RN-to-BS Nursing Program
The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is the flagship nursing school of The City University of New York. The undergraduate nursing program combines liberal arts and professional education with a humanistic and comprehensive approach to health care, leading to a bachelor of science (BS) degree.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing programs at Hunter College, CUNY, are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The RN-to-BS program is open to individuals who already have an associate's degree in nursing and a New York State RN license. The program may be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Admission to the program occurs in the fall and spring semesters. The undergraduate program also provides a strong foundation for graduate study at the master's and doctoral levels, of which programs are offered at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing.
The RN-to-BS program consists of two parts:
- Liberal arts and general education requirements (In-person or hybrid)
- Professional nursing education (Online*)
*Nursing major classes are fully online with the exception of a 45-hour clinical requirement, where students gain direct care experience at community-based sites in New York City. Other degree requirements, such as Hunter Core Requirement courses and Liberal Arts & Science courses are offered in-person or on a hybrid (partially in-person, partially online) basis.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (all undergraduate courses from all schools) is required.
- Completion of a minimum of 36 credits in liberal arts & sciences.
- Earned associate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college, completing the equivalent of 24 credits in nursing. A maximum of 24 credits may be transferred for credit to the nursing major.
- License to practice as a RN in New York State. Applicants who are recent graduates of an associate degree program must submit proof of licensure by December 1 (for fall admits) or May 1 (for spring admits) of the year in which they are admitted. Students unable to document receiving an RN license will not be permitted to continue in the nursing major.
- Liberal arts credits must be from a regionally accredited college/university. If you are unaware of the accreditation status of your liberal arts courses, please contact your school to confirm this.
- Please note that the School of Nursing does not accept RN-to-BS applicants from non-accredited nursing programs.
U.S. Citizenship or Residency Status
In order to advance into nursing clinical, students must provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status. International applicants who need an F-1 or J-1 Visa currently are not eligible for this program.
To apply to the RN-to-BS program, complete a transfer application with the University Application Processing Center:
- https://www.cuny.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/cuny-application/
- CUNY curriculum code: RN to BS
- Fall application priority deadline: February 1
- Spring application priority deadline: September 15
Once admitted to Hunter College, students must attend two mandatory transfer and RN-to-BS orientations. College courses taken elsewhere and transferred to Hunter College may meet general education requirements or prerequisite course requirements; see Hunter's Transfer Credit Policy for details. Transfer credits will be evaluated at the transfer orientation to ensure accurate course transfer and registration.
RNs entering college come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, including many that involve the equivalent of college-level learning. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) may allow students to earn credit for college-level learning. For more details, please see Hunter's Transfer Credit Policy.
A minimum of 120 credits in liberal arts & sciences and in professional nursing are required to complete the BS degree. Course descriptions are available in the undergraduate course catalog.
RN-to-BS Prerequisite Courses
- English Composition (e.g., ENG 120)
- Math/Quantitative Reasoning: Introduction to Statistics (STAT 113) or higher equivalent (STAT 213)
- Social Sciences: General Psychology (PSYCH 100) and Human Development (PSYCH 150)
- Life and Physical Sciences: General Chemistry with lab (CHEM 100/101) or higher equivalent (CHEM 102/103, CHEM 102/106, or CHEM 111)
- 12.5 additional credits in other science or mathematics
Foreign Language Requirement
Students pursuing a BS in nursing are exempt from Hunter College's foreign language requirement.
Significant Writing Requirement ('W' Courses)
Hunter's general education requirements include up to 3 writing-enhanced (W) courses, depending on the number of transfer credits a student successfully applies towards their degree:
- Students matriculating with fewer than 31 credits need to complete 3 (W) courses at Hunter.
- Students matriculating with 31-59 credits need to complete 2 (W) courses at Hunter.
- Students matriculating with 60-90 credits need to complete 1 (W) course at Hunter.
RN-to-BS Nursing Major Requirements and Policies
- Admission to the program may be for the fall or spring semester.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the second semester of the RN-to-BS program.
- To register for nursing major courses, please contact Ms. María Luisa Mendoza (prenursingadvising@hunter.cuny.edu) for advising.
- If the student is inactive for one semester or more, the student may be required to reapply for admission to the School of Nursing RN-to-BS program.
- Technical competence and computer literacy is an expectation of the program.
RN-to-BS Nursing Major Courses (30 credits)
Courses will generally be offered on the following schedule:
- NURS 200: Introduction to Nursing (2 cr) - Fall
- NURS 240: Foundations of Genetics for Nurses (2 cr) - Fall
- NURS 334: Pathopharmacology (4 cr) - Spring & Summer
- NURS 379: Nursing and Societal Forces (3 cr) - Fall & Spring
- NURS 380: Nursing Research and Theory (3 cr) - Fall & Winter intersession
- NURS 381: Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan (3 cr) - Fall & Spring
- NURS 423: Foundations of Ethics and Palliative Care (3 cr) - Winter intersession & Spring
- NURS 480: Promotion of Wellness in the Community (4 cr, 45 clinical hours) - Spring & Summer session
- NURS 482: Roles and Relationships in Professional Nursing (3 cr) - Fall & Spring
- NURS 491: Gerontology for Nurses (3 cr) - Fall & Spring
Sample Plan of Study (Full-Time)
Fall Semester
- NURS 200: Introduction to Nursing (2cr)
- NURS 240: Foundations of Genetics for Nurses (2 cr)
- NURS 379: Nursing and Societal Forces (3 cr)
- NURS 380: Nursing Research and Theory (3 cr)
- NURS 381: Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan (3 cr)
Spring Semester
- NURS 334: Pathopharmacology (4 cr)
- NURS 423: Foundations of Ethics and Palliative Care (3 cr)
- NURS 482: Roles and Relationships in Professional Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 491: Gerontology for Nurses (3 cr)
Summer Session
- NURS 480: Promotion of Wellness in the Community (4 cr, 45 clinical hours)
Sample Plan of Study (Part-Time)
Fall Semester
- NURS 200: Introduction to Nursing (2 cr)
- NURS 240: Foundations of Genetics for Nurses (2 cr)
Winter Session
- NURS 380: Nursing Research and Theory (3 cr)
Spring Semester
- NURS 379: Nursing and Societal Forces (3 cr)
- NURS 381: Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan (3 cr)
Summer Session
- NURS 334: Pathopharmacology (4 cr)
Fall Semester
- NURS 482: Roles and Relationships in Professional Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 491: Gerontology for Nurses (3 cr)
Winter Session
- NURS 423: Foundations of Ethics and Palliative Care (3 cr)
Spring Semester
- NURS 480: Promotion of Wellness in the Community (4 cr)
As a tax-supported public institution, Hunter College can keep tuition rates and fees relatively low. See current tuition and fees.
Nursing student fees may include tuition, lab fees, textbooks, standardized exam fees, health and liability insurance, criminal background checks, uniforms, and medical equipment.
The program prepares graduates to:
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing and the arts and sciences to provide a theoretical framework for a humanistic, caring, and comprehensive approach to promotion of wellness, prevention of illness, and holistic management of health problems across the life span.
- Use the nursing process as a guide in providing the range of health promotion, maintenance, and restoration activities needed to assist clients in achieving optimal wellness.
- Use appropriate teaching strategies in educating clients for knowing participation in their own health and wellness.
- Demonstrate computer and information literacy, beginning proficiency in the use of electronic health records.
- Use nursing research as a basis for improving nursing care and advocating for changes in health policy.
- Participate in inter-disciplinary activities to plan, implement, and evaluate health care for all client systems.
- Demonstrate personal and professional accountability in providing global health care to people from diverse backgrounds.
- Evaluate management and leadership processes with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a comprehensive approach to health promotion and holistic management of health problems (across the life span).
- Demonstrate activism and advocacy in health care and health care policy on behalf of human and environmental health.
- Continually demonstrate commitment to personal growth and lifelong learning through the active pursuit of knowledge and diverse life experiences.
Need academic advisement? Have questions?
Please contact Ms. María Luisa Mendoza, Manager for Undergraduate Admissions, at prenursingadvising@hunter.cuny.edu.