Requirements for Graduation
Areas of Proficiency: Proficiency requirements are intended to ensure that students either already possess, or will develop at the University, the ability to express themselves effectively, to use mathematics with facility, and to reason cogently.
English Composition 6 credits
- English 105 and English 106 or the equivalent
Mathematics
- Students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing an approved course in statistics above the level of MTH 101.
Areas of Knowledge
These requirements are designed to help students understand and appreciate the intellectual achievements in major areas of human inquiry and creative endeavor.
Natural World (6 credits)
- Biology 150/151
- Chemistry 103/105
People and Society (6 credits)
- Psychology 110
- 3 additional credits
- Courses in the following areas may be used to fulfill this requirement: Africana Studies (AAS); American Studies (AMS); Anthropology (except APY 203); Economics (ECO); Education and Psychological Studies (EPS); Geography and Regional Studies (except GEG 120); International Studies (INS); Judaic Studies (JUS); History (HIS); Political Sciences (POL); Psychology (PSY); Sociology (SOC); Teaching and Learning (TAL); Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS), and the following courses: Broadcasting and Broadcast Journalism (CBR 102); Mass Media Communication in Society (COM 101); Communication Theory (COM 110); Interpersonal Communication (COS 112); Nonverbal Communication (COS 118); Political Communication (COS 336); Persuasion (COS 472).
Arts and Humanities (12 credits)
- Courses in the following areas may be used to fulfill this requirement:
- Architecture; Music; Art and Art History; Theatre Arts; Motion Pictures and Photography; English (200-level or above); Modern Languages and Literature (300-level or above); Philosophy; Religious Studies; and the following courses: Public Speaking (COS 211); World History of the Dance (DAN 250).
BSN Traditional Program of Study
These are intended as examples only. Students have several options for completing the first two years of study. The Office of Student Services will assist students to select specific courses which most accurately reflect the student's interests, abilities, and career goals. Students must complete all prerequisites prior to entering the junior year of clinical coursework.
Freshman Year
| Fall I |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Lab
Credits |
| ENG 105 |
English Composition I |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| BIL 150/151 |
General Biology w/ Lab |
5 |
4 |
1 |
| *MTH 101 |
College Algebra |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| UMX 100 |
University Experience |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Cognate |
Arts and Humanities or
People & Society |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Total for Semester |
14 |
13 |
1 |
|
| * According to Placement |
|
| Spring I |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Lab
Credits |
| ENG 106 |
English Composition II |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| HCS 212/213 |
Human Anatomy w/ Lab |
4 |
3 |
1 |
| PSY 110 |
General Psychology |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| Cognate |
Arts & Humanities or
People & Society |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| Cognate |
Arts and Humanities or
People & Society |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Total for Semester |
16 |
15 |
1 |
Sophomore Year
| Fall II |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Lab
Credits |
| HSC 215 |
Systemic Physiology |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| CHM 103/105 |
Chemistry for Life Sciences I w/Lab |
4 |
3 |
1 |
| NUR 306 |
Principles of Nutrition |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| Cognate |
Arts & Humanities or
People & Society |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| Cognate |
Arts & Humanities or
People & Society |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| NUR 311 |
Theories & Concepts of Nursing |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| NUR 300 |
Seminar in Interprofessional Healthcare Practice |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Total for Semester |
19 |
18 |
1 |
|
| Spring II |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Lab
Credits |
| NUR 202 |
Introductory Statistics in Health Care |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| MIC 320 |
Intro to Microbiology for Nurses |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| NUR 317 |
Growth & Development |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| Cognate |
Arts & Humanities or
People & Society |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| Elective |
Optional |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Total for Semester |
15 |
15 |
0 |
Junior Year
| Fall III |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Clinical
Credits |
| NUR 304 |
Adult Health I (Civic) |
6 |
4 |
2 |
| NUR 307 |
Pharmacology |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| NUR 314 |
Health Assessment and Promotion |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| NUR 315 |
Pathophysiology |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Total for Semester |
15 |
12 |
3 |
|
| Spring III |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Clinical
Credits |
| NUR 308 |
Adult Health II (Civic) |
7 |
5 |
2 |
| NUR 318 |
Women's Health Nursing (Civic) |
4 |
3 |
1 |
| NUR 320 |
Child and Adolescent Health Nursing (Civic) |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Total for Semester |
15 |
11 |
4 |
Senior Year
| Fall IV |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Clinical Credits |
| NUR 411 |
Adult Health III (Civic) |
5 |
3 |
2 |
| NUR 400 |
Theories Research and Evidenced Based Practice |
3 |
3 |
0 |
| NUR 448 |
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (Civic) |
4 |
3 |
1 |
| NUR 430 |
Leadership in Nursing |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Total for Semester |
15 |
12 |
3 |
|
| Spring IV |
Total
Credits |
Class
Credits |
Clinical
Credits |
| NUR 440 |
Population Focused Nursing |
4 |
3 |
1 |
| NUR 453 |
Role Transition (Civic) |
5 |
3 |
2 |
| HCS/NUR XXX |
Nursing Elective |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Total for Semester |
12 |
9 |
3
|
|
|
TOTAL FOR PROGRAM |
122 |
106 |
15 |
Prerequisites in Bold 2015 Advanced Writing and Communication Skill RequirementsSummary of Communication Skills Required of Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program Students must communicate effectively using English in clinical and classroom settings. A student must be able to elicit information from patients, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. A student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech, but reading and writing. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the health care team in both immediate and recorded modes. Throughout the curriculum students are expected to achieve skills in the following communication domains:
Therapeutic Communication: Therapeutic communication between the nurse and patient is a cornerstone of effective nursing care. This communication style is goal-oriented and focused on learning and promoting growth.
Example content: principles of therapeutic use of self; therapeutic communication techniques; health education/teaching; reflective journals.
Technical Communication: Technical communication encompasses the specific methods used by the nursing profession to communicate information necessary for nursing practice.
Example content: use of clinical information systems (e.g., electronic health record, physician order entry); application of standardized health care terminology; use of data and data systems
Inter- and Intra- Professional Communication: Effective communication among all members of the healthcare team is essential for delivering high quality, safe patient care.
Example content: teamwork/cooperative learning; scopes of practice; conflict resolution; group dynamics and evaluation.
Scholarly Written Communication: Scholarly writing is a formal means of communication in which the writer communicates synthesized knowledge about a topic while also demonstrating original thought and unique perspectives.
Example content: scholarly papers; research critiques; application of APA publication style.
Scholarly Verbal Communication: Scholarly verbal communication is a formal way of speaking with the intended audience to provide and/or elicit information in a systematic manner. Primary methods of scholarly verbal communication involve verbal presentations/lectures and formal data gathering processes such as interviews.
Example content: scholarly presentations; key informant interviews.
Minimal Writing Proficiency Standards Writing proficiency is evaluated throughout the BSN program plan of study. Three primary categories of writing are required: 1) scholarly papers (NUR400/401, NUR440, NUR453); 2) patient care documentation (NUR304, NUR308, NUR318, NUR320, NUR411, NUR448, NUR453); and 3) reflective journals (NUR306, NUR453). Each writing component is evaluated as part of the grading rubric for the associated course, with feedback and revisions required.
Plan for Assessment of the BSN Program Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Requirement Content to meet the required communication skills and minimal writing proficiency standards is provided across the curriculum. The table below outlines the specific communication domains and content covered in each course as well as assessment/outcome criteria for each. In addition to demonstrating skills across these five communication domains, students are also required to complete ENG 105 and ENG 106 (or equivalent) as prerequisite course to provide the foundation for the development of more advanced writing and communication skills.
