BSN FAQ

Is the BSN program at ECU a direct admit program?

The BSN program at ECU is not a direct admit program. All students enter ECU and remain an Intended Nursing major until they have met all eligibility criteria and are ready to apply to the clinical portion of the program. If admitted to the program, students then shift to a Declared Nursing major.

How many students are admitted to the BSN program each semester?

ECU is proud to be the largest BSN program in the state of North Carolina. The College of Nursing accepts up to 130 BSN students each semester for a total of 260 students each year. We usually receive anywhere between 200 – 250 applications each semester for the BSN program.

To be eligible to apply to the BSN program at ECU, what requirements do I have to meet?

The minimum eligibility requirements and application process can be found on the BSN Admission Application Fees page.

I am not a current ECU student but want to earn my BSN from ECU. What should I do first?

You should visit the ECU Undergraduate Admissions website and review the admission steps and apply for general admission to the university. All non-ECU students must apply for general admission to East Carolina University by their intended BSN program application deadline.

When can I apply to the BSN program?

Students generally apply to the BSN option when they are completing their last semester of required general education and prerequisite courses – either fall or spring semester. Students usually complete these courses their fourth semester at ECU, but some students could finish sooner depending on transfer courses, dual-enrolled high school courses, or being an Early College graduate.

What are the deadlines to apply to the BSN program?

The BSN program at ECU admits students twice a year. The BSN application deadline is February 1st for fall admission and September 1st for spring admission. Please visit the Admission Application Fees webpage for in depth information about the BSN admission process and eligibility criteria.

Prospective students who plan to complete all general education and prerequisite requirements outside of ECU and then apply directly to the BSN program, must also apply for general admission to East Carolina University by their intended BSN application deadline to have their BSN application reviewed.

How many times can I apply to the BSN program?

Students can have their application to the BSN program considered a maximum of three times. If not admitted, they must pursue nursing on an alternative path or change majors at ECU.

How are applications evaluated?

Admission to the BSN program is competitive and based on 1) Total points earned in the College of Nursing ranking formula (PDF) and 2) overall cumulative GPA including all college grades from all colleges attended.

Prospective students with college courses completed at institutions outside of ECU are highly encouraged to submit a request for an unofficial transcript review prior to applying to the university to receive feedback regarding their level of competitiveness for BSN admission.

When should I expect my admission decision?

Admission decision letters for all BSN applicants are sent to their ECU student email about a month and a half following the application deadline dates each semester.

Applicants not currently enrolled at ECU must be fully admitted ECU students prior to BSN admission decisions being emailed or they may be ineligible to receive a seat in the program.

Is there a waitlist?

Applicants will receive their admission decision via email to their ECU student email account indicating if they have been admitted, denied, or selected as an alternate for the waitlist. Alternates may be notified up until the day courses start if a space becomes available in the program. If a space does not become available, the waitlisted status does not carry over to the following term and the alternate student must submit a new application to be considered for future admission cycles.

What are the required general education and prerequisite courses for the BSN program?

Current program requirements can be found in the ECU undergraduate catalog. A sample four year curriculum for the BSN degree can be downloaded below. Courses listed under the freshman and sophomore year outline the required general education and prerequisite courses for the BSN program.

Download Sample Four-Year Plan

Can the BSN program be completed fully online?

No. The BSN program is not an online degree. Students may be able to take some general education and prerequisite courses online, but the clinical portion of the program (nursing school) is face-to-face with the exception of two online summer courses.

The only ECU BSN pathway that can be completed fully online is the RN to BSN program which is designed for Registered Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a community college who desire to finish their four year BSN degree with ECU.

Is there a time limit on general education and prerequisite courses for the BSN program?

No, there is currently no time limit on general education and prerequisite courses for the BSN program.

How can I tell if my transfer courses and/or test scores will apply to the BSN program requirements?

The resources below are tools prospective students can use to unofficially determine potential transferability of credit completed at other institutions. It is important to understand that Undergraduate Admissions and the Registrar will complete the official processing of submitted transcripts after students apply to the university for admission. A final grade of C- or higher is required by the university to officially transfer credit and the College of Nursing requires a C or higher in certain prerequisite courses.

If the above resources do not provide all the transfer information needed, the ECU College of Nursing offers the option for an unofficial review of a complete set of transcripts. Requests are typically processed in 4-6 weeks but during peak times of the semester response time may be extended.

Is there a pre-admission entrance exam that is required for the BSN program?

Students applying for the BSN program are required to take the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) examination and submit their exam score report(s) along with their application. The maximum number of times a student may take the HESI A2 exam is two times. For more information, please visit the HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) examination webpage.

Are there non-academic requirements for the BSN program?

Yes. Admitted students must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug test or their seat in the program will be rescinded. Criminal convictions and pending criminal charges can impact a student’s ability to begin nursing school. Questions regarding the BSN criminal background check and drug test requirements should be emailed to CONAdvising@ecu.edu.

I have been enrolled in another school’s nursing program and was unsuccessful. Can I apply to the BSN program at ECU?

Applicants who have been previously admitted to the clinical portion of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at a community college or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at another university must have left that program in good standing to be eligible to apply to the BSN program at ECU. Applicants who have failed out of an ADN or BSN program at another institution are not eligible to pursue the traditional BSN program at ECU. These students are required to submit a letter from the Dean or Director of their former program with their application. (This does not include students who were pre-nursing or working on program prerequisites for nursing at another institution).

Questions regarding this admission policy should be emailed to CONAdvising@ecu.edu.

Are there additional tuition and fees associated with the BSN program?

Yes. There are additional costs for nursing students once admitted to nursing school for items such as uniforms, books, background checks, drug screening, clinical testing and supplies, and liability insurance. Currently, there is a one-time fee of $35 for liability insurance coverage while enrolled in the program. Students must also have current CPR certification. Costs for these programs vary from $25 or $40.

A schedule of university tuition and fees is available on the Cashier’s website.