Nursing (B.S.) Admission Information

The School of Nursing is a competitive five-semester program. We accept qualified applicants based on comprehensive admission profiles which include grades on prerequisite courses. You must have prerequisite GPA and an overall/cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.

• For fall program start: application opens Nov. 1. and closes Jan. 15, with submission encouraged by Jan. 1.
• For spring program start: application opens April 1. and closes June 15, with submission encouraged by June 1.

The School of Nursing will not review incomplete or late applications.

To Qualify

You’ll begin our four-semester nursing curriculum after you meet the following requirements:

• A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in all NIU or transferable postsecondary work.
• Achieve a minimum grade of C or better in all attempted prerequisite courses.
• A drug screen and criminal background check. A positive drug screen or negative criminal background check may result in your inability to begin our nursing program

Freshman Applicants

If you have fewer than 24 college semester hours before January 15, you will apply as freshman.

1. Apply to NIU; indicate nursing as your intended major.
2. Submit application and required documents to the Office of Admissions by January 15.

Admission is based on your high school rank and/or GPA. Highly qualified applicants may receive early admission prior to January 15.

Transfer Applicants

If you have more than 24 college semester hours and/or are transferring from another university or college: 

1. Apply to NIU; indicate nursing as your intended major.
2. Apply to Nursing CAS.
3. Submit application, official transcripts to NIU and Nursing CAS and required documents by the deadline.

Transfer students must complete and submit an online application.

You must have completed the following prerequisite courses with a C or better by the deadline:

• BIOS 103 or BIOS 109
• BIOS 357
• CHEM 110 and CHEM 111 or CHEM 210 and CHEM 212
• ENGL 203
• STAT 100

Admission is competitive and based primarily on your pre-requisite GPA. It is also based on your overall GPA, and number of prerequisite courses completed.

Note: BIOS 213 or BIOS 313; and BIOS 357 must be completed within seven years of admission to our nursing program.

Current NIU Students

Current NIU students must complete and submit an online application.

1. Apply to Nursing CAS.
2. Submit application, official transcripts to Nursing CAS and required documents by the deadline.

You must have completed the following prerequisite courses with a C or better by the deadline:

• BIOS 103 or BIOS 109
• BIOS 357
• CHEM 110 and CHEM 111 or CHEM 210 and CHEM 212
• ENGL 203
• STAT 100

Admission is competitive and based primarily on your pre-requisite GPA. It is also based on your overall GPA, and number of prerequisite courses completed.

Note: BIOS 213 or BIOS 313; and BIOS 357 must be completed within seven years of admission to our nursing program.

Nursing CAS Fee Waiver

Nursing CAS has an application fee of $65 for the first school designated, and $50 for each additional school applied to through their system. They do offer fee waivers, please visit Nursing CAS for more information on how to apply for an income based or service-based waiver.

Prerequisite Requirements

Admitted students must have all prerequisite courses completed prior to beginning their nursing coursework.

If you took prerequisite classes at a local community college, refer to the Limited Admission Program Transfer Course Equivalencies page to verify transferability.

A failed pre-requisite course (D, F, W) may not be repeated more than once to receive a passing grade of C or higher. The highest grade will be used for GPA calculation.

Be sure to read our frequently asked questions page for more information.

Core Performance Standards

There are core performance standards for all nursing majors. Please see the student handbook for further information.