We've listed below some commonly asked questions about the RN to BS program with answers from our Admissions Office.
If you have additional questions, refer to our general FAQ page, or contact the Admissions Office.
RN to BS Online FAQ
No, you do not. We offer courses that count towards the arts and sciences requirement. You and your advisor will sit down and determine your degree plan no matter how many arts and sciences credits you may need.
There are many opportunities for RN to BS students to receive scholarships. Visit our list of sources for financial aid and scholarships.
Students will use an iPad and complete online coursework through Blackboard. Communication is primarily through an assigned university email, text, and zoom meetings. Though all courses are entirely online, students will be in close contact with course faculty throughout their classes and work closely with an assigned advisor for program and course degree planning. The online program is the best of both worlds, with frequent contact and advisement from faculty with the flexibility of online learning to fit your schedule.
The RN to BS program is structured around arts and science courses and professional core (nursing) courses. The arts and science requirements are completed first and are individualized based on your advisor's recommendations. The professional core courses are a series of eight courses (for 28 credits) and four credits of nursing electives for a total of 32 credits. The 32 professional core courses MUST be completed at the UR School of Nursing.
When you submit your transcripts, a transcript analysis is completed which determines which of your previously-attended courses can be transferred to the School of Nursing as an arts and sciences course. These courses include subjects such as humanities (such as English, foreign languages); social sciences (such as psychology, sociology) and natural sciences (such as biology, microbiology). Your advisor will work with you to create a personalized degree plan and can discuss the various arts and sciences courses with you.
Visit the Arts and Sciences Requirements page to learn more about the requirement, and how you can complete these courses here at the UR School of Nursing.
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a program offered by the College Board. A CLEP is a challenge exam in a content area (such as literature, sociology, etc.) where you receive college credit by passing the exam. It is a way to assist students in meeting the arts and sciences credit requirements for the program.
No, it does not matter how long ago you took the course. That is why we ask to receive ALL college transcripts so that we can transfer in as many courses as possible.
Within your professional core courses (which consist of 32 credits that must be taken at the UR School of Nursing) there are 4 nursing elective credits. This can be accomplished through a variable credit portfolio - which enables us to grant credit for your experiential learning, prior nursing experience or prior "CEU" contact hours - or an elective course which you have taken at the University of Rochester. You and your advisor will talk about this when you complete your degree plan. These four credits do not fulfill arts and sciences requirements.