Nursing Associate Degree Pathway

Application Requirements

• Official high school transcript denoting high school graduation or official GED test score transcript.
• A GPA of 2.5 or higher in high school and college credit.
• For students with college credit: Any Science courses considered for application towards their degree must have been completed within the last seven years with a minimum grade of C. SSU School of Nursing requires the following science courses for degree completion: BIOL 1130, BIOL 1131, BIOL 3650, and BIOL 3750. The sciences of applicants who have earned a degree and currently work in the healthcare field may be considered at the discretion of the Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee or the Director of the School of Nursing. 
• An acceptable ACT or TEAS score is required for admission to Shawnee State University School of Nursing:
  • ACT with a Science component and a composite score of 22 or higher, 18 or higher in all categories.
  • The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) entrance exam from the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) measures the applicant’s level of performance in Math, Science, Reading, and English/Language to ensure applicants are prepared to begin nursing courses. All Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program applicants must achieve a composite score of 70% or higher on the TEAS exam and a minimum of 70% in each of the four subjects. Applicants are responsible for the cost of the exam. Applicants who do not pass the exam must complete the remediation and may retake the exam up to two additional times within one year. A minimum of 14 days between each attempt is required.
• To be considered for admission, international students must demonstrate a minimum TOEFL score of 84 with an English-speaking score of 26 or higher or a minimum Duolingo score of 120.

Improve Your Chances of Admission

If you apply and are not accepted to the ADN program on your initial attempt, please contact the School of Nursing for further guidance.

If you are currently a high school student:

• Choose science courses such as biology, anatomy & physiology, and chemistry. GRADES MATTER.
• Choose at least one algebra course.
• Take the TEAS early, and plan to re-take if you would like to improve your score.
• Talk to a nurse about their work and educational path.
• Talk to your guidance counselor about the profession of nursing and educational requirements.
• Investigate opportunities to take college level classes while you are still in high school.

If you are currently a college student:

• Take the following courses first: BIOL 1130, BIOL 1131, BIOL 3750, & BIOL 3650.
• Take as many of the non-nursing courses listed in the program of study as possible.
• Remember; GRADES MATTER!