FAQ: Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN | School of Nursing

Prerequisite Course Registration / Admission

1. How do I register for prerequisite courses in the School of Nursing if I am a Current Pitt Student in a program other than nursing (non-nursing)

Some courses in the School of Nursing require a permission number for non-nursing students. The procedure to obtain a permission number varies by course (see below). Often, a faculty signature is not needed before returning the Admission to Closed Class Form to Tracey Lang. If a faculty signature is needed, it is noted in red text (below).

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 1: NUR 0012 (Lecture) & NUR 0002 (Lab) (offered Fall & 1st Summer Terms)
‒ Non-nursing students: may self-enroll (permission number not needed)
– Specific labs may be restricted for nursing students

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 2: NUR 0013 (Lecture) & NUR 0003 (Lab) (offered Spring & 2nd Summer Terms)
if Anatomy & Physiology 1 was completed at Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Nursing:
– Non-nursing students: may self-enroll (permission number not needed)

If Anatomy & Physiology 1 was completed at an institution other than Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Nursing:
– Non-nursing students: must obtain instructor’s permission & a permission number

1. Complete Admission to Closed Class Form
2. Attach syllabus & proof of Anatomy & Physiology 1 to Admission to Closed Class Form
3. Send all documents to instructor for permission (See Peoplesoft for instructor contact info)
4. E-mail or deliver all signed documents to Tracey Lang (langt@pitt.edu/240 Victoria Bldg.)

– Specific labs may be restricted for nursing students
– Prerequisites: NUR 0012 & NUR 0002 (Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lecture & Lab)

NUTRITION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: NUR 0066 (offered Fall, Spring, & Summer Terms)
– Non-nursing students: may self-enroll (permission number not needed)

CHEMISTRY (for nursing students): CHEM 0910 (Offered Fall & Spring Terms)
– Non-nursing students: must obtain a permission number from Chemistry Dept. (107 Chevron Bldg.)

• CHEM 0910 or
• CHEM 0350 (3 credits/ no lab/Organic & Biochemistry content) (Offered Spring Term)

MICROBIOLOGY: NUR 0031 (Lecture) & NUR 0032 (Lab) (offered Fall and Spring Term)

Fall Term:

Non-nursing students: may self-enroll (permission number not needed) Specific Labs may be restricted by nursing students

– Prerequisites: NUR 0012 & NUR 0002 and NUR 0013 & NUR 0003

HUMAN GENETICS: NUR 1680 (Offered Fall & Spring Terms)
– Non-nursing students: may self-enroll (permission number not needed)

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Undergraduate): NUR 0020 (offered Fall Term)
– Non-nursing students: must obtain a permission number

1. Complete Admission to Closed Class Form (instructor’s signature not needed)
2. Attach Closed Class Form to documentation which verifies Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Anatomy & Physiology 2 are completed or scheduled to be completed
3. E-mail or deliver all documents to Tracey Lang (langt@pitt.edu /240 Victoria Building)

– Prerequisites: NUR 0012 & NUR 0002 and NUR 0013 & NUR 0003

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Graduate): NUR 2004 (offered Fall, Spring, & Summer Terms)
This course is significantly more challenging than NUR 0020 (see above) as it builds on information learned in undergraduate pathophysiology
– Non-nursing students: must obtain instructor’s permission

1. Obtain e-mail permission from instructor, Dr. Sheila Alexander (salexand@pitt.edu)
2. Complete Admission to Closed Class Form and attach to e-mail reply from Dr. Alexander
3. E-mail or deliver all signed documents to Tracey Lang (langt@pitt.edu/240 Victoria Bldg.)

Spring Term:

Open to Nursing Students only

2. How do I register for prerequisite courses in the School of Nursing if I am Not a Current Pitt Student?

You may apply to the University of Pittsburgh as a Non-Degree Seeking student.
– If you apply as Non-Degree Seeking through the School of Nursing, you will not need permission numbers for nursing courses. You will register through your advisor in the School of Nursing.
Apply Here. Choose Undergraduate Program and Not a Candidate for Degree.

– If you apply as Non-Degree Seeking through the College of General Studies (CGS), you will need a permission number and the instructor’s permission for Chemistry and various nursing courses. Your advisor will be in CGS. Apply Here.

Prerequisite courses may be taken at any accredited college or university. Courses from other institutions will be evaluated for equivalency to Univ. of Pittsburgh courses. Only courses deemed equivalent will be accepted as prerequisites.

3. How can I make sure my course is equivalent?

Review the Course Equivalent Sheet to determine if your course is on the list. If it is not on the list, you may submit the following information to Tracy Lang (langt@pitt.edu) for evaluation:

1. Syllabus or course description (including number of credits)
2. Link to the institution website
3. Grade earned in course (if applicable)
4. Year course was completed (if applicable)

4. What courses will be accepted for the Directed Elective?

Review the approved Directed Electives course list.

5. Can I complete prerequisites online?

Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2, Chemistry, and Microbiology may not be completed as online courses. Other online courses should be preapproved.

There are approved online classes for Pathophysiology (must be 4 credits) and Genetics. (Note: These courses are not accepted for internal or external transfer students to the Traditional Undergraduate BSN Program.)

– Pathophysiology: BIO 241 (Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, PA)
- also offered onsite in Fall, Spring, & 1st Summer Terms
NR 230 or BI 230 (Butler Community College in Kansas)
HCR 240 (Rio Salado College, Arizona)
– Genetics: BIO 285 Molecular Genetics (Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA)
BIO 133 (Penn State University)

6. How many students are accepted into the Accelerated 2^nd Degree Program?

The number of the admitted students varies from term to term. The target is 42 students for every admission term: Fall Term (August) and Spring Term (January).

7. Can I complete the Accelerated 2^nd Degree BSN part-time?

There is no option for part-time admission. The curriculum is completed on a full-time schedule in 3 consecutive terms, onsite only. The University operates on a 3 schedule Fall, and Spring.

8. Do I need transportation to the clinical locations?

Yes. Some clinical locations are in the Pittsburgh suburbs, and students are responsible for transportation (personal car is recommended) to these sites.

9. Is the GRE required?

The GRE exam is required once a student is admitted to the Accelerated BSN Program. The procedure for requesting a voucher to take the GRE exam is provided after the tuition deposit is received.

The GRE is not required for the application for the Accelerated BSN program.

10. How can I have my transcript reviewed?

Official transcripts may be reviewed only after submission of the application. Applicants will be contacted regarding their prerequisites and application status after review of the application and submitted official transcripts.

11. Can the GPA from courses taken after my degree be combined to improve my cumulative GPA?

Prerequisite courses, taken after completion of a baccalaureate degree, do not affect the baccalaureate degree GPA. The minimum GPA is 3.0. The highest GPA of all previous degrees will be considered.

12. How can I get more information about the ABSN Program?

Join us for live information sessions over Zoom. You can find dates, times and session registration links on our Events Calendar