Nursing (RN-BSN Program) (BSN)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Unit: Nursing
Academic Plan Code(s): NUR_BSNUDO

This program is for students who are already licensed Registered Nurses.

Program Information

This program is completed 100% online. An 84-hour Community Leadership Practicum will be completed at a site of your choice in your local community.

All students must be in clinical compliance prior to beginning the Community Leadership Practicum (NURS 476). Clinical compliance requirements are available on the School of Nursing web page and in the NURS 476 course syllabus.

This fully online program provides the flexibility working nurses need to balance working full-time with furthering your nursing education. Develop your expertise in nursing leadership, meet growing employer expectations, and expand your ability to work with global populations in a variety of settings—without any campus requirement or set class times.  Eight-week classes and a flexible curriculum path helps nurses maintain a successful work-life-education balance.

RN-BSN students must present official transcripts of coursework completed from all universities and schools attended.

Prospective students interested in a first-degree BSN program should refer to the Pre-Licensure Nursing program.  Individuals with a bachelor's degree in another discipline, who are interested in pursuing a nursing degree, may pursue the traditional bachelor of science in nursing degree program or an accelerated second degree option. 

Degree Summary

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Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Admission Requirements

The RN-BSN 100% online program is offered by the University of Louisville's School of Nursing for registered nurses who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma. 

Students may be admitted directly into the RN-BSN program if the admissions requirements are met.  Students may be admitted for any term.  Most of the curriculum is offered in eight-week terms.

To apply to the program, applicants must:

• Submit a University of Louisville undergraduate admissions application.  
• Submit all official college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. 

Admissions Requirements (RNs with an ADN or nursing diploma):

• Minimum cumulative college grade point average of 2.0 on 4.0 scale in all college work
• Unrestricted Registered Nurse license or eligibility to take the NCLEX
• Certified criminal background check required before clinical course.  Details on the School of Nursing website

For more information on program requirements and how to apply, please visit the online programs website.

RN-BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program (applicants currently enrolled in an ADN Program at KCTCS or Ivy Tech)

Students enrolled in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at any Kentucky Community and Technical College (KCTC) or Ivy Tech institution are eligible to apply for the RN-BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP). KCTC and Ivy Tech students working toward their ADN can earn their RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing in less time by taking RN- BSN courses at the University of Louisville (UofL), while they are still enrolled at their home KCTCS or Ivy Tech school. Students admitted into the CEP program will attend UofL as a non-degree seeking (continuing studies) student while completing their ADN. Once the ADN degree is conferred, CEP students will be admitted as degree seeking students in the RN-BSN program.

CEP Admission Criteria, by ADN Institution:

KCTCS CEP Admission Criteria

• Current enrollment in good standing at KCTCS School
• Successful completion of first ADN semester at KCTCS School
• No prior failures in a nursing course
• 2.0 cumulative GPA

Ivy Tech CEP Admission Criteria

• Minimum grade of a B in the first Ivy Tech Nursing Course
• Cumulative GPA of 2.3 - 4.0 on a 4.0 scale GPA. Students with a 2.2 - 2.29 cumulative GPA will be considered on an individual basis.

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Note: Students must have a minimum total of 60 credit hours from the pre-professional curriculum (including General Education).

Program/Major Core

At least 30 of the last 36 credit hours must be completed at the University of Louisville.

All RN-BSN nursing courses are taught online. The 84-hour Community Leadership Practicum will be completed at a site of your choice in your local community.

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Some courses required in this degree program satisfy multiple requirements. To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. 

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To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements will require additional hours to complete the degree requirements (or decrease the listed electives).

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All courses are online, however the 84-hour community leadership practicum, is completed in your local community of choice. All students must be in clinical compliance prior to beginning the Community Leadership Practicum (NURS 476). Clinical compliance requirements are available on the School of Nursing web page and in the NURS 476 course syllabus.