Frequently Asked Questions
About the 4-Year BSN Program:
Q. I am aware that the nursing program is not on the Oxford campus, but on the Hamilton and Middletown campuses. Can I be an Oxford student and also be a nursing student? How does this work?
A. Yes, you can be an Oxford student and a nursing student. You can live in Oxford in the dorm, and be a pre-major nursing student. You will need to pay Oxford fees for the first two years, even though some of the sciences and all the nursing classes will be taken either on the Hamilton or Middletown campus. Please see the “FAQ about being an Oxford student” under the Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) link.
Q. Can I live at one of the regional campuses?
A. There are no residence halls on Hamilton or Middletown, although certainly one could get an apartment in either of those cities.
Q. I am a high school senior and want to be a nursing major at Miami. What do I need to do?
A. If you plan to be a Hamilton or Middletown student apply as a regional campus student. Go to the Admissions link for applications and apply to the University by January of your senior year. If you wish to be an Oxford student apply for early admission to the Oxford campus. Indicate your major as BSN if a regional campus student, for an Oxford student your major initially is “Undeclared School of Engineering and Applied Science” (Nursing is in the School of Engineering and Applied Science), which will be changed once you begin college.
Submit a SEPARATE application for the nursing program which are available starting October 1st each year (contact the Nursing Department). Applications to the nursing program are DUE FEB 1st, so be sure to meet that deadline.
Q. What are the high school qualifications for admission as a nursing student?
A. To be admitted into the nursing program from high school, the following must be met in high school:
- ACT of at least 23
- a cumulative gpa of 3.00
- a 3.00 gpa in science courses (including chemistry with lab)
- algebra I and II
This does not guarantee admission, but is the minimum requirement. Submit your nursing application by Feb. 1st. If admitted to nursing as a freshman, then one must maintain a 2.5 gpa to stay in the nursing program.
Q. What if I have been majoring in something else, or have been out of high school for a few years and decide to major to nursing, what is the process?
A. People can apply to nursing only once a year, from October through February 1st, for admission to the class in the following fall, which means starting nursing courses as a sophomore. These are the criteria to be eligible to apply for admission to the nursing program:
- have completed 12 semester hours (100 level or high) with a cumulative gpa must be at least 2.5
- have a grade of C or better in TWO of the following sciences: ZOO 171, ZOO 172, CHM 131 or 141 and 144, and MBI 161). Admission decisions are based solely upon the overall gpa and the science gpa.
Q. What is the curriculum for the nursing program?
A. Our web page talks about our 4 year BSN program and gives the curriculum guide. As a freshman it is important to take the correct science and liberal education courses, then in the sophomore year nursing students take their first nursing courses and the rest of their non-nursing courses. In the junior and senior year the student takes mostly nursing courses. Nursing web page talks about our 4 year BSN program and gives the curriculum guide. As a freshman, it is important to take the correct science and liberal education courses, then in the sophomore year nursing students take their first nursing courses and the rest of their non-nursing courses. In the junior and senior year, the student takes mostly nursing courses.
Q. What if I am not accepted into nursing?
A. You may apply the next year again for the nursing program if you wish. We do not maintain any waiting lists, so the applicant pool is different each year.
About the RN-BSN Completion Program:
Q. What career opportunities are available to graduates of the RN-BSN program?
A. The RN-BSN program prepares graduates for leadership and management roles, including school nurse, research associate and occupational health nurse. Career advancement opportunities are greatest for RN-BSN graduates. A BSN is usually required to enter a master’s program. Nurses with a master’s degree often become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, educators, researchers and administrators.
Q.What if I have a diploma from a hospital school of nursing and I wish to pursue a BSN?
A. Diploma RNs will receive 28 credit hours after passing NSG 301, 311, and 313. Other criteria may apply. See an academic advisor for more details. Phone 513/785-7772 or email nsginfo@muohio.edu to arrange an advising appointment.
Q. What if I earned my AD from a for-profit school (accredited by Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools), have become an RN, does Miami does accept the school’s credits?
A. No, Miami does not accept the credits from those schools because they are accredited by a different agency than Miami. If you are an RN then you will receive 28 credit hours after passing NSG 301, 311, and 313. Please note, though, that since Miami cannot accept the credits from your school, you will have to repeat any of the non-nursing courses taken for your AD there.
Q. What is the process to apply to the RN-BSN program?
A. Complete an application for admission to Miami University, unless you are a returning Miami student). Complete an RN-BSN application form. Return it to the Department of Nursing. For more detailed instructions see “Getting Started in the RN-BSN Program” under the RN-BSN Program link.
Q. Will graduating from an ADN program make me eligible to apply to Miami’s RN-BSN program?
A. Yes, in most cases, please see the admission requirements for the RN-BSN program.
Q. Can I take courses on a part-time basis in the RN-BSN program?
A. Yes. You can take one course or several courses during the semester. We encourage you to take both NSG 430 and 431 together (Community Health and clinical) that equals six credit hours, but if you find this is too much, you may take the NSG 430 first, then the clinical, NSG 431, the next year.
General Information that Apply to Both Programs:
Q. What if my college credits are over ten years old?
A. You may petition that credits more than ten years old be validated by the School of Engineering and Applied Science and accepted for graduation, normally done close to graduation. An academic advisor can best advise you about how your specific circumstances affect your application. Phone 513/785-7772 or email nsginfo@muohio.edu to arrange an advising appointment.
Q. Can I test out of any courses by taking an exam?
A. You may test out of lower-level support courses by taking either a departmental test or a CLEP examination. Typically, students may not test out of BSN nursing courses unless they have taken a comparable course at another university. In that case syllabi for the course must be submitted for review to the Department Admission and Progression Committee.
Q. I’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field. Will this help me with my nursing degree?
A. A previously earned bachelor’s degree should help you fulfill some requirements, especially if your degree is from Miami University and you have completed the Miami Plan requirements. See an advisor for more details. Phone 513/785-7772 or email nsginfo@muohio.edu to arrange an advising appointment.
