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Prelicensure BSN Program

Spring 2027 Application Information Packet

Program Information

The Metropolitan State University Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a four-year undergraduate program that prepares graduates to provide holistic, person-centered care to individuals, families, and communities from diverse backgrounds. This Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is based on a set of core competencies that graduates learn through a variety of clinical experiences. Successful achievement of these core competencies prepare BSN graduates to adapt to changing healthcare needs and advance health equity through interdisciplinary collaboration, civic engagement, self-care, and life-long learning. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national licensure exam (NCLEX-RN®) and practice as professional nurses.

Students admitted to the PBSN Program must be able to carry out the list of Performance Standards that are published in the program student handbook, which can be found at https://www.metrostate.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/Technical%20Standards.pdf .

BSN Application Requirements for the Spring 2027 cohort:

Please read all information posted at Nursing Prelicensure BSN Metro State University before beginning your application to the nursing program.

Admission is limited and competitive; it is advised that all applicants consider a parallel plan.

To be eligible for application to the prelicensure BSN major, applicants must complete/submit the following:

  1. General admission to Metropolitan State University, which requires submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Complete an online undergraduate admission application. Applicants must be fully admitted to Metro State by the application deadline.
  2. Completion of the nine prerequisites listed below with a 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Grades of C-, S or P are not accepted. If a course has been taken multiple times, the most recent course grade will be used for GPA calculation. Similar/equivalent courses will be considered and must be completed at an accredited university or college:
    • WRIT 131 Writing I (Introductory writing course)
    • PSYC 100 General Psychology
    • METR 101 Your Academic Journey OR MnTC Course Elective (Goal Area 6 recommended)
    • CHEM 105 Survey of General, Organic, and Biochemistry (or an alternative Goal Area 3 chemistry course with lab)
    • BIOL 221 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
    • BIOL 225 Basic Microbiology (with lab)
    • PSYC 311 Life Span Developmental Psychology
    • WRIT 231 Writing II (Intermediate writing course)
    • WRIT 330 APA Documentation Basics
  3. Establish a 2.75 minimum or higher cumulative GPA, calculated from all official transcripts. All college courses and credits, both attempted and completed, are used in calculating the cumulative GPA. Failure to submit all official transcripts by the application deadline may negatively impact your application consideration.
  4. Transcripts: For Minnesota State transcripts, go to https://www.metrostate.edu/academics/records/transcript-requests for Minnesota State transcripts to be sent electronically to Metro State. Non–Minnesota State transcripts should be sent by email to admissions@metrostate.edu. Official transcripts for colleges attended outside the U.S. should be submitted through World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). Find information and links at https://www.metrostate.edu/apply/get-started/transcripts 
  5. Completion of the ATI TEAS 7 Exam with minimum score of 58.7%.
    All applicants must complete the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) standardized Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) test and submit their scores by the application deadline. The TEAS covers Reading, Mathematics, Science, English and language usage. The TEAS 7 version will be accepted for the Spring 2027 application and admission cycle.

    TEAS testing will be offered through Metro State from May through August prior to the application deadline; information can be found online at www.metrostate.edu/academics/nursing-and-health-sciences/teas . Students choosing to take the TEAS outside of Metro State will need to contact ATI (1-800-667-7531) and have their transcript transferred for an additional fee. ATI information and registration information can be found at www.atitesting.com.
  6. Submission of the online prelicensure BSN Application by the published application deadline. The online application link is found at www.metrostate.edu/academics/programs/prelicensure-bsn#enroll .
  7. Completion of Semester 1 and Semester 2 courses.
  8. Completion of five “Semester 3, pre-admission courses” prior to program start and maintenance of a 2.75 or higher prerequisite grade point average (GPA). Semester 3 courses must be completed before starting Semester 4 of the program.

Semesters 1, 2, and 3 of the Prelicensure BSN Course Sequence Plan

Prerequisite courses must be a minimum of 3 credits (unless noted) and completed with a grade of C or higher.

Semester 2 Spring

  • BIOL 221 Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab (4 cr.)
  • BIOL 225 Basic Microbiology w/lab (4 cr.)
  • PSYC 311 Lifespan Development Psychology (4 cr.)
  • MnTC Goal 1 Intermediate Writing Course
    WRIT 231 Writing II (3 cr.)
  • WRIT 330 APA Documentation Basics (1 cr.)

Prerequisite courses must be a minimum of 3 credits (unless noted) and completed with a grade of C or higher.

Semester 1 Fall

  • MnTC Goal 1 Introductory Writing Course:
    WRIT 131 Writing I (3 cr.)
  • PSYC 100 General Psychology (4 cr.)
  • MnTC Goal 3 Chemistry course with lab
    CHEM 105 Survey of Gen. Org. & Biochem (4 cr.)
  • Goal 6 MnTC Elective (3–4 cr.)
    (OR METR 101 Your Academic Journey (3 cr.) required for students with 0–16 transfer credits)

Prerequisite courses must be a minimum of 3 credits (unless otherwise noted) and completed with a grade of C or higher.

Semester 3 Fall

  • BIOL 222 Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab (4 cr.)
  • PHIL 321 Medical Ethics OR PHIL 301 Ethical Inquiry (4 cr.)
  • COMM 231 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.), COMM 372 Health Communication (4 cr.), OR COMM 331 Interpersonal Communication for Health Professionals
  • NURS 220 Intro to the Profession of Nursing (2 cr.)
  • HSCI 201 Nutrition for Health Professionals (2 cr.)

Applicants may be accepted conditionally if Semester 3 courses in the Nursing Curriculum Plan are in progress at time of application. Full acceptance into the program is dependent on successful completion of the Semester 3 courses in the Nursing Curriculum Plan, with a C or higher grade in each course, and maintaining a cumulative 2.75 GPA through semesters 1–3 prior to the start of the nursing program in semester 4.

Holistic Admissions

Metropolitan State University Department of Nursing Holistic Admissions Philosophy

The holistic admissions process is consistent with the mission and vision of the Department of Nursing, the mission and vision of the university, and the needs of the profession to have a diverse workforce. It is a strategic process to identify applicants with diverse attributes and experiences alongside traditional academic metrics. This approach is designed to support a broad array of factors that reflect an applicant’s academic readiness, community engagement, and openness to perspectives different from their own. The goal of holistic admissions is to enhance graduates’ contributions to the academic and practice environments. Two different areas of strength are evaluated for admission: metrics (scores) and attributes and experiences. Each area is worth 50%.

  1. Metrics – up to 50%
    • A 2.75 minimum GPA in Semesters 1 & 2 prerequisite courses; up to 25%
    • A TEAS overall score of 58.7%; up to 15%
    • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75; up to 10%
  2. Attributes and Experiences – 50%
    The Department of Nursing at Metro State recognizes that prospective students are applying with an array of backgrounds. Highlight your experiences and attributes by providing short essay responses to each of the prompts listed below. Limit your response to the number of words indicated for each prompt. Responses longer than the word limit will be cut off at the assigned word limit. Applicants are encouraged to access writing support through Tutoring and Testing Services. Writing Tutoring is available (at no cost for enrolled students).

    a) Experience (keep your response to 250 words or less) (15%)
    The profession of nursing is strengthened when nurses respect and honor the viewpoints of those from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, and lifestyles. Describe specific experiences that have guided you to the nursing profession and enriched your ability to appreciate, value and learn from others. For example, consider healthcare, work, volunteer services, cultural experiences, military service or other experiences.

    b) Resiliency (keep your response to 250 words or less) (15%)
    The profession of nursing requires resiliency. Resiliency is the ability to persevere despite challenges and obstacles. Please share one or more example(s) or personal experience(s) you have had demonstrating your resiliency. Describe the situation(s) and your actions in response to the situation(s).

    c) Mission and Philosophy (keep your response to 350 words or less) (20%)
    The Metropolitan State University Department of Nursing is guided by our mission and philosophy. Describe how your talents, experiences, goals, and/or cultural background have prepared you to support the Department of Nursing’s philosophy. Include detailed example(s).

Application and Admission Notification and Timeline:

  1. The prelicensure BSN nursing application will be available online beginning on the first day of the application cycle (see dates below). The link application can be found at www.metrostate.edu/academics/programs/prelicensure-bsn#enroll . Applicants must submit the online application by the published deadline.
  2. Applications Accepted:
    Spring 2027 Program Application is available beginning in early April 2026.
    Spring 2027 Program application deadline is August 21, 2026, at 11:59pm.
  3. Notification of admission decisions:

    Admission decisions will be emailed to applicants by mid-November 2026.

    Only students officially accepted to the program may register for Semester 4 nursing courses. All students should work with their advisor to consider alternative registration options should they not be accepted to the program.

    Applications of students not accepted will not remain on file through the next admission cycle.
  4. Applicants should regularly access their Metro State email accounts to check for official communication(s) from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the prelicensure BSN program.
    1. Applicants can access their Metro State email account at www.metrostate.edu, click on “Current Students,” click on “Student Email.” Enter in StarID@go.minnstate.edu and StarID password.
    2. Issues accessing email accounts can be directed to the Metro State IET HelpDesk at 651-793-1240 or email them at: it.desk@metrostate.edu.

Questions?

Current Metro State pre-prelicensure BSN students should contact their assigned academic advisor. Prospective Metro State pre-prelicensure BSN students, should contact Admissions at 651-793-1300 or Admissions@metrostate.edu.