College of Nursing

 Detailed information for specific admission requirements can be found on the application process page.

Due to the competitive nature of the admission process, applicants should understand that meeting the minimum required criteria does not guarantee admission into the Accelerated BSN Option.

View Admission Policy here.

Required Criteria

• • Admission to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
  • Prior completion of non-nursing bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5. If previous degree GPA is < 2.5, but applicant has a pre-nursing GPA of >3.0, the TEAS test must be completed and applicant must demonstrate proficiency in all categories at or above the national BSN program mean scores before being considered eligible to apply.
  •  Minimum pre-nursing GPA of 3.0 on the completed College of Nursing prerequisites
  • All of the required pre-requisite courses must be completed with a minimum “C” grade, (CD or C- are not acceptable).
  • Results of criminal background checks comply with standards required for clinical placement.
  • Completion of nursing assistant course with clinical component and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
    certification (all states’ certifications are accepted for admission purposes).
  • Proof of residence is required in one or more of the Approved States, while completing both theory and clinical components of the program. (Please note, the Accel option staff must be able to secure clinical rotations for the student in
    the community identified on their admission application in order to be officially accepted.)
  • Credential Evaluation: If any credentials come from outside the United States a course-by-course credential evaluator report (grades, credits and degree assessment) of foreign undergraduate and graduate academic records to be used for admission is required
  • Students educated outside of the United States must submit evidence of English language proficiency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieving a minimum score of 71 ibt. The report must be mailed directly to UW Oshkosh (institution code: 1916) from the testing agency.

Preferred Criteria

• Current hospital employment maintained for the duration of the program.
• Pre-nursing GPA of 3.25 or above on the completed College of Nursing prerequisites.
• CNA work experience or other approved direct patient care experience totaling at least 240 hours
• Activities reflecting a lifetime total of 20 hours of service orientation. (i.e. service to community, church, family, country, profession or campus)
• Experience working with diverse populations (i.e. various age, ethnic, racial, or religious groups,
  working with individuals with special needs or individuals with physical disabilities)
• All prerequisite coursework completed.

Appeal Form

This form is not required unless an exception is needed for one or more admission requirements.  

• Appeal Form – click here for the Appeal Policy For Nursing Students
• Submit completed appeal form to conappeals@uwosh.edu
• If you received approval for an appeal that pertains to your qualifications for admission, you must attach the appeal form along with the letter of approval to the front of your College of Nursing application.

*Students are required to complete certain immunizations, including COVID-19 vaccination to meet requirements of clinical agencies.  Exemptions are possible with some agencies but are not guaranteed.

The following prerequisite courses must be included on the GPA calculation form when applying to the Accelerated BSN Option.

Science (minimum 4 out of 6 courses must be completed at time of application)
All science courses must include lecture and laboratory. If more than four science courses have been completed, GPA will be calculated using the best four grades.

*Other Prerequisites must be completed at time of application.

CNA Requirements

Certification as a nursing assistant in one’s home state is a required for admission into the Accelerated BSN Option.  However—to be a competitive applicant—actual work experience as a CNA at time of application is strongly recommended.

Students with CNA experience exhibit a notably stronger performance in the clinical component of the program. CNA experience provides an opportunity to learn basic nursing skills in a healthcare setting and care for patients as part of a nurse-led team. Accelerated BSN graduates consistently support the value of prior CNA experience after completing their clinical rotations.

Health Requirements

Once admitted into the Accelerated BSN Option, students are required to fulfill several health requirements in order to participate in clinical rotations. Specific requirements are provided upon admission.

Technology Requirements

A laptop computer with wireless card, camera, headset and required software are included in the tuition. Cable, broadband or satellite internet access is imperative.

High speed internet access is imperative. Slower internet connections will impede downloading of course
materials and timely exam completion. Laptop computers and other computer accessories are required. Details
and specifications will be provided upon admission.

Students are also required to view PDF forms and documents. Several other technologies are used throughout the curriculum, including Collaborate Ultra. Software training for these programs is provided during orientation.