Total Credit Hours: 129
Major Credit Hours:  64
Non-Nursing Support Courses: 39/42
Nursing Courses:  64

Degree Requirements

¹

Note: NURS 20200 Professional Development 1: Foundations fulfills the Globalization requirement.

²

Note: NURS 33500 Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research fulfills the Advanced Writing requirement.

³

Note: NURS 43600 Community Health Nursing fulfills the Civic Engagement requirement.

⁴

The Nursing program requires specific General Education courses. Please consult your advisor for guidance

The college writing, natural science, ethics, mathematics, social science, interdisciplinary seminar, and diversity and social justice General Education requirements are fulfilled by the non-nursing support courses.

Registration and Progression

In order to register for Sophomore 2 level nursing courses at Lewis University, pre-licensure nursing students, including transfer students, must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above and meet the Nursing program policies related to health records, immunizations, drug and background checks. Students who earn a grade of “D” or “W” in any required nursing course at any level must repeat that course prior to moving to another level of nursing coursework. Students who earn a grade of “F” in any required nursing course at any level will be dismissed from the Nursing program. Students who earn two “D” grades or receive two “W” grades in required nursing courses (two “D” or “W” grades in one course, or one “D” or “W” grade in each of two courses) will be dismissed from the Nursing program. Students must receive a grade of “C” in required science courses to progress to the next semester in the program. Students who receive only one failing grade in a science (C-, D, F, or W), will be allowed to repeat that course once. Upon a second failed science the student will be notified that they have been academically dismissed from the Nursing major. A student may repeat a required general education support course in which they earn a “C-”, “D”, “F”, or “W” only once and if the student does not earn a minimum of a “C” on the second attempt they will be academically dismissed from the Nursing major. Dismissal from the Nursing program does not necessarily result in dismissal from the University.

Requirements

First-year and transfer students may be offered admission directly into the nursing major which allows them to complete the required prerequisite courses, if needed, and progress directly into the nursing major courses without any additional admission process. All nursing students must complete the prerequisite curriculum and meet all of the academic policies for the Department of Nursing (cumulative GPA, course repeats, etc) before enrolling in the clinical courses for the major. Please refer to the Department of Nursing catalog section for policy details.

Admission, progression, curriculum, and graduation policies of the prelicensure track are subject to change in order to comply with the requirements of the current Illinois Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, Rules for the Administration of Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, and The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021).

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires the successful completion of the following courses. Progression from semester to semester requires successful completion of all Nursing courses from earlier semesters. A curriculum paradigm for ROTC Nursing majors is available from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Admission Requirements

First-Year Student Nursing Criteria

Direct admission for first-year nursing applicants is based on the following criteria.

1. First-year applicants to the nursing major are strongly advised to have completed at least one year of high school chemistry and two years of high school mathematics, with a grade of “C” or above in each class.
2. Applicants will be reviewed on academic qualifications, co-curricular involvement and related work experience.  

3.Lewis University is test-optional for admissions. The BSN Program utilizes a Holistic Admissions Review, considering students’ metrics, life experiences, and personal attributes. Admission decisions are based on a holistic admissions review, as guided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Transfer Student Nursing Criteria

Direct admission for transfer nursing applicants is based on the following criteria.

1. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, earning at least a “C” or above in each prerequisite course.
2. Earn a passing score in one of the standardized tests
   1. SAT – minimum sub scores of 560 in reading and 540 in math
   2. ACT – minimum sub scores of 22 in reading and 22 in math
   3. Kaplan Admission Test (KAT) – minimum score of 78 in reading comprehension and 82 in math
   4. ATI TEAS - minimum composite score of 67 percent

Total Credit Hours: 128
Major Credit Hours: 64
Prerequisites: 64
Nursing Courses: 64

The Lewis University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers two different pathways for adults to fast track your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree:

• First Degree Completion Program – For adults who have a 3.0 GPA and have completed the General Education courses and nursing prerequisite courses.
• Second Degree Career Transition – For adults who have completed a bachelor’s in a non-nursing major. 

Upon completion of the accelerated nursing track, the graduate will be granted a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and be eligible to sit for the national examination for licensure (NCLEX) as a registered professional nurse. Prerequisite completion will be determined by the program advisor with each individual evaluation of undergraduate transcripts.

Curriculum Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires the successful completion of the following courses. Progression from one term to the next requires successful completion of all nursing courses from the previous term(s). Admission, progression, curriculum, and graduation policies of the prelicensure track are subject to change in order to comply with the requirements of the current Illinois Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, Rules for the Administration of Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, and The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021).

Degree Requirements

• ¹Note: NURS 20200 Professional Development 1: Foundations fulfills the Globalization requirement.
• ² Note: NURS 33500 Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research fulfills the Advanced Writing requirement.
• ³ Note: NURS 43600 Community Health Nursing fulfills the Civic Engagement requirement.

Registration and Progression

The accelerated student must meet the Nursing program policies related to health record, immunizations, drug and background checks. The accelerated student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required general education courses before starting nursing core courses. Students earning a grade of “D” or “W” in any accelerated preterm or nursing course will be permitted to repeat the course only one time. The student will be given the option to remain in the accelerated program or matriculate to the 16-week program, only after meeting with the Director. All other Nursing program BSN progression policies apply to the accelerated student. These policies are noted in the BSN Nursing Student Handbook. Students who earn a grade of “F” in any required nursing course at any level will be dismissed from the Nursing program. Students who earn two “D” grades or receive two “W” grades in required nursing courses (two “D” or “W” grades in one course, or one “D” or “W” grade in each of two courses) will be dismissed from the Nursing program. Dismissed students will have the option to appeal their dismissal per the student handbook. Dismissal from the Nursing program does not necessarily result in dismissal from the University.

The advanced writing requirement of the General Education curriculum is satisfied for Nursing majors by successful completion of Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research (NURS 33500).

The college writing, natural science, ethics, mathematics, social science, and diversity and social justice General Education requirements are fulfilled by the non-nursing support courses.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in applying for the Accelerated BSN program must meet the following qualifications:

• Earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
• Satisfy the science and nursing pre-requisites courses, earning at least a “C” or above in each prerequisite course

First-Degree Accelerated Nursing Students: Kaplan Testing will be done prior to starting Nursing Courses for evaluation of placement for evaluation of reading and/or math remediation but is NOT required for admission.

Lewis University is test-optional for admissions. The BSN Program utilizes a Holistic Admissions Review, considering students’ metrics, life experiences, and personal attributes. Admission decisions are based on a holistic admissions review, as guided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 

Applicants to the accelerated nursing program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from their previous undergraduate institution(s). The student’s Lewis University preterm GPA must be a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and they must earn a grade of “C” or better in all preterm courses before starting nursing core courses.

A holder of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may earn a second bachelor’s degree from Lewis University. A minimum of 32 hours beyond the first bachelor’s degree must be earned at Lewis, including nine hours of mission designated courses and four upper-division courses in the major curriculum. Second-degree students must complete all course and GPA requirements for the major program of the second degree.

To be admitted as a Second-Degree student:

Holders of a degree from a college or university other than Lewis must:

1. Seek admission to Lewis University as an undergraduate student through the Office of Admission.
2. Submit an official transcript of credits from all previous colleges or universities attended. An evaluation of these credits will be made according to the University’s transfer policies. The evaluation will list major and general education requirements needed to complete the second bachelor’s degree. Upon being granted final admission, the student may begin coursework during the next academic term (fall, spring, or summer).
3. Obtain approval of the Department

Holders of a bachelor’s degree from Lewis University must:

1. Complete the online Application for Admission. This application includes
   1. Approval of the Department
   2. A listing of the courses needed to complete the major
   3. A statement that a minimum of 32 credits must be earned at Lewis in addition to the credits counted in earning the first degree. (See Academic Policies for other requirements)
2. Obtain clearance from the Business Office of Lewis University.

The student will follow the graduation and major requirements that are in effect when the student applies for the second degree.