RN-BSN Degree-Seeking- and Non-Degree Seekig (Co-Enrollment) Pathway Admission Procedures

RN-BSN Degree-Seeking Pathway (Traditional Students)

Complete the RN-BSN Requirements and Pre-requisites

• Admission to the degree-seeking RN-BSN pathway in Nursing is competitive. Prospective students must have the following qualifications:
  • Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing from an accredited community college or diploma nursing school that is accredited by a specialized accrediting agency for nursing education programs.
  • Transcripts reflecting a cumulative GPA on all college work attempted of 2.5 or better on a 4-point scale. Transcripts below 2.5 will be reviewed on an individual case by case basis.
  • TOEFL minimum score of 81 (internet-based test) or IELTS minimum score of 6.5 for international applicants. 
  • Current unrestricted RN license in any state, Washington D.C., or a U.S possession or territory. If you live and practice in a state other than Virginia please contact Dr. Jagiello at jagielkp@jmu.edu prior to submitting an application to determine if you will be able to complete your community health clinical in your home state. 
  • Graduates of foreign nursing schools, who are licensed outside of the United States, are required to pass the Qualifying Exam of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
  • Employment as an RN for a minimum of six months or plans to practice concurrently with coursework. 
  • Ability to meet the School of Nursing's Technical Standards for nursing practice 
  • Meet all pre-requisite course requirements with a grade of C or better by the orientation date of the term in which they are applying. View pre-requisite course requirements here.

Complete the Degree-Seeking RN-BSN Application

• Complete the RN-BSN Online Application. Upon submission, applicants will be required to send official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended and a copy of their RN license to the  admission coordinator, Theresa Jennings, electronically at jennintl@jmu.edu or by postal mail to the following address:

Theresa Jennings 
Admissions Coordinator 
Professional & Continuing Education 
MSC 6906
127 West Bruce Street, Ice House 312
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Transcripts should NOT be sent to UG Admissions. When given the option as to where your transcripts should be sent please choose “other” or “employer” so that you can input Theresa’s name and email address, rather than the default undergraduate or graduate admissions offices.

• Applicants requesting consideration of AP scores for possible transfer credit should have College Board send their AP scores to the Office of Admissions. Applicants should also notify the RN-BSN operations coordinator at RN-BSN@jmu.edu and the admission coordinator at jennintl@jmu.edu.
• All application materials must be received by the application deadline of the term in which the applicant is applying.
• The School of Nursing will only respond to applications that are complete.

Submit the Degree-Seeking RN-BSN application by the following set dates:

There are two admission deadlines each year for the RN-BSN pathway.
For Fall admission: July 15
For Spring admission: November 15

Students who are accepted to the degree-seeking RN-BSN pathway will be required to attend the mandatory online orientation prior to beginning course work. If a student is unable to attend the required mandatory orientation, the student will have to defer until the next semester when an orientation is offered. Deferment can be completed following the procedures noted under the Deferment/Leave of absence section below. 

If you were previously enrolled at JMU as a degree-seeking undergraduate student and have at least one graded (including withdrawals) semester at JMU, you must request permission for re-entry to the university after expressing interest in the RN-BSN pathway with the admission coordinator. View the process on re-entry to JMU here.

Re-entry Dates and Deadlines:

Fall Semester:             July 1
Spring Semester:         November 1
Summer Sessions:       April 1  

RN-BSN Non-Degree Seeking (Co-Enrollment) Pathway

Admission Requirments

• Satisfactory admission to the nursing program of their individual school.
• Transcripts reflecting a cumulative GPA on all college work attempted of 2.5 or better on a 4-point scale with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in Nursing (if applicable).
• Transcripts showing passing grades (C or higher) for all nursing courses completed, excluding repeated courses.
• Ability to meet the JMU School of Nursing Technical Standards for nursing practice (posted on the nursing website).
• Complete a transcript review that reflects all pre-requisite courses have been or will be completed with a grade of “C” or better by the time a student will enter the first co-enrollment semester.

Academic Progression

Students approved for admission to the co-enrollment pathway will simultaneously be enrolled as a part-time student in their VCCS associate degree nursing program. Applicants for the co-enrollment pathway will provide the following:

1. Students must submit unofficial transcripts reflecting a cumulative GPA on all college work attempted of a 2.5 or better on a 4-point scale and a minimum GPA of 2.5 for any nursing courses completed. Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 will not be considered.
2. Students must submit transcripts reflecting grades of C or higher for all nursing courses completed, excluding repeated courses. Students who have received a grade of less than a C in nursing courses completed or have repeated a nursing course will not be considered. 
3. Students must be able to meet the JMU School of Nursing Technical Standardsfor nursing practice (see below) and follow guidelines set forth in the RN-BSN Handbook
4. Students must submit a grade report from their VCCS school to the RN-BSN coordinator at the end of every semester while they are enrolled concurrently to demonstrate continued success in their associate degree program. Students must maintain a C average in nursing courses and a minimum 2.5 GPA at both JMU and their VCCS institution. Students who do not maintain a C average in nursing courses and a minimum 2.5 GPA will be required to take a leave of absence until they meet the requirements to matriculate as a degree-seeking student. Students who are dismissed from their associate degree program must notify the RN-BSN coordinator immediately and will be required to take a leave of absence until they meet the requirements to matriculate as a degree-seeking student.
5. Students may begin the co-enrollment pathway at any time in their ADN program, and their progression will be tailored to their individual circumstances. Students may not complete more than 4 credits hours at JMU each semester while enrolled as a non-degree seeking (co-enrollment) student.
6. Upon graduation from their associate degree program, students will transition into the degree-seeking RN-BSN pathway as fully enrolled students by completing the degree-seeking application and TrueScreen requirements.

Complete the Non-Degree Seeking (Co-Enrollment) RN-BSN Application

• Complete the Co-Enrollment Online Application.
• Applicants will be required to: 
  1. Upload all unofficial college transcripts
  2. Note any AP scores
  3. Note the number of credits they will be taking in their ADN program during the semester they are applying for
  4. Note their expected graduation date from their ADN program.
  5. Applicants will be asked to write a short essay (2800 characters).
• All application materials must be received by the application deadline of the term in which the applicant is applying.
• The School of Nursing will only respond to applications that are complete.

Submit the co-enrollment application by the following set dates:

There are two admission deadlines each year for the co-enrollment pathway.
For Fall admission: May 25
For Spring admission: October 15

Students who are accepted to the co-enrollment pathway will be required to complete a non-degree seeking application through the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) and attend the mandatory online orientation prior to beginning course work. If a student is unable to attend the required mandatory orientation, the student will have to defer until the next semester when an orientation is offered. Deferment can be completed following the procedures noted under the Deferment/Leave of absence section below. 

Co-enrolled students matriculate to RN-BSN Degree-Seeking pathway (Traditional Students) status upon completion of their ADN program and are required to meet all criteria outlined for that pathway (see above).