TBSN Degree Requirements (For Graduating Classes of 2022)
The BSN degree consists of a liberal core curriculum rooted in the values and beliefs expressed in the Rockhurst mission statement (see the Overview section of the Rockhurst University Catalog) and the nursing curriculum which is rooted in the values and beliefs expressed in the Research College of Nursing mission found in this catalog. The curriculum for the BSN degree program has four categories of courses: the modes of inquiry, proficiencies, prerequisites for the nursing major, and the nursing major.
“The modes of inquiry–that is, the methods or systems by which the human intellect pursues some essential knowledge, truth or aspect of truth–give structure to the core curriculum (that set of required courses taken by all degree-seeking undergraduate students) in a way that encourages the full development of students in various aspects of their humanity. As methods or systems, each mode suggests the appropriate kinds of questions to be asked in its study, organizes the steps by which study is furthered, and measures what counts as progress in its particular sphere” (Rockhurst University Catalog).
Proficiencies consist of oral and written communications and math, representing basic skills and abilities required of all degree-seeking undergraduate students. Prerequisites are those required courses that establish a foundation for the nursing major. Honors Program – Rockhurst and Research offer the Honors Program for outstanding students who want to make the very most of their education. Honors Program students take specially designed liberal arts courses and modified nursing courses which meet program requirements. Nursing students participating in the Honors Program should consult the director of the Honors Program for the appropriate course substitutions. Additional information about the Honors Program, including course descriptions, is available in the Rockhurst University catalog.
The BSN requires successful completion of the equivalent of 128 semester credit hours which must include:
- A total of 65 semester credit hours in liberal arts and sciences as follows.
- Courses (12 hours) in the Liberal Arts and Sciences designated to meet proficiency requirements:
Proficiency in Oral Communication (OCP): CT 2000 Fundamentals of Communication (3 credits)
Proficiency in Written Communication (WCP): EN 1110 College Composition I (3 credits) and EN 1120 College Composition II (3 credits)
(Note: Advanced Students may satisfy the proficiency in written communication by the single semester course EN 1140 English Composition.)
Proficiency in Mathematics: MT 1190 Precalculus (3 credits) or completion of an approved equivalent course.
- A total of 40 hours in the Modes of Inquiry as follows:
Artistic
1 level–one course (3 credits)
Historical
1 level-one course (3 credits)
Literary
1 level–one course (3 credits)
(Note: Level-one requirements in the artistic, historical, and literary modes of inquiry may all be satisfied simultaneously by the two-semester sequence of HU 2110 and HU 2120, Integrated Humanities.)
Either Historical or Literary
1 level–two course (3 credits)
Scientific Causal
1 level–one course (4 credits)
CH 1050/1060 Principles of General Chemistry
Scientific Relational
1 level-one course (3 credits)
PY 1000 Introduction to Psychology
1 level-one or level-two course from an area that is not psychology (3 credits)
Either Scientific Relational or Scientific Causal (3 credits)
1 level-two course
PY 3400 Developmental Psychology
Philosophical
1 level-one course (3 credits)
PL 1100 Reality and Human Existence
1 level-two course (3 credits)
PL 3100 Ethical Theory
Theological*
1 level-one course (3 credits)
TH 1000 Christianity I: Foundations, TH 1020 Introduction to New Testament, or TH 2000 Introduction to World Religions
1 level-two course (3 credits)
Any TH course in the 3000s or 4000s
Philosophy or Theology* level-two course (choose one)
Swing PL/TH Level II – any course in the 3000s or 4000s
*Note: At least one theology course must be designated as having a Christian focus.
- Students must successfully complete at least one approved three-hour, upper-division course with a Global Perspectives designation. Students can also fulfill this requirement with two semesters of the same college-level foreign language or a nursing elective course with Global Perspectives designation.
- Courses (13 hours) in the liberal arts and sciences which are required support courses for the nursing major.
BL 2929 |
Cellular Basis for Human Anatomy and Physiology (1 credit) |
BL 3030/3031 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits) |
BL 3040/3041 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits) |
BL 3100/ 3101 |
Microbiology (4 credits) |
- A total of 63 semester credit hours in the nursing major as follows.
Each theory (T) credit hour is equivalent to one clock hour.
Each clinical (C) credit hour is equivalent to three clock hours.
Each lab (L) credit hour is equivalent to two clock hours.
1000 Level Course (1 credit hour)
NU 1000 |
Freshmen in Nursing (1T) – required for first-time college students only |
2000 Level Courses (5 credit hours)
NU 2750 |
Normal Nutrition (2T) |
NU 2850 |
Pathophysiology (3T) |
3000 Level Courses (37 credit hours)
NU 3010 |
Fundamentals of Nursing (4T/1L) |
NU 3080 |
Population Based Health Care (2T/2C) |
NU 3150 |
Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (2T/1L) |
NU 3190 |
Professional Development I (2T) |
NU 3220 |
Older Adult (2T) |
NU 3330 |
Pharmacology I (2T) |
NU 3350 |
Pharmacology II (2T) |
NU 3470 |
Adult Health I (3T/3C) |
NU 3490 |
Mental Health (2T/1C) |
NU 3590 |
Evidence Based Practice (2T) |
NU 3690 |
Professional Development II (1T) |
NU 3800 |
Intro to Statistics (3T) |
NU |
Nursing Elective (2T) |
4000 Level Courses (20 credit hours)
NU 4170 |
Maternal-Child, Family & Women’s Health Nursing (4T/2C) |
NU 4190 |
Professional Development III (1T) |
NU 4270 |
Adult Health II (3T/3C) |
NU 4390 |
Professional Development IV (2T) |
NU 4500 |
Capstone (1T/4C) |
- A minimum grade of C in all math and science courses. Note: Students must have a C or better in BL 3030/3031 prior to enrollment in BL 3040/3041.
- A minimum Rockhurst grade point average of 2.8 at the end of freshmen year and 3.0 at end of first semester sophomore year to initially enroll in any NU 2000 nursing courses. Students with a 2.8 grade point average at the end of first semester sophomore AND at least a B- in A&P II may begin NU 2000 nursing courses.
- A final minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses for graduation.
Required Courses for:
NU 2850 Pathophysiology
|
|
CH 1050/1060 |
Principles of General Chemistry |
MT 1190 |
Precalculus (or approved equivalent course) |
PY 1000 |
Introduction to Psychology |
BL 2929 |
Cellular Basis for Human Anatomy and Physiology |
BL 3030/3031 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
BL 3040/3041 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
NU 3000 and 4000 Level Courses
|
|
|
|
EN 1110/1120 |
College Composition I & II |
BL 3100/3101 |
Microbiology |
CT 2000 |
Fundamentals of Communication |
PY 2400 |
Developmental Psychology |
NU 2750 |
Normal Nutrition |
NU 2850 |
Pathophysiology |
Typical Four-Year Curriculum (TBSN)
Students work closely with their advisors throughout their college years to fulfill program requirements. To illustrate the degree requirements a curriculum guide has been developed. This is intended as a model only. Actual sequence and course selections are developed by individual students and their advisors, following guidelines for prerequisites and progression.
First Year – Fall
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
NU 1000 |
Freshman in Nursing |
1 |
CH 1050/1060 |
General Chemistry |
4 |
EN 1110 |
College Composition I |
3 |
PL 1100 |
Reality and Human Existence |
3 |
PY 1000 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
MT 1190 |
Precalculus |
3 |
Total Credits |
17 |
First Year – Spring
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
BL 2929 |
Cellular Basis for Anatomy and Physiology |
1 |
BL 3030/3031 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
4 |
EN 1120 |
College Composition II |
3 |
TH level one |
Christianity I: Foundations, TH 1020 Introduction to New Testament or TH 2000 Introduction to World Religions |
3 |
SR |
Science Relational Level 1 or Level 2 (not psychology) |
3 |
HS |
Level 1 |
3 |
Total Credits 17 |
17 |
Second Year Fall
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
BL 3040/3041 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
4 |
PY 2400 |
Developmental Psychology |
3 |
HS/EN |
Historical or Lit Mode Level 2 |
3 |
AR/MS/TA |
Artistic Mode Level 1 |
3 |
BL 3100/3101 |
Microbiology |
4 |
Total Credits |
|
17 |
Second Year – Spring
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
CT 2000 |
Fundamentals of Communication |
3 |
EN |
Literary Mode Level 1 |
3 |
NU 2750 |
Normal Nutrition |
2T |
NU 2850 |
Pathophysiology |
3T |
PL 3100 |
Ethical Theory |
3 |
Total Credits |
|
14 |
Third Year Fall
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
NU 3010 |
Fundamentals of Nursing |
4T, 1L |
NU 3080 |
Population Based Health Care |
2T, 2C |
NU 3150 |
Health Assessment Across the Lifespan |
2T, 1L |
NU 3190 |
Professional Development I |
2T |
NU 3330 |
Pharmacology I |
2T |
Total Credits |
|
16 |
Third Year – Spring
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
NU 3220 |
Older Adult |
2T |
NU 3350 |
Pharmacology II |
2T |
NU 3470 |
Adult Health Nursing I |
3T, 3C |
NU 3490 |
Mental Health Nursing |
2T, 1C |
NU 3690 |
Professional Development II |
1T |
TH level II OR NU 3800 |
Any TH course numbered in the 3000s or 4000s OR Introduction to Statistics |
3T |
Total Credits |
|
17 |
Fourth Year Fall
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
NU 3800 OR TH level II |
Introduction to Statistics OR TH course, any 3000 or 4000 level |
3T |
NU 4170 |
Maternal-Child/Family/Women’s Nursing |
4T, 2C |
NU 4190 |
Professional Development III |
1T |
NU 4270 |
Adult Health Nursing II |
3T, 3C |
Total Credits |
|
16 |
Fourth Year – Spring
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
NU |
Nursing Elective (GPR if needed) |
2-3T |
NU 3590 |
Evidence-Based Practice |
2T |
NU 4390 |
Professional Development IV |
2T |
NU 4500 |
Capstone |
1T, 4C |
PL/TH |
PL/TH swing course, any 3000 or 4000 level |
3T |
Total Credits |
|
14-15 |
TBSN Degree Requirements (Effective for Class of 2023)
Students in the TBSN track complete their general education courses elsewhere prior to beginning the nursing program. Certain prerequisites are necessary for progression to the nursing major. An evaluation of transcripts of credit will determine readiness for progression.
The TBSN requires successful completion of the equivalent of 120 semester credit hours.
- A total of 60 semester credit hours in Liberal Arts and Sciences* as follows.
Prerequisite courses and minimum semester credit hours required:
Statistics |
3 |
Nutrition |
3 |
College Algebra |
3 |
Chemistry with lab |
4 |
Anatomy and Physiology with lab* |
6 |
Microbiology with lab |
4 |
English Composition I |
3 |
English Composition II |
3 |
Social Science elective |
3 |
Communication elective |
3 |
Introduction or General Psychology |
3 |
Developmental Psychology |
3 |
Humanities, Philosophy, or Theology |
9 |
Electives |
10 |
Total |
60 |
*Anatomy & Physiology credits must be earned within five years of applying to the program.
- A total of 60 semester credit hours in the nursing major as follows:
The following are nursing courses taken during the two years of nursing curriculum. Each theory (T) credit hour is equivalent to one clock hour; each clinical (C) credit hour is equivalent to three clock hours; each lab (L) credit hour is equivalent to two clock hours.
Nursing Curriculum
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
NU 3000 |
Medical Terminology |
1T |
NU 3030 |
Pathophysiology |
3T |
NU 3010 |
Fundamentals of Nursing |
4T, 1L |
NU 3080 |
Population Based Health Care |
2T, 2C |
NU 3150 |
Health Assessment Across the Lifespan |
2T, 1L |
NU 3190 |
Professional Development I |
2T |
NU 3330 |
Pharmacology I |
2T |
NU 3350 |
Pharmacology II |
2T |
NU 3470 |
Adult Health I |
3T, 3C |
NU 3490 |
Mental Health |
2T, 1C |
NU 3590 |
Evidence Based Practice |
3T |
NU 3690 |
Professional Development II |
2T |
NU 4170 |
Maternal-Child, Family & Women |
4T, 2C |
NU 4190 |
Professional Development III |
2T |
NU 4270 |
Adult Health II |
3T, 3C |
NU |
Nursing Elective |
3T |
NU 4390 |
Professional Development IV |
2T |
NU 4500 |
Capstone |
1T, 4C |
- A final cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses.
- All 60 credit hours of nursing coursework must be completed at the College.
TBSN Sample Plan of Study
Junior Year Fall
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
Course Sequencing |
NU 3000 |
Medical Terminology |
1T |
Admission to Program |
NU 3030 |
Pathophysiology |
3T |
Admission to Program |
NU 3010 |
Fundamentals of Nursing |
4T, 1L |
Admission to Program |
NU 3080 |
Population Based Health Care |
2T, 2C |
Admission to Program |
NU 3150 |
Health Assessment Across the Lifespan |
2T, 1L |
Admission to Program |
Total Credits |
16 |
Junior Year Spring
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
Course Sequencing |
NU 3190 |
Professional Development I (Term A) |
2T |
Semester 1 |
NU 3330 |
Pharmacology I |
2T |
Semester 1 |
NU 3470 |
Adult Health Nursing I |
3T, 3C |
Semester 1 |
NU 3490 |
Mental Health Nursing |
2T, 1C |
Semester 1 |
NU 3690 |
Professional Development II (Term B) |
2T |
Semester 1 & NU 3190 |
Total Credits |
15 |
Fourth Year Fall
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
Course Sequencing |
NU 3350 |
Pharmacology II |
2T |
Semesters 1 & 2 |
NU 4170 |
Maternal-Child/Family/Women’s Nursing |
4T, 2C |
Semesters 1 & 2 |
NU 4190 |
Professional Development III |
2T |
Semesters 1 & 2 |
NU 4270 |
Adult Health Nursing II |
3T, 3C |
Semesters 1 & 2 |
Total Credits |
16 |
Fourth Year Spring
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
Course Sequencing |
NU |
Nursing Elective |
3T |
|
NU 3590 |
Evidence-Based Practice |
3T |
Semesters 1, 2, & 3 |
NU 4390 |
Professional Development IV |
2T |
Semesters 1, 2, & 3 |
NU 4500 |
Capstone |
1T, 4C |
Semesters 1, 2, & 3 |
Total Credits |
13 |