Department of Nursing

Linthicum Hall 301
Phone: 410-704-4170
Fax: 410-704-4325
Email: nursingadmissions@towson.edu

Programs of the Department 

Nursing is both an art and a science with an evolving body of specialized knowledge derived from nursing research, as well as from the synthesis of knowledge from related disciplines. Nursing, independently or collaboratively, guides and ­influences the behavior of others in their efforts toward optimizing the health status of individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Towson University offers a program in professional nursing leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing. The Nursing curriculum includes courses in the liberal arts, the sciences, and nursing. The curriculum, designed for basic and registered nurse students, prepares the graduate to accept responsibility and accountability for the care of clients and families in a variety of health care settings, to function in beginning leadership roles, and to be consumers of and participants in nursing research. Students are also provided with the foundation for graduate study in nursing.

Accreditation & Memberships

The Nursing Program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Basic/pre-licensure students graduating from the Nursing major are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Department of Nursing holds membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs of the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Academics Standards

Once admitted to the nursing major, students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 at TU in order to continue in the major. All nursing theory/lecture courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher; clinical courses must be completed with a S grade on the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading basis.

Students enrolled in the basic/pre-licensure option of the program are expected to earn the standard score established by the Department of Nursing on the designated benchmark examination during their senior year, second term, in order to be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination required for licensure. Students enrolled in the degree completion options of the program are required to have passed the NCLEX-RN examination and hold an active, unencumbered RN license in Maryland or a compact state prior to completing their final practicum course.

The Nursing Student Handbook provides additional information concerning department policies and is distributed upon enrollment in the major.

Admission to the Nursing Major 

The nursing major is a screened and competitive program. Admission to Towson University does not constitute or guarantee admission to the major. Direct entry into the major is not offered to incoming freshman students. Nursing program admission requires students to be enrolled at the university as a degree-seeking student. New transfer or second bachelor's students must apply through University Admissions, and students returning to TU after a break in attendance to continue their degree must apply through the Reenrollment Office. Students may apply to the nursing major prior to applying to the university, or vice versa, as long both the university and nursing program deadlines are met.

The information outlined here pertains to the Nursing major's basic/pre-licensure option. Admission requirements, screening process, and deadlines for the Nursing major's degree completion options vary based on the option and community college partners. Visit the Degree Completion Options section within this catalog or the Nursing Degree Completion Options site for admission and program details.

Preparing for the Nursing Program

The Nursing major requires math and science prerequisites as part of its admission criteria. High school students are advised to take the following courses to gain the foundation necessary to complete the nursing major’s prerequisite courses:

• mathematics – three units (two years of algebra and one year of geometry)
• chemistry – one unit
• biology – one unit
• physics - one unit*

*While physics is not a prerequisite for the nursing major, a base understanding of physics is recommended.

Transfer students should plan to begin their science and math courses early in their studies. Many math and science courses require prerequisites or placement testing; delaying prerequisites or placement testing may affect progression through prerequisite courses in a timely fashion.

Admission and Screening Process

Admission to the Nursing major is granted only by the Department of Nursing. To be screened for admission, applicants must apply, submit required materials, and meet the minimum criteria to apply by published deadlines. As of the Spring 2024 application cycle, the Department of Nursing will conduct early application review to qualified students who apply by the priority deadline.

Because the process requires official transcripts from all educational institutions that students have attended, students should allow sufficient time for receipt of transcripts in the department by the due dates. It is an applicant’s responsibility to make certain that their application and all required documents are received by the application and materials deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission. Admission screening takes place during the term prior to the student’s anticipated enrollment in the first nursing course. 

For detailed instructions to apply and submit required materials, visit the Admission Requirements website.

Regular Application Review

All applicants must meet the application and material deadlines in order to be considered for admission. The nursing program application and application fee must be submitted by the application deadline. Required application materials, including transcripts, test scores, and individual admissions materials (if applicable), must be received by the materials deadline.

Early Application Review

Students must meet apply, submit all required materials (transcripts and TEAS scores), and meet the minimum application and admission criteria by the priority deadline of the term by which they are applying in order to qualify for early application review. Early application review will be based on the coursework completed at the time of application. Any application that does not qualify for early review will be deferred to the regular application pool for review.

Fall Admission

Fall admission is offered for either the main campus in Towson, MD, or the University System of Maryland Hagerstown (USMH) Center in Hagerstown, MD. Admission is only offered for one campus location; applicants must select their preferred campus. If a student is willing to accept admission to the other campus, they may also list the other campus as a second choice location. Identifying a second choice campus location is optional and should only be done if a student is willing to relocate and attend that location.

Students must apply and ensure that their materials are submitted by the following deadlines:

• Priority Deadline: December 15
• Regular Application Deadline: January 15
• Regular Materials Deadline: February 1

Coursework completed through the minimester (winter) term will be considered for fall application screening.

Spring Admission

Spring admission is offered only for the main campus in Towson, MD.

Students must apply and ensure that their materials are submitted by the following deadlines:

• Priority Deadline: July 15
• Regular Application Deadline: August 15
• Regular Materials Deadline: September 1

Coursework completed through the summer term will be considered in regular spring application screening. 

Application Eligibility

A student may only apply to the major once they have met the minimum criteria for application review:

• Minimum of 42 undergraduate units earned
• Completion of three (3) laboratory science prerequisites courses
• Completion of English composition with a C (2.0) or higher (TU's ENGL 102 or equivalent transfer credit)
• Score ranked Proficient or higher on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) 

These criteria must be met by the priority application deadline for early review or by the conclusion of the most recent term. For fall applicants, this includes coursework completed through the minimester (winter) term. For spring applicants, this includes coursework completed through the summer term.

In progress coursework does not count toward the minimum earned units or for completion of prerequisite courses. Any applicant that does not meet these requirements will not be reviewed for admission.

Admission Criteria

All students must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for admission:

• Overall cumulative grade point average GPA of 3.0 or higher from all colleges/universities attended
• C (2.0) or higher in all nursing prerequisite courses
• No more than two (2) repeat attempts of any nursing prerequisite courses due to a grade below C (2.0)
• Completion of all science and mathematics prerequisites within 10 years of applying
• Completion of all nursing prerequisite courses with a C (2.0) or higher by the start of the program

Students may apply with some prerequisites in progress as long as they have met the minimum criteria to apply. Any offer of admission would be contingent upon the completion of those prerequisites prior to the start of the term.

Meeting the minimum criteria is not a guarantee of admission to the major. Program admission is highly competitive due to limited space in the major and rigor of the curriculum. The competitiveness of admission varies each term based on the number of applicants and the strength of the applicant pool.

Individual Admissions Policy

Applicants who do not meet select minimum admission criteria may still be able to apply for admission consideration under the Individual Admissions Policy. To be considered, the individual must demonstrate the ability to be successful in a rigorous academic curriculum through recent strong academic performance in relevant course work. Applicants who wish to be considered under this policy must submit supplemental materials with their nursing application. The Individual Admissions Policy does not apply to the application eligibility criteria. For more details about how to apply under this policy, visit the Individual Admissions Policy site.

Transfer and Second Degree Students 

Transfer and second degree students must apply and be admitted to the university according to university policies and procedures. Prerequisites for nursing admission can be satisfied through transfer credit. Students must complete all required nursing courses at TU. Nursing courses completed in another baccalaureate nursing program may be evaluated individually for equivalence to TU nursing courses only if a student has been admitted to the major.

For more information, visit the Transfer Students or Second Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing site.

• Major in Nursing: Basic Students
• Degree Completion Options:

  • Associate-to-Bachelor Degree Option (ATB) 

  • Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science Option (RN-to-BS)

Faculty

Professors: Mary Lashley, Hayley Mark (Chairperson)

Associate Professors: Kathleen Ogle, Hyunjeong Park, Briana Snyder (Graduate Program Director)

Assistant Professors: Katherine Brewer, Sarah Caro, Melanie Horning, Stacey Iobst, Marguerite Lucea, Michelle Ness, Laura Sessions, Mark Walker

Clinical Associate Professors: Elizabeth Crusse (Assistant Chair), Mary Curran, Karen Frank, Nancy Hannafin, Claudeth Jeffrey

Clinical Assistant Professors: Nasreen Bahreman, Tammy Bowers, Megan Gildersleeve, Renada Gilliard, Susan Hammond, Marie Kemerer, Susan King, Nana Omole, Alison Pirie, Goma Thapaliya