Admissions

criteria for admission to undergraduate programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

prelicensure bsn/upper division

Students must be formally admitted to the School of Nursing, which is an upper division major. Admission to UNCG does not guarantee admission to the upper division major.

Minimum Criteria for Admission to the upper division major are printed in the UNCG Catalog. They include:

1. Overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
2. A grade of “C” or better in the following courses: BIO 271/271L or KIN 291/291L; BIO 277/277L or KIN 292/292L; BIO 280/280L; CHE 104; STA 108; HDF 111; PSY 121; NTR 213; PHI 121 or PHI 220; and SOC 101 or ATY 100.
3. No more than two of the above prerequisite courses may be repeated to earn the minimum grade or better. Prerequisite courses may be repeated only one time.
4. Scores for the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) must be submitted electronically by the application deadline, February 1st. Information regarding the ATI TEAS test is available on our website.
5. Matriculation into the upper division is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory evaluation signed by the student’s physician of the applicant’s physical and emotional health to provide nursing care. Forms will be sent to the students who are admitted to the upper division.

*Due to the competitive nature of this program, successful applicants typically present much higher credentials for admission.

Applications are available each year in the School of Nursing or on our website from December 1st through February 1st. Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended must be submitted by February 1st, as these grades and GPA are also taken into consideration during the admissions process.

Priority Admissions Priority in admission (subject to space availability) will be granted to students who meet the following criteria:

1. Enter UNCG as a new, first year student on a 4-year plan of study.
2. Earn and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 by the end of the third semester.
3. Complete all but one of the following required science courses by the end of the third semester, with a 3.0 (B) or better in each course completed. Courses must be completed at UNCG. These courses may not be repeated.:
   • CHE 104 General Descriptive Chemistry II
   • BIO 271/271L Human Anatomy (or KIN 291/291L Clinical Human Anatomy)
   • BIO 277/277L Human Physiology (or KIN 292/292L Clinical Human Physiology)
   • BIO 280/280L Fundamentals of Microbiology
   • And at least one of the following pre-requisite courses:
     • NTR 213 Introductory Nutrition
     • STA 108 Elementary Introduction to Probability and Statistics
     • PHI 121 Contemporary Moral Problems or PHI 220 Medical Ethics or RCO 203
4. Complete three (3) semesters at UNCG (minimum of 45 semester hours). All the courses above, must be completed by the end of the spring semester, to matriculate into the nursing program that summer.
5. Overall score of 78% or above on the ATI TEAS. Two scores accepted.
6. Meet all other admission requirements for the upper-division nursing major.

The School of Nursing will now offer direct admission to the nursing program for first-year students entering UNCG. Instead of waiting to apply in your sophomore year, you can apply for direct admission to the nursing program when you apply to UNCG. This means that as you complete the prerequisite courses you can already be admitted to the nursing major. Take advantage of the direct admission opportunity: Apply by November 1, our Fall 2024 Early Action Deadline, for consideration.

• Direct Admission to Nursing for First Year Students
  • Select nursing as major.
  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
  • Freshmen admit students must maintain a letter grade of C or above in all nursing prerequisite courses.
  • Students can repeat two nursing prerequisite courses in which they earn less than a C.
  • Prerequisite courses may be repeated only once.
  • Students who earn less than a C in three or more nursing prerequisite and/or science courses will be dismissed from the nursing program and will be advised to select a different major.
  • Prior to starting upper division nursing courses, First Year Direct Admits along with transfer admits must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and a negative urine drug screen and other SON requirements to participate in clinical experiences.
  • Students are notified of the School’s decision regarding acceptance in early to mid-March.
  • Admission is extremely competitive as the number of applications typically exceeds the number of available spaces each year.
  • Application for admission is possible while students are still completing the prerequisite courses; however, unconditional admission cannot be granted until all admission criteria have been successfully completed.
  • Students may not enroll in required nursing courses without being admitted to the School.

  The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a standardized test required for the School of Nursing application to the Upper Division, pre-licensure BSN program. UNC Greensboro’s School of Nursing consistently has received many more applicants than we can provide seats for, making for a very competitive admission process. The applicant’s GPA (grade point average) has been used as the primary admission criteria; however, a GPA can be very different between universities. In addition, the wide variety of electives and various degrees’ students take has made the GPA a less reliable predictor of success in nursing school. Thus, the faculty of the School of Nursing approved the use of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) as the standardized test for students to take.

  The ATI TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content area of reading, mathematics, science, English and language usage. The test is intended for use primarily with adult nursing program applicants. The objectives assessed on the ATI TEAS are those which nurse educators deemed most appropriate and relevant to measure entry level skills and abilities of nursing program applicants.

  *The deadline for the application to the Upper Division, including the ATI TEAS results, is February 1 st .

  We do not require students to have their CNA I certification in order to begin the nursing program.

  However, we encourage students to become certified and work as a CNA I if they have the opportunity to do so through their high school or local community college for several reasons, including the following:

  • Determine whether nursing is the right choice for you
  • Develop rapport with patients, nurses, and other health care professionals
  • Increase level of confidence in working in the health care setting
  • Having the advantage that you are certified prior to beginning the nursing program (hint: Getting the CNA II will be a much easier process)
  • Building your resume