Second Degree Students

The Kirkhof College of Nursing offers a B.S.N. and an articulated B.S.N./M.S.N. option for persons with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline. This option is designed for part-time or full-time study. The required plan of study can be shortened by transfer of credits.

Second degree students must be admitted to Grand Valley State University before they can be considered a pre-nursing major. Students must be admitted to the nursing major. Admission is selective and highly competitive.  Students must earn an overall GPA of at least 2.800, and have a minimum of C (2.0) in the following decision courses (none of which may be repeated more than once).  Decision courses are used for the final admission decision.

Required courses taken prior to entering clinical nursing courses (NUR 315)

Multiple selection criteria are used to determine admission to the nursing major.
These include but are not limited to:

• A completed application and a Verification of Prerequisite Coursework (VOPC) by March 1 for admission Fall or Winter semester; students will be notified by early May, or 
• A completed application and VOPC by November 1 for Summer/Spring admission; students will be notified by early January;
• competitive grades on the decision courses;
• a personal statement;
• a record of leadership and service indicating principal activities and other information that speak to individual accomplishments; and
• other areas as detailed on the nursing application.

Evidence of the following is required before the student begins Nursing 315.

1. Health and immunization reports.
2. Certifcation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for health professionals (CPR).
3. Health insurance.
4. Students must have their own transportation for clinical experiences.

In order to progress in the nursing program, a minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in the following *Prerequisite, +Co-requisite, and Nursing courses:

Students who plan an M.S.N. exit must apply to the M.S.N. program and obtain
preliminary admission to the program prior to taking graduate level courses and

1. Achieve a scholastic GPA of 3.0 or higher in upper-division baccalaureate coursework.
2. Satisfactorily complete the Graduate Record Exam's (GRE) general test.
3. Submit a 300-500 word essay describing professional and educational goals.

Full admission to the MSN program is contingent upon

1. Maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher in upper division coursework.
2. Satisfactory completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) and  documentation of current licensure as an RN in the State of Michigan.
3. Professional competence as documented by three academic and/or professional references.
4. A personal interview may be required.

Second-degree students who elect the B.S.N./M.S.N. option may enroll in a selected number of graduate courses while completing the B.S.N.

NUR 529 Health Care System, Policy, and Finance
NUR 690 Research Development in Nursing
BMS 608 Pathologic Physiology, or NUR 622, Advanced Pathophysiology I and NUR 623
Advanced Pathophysiology II