Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Traditional
Before applying to the BSN program at Virginia Wesleyan University, students must complete required prerequisite coursework. Prerequisites vary based on your educational background.
Select the category below that best matches your current educational background.
First-Degree BSN Students
(Students pursuing their first bachelor's degree)
Students pursuing their first bachelor's degree must complete the following prerequisites before applying to the BSN program (all of which are offered at VWU).
Core Prerequisites (9 courses required)
All listed prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum 3.30 GPA prior to application.
Foundational & Writing Courses
- WES 100 – First-Year Seminar (required if entering with fewer than 24 credits)
- WES 200 – Wesleyan Seminar II (required if entering with fewer than 49 credits)
- ENG 105 – The Art of Writing
Science Prerequisites
- BIO 221 – Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIO 222 – Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIO 201 – Microbiology for the Health Sciences
- BIO 202 – Human Nutrition
- CHEM 130 – Chemistry for Health Sciences
- MATH 210 – Introductory Statistics
Additional Core Prerequisites
- PSY 101 or PSY 102 – Introduction to Psychology I or II
- PSY 205 – Lifespan Development
- WES 300 – Wesleyan Seminar III
- PHIL 321 – Ethics and Health Care
- SOC 100 – Introduction to Sociology (or SOC 351 Medical Sociology)
- Fine Arts elective
- Language requirement
Minimum GPA Requirement for Application: 3.30 in nursing prerequisite courses
Second-Degree BSN Students
(Bachelor's Degree Holders)
Students who already hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution must complete the following prerequisites.
Required Prerequisites
- ENG 105 – The Art of Writing
- English Composition II
- BIO 221 – Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIO 222 – Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIO 201 – Microbiology for the Health Sciences
- BIO 202 – Human Nutrition
- CHEM 130 – Chemistry for Health Sciences
- MATH 210 – Introductory Statistics
- PSY 101 or PSY 102 – Introduction to Psychology I or II
- PSY 205 – Lifespan Development
- PHIL 321 – Ethics and Health Care (or approved ethics course)
- SOC 100 – Introduction to Sociology (or SOC 351 Medical Sociology)
Minimum GPA Requirement for Application: 3.30 in nursing prerequisite courses
Second-Degree BSN Students
(Associate's Degree Holders [non-nursing])
Students holding an associate degree from an accredited institution (AA, AS, AAS, or AOS) must complete the following prerequisites.
Required Prerequisites
- ENG 105 – The Art of Writing
- English Composition II
- BIO 221 – Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIO 222 – Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIO 201 – Microbiology for the Health Sciences
- BIO 202 – Human Nutrition
- CHEM 130 – Chemistry for Health Sciences
- MATH 210 – Introductory Statistics
- WES 300 – Wesleyan Seminar III
- PSY 101 or PSY 102 – Introduction to Psychology I or II
- PSY 205 – Lifespan Development
- PHIL 321 – Ethics and Health Care (or approved ethics course)
- SOC 100 – Introduction to Sociology (or SOC 351 Medical Sociology)
Minimum GPA Requirement for Application: 3.30 in nursing prerequisite courses
Important Notes
- All prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30, with no grades lower than C-.
- Science prerequisites should be completed recently for optimal preparation.
- Transfer credits may fulfill prerequisite requirements pending evaluation.
- Dual-enrollment credits earned during high school may count toward prerequisites.
Questions about prerequisites? Contact our admissions team at enrollment@vwu.edu or call 757-455-3208.