools are used for student clinical experiences. Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical experiences. Clinicals may be scheduled any day of the week and any time of the day.
Admission
Admission is determined on a competitive basis at each entry level. The total number of students admitted to the program is based upon available facilities and faculty.
Students are admitted to the pre-licensure B.S.N. program once per year for the fall semester. Qualified applicants are selected for fall admission beginning after the January 15 application deadline and continuing until all spaces in the class are filled.
Admission Requirements for Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Program
- Currently enrolled high school seniors are eligible to apply for freshman-level standing in the nursing program.
- High school seniors must meet the general admission requirements of Marshall University.
- High school seniors must have a composite score of 21 or higher on the ACT, and a Grade Point Average on high school coursework at the completion of their junior year of at least 2.5 or higher, with consideration given to college preparatory courses. Automatic admission is given to high school seniors with ACT composite scores of 24 or higher and high school GPAs of 2.5 or higher.
- Current or previous college students and college graduates are eligible to apply for sophomore-level standing in the nursing program. College students must have a Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 or higher on 12 or more hours of college work with consideration given to specific science and math courses. Grades and credits from developmental courses are not considered.
- College students may apply for sophomore-level standing if they have had, or will have, satisfactorily completed (with a C or higher), all freshman-level courses by July 15 of the year they apply. Students who anticipate that they will meet these requirements, but are unable to do so, must reapply for admission to the program.
Application Process
Freshman-Level Standing/Sophomore-Level Standing
- Apply for admission to Marshall University.
- Also apply for admission to the Nursing program, College of Health Professions: form online at www.marshall.edu/nursing/degrees/bachelors/admission.
- Submit official transcripts from all schools attended to both the university and Nursing program.
- High school students should obtain two (2) official copies of their high school transcript and ACT scores. One copy of the ACT scores and transcript should be sent to the School of Nursing and one to the Office of Admissions of Marshall University. Transcripts must at a minimum include all junior year courses and cumulative GPA. Applicants have the option of sending transcripts that include the first semester of the senior year for consideration of science courses taken or improved GPA during that time.
- College students must submit two (2) official copies of transcripts from all colleges attended, if not currently attending Marshall. Send one copy to the School of Nursing and one to the Office of Admissions of Marshall University. College transcripts must include the last semester attended. Current Marshall students need not send transcripts as long as all coursework taken at other colleges/universities has been transferred to Marshall University.
Admission Requirements for Advanced Placement
This level is for students who are requesting to transfer from a baccalaureate nursing program and who want to receive credit for their previous nursing education. Admission to this level is based on available space. Applicants requesting advanced placement to this level must:
- Meet the general admission requirements of Marshall University.
- Document completion of two or more years of college credit in a baccalaureate nursing program with a 2.5 or higher Grade Point Average on all college-level work.
- Provide proof of completion of courses required prior to transfer level.
- Submit course syllabi and other materials that describe the nursing courses taken. Nursing courses will be evaluated by the Admissions, Progressions, and Graduation Committee to determine credit to be given for these courses and level of entry into the program.
- Arrange for the Dean/Director of the Nursing program at which the student is currently (or was previously) enrolled to submit a letter of good standing.
Advanced Placement: Application Process
- Apply for admission to Marshall University.
- Also apply for admission to the Nursing program.
- Submit two (2) official copies of all college transcripts, one to the School of Nursing and one to the Office of Admissions of Marshall University.
- Submit course syllabi and other materials that describe the nursing courses taken.
- Submit a letter of reference from the Dean/Director of nursing program.
Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Program Requirements
Completion of the B.S.N. program requires the completion of 121 semester hours of credits. Credits and grades from developmental courses are not counted.
Acceptance of students in the School of Nursing B.S.N. program is predicated on the understanding that students should be able to complete the curriculum in four years if admitted at the freshman level, and three years if admitted at the sophomore level. Should students need to slow their program plan, for whatever reason (leave of absence, to delay progression due to economic or academic reasons, request to repeat a nursing course, etc.) they must have approval of the Admissions, Progressions, and Graduation Committee.
B.S.N. Academic Policies
- All Nursing program students admitted to the freshman level must complete the required courses for the freshman year with a C or higher by July 15 of the freshman year and maintain a 2.3 overall Grade Point Average. Students who do not complete these minimum requirements will be dropped from the Nursing program and must reapply for admission to the program. Grades and credits from developmental courses are not considered.
- The Nursing program reserves the right to require withdrawal from nursing of any student whose health, academic record, clinical performance or behavior in nursing is judged unsatisfactory.
- All students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.3. In the event that a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.3, that student will be placed on probation and will be notified in writing of this action. Students have one semester to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.3. During this period, classes taken during the summer would count toward the GPA, but the term would not be counted as the semester. If the GPA remains less than 2.3 at the end of one semester, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program.
- All nursing and required non-nursing courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Students who earn a grade of less than C in a nursing or required non-nursing course must repeat that course. Pre-licensure B.S.N. and RN to B.S.N. students may repeat only one nursing course in which a grade of less than C is earned with permission of the Admissions, Progressions, and Graduation Committee (pre-licensure B.S.N. students) or the RN to B.S.N. Committee (RN to B.S.N. students). Permission to repeat a nursing course is made on the basis of several factors including, but not necessarily limited to, space availability, overall student performance in the course, academic honesty, and historical course grade.
- All students who receive a grade of less than C in a nursing or required non-nursing course may not progress in nursing courses for which that course is prerequisite.
- Students who find it necessary for any reason to withdraw from a nursing course must abide by the School of Nursing withdrawal policy as stated in the applicable Nursing Student Handbook (Pre-licensure B.S.N. or RN to B.S.N.) Once starting the sequence of nursing courses, students are expected to progress through the curriculum as shown. Any deviation from the curriculum for whatever reason (Leave of Absence, to delay progression due to economic or academic reasons, request to repeat a nursing course, etc.) must have approval of the Admissions, Progressions, and Graduation Committee (pre-licensure B.S.N. students) or the RN to B.S.N. Committee (RN to B.S.N. students).
- No more than 9 hours of electives may be taken on a credit/non-credit (pass/fail) basis.
- All required nursing courses in the pre-licensure and RN to B.S.N. programs must be completed within five (5) years prior to graduation from the program. The five (5) year period begins at the time the first clinical nursing course is taken.
- Students must be admitted to the School of Nursing in order to enroll in Nursing classes.
- Other policies are outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook, which can be found online on the School of Nursing website.
Other Policies
- Evidence of a current satisfactory health certification must be submitted prior to participation in nursing courses having a clinical component for BSN students, and prior to taking any nursing course for RN to BSN students.
- Starting in the sophomore year of the Pre-Licensure B.S.N. program, or upon admisssion to the RN to B.S.N. program, students must obtain and maintain a current CPR card (Adult, child and Infant with AED). Failure to have a current CPR card on file in the nursing office will result in the student being declared ineligible to begin clinical (Pre-Licensure B.S.N. students) or engage in any activities involving agencies other than the School of Nursing (RN to B.S.N. students). It is the student’s responsibility to make sure an active CPR card is on file in the nursing office at all times. If the student attends clinical (Pre-Licensure B.S.N. students) or engages in activities involving agencies other than the School of Nursing (RN to B.S.N. students) without an active CPR card, all clinicals or activities will be given an unsatisfactory grade. Contact the School of Nursing or go to the School of Nursing website for acceptable courses.
- Due to restricted enrollment in the Nursing program, students unable to maintain continuous progression must follow the Leave of Absence Policy.
- A student must request permission in writing for a leave of absence from the Nursing program. Notification must be at earliest possible time.
- The Student Petition for Leave of Absence Form must be submitted to the Chair of the Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee no later than three (3) weeks after the start of the semester in which the student is requesting leave.
- If a Leave of Absence is approved, the student must consult with his or her academic advisor to revise the program plan.
- Any student who fails to notify the Nursing program of a Leave of Absence will forfeit his or her space in the nursing program and must reapply for admission.
- Permission for a leave of absence may be granted for up to one year.
- Beginning in the sophomore year of the pre-licensure B.S.N. program and prior to admission to the RN to B.S.N. program, students must successfuly pass a background check and drug screen. Contact the School of Nursing at 304-696-6751 for more information.
- Other policies are outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook.
Alternate Site (Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Program): Mid-Ohio Valley Center
Students may take Nursing classes at the Mid-Ohio Valley Center in Point Pleasant. With the exception of clinicals for a few courses, students may pursue the complete pre-licensure B.S.N. degree in that location.
Minor
A minor is not required in this discipline.
Eligibility to Sit for Licensure Exam
To practice registered professional nursing in West Virginia an individual must be licensed by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. Students who successfully complete the pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program meet the education requirements to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). However, the Board may refuse to admit persons to its examinations or may refuse to issue a license upon proof that an applicant:
- is or was guilty of fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice registered professional nursing; or
- has been convicted of a felony; or
- is unfit or incompetent by reason of negligence, habits or other causes; or
- is habitually intemperate or is addicted to the use of habit-forming drugs; or
- is mentally incompetent; or
- is guilty of conduct derogatory to the morals or standing of the profession of registered nursing; or
- is practicing or attempting to practice registered professional nursing without a license or registration; or
- has willfully or repeatedly violated any of the provisions of the licensing law.”
A student who wants to take the NCLEX-RN in another state must obtain information regarding requirements and procedures from the agency responsible for professional nurse registration in that state.
Transfer Courses
Transfer courses will be judged in relation to Marshall University courses for acceptability. Evaluation of transfer courses is completed in the Office of Admissions. Please contact that office for questions concerning transfer courses.
- General Education Course 
- Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.