Early Acceptance Agreement With the University of Rochester School of Nursing

Early Acceptance Agreement With the University of Rochester School of Nursing

The purpose of this program is to facilitate educational and career mobility for students who earn a baccalaureate degree in any major at St. Lawrence University (SLU) and who wish to pursue studies in the Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for Non-Nurses (ABPNN) at the University of Rochester (U of R) School of Nursing.  Upon completion of the non-nursing baccalaureate degree at St. Lawrence University and the prescribed prerequisite courses, students selected for matriculation into the program will continue their studies at the University of Rochester School of Nursing with assurance that they may complete all requirements for a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing upon successful completion of 49 additional credit hours, offered in one calendar year.

Key features and advantages of this agreement:

  • Students complete a bachelor’s degree and pre-requisite courses at SLU.  The U of R School of Nursing will accept 79 credit hours (the equivalent of 22 units) of non-nursing courses from SLU.  
  • Students apply during their junior year at SLU for early acceptance to the Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for Non-Nurses (ABPNN) and will learn of their admission by the end of the summer following their junior year.
  • Up to two qualified SLU students will be granted early acceptance in the ABPNN.
  • Students’ application fee to the ABPNN (during the senior fall semester) is waived upon early acceptance.
  • Students complete their coursework and clinical experience in 12 months, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing making them eligible to take the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse.  
Requirements for Eligibility:
  • Students must present a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. 
  • A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) is required in all prerequisite courses.
  • Pre-requisite courses
    • Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs (BIOL 341 & 351)
    • Microbiology with lab (BIOL 231)
    • Human Nutrition (BIOL 315)
    • Developmental Psychology (PSYC 207)
    • Statistics (STAT 113)
  • The SLU Health Careers Committee strongly advises applicants to achieve a 2.5 in SLU’s Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs (BIOL 341 & 351) or 3.5 in Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs from SUNY Canton or other equivalent institution (as approved by the Health Career Committee; transfers into SLU as BIOL 241 & 251). 
  • Students should strive to achieve a 3.0 in all other prerequisite courses
How to Apply:
  1. Students express interest to SLU HCC advisors during or before their Junior Fall semester.  These advisors will help coordinate a student visit and tour of University of Rochester’s School of Nursing during the Junior Fall semester.
  2. Students prepare materials and complete their SLU Health Careers Committee interview by March of their Junior Spring semester.  (Deadlines and information on this interview process are found here.)  At the time of the student’s interview, the following courses must be completed: 1 semester of Anatomy & Physiology, Statistics, Human Nutrition or Microbiology, and Developmental Psychology.
  3. Following the student interviews, SLU HCC Co-Chairs select up to 5 candidates and share these names and student materials with the U of R School of Nursing.  An interview time/visit is arranged by mutual consent of the student and the U of R; this may be at either institution’s campus or by telephone.
  4. The U of R School of Nursing staff interviews candidates in April or May of the student’s Junior year and sends letters to accepted candidates during the summer following their Junior year.
  5. Accepted candidates submit a FAST application to U of R School of Nursing (application fee is waived) and pay their $1000 deposit by October 1st of their Senior year.
  6. SLU HCC continues to advise students and emphasize prerequisite courses and clinical experiences which will enhance their success at U of R School of Nursing.
  7. Accepted candidates complete their degree at SLU, graduate and enroll in U of R School of Nursing ABPNN starting in the September cohort immediately following their graduation.  They graduate 1 year later with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, assuming successful completion of all coursework.
Questions?  Please contact Dr. Kari Heckman kheckman@znco.net or Dr. Jane Kring jkring@znco.net .