Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Four-year academic plan for completion of BSN degree

The BSN program prepares students to meet the current and future health needs of society through a comprehensive academic foundation in the sciences and humanities (review Nursing course descriptions).


The above table illustrates BSN degree requirements arranged so that the program is completed in four years. Students who have already completed courses toward other majors, transfer students, part-time students, or students required to enroll in developmental coursework (e.g. English Composition, Math, and/or Chemistry) may need longer than four years to finish the BSN degree.

Chemistry competency is required for admission to the School of Nursing. This requirement can be met with two semesters of high school chemistry with a grade of ‘C’ or higher or one semester of college chemistry with a grade of ‘C’ or higher.

Degree Requirements

All candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 credit hours that apply to the degree (credit hour requirements may vary slightly among IUPUI, IU Bloomington, and IUPU Columbus campuses). Credits earned in remedial learning-skill courses and courses that are repeated do not apply toward the degree.
2. Achievement of a minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0).
3. Achievement of a grade of C (2.0) or higher in each required course or its equivalent.
4. Removal of all Incompletes, deferred grades, and special credit course grades in nursing courses by three weeks prior to the end of the student's last semester before graduation.
5. Completion of all course work within six years after enrollment in nursing courses for the nursing major.
6. Completion of a minimum of 51 percent of courses in the nursing major on the IU campus that grants the degree.
7. Completion of the Intent to Graduate application at the beginning of the final semester.

Program Outcomes

All graduates of the bachelor's degree program are expected to demonstrate the following qualities as:

1. A critical thinker who demonstrates intellectual curiosity, rational inquiry, problem-solving.
2. A culturally competent person who provides holistic nursing care to a variety of individuals, families, and communities.
3. A knowledgeable care coordinator who facilitates access to resources necessary to meet health care needs of individuals, families, and communities.
4. An individual who understands the political dynamics in various settings and participates in the change process to shape health care policy.
5. An individual who practices within an ethical and legal framework for the nursing profession.
6. An effective communicator who is able to share accurate information.
7. A competent provider of nursing care who functions in various professional nursing roles in structured or semi-structured health care settings.
8. A professional role model who promotes a positive public image of nursing.
9. A responsible manager who balances human, fiscal, and material resources to achieve quality health care outcomes.

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