BSN Frequently Asked Questions

Is the traditional BSN program at ECU a direct admit program?

The traditional 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 traditional 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 review the current requirements outlined on the BSN Admission Application Fees page and visit the ECU Undergraduate Admissions website and review the applicable admission steps for general admission to the university.

We offer multiple BSN pathways at ECU in addition to the traditional pathway. Prospective students are encouraged to review all pathways to determine which option best aligns with their goals and resources for their education:

RIBN (for high school seniors)
Accelerated BSN (for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree)
RN to BSN (for those who have already earned an Associate Degree in Nursing)
RN to BSN Early Assurance and aRIBN (for those who are currently enrolled in an Associate Degree in Nursing program at a NC community college)

When can I apply to the BSN program?

Students apply to the traditional BSN program when they have completed or are enrolled in 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.

The College of Nursing does not permit students to complete course requirements in the summer or winter break term following an admission cycle.

What are the deadlines to apply to the traditional BSN program?

The traditional 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 application 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 for the same term they are applying for nursing school by their intended BSN application deadline to have their BSN application reviewed.

How many times can I apply to the traditional BSN program?

Students can have their application to the traditional 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 traditional BSN program is highly 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 admission to the traditional BSN pathway..

When should I expect my admission decision?

Admission decision letters for all traditional 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 for the same term they applied to nursing school prior to BSN admission decisions being emailed or they may be ineligible to receive a seat in the program. The College of Nursing cannot offer program admission to any student who is not also admitted to the university for the same term.

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 at any time after receiving their alternate notification if a seat becomes available in the program. If a seat 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 traditional BSN program?

Current program requirements can be found in the ECU undergraduate catalog. A BSN course requirement tracking worksheet and links to online resources related to transfer course equivalencies can be found on our website HERE.

Can the traditional BSN program be completed fully online?

No. The traditional 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 full-time and 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 traditional BSN program?

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

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

It is important to understand that Undergraduate Admissions and the Registrar will complete the official review of submitted transcripts and test scores after students apply to the university for admission.

Prospective students should review the transfer credit and course equivalency resources linked HERE to understand how previous or planned coursework may apply to the BSN course requirements.

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

Students applying for the traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional BSN program at ECU?

Prospective applicants who have been previously admitted to but did not finish 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 will be required to submit a formal letter from the Dean or Director of their former nursing program with their BSN application. The letter must be on program letterhead, include the contact information for the Dean or Director, and outline the specific reason(s) the applicant is no longer in the program.

If this applies to you, you are strongly advised to send your letter to the College of Nursing at CONAdvising@ecu.edu for review to ensure you are eligible to pursue the traditional BSN program at ECU.