Nursing Admissions Criteria

Applicants are reviewed on an individual basis for the four-year Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for program admission:

First-Year: no college credits completed after high school graduation

• Meet the University’s general admission criteria
• Cumulative high school academic GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Grades of “B-“ or above in math and science courses
• SAT score of 500 or higher in each section or ACT composite of 21+

Transfer: applicant with college credits* after high school graduation

• Meet the University’s general admission criteria
• Cumulative college GPA of 2.8 or higher*
• Meet first-year criteria if 18 or less completed college credits
• Approval of the Nursing Department
• Transfer students must have completed their science courses within 10 years prior to admission; students who are ineligible for admission based on this requirement may take a standardized examination in the content area to demonstrate a sound knowledge base.

RN-BS: applicant with RN, earned Associate Degree or Diploma in nursing, and passed the NCLEX-RN® exam

• Meet the University’s general and transfer admission criteria
• Demonstrated successful completion of Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II; and Microbiology (or their equivalents).
• Must have an unencumbered RN license in the state of Vermont
• RN-to-B.S. students wishing to complete clinical hours in an agency outside of the State of Vermont must be licensed to practice in that state and have the permission of the regulatory board governing practice in that state.
• Approval of the Nursing Department

Applicant enrolled in nursing at Castleton seeking to complete 3-year accelerated track

To be considered for admission to the accelerated three year track in the pre-licensure program applicants must submit a written application to the Student Affairs Committee of the Department of Nursing by March. Applications are available in the Department of Nursing. Once applications have been reviewed admitted students will be given permission to register for courses in the summer accelerated three year track. Students are not guaranteed admission to the accelerated three year track in the pre-licensure nursing program.
General eligibility for the program includes a GPA of 3.5 or higher and recommendation from current nursing faculty.
Students who register for courses in the summer accelerated track will need to prioritize their studies; thus, employment needs to be limited to 20 hours or less per week.

Internal transfer: applicant enrolled at Castleton seeking to become a nursing major

• University GPA of 2.8 or higher in program-related credits*
• A 9-credit academic load in the semester prior of, or prior to, application
• Letters of application are due in the Nursing Department:
  • no later than December 1 for consideration for spring semester admission
  • no later than May 1 for consideration for summer semester admission
  • no later than August 1 for consideration for fall semester admission
• Approval of the Nursing Department

To progress in the nursing program students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher and receive grades of B- or greater in all courses required for the Nursing major.

All students matriculating into Castleton's nursing program are required to complete clearance procedures including a criminal background check and drug screen prior to enrollment. Final acceptance to the program is conditional upon receipt of appropriate clearances. Individuals who do not meet health requirements or have a positive criminal background check or drug screen will be reviewed but may not be admitted to the program. Additional clearance procedures may be required by regulatory bodies or specific clinical agencies. The cost for completing any clearance procedures will be paid by the student.

* Any college-level coursework must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. All courses required for the nursing major must be completed with a B- or better for continuance in the program; this B- requirement stands for any academic work completed prior to enrollment at Castleton.