About the Nursing Program

To progress into the BS in Nursing Program, you will need to apply for admittance to the program during your sophomore year at Westminster.

Application Criteria

Acceptance to the BS in Nursing program is determined by the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Admission and Progression Committee, which bases its decisions on the following criteria:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.80 and a minimum prerequisite grade point average of 3.00 (from all institutions of higher education attended) and a grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses. See prerequisite support course requirements.
• The first step in your application process as a current Westminster student is to submit your current student application for the nursing program. Next, you must submit 3 nursing recommendations through your application checklist. The recommendations should focus on your qualifications for success in nursing. Recommendations cannot be from friends, family, or clergy.
  
  • Nursing references include professors, instructors, teachers, work supervisors, or colleagues.
• 2-page, double-spaced, 12-point font letter of intent. Your letter will be evaluated on content, clarity, motivation to become a nurse, spelling, and grammar. Your letter should address all of the following:
  • How do you conceptualize the nursing profession and the role of a professional nurse?
  • What skills, experiences, and personal philosophies support your application for this program? These might include experiences in health care, community service, life experiences, and attitudes or philosophies you consider to be strengths.
  • Describe your ability to work in groups.
  • Identify skills you have or are developing that you consider relevant to group work.
• You must read and sign the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Technical Standards Document and turn it in with your application materials.
• Proof of 1 of the following must be submitted: a certificate of completion of a course and/or license as a CNA, LPN/PN, MA, or EMT. Alternatively, if you are enrolled in a course, you will have until December 1 for spring start and until August 1 for fall start to show proof of completion of the course.
• Interviews (in-person or virtual) may be requested as necessary.
• Additional requirements: A drug screen and a background check will be required after acceptance into the nursing program.

Success in Westminster's Nursing program begins with a strong comprehension of the English language. Because the rigorous courses are taught in English and move at a fast pace, fluency in the language is necessary for understanding concepts and expressing yourself effectively. Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt). A cumulative score of 90 or better and a score of 24 or better on the Speaking section of the test is required to apply to the Nursing program. View information about taking the TOEFL to learn more.

Applications will only be reviewed for students who have submitted all necessary paperwork by the identified deadline.

Apply to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Once pre-nursing requirements have been met, you will need to apply to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences by logging in to the application with your university login.

Fall Semester Applicants

Application Opens

September 2

Priority Deadline

December 2

Regular Deadline

February 3

Decisions

Decisions will be made on a rolling basis. After February 3, applications will be reviewed based on availability.

Spring Semester Applicants

Application Opens

September 2

Priority Deadline

September 30

Application Deadline

October 12

Decisions

Decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

SUBMIT A CURRENT STUDENT NURSING APPLICATION

Westminster University's Nursing program offers direct-entry admission for high school students who are dedicated to completing their bachelor of science in nursing degree in 4 years.

With the direct entry into the program, your academic path is secure, as long as you meet the minimum requirements for beginning the program. You can have confidence that you have been admitted to the nursing program while you complete your prerequisite courses. With exclusive clinical rotations, rigorous curriculum, and a liberal arts education, you will be positioned to enter the workforce ahead of your competition.

Important Direct-Entry Application Dates

• Priority Deadline: Dec. 2
• Regular Deadline: Feb. 3

Requirements for Direct Entry Admission

• Completed application to Westminster University
• Cumulative 3.5 GPA
• Application Materials:
  
  • 2 academic letters of recommendation, with at least 1 recommendation being from one of your core subject teachers (math, science, English, etc.)
  • 2-page, double-spaced, 12-point font letter of intent: Your letter of intent will be evaluated on content, clarity, motivation to become a nurse, spelling, and grammar. The letter should address all of the following:
    • How do you conceptualize the nursing profession and the role of a professional nurse?
    • What skills, experiences, and personal philosophies support your application for this program? These might include experiences in health care, community service, life experiences, and attitudes or philosophies you consider to be strengths.
    • Describe your ability to work in groups.
    • Identify skills you have or are developing that you consider relevant to group work.

How to Apply

When you apply for admission, you must indicate that you are interested in applying for direct-entry nursing as well. After you submit your application, you will be directed to your application portal where you will see a checklist of all your required materials. You can also check the status of your materials in your application portal.

Important Dates

Fall Semester Applicants

Application Opens

September 2

Priority Deadline

February 3. After February 3, applications will be reviewed based on availability.

Spring Semester Applicants

Application Opens

September 2

Priority Deadline

September 30. Applications received after September 30 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application Deadline

October 12

How to Apply

1. Apply to Westminster

In your application, you must indicate your academic interest/major as nursing.

Nursing applicants will only be considered for admission to the Nursing program if they have applied and been admitted to Westminster University for the semester they intend to begin coursework.

Westminster University Application

2. Review Nursing Application Requirements

Once you have submitted your application for admission, you will receive a checklist of items that are required to complete your application to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. You can log back in to your application to check the status of your checklist materials. Applications to enter the Nursing program will only be reviewed for students who have completed all checklist items by the identified deadline.

Acceptance into the Nursing program is determined by the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Admission and Progression Committee, which bases its decisions on the following criteria:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.80 and a minimum prerequisite grade point average of 3.00 (from all institutions of higher education attended) and a grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses. See prerequisite support course requirements for more information. Transfer credits for nursing must be reviewed by the Registrar's Office prior to applying to the program to ensure credits will transfer.
• After completing an application to the university, you must submit 3 recommendations that indicate qualifications for success in nursing. Recommendations cannot come from friends, family, or clergy.
  • Nursing references include professors, instructors, teachers, work supervisors, or colleagues.
• 2-page, double-spaced, 12-point font letter of intent: Your letter will be evaluated on content, clarity, motivation to become a nurse, spelling, and grammar. Your letter should address all of the following:
  • How do you conceptualize the nursing profession and the role of a professional nurse?
  • What skills, experiences, and personal philosophies support your application for this program? These might include experiences in health care, community service, life experiences, and attitudes or philosophies you consider to be strengths.
  • Describe your ability to work in groups.
  • Identify skills you have or are developing that you consider relevant to group work.
• You must read and sign the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Technical Standards Document and turn it in with your application materials.
• Proof of 1 of the following must be submitted: a certificate of completion of a course and/or license as a CNA, LPN/PN, MA, or EMT. Alternatively, if you are enrolled in a course, you will have until December 1 for spring start and until August 1 for fall start to show proof of completion of the course.
• Interviews (in-person or virtual) may be requested as necessary.
• Additional requirements: A drug screen and a background check will be required after acceptance into the nursing program.

Success in Westminster's Nursing program begins with a strong comprehension of the English language. Because the rigorous courses are taught in English and move at a fast pace, fluency in the language is necessary for understanding concepts and expressing yourself effectively. Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt). A cumulative score of 90 or better and a score of 24 or better on the Speaking section of the test is required to apply to the Nursing program. View information about taking the TOEFL to learn more.

Applications will only be reviewed for students who have submitted all necessary paperwork by the identified deadline.