Graduates of UNCG’s traditional prelicensure BSN program are thoroughly prepared to excel in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is expected to surge by 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, significantly outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations. This robust job growth is driven by several key factors, including a heightened focus on preventive and primary care, increased accessibility to healthcare services, rising incidences of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity, the growing interest in community-based care, and the increasing need for healthcare services as the baby-boomer generation enjoys longer, more active lives. Embrace a promising career with a degree that equips you to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of diverse communities.
Program overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at UNCG is designed to be completed in just four academic years plus one summer semester, offering a streamlined path to your future career. Our rigorous program ensures you are prepared to function as a practice-ready nurse. To ensure your application is competitive for the upper division, students should excel academically while completing 16-17 credit hours each semester.
We understand that life can present unique challenges such as long-distance commuting, family obligations, or the need to work more than 10-15 hours a week. At UNCG, we are committed to your success. If you face any challenges, our dedicated academic advisors will work with you to generate strategies to accommodate your individual circumstances. Join our supportive and dynamic program to embark on a rewarding journey in nursing, where your dedication and hard work will pave the way for a successful and impactful career.
“Choosing UNCG’s BSN program was hands down one of the best choices I’ve made. The faculty were welcoming, supportive, and really prepared me for the NCLEX-RN and real-world nursing. I’m proud to be a Spartan nurse and ready to start my nursing career, all thanks to UNCG!”
– L.M., Prelicensure BSN Graduate
Program Details – for those applying by February 2026
Overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
A grade of “C” or better in the following courses:
BIO 271/271L (Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Laboratory) or KIN 291/291L (Clinical Human Anatomy and Clinical Human Anatomy Laboratory)
BIO 277/277L (Human Physiology and Human Physiology Laboratory) or KIN 292/292L (Clinical Human Physiology and Clinical Human Physiology Laboratory)
BIO 280/280L (Fundamentals of Microbiology and Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory)
CHE 103 with CHE 110
CHE 104 (General Descriptive Chemistry II)
STA 108 (Elementary Introduction to Probability and Statistics)
HDF 111 (Human Development Across the Life Span)
PSY 121 (General Psychology)
NTR 213 (Introductory Nutrition)
PHI 121 (Contemporary Moral Problems) or PHI 220 (Medical Ethics)
SOC 101 (Introduction to Sociology) or ATY 100 (Modern Cultural Diversity)
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.
Scores for the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) must be submitted electronically by the application deadline, February 1. Information regarding the ATI TEAS test is available on our website.
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.
Students must be formally admitted to the School of Nursing as an upper-division major.
Admission to UNCG does not guarantee admission to the upper division major.
Student can apply for admission to the School of Nursing while still completing their prerequisite courses.
Applications are available each year on the School of Nursing website from December 1 through February 1.
Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended must be submitted by February 1, as these grades and GPAs are also considered during the admissions process.
Students are notified of the School’s decision regarding acceptance in early to mid-March. Students may not enroll in required nursing courses without being admitted to the School.
Explore information for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in the current UNCG Catalog.
The required prerequisites could be completed on a part-time basis. The prelicensure BSN program is designed to be a full-time program due to the intensive nature of the coursework and clinical requirements.
Clinicals are typically held at various healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and community health settings in the Greensboro area. Examples of our clinical partners include Cone Health, Novant Health, Atrium Health, Alamance-Burlington School Systems, Guilford County Health Department, Authoracare, Hospice of Rockingham, Hospice of the Piedmont, the surrounding VA Hospitals, UNC Chapel Hill, WakeMed, Duke Health, and many more!
Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Graduates can work in a variety of clinical and nonclinical settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health organizations, and more. Graduates can specialize in emergency room, medical-surgical, community health, critical care, pediatrics, hospice, obstetrics, oncology, and many more nursing specialties! Graduates of the program often fulfill essentials roles in the healthcare system such as a travel nurse, flight nurse, public health nurse, telehealth nurse, forensic nurse, staff nurse, research nurse, school nurse, hospice nurse, occupational health nurse, nurse administrator and leader, nurse educator, and home health nurse. Completing your BSN at UNCG School of Nursing ensures you’re prepared to pursue specialized fields and advance your education.
It depends on how long ago the courses were taken and the specific requirements of the School of Nursing. There is no time limitation with prerequisites; however, we recommend that the science courses should be recent (within the last 5-7 years). Check with an advisor for specific guidelines and an individualized transcript review.
No, you do not have to be enrolled in UNCG first to apply for the prelicensure nursing program. However, upon acceptance, you must apply to UNC Greensboro.
The NCLEX pass rate for the program varies year to year. Check the latest statistics on the School of Nursing’s website or contact the program director for current rates.
While the BSN program is rigorous, it may be possible to pursue a minor. However, because a minor typically requires 15 to 18 semester hours of coursework in the selected area of study, pursuing a minor usually means the student needs an extra semester or year to graduate. You should discuss this with your academic advisor to see if it fits into your academic plan.
Yes, there are opportunities to study abroad before entering the major or in the summer after acceptance into the nursing program.
The official evaluation of transfer credits will be completed after your application for admission to the University is complete. There are online resources you can use to see whether the courses you completed will transfer. Only courses with grades of C or higher will be considered for transfer; grades of C- or lower will not transfer. The credit earned (assuming it was a grade of C or better) will apply toward the degree. If you are unsure if the course will meet a School of Nursing requirement, contact the Office of Student Success for a transcript evaluation. During the admission process, you are required to attach copies of your transcripts of all post-high school education, so the Admission Committee will consider your grades in the courses you completed elsewhere in making an admission decision.
Attendance in summer school is not typically required for prerequisite courses, but it may be an option to lighten your course load during regular semesters or to complete prerequisites. You will be required to take classes (NUR 210/210L and 220/220L) the summer before your junior year.
The admission process is competitive, and if the program reaches capacity, qualified applicants may be placed on a waitlist. Students on the waitlist can be notified up until the first day of class if a space becomes available in the program. Position on the waitlist is not released. If a student on the waitlist is not accepted, they are encouraged to apply during the next admission cycle. Reapplication does not carry over into the next application cycle and does not guarantee admission.
If not accepted, you can reapply in the next admission cycle or consider other pathways, such as a change of major at UNCG or exploring other nursing programs. Students who apply to other nursing programs must contact each school for information about prerequisite requirements and application deadlines. Students should talk with their advisors to better understand their likelihood of being admitted, discuss career options, and learn about campus resources. There is no limit on the number of times you can apply to the nursing program.
Yes, prerequisite courses can be taken at accredited community colleges. Ensure the courses meet UNCG’s requirements and transfer policies here.
No, the prelicensure BSN program is for students without a prior nursing degree, while the RN to BSN program is for current Registered Nurses who want to earn their BSN. For more information regarding the RN to BSN program, click here.
Yes, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for nursing licensure through the state Board of Nursing to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). For more information about the NCLEX-RN, visit the NCSBN NCLEX page. If you are testing in NC, see the detailed information about licensure by examination on the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) website. If you are testing outside of the state of NC, check the application requirements early on the applicable Board of Nursing website.
Connect with us
For questions about the program, please email us at nursing@uncg.edu
Kristie Davis-Collins, PhD, MSN-ED, RN, CNE
Director of the Prelicensure BSN Program 336-334-4115
