Traditional BSN Degree Requirements

Traditional BSN Degree Requirements (For Graduating Classes of 2021 and 2022)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing 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 2014-2016).

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.

Course Information

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires successful completion of the equivalent of 128 semester credit hours which must include:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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)
6. A final minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses for graduation.

TBSN Curriculum Plan

1000 Level Course (1 credit hour)

 

2000 Level Courses (5 credit hours)

3000 Level Courses (37 credit hours)

4000 Level Courses (20 credit hours)

Required Courses for:

NU 2850 Pathophysiology Required Courses

NU 3000 and 4000 Level Courses Required Courses

Typical Four-Year Curriculum (Traditional BSN)

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

First Year – Spring

Second Year Fall

Second Year – Spring

Third Year - Fall

Third Year – Spring

Fourth Year Fall

Fourth Year – Spring

Traditional BSN Degree Requirements (Effective for Class of 2023)

Students in the traditional BSN program 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 Traditional BSN requires successful completion of the equivalent of 120 semester credit hours.

1. A total of 60 semester credit hours in Liberal Arts and Sciences* as follows.

Prerequisite courses and minimum semester credit hours required:

2. 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.

3. A final cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses.

4. All 60 credit hours of nursing coursework must be completed at Research College of Nursing.

Traditional BSN Curriculum Plan

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.