Accelerated B.S.N. Program Eligibility Requirements

Prior to applying to the nursing program, students must apply for admission to SDSU. The number of students accepted to enroll in the nursing program may vary depending upon available clinical facilities, qualified faculty and funds. Selection is made from among the best qualified for the study and practice of nursing.

Prior Educational Preparation

• Completion of all pre-­nursing and required university core courses by the end of SDSU's summer session/semester (for the Sioux Falls site) or the end of SDSU’s fall semester (for the Rapid City site).

For students entering the university under the SDSU 2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog and later, the following admission criteria will apply:

• To be considered for admission to the accelerated B.S.N. program, students must have:
  • a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or higher.
  • a grade of “C” or higher in all completed courses required for graduation.
  • Pre-nursing courses
    • PSYC 101 General Psychology, 3 credits
    • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology or 150 Social Problems or 240 Sociology of Rural America or ANTH 210 Cultural Anthropology, 3 credits
    • PSYC 221 Lifespan Developmental Psychology or HDFS 210 Lifespan Development, 3 credits
    • CHEM 106/106L Chemistry Survey and lab (or CHEM 112/112L Gen Chem I and lab), 4 credits
    • NUTR 315 Human Nutrition, 3 credits
    • BIOL 221/221L Anatomy and lab, 4 credits
    • BIOL 325/325L Physiology and lab, 4 credits
    • MICR 231/L Microbiology and lab, 4 credits
    • SGR 1: Written Communication: any two eligible courses
    • SGR 2: Oral Communication: any eligible course
    • SGR 4: Arts & Humanities: any two eligible courses
    • SGR 5: Mathematics, MATH 103 or higher course
    • NURS 119 Seminar

    Transfer Courses

    All completed courses from institutions other than SDSU need to be transferred SDSU prior to applying to the accelerated program. Following completion of any courses still in progress at the time of application to the accelerated program, applicants must have the Registrar submit an official transcript to SDSU Admissions. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted through NursingCAS.

    Note: Any courses required for admission to the accelerated program that the applicant plans to enroll in during the spring/summer (in Sioux Falls) or the summer/fall (in Rapid City) MUST be approved by the accelerated program academic advisor.

    Technical Standards

    Applicants must meet the technical standards for admission to, progression in and completion of the accelerated program.

    Qualified Applicants are Offered Admittance on a Provisional Basis

    Applicants must continue to meet all grade point and course completion eligibility requirements. Prior to beginning the program you must also have met the drug screen, federal background check, immunizations, health insurance and laptop computer requirements. Failure to do so will result in program dismissal.

    Non-­Native Speakers of English

    As the nurse is a professional who deals with human lives, it is mandatory that a higher level of English fluency be met in order to ensure the safety of clients and students. The English as a Second Language requirement for the College of Nursing is the same as that required by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The College of Nursing requires all students who meet the definition of student with English as a Second Language to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo or an accepted substitute. English as a Second Language is defined as a student who was instructed and spoke primarily in a language other than English in the K-12 grades or primary and secondary schooling. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission to the professional program is 79 (iBT), with a minimum speaking score of 26. The required IELTS band score for admission to the professional program is 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each module. The minimum Duolingo score is 110. The TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo is required for all students for whom English is a second language, regardless of residency status. These scores are required before the student will be accepted into the professional program. The student is responsible for all testing fees. More details about requirements for the university and waiver countries are included on the International Admissions page.

    Background Checks

    All students seeking admission into a nursing program in the College of Nursing must submit federal and supplemental criminal background checks. Admission to a program is conditional based on the results of the background check. The required background check is based on requirements for licensure as a registered nurse in South Dakota (South Dakota Nurse Practice Act, SD Codified Law Chapter 36-­9-­97). If you have been convicted, pled guilty or no contest to, or received a suspended imposition of sentence for a felony or other criminal offense (excluding minor traffic violations), you are advised that it may not be possible for you to be accepted into the major at SDSU. Students may also be prevented from taking the required licensure exam for registered nurses, and may be prevented from gaining employment in the field of nursing.

    Drug Screen

    All students seeking admission into a nursing program in the College of Nursing at SDSU must undergo a drug screen.