Second Degree BS in Nursing

The Department of Nursing offers a Second Degree bachelor's program for non-nursing college graduates leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.  The curriculum, acknowledging the education, career and life experiences of the individual requires fewer pre-requisites for the nursing courses than the basic baccalaureate nursing program of study.  Students may complete the second bachelor's degree in three semesters of full-time study. 

Licensure as a registered nurse requires application to the State Board of Nursing to take the National Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), documentation of completion of the nursing program, payment of a fee and a criminal background check.

Students should be aware that drug testing and background checks are commonly required by clinical agencies. Students who have been convicted of a felony or have pled nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, may not be eligible for some clinical placements and may be unable to complete program requirements. Likewise they may be ineligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in some states including Maryland.

Second Degree program graduates are encouraged to continue their nursing education in the graduate program.  The graduate program offers a family nurse practitioner track, a health care leadership track, and a clinical nurse educator track.

To be eligible for admission to the Second Degree program, students must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Students from all majors (including diploma or associate degree-prepared registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing major) are eligible to enroll.

Faculty advisors assist prospective students to assess their learning needs and identify independent learning resources available to them through the University. The prerequisite courses are available at Salisbury University; however, it is not mandatory for them to be taken at SU.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Second Degree Program

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for admission to the Second Degree program must first meet all University requirements and be admitted to the University by the Admissions Office.  Once admitted to the University, applicants are reviewed by the Department of Nursing for admission to the Second Degree program.  Admission is competitive and is based on evaluation of the applicant's overall qualifications.

To be eligible for admission to the Second Degree program, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average for previous academic work of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be considered for provision admission.  Students admitted provisionally are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the first 15 credits of course work.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the English language if an international student. Additional Salisbury University requirements for admission of international students must be met.  All international applications will be reviewed by a University International Student Admissions Counselor, currently Agata Liszkowska who can be reached by email at:  axliszkowska@salisbury.edu.
3. Demonstrate mastery of the following subjects:  basic statistics, microbiology, anatomy and physiology I and II (all body systems), chemistry or physics and pathophysiology.  Mastery may be established by earning academic credit for course work, by successfully challenging a department exam given for the course, or by successfully passing a standardized test in the specific area of study. All prerequisite requirements must be completed no later than one month prior to the first day of class.  (Failure to do so may result in losing your seat in the class.)

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Second Degree program must:

1. Submit to the Salisbury University Admissions Office:

   • The admissions application (preferably submitted electronically) at www.salisbury.edu/apply but may also be submitted in paper copy at www.salisbury.edu/apply/paper
   • The University application fee paid to Salisbury University.
   • The Residency/Domicile Information Form  http://www.salisbury.edu/admin/residency/documents/newstdfm.pdf)
   • TOEFL scores (international students). Originals must be submitted.

2. Submit to Department of Nursing, Director of Graduate and Second Degree Programs, IN ONE PACKAGE WITH ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS BELOW INCLUDED:

   • The Application for Second Degree Program in the Department of Nursing.  The form can be obtained by clicking  Application Packet  .
   • A 1-2 page typed narrative of educational and professional goals.
   • A current resume or curriculum vita.
   • Any OFFICIAL transcripts from the first bachelor's degree and any other academic course work. NOTE: Transcripts must be official transcripts in sealed envelopes. These official transcripts will be copied by the Department of Nursing and original copies sent to the Admissions Office.
   • TWO academic and/or professional recommendations (on the forms provided in the Application Packet) addressing potential for nursing study. Each recommendation MUST BE SEALED IN AN ENVELOPE AND SIGNED ACROSS THE SEAL BY THE PERSON MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION.