CHHS BSN Selective Admissions 2026

This application is for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (Traditional & Accelerated). Please review specific program admission requirements to ensure that you are eligible for admission:

https://www.nku.edu/academics/chhs/programs/undergraduate/bsn.html

Please read the following requirements and considerations for program admission:

Traditional BSN

To begin the traditional BSN nursing track in August the application deadline is January 15th.
To begin the traditional BSN nursing track in January the application deadline is September 15th.

Accelerated BSN (must have a Bachelor's degree to apply)

To begin the accelerated nursing track in August the application deadline is January 15th.

Application Requirements

To complete this application, you will need the following information:

Prerequisite course information
If international student, internet-based TOEFL scores
If an LPN, license number

*Please note: If you are a current NKU nursing student (enrolled in classes beginning with "NRS"), who needs to reapply to the program, please complete the BSN Re-admission form found here.

Applicants must apply to NKU or be a current student before applying to the traditional or accelerated nursing tracks. Students who apply to the BSN program and are not already admitted to the university by the application deadline will not be considered for nursing admission.

Questions regarding admission status should be directed to the Office of Admissions at nkuadmissions@nku.edu or (859) 572-5220.
Transcripts of all post-secondary work attempted at other institutions must be submitted to the NKU Office of Admissions to determine your GPA and eligibility for the nursing program.
Applicants must have completed or at least be enrolled in all prerequisite courses required for program admission by the application due date. If enrolled in one of these courses somewhere other than NKU, proof of enrollment should be emailed to bsnursing@nku.edu. Students who do not meet this requirement may be considered for admission if there is available space and the prerequisite work can be completed prior to the start of the program.
All admitted students will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check and initial drug screening. More detailed information will be provided to accepted candidates.

***PLEASE NOTE: This application cannot be saved. Please review the application questions and utilize word to create your responses if you prefer to complete your application in multiple sittings.

Preferred Name:

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Birthdate

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Phone Number

Preferred Email Address

NKU Email Address

A certain level of English proficiency is necessary for academic success in nursing as well as for patient and client safety. For this reason, international applicants or those whose official language is other than English must demonstrate an established level of English proficiency by taking the Internet-based TOEFL as part of the application process.

ONLY International students who were born or have citizenship in any of these countries can receive an exemption from taking the internet-based TOEFL: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, Grand Cayman Islands, Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kiribati, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom.

Is English your official language?

Official language is defined as an individual's first acquired language AND the language of educational instruction. Please see the list of countries above where students may receive an exemption from taking the internet-based TOEFL.

Yes

No

What is your official language?

Have you taken the internet-based TOEFL?

Yes

No

The TOEFL is required for admission and results must be submitted prior to completing this application. Please complete this application when you have received your TOEFL scores.

A minimum cumulative score of 90 is required with the following minimum individual scores:

26 - Speaking
22 - Listening
20 - Writing
22 - Reading

Please indicate your cumulative and sub-scores in each category below.

Application Information

Program for which you are applying

For the Accelerated BSN track, please list degree and graduation date below.

What semester are you applying for?

Spring 2026

Fall 2026

Are you interested in taking classes at NKU's Grant County location?

Yes

No

Possibly - please send me more information about this option

Will you be taking any courses in Summer of 2026?

Yes

No

Please indicate what courses you will be taking during Summer 2026 and where you will be taking them

Academic History

Are you currently attending NKU?

Yes

No

Are you enrolled in a Pathway to NKU program with Cincinnati State or Gateway Community & Technical College?

Yes - CState2NKU

Yes - Gateway2NKU

No

*Only required as a pre-requisite for ABSN track

Have you already earned a Bachelor's degree?

Yes

No

Do you have transfer credit work from a prior institution to include with your application?

Yes

No

Please indicate all colleges and universities previously attended.

Have you ever taken nursing courses (ex. Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Pediatrics, etc.) in another nursing program?

Yes

No

Transfers from another nursing program must also submit:

Course syllabi and outlines for nursing courses taken in your former program.
Letter from the director of your former program indicating your status in the program.

These items may be sent via email to the BSN Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee at chhsadvising@nku.edu. They may also be hand delivered or mailed to:

Northern Kentucky University
School of Nursing
BSN Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee
1 Nunn Drive, Founders Hall 455
Highland Heights, KY 41099

Please note, if you had one failure in your previous nursing program, that failure will constitute one failure in our program. If you have a subsequent failure in our program, that will constitute your second failure and you will be dismissed from the NKU Nursing Program.

Please share where you previously took nursing classes, date(s) of attendance, and reason for leaving the program.

Are you an LPN?

Yes

No

Please list the state you are licensed in and what your license number is.

Is there any additional information you would like to share?

Next Steps

When finished, please submit to complete the application process. You will receive an official notification from the Admissions, Progression, Graduation committee with your status in March for fall start dates or in October for spring start dates.

We encourage all students to meet with your academic advisor to develop a plan of study. You can schedule an advising appointment by visiting https://www.nku.edu/academics/chhs/advising/ourpeople.html.