Major in Nursing: Basic Students
Towson University requires a minimum of 120 units for graduation. The requirements for the Nursing major include 61 units of NURS courses, 38 units of prerequisite courses and 21 units of Core Curriculum and/or elective courses. It is critical for transfer students to review their university transfer credit evaluation to ensure 120 units are included in their plan of study to meet graduation requirements.
Prerequisite Completion
Students must complete all prerequisite courses prior to beginning the major. Proper course planning and good advising are key to timely admission to the major and completion of the program in four years. Students with the declared major of pre-nursing are assigned to a first-year experience advisor or academic advising specialist to help them plan their academic program prior to admission to the major. Transfer students who plan to apply transfer coursework to the nursing prerequisites are encouraged to consult with the Transfer Student Center in University Admissions for transfer planning assistance.
For the math prerequisite, students must complete a college algebra course. Pre-nursing students demonstrating competencies covered in MATH 115 (as determined by the Department of Mathematics placement policies) may enroll in a higher-level algebra-intensive math course (MATH 117, MATH 119, MATH 211, or MATH 273) in order to satisfy the college algebra prerequisite. Placement in any particular math course is determined by the Department of Mathematics; students can refer to the Mathematics Placement Information site for details. Non-algebra intensive math courses (e.g., statistics, finite mathematics, or introductory/survey college mathematics courses) will not satisfy the math prerequisite.
In addition to the math requirement above, students must successfully complete a basic statistics course (MATH 231, MATH 237, or PSYC 212) prior to enrolling in NURS 435 in the junior year, second term. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement prior to entering the nursing major because additional course enrollment during the junior year first term is not advised.
Because admission requirements may be revised on occasion, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they are working with the most current information. Students should regularly refer to the Admissions Requirements site and meet with their academic advisor each term to ensure successful academic progression and sufficient preparation for the program application.
Program Requirements and Financial Obligations
Once a student is admitted to the Nursing major, the nursing courses must be completed in a sequential pattern because each course develops the foundation needed for subsequent courses. The program is designed to be completed in two years/four terms with full-time enrollment. Part-time study options may be available with prior department approval.
All nursing students enrolled in the pre-licensure option must meet requirements for clinical practice for the duration of the program. Students enrolled in the major must assume financial responsibility for expenses related to these requirements. Clinical practice requirements may include certifications, insurance, health screenings, immunizations, criminal background checks, drug screenings, and other miscellaneous requirements. A full summary of clinical practice requirements are in the Nursing Student Handbook.
Additional fees are assessed to select nursing courses to cover the costs of educational testing and remediation software and services which students must use throughout the basic/pre-licensure nursing program. Current fees are posted on the Student & University Billing Office site each term.
This is a screened program. Please see the admission requirements for additional information.
Requirements for the Major
In addition to the Core Curriculum requirements, Nursing majors must complete the following prerequisites prior to beginning major course work. Several of these courses can also meet Core Curriculum requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 191 & 191L | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 221 & 221L | HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I [LECTURE] and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 222 & 222L | HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II [LECTURE] and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 215 | ESSENTIALS OF MICROBIOLOGY 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 121 & 121L | ALLIED HEALTH CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and ALLIED HEALTH CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| ENGL 102 | WRITING FOR A LIBERAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| HLTH 331 | NUTRITION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS | 3 |
| MATH 115 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| PSYC 203 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 3 |
| Total Units | 38 | |
Required Course Sequence for the Nursing Major
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year First Term | ||
| NURS 347 | HEALTH ASSESSMENT ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN | 3 |
| NURS 356 | ADULT HEALTH NURSING I: FOUNDATIONS [LEC] | 3 |
| NURS 356C | ADULT HEALTH NURSING I: FOUNDATIONS CLINICAL | 2 |
| NURS 361 | PHARMACOLOGY | 3 |
| NURS 365 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| Junior Year Second Term | ||
| NURS 333 | WRITING FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE: ISSUES IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING | 3 |
| NURS 358 | PSYCHIATRIC AND MENTAL HEALTH NURSING [LEC] | 3 |
| NURS 358C | PSYCHIATRIC AND MENTAL HEALTH NURSING [CLINICAL] | 2 |
| NURS 360 | ADULT HEALTH NURSING II [LEC] | 3 |
| NURS 360C | ADULT HEALTH NURSING II [CLINICAL] | 2 |
| NURS 435 | NURSING RESEARCH FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 3 | 3 |
| Senior Year First Term | ||
| NURS 473 | NURSING CARE OF FAMILIES AND NEWBORNS | 3 |
| NURS 473C | NURSING CARE OF FAMILIES AND NEWBORNS [CLINICAL] | 2 |
| NURS 475 | CHILD HEALTH | 3 |
| NURS 475C | CHILD HEALTH [CLINICAL] | 2 |
| NURS 480 | ADULT HEALTH NURSING III | 3 |
| NURS 480C | ADULT HEALTH NURSING III [CLINICAL] | 2 |
| Senior Year Second Term | ||
| NURS 416 | DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN HEALTHCARE | 3 |
| NURS 476 | PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING | 3 |
| NURS 476C | PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING [CLINICAL] | 2 |
| NURS 481 | TRANSITION TO PRACTICE: LEADERSHIP, QUALITY, AND SAFETY IN COLLABORATIVE HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS | 3 |
| NURS 483 | SENIOR PRACTICUM IMMERSION | 3 |
| NURS 488 | PREPARATION FOR LICENSURE EXAM | 2 |
| Total Units | 61 | |
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 191 or CHEM 121 (Core 7) | 3 | CHEM 121 or BIOL 191 (Core 8) | 3 |
| BIOL 191L or CHEM 121L | 1 | CHEM 121L or BIOL 191L | 1 |
| MATH 115 (Core 3) | 3 | SOCI 101 or PSYC 101 | 3 |
| PSYC 101 or SOCI 101 (Core 6) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 5 | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 221 & 221L | 4 | BIOL 215 | 4 |
| HLTH 331 | 3 | BIOL 222 & 222L | 4 |
| PSYC 203 | 3 | MATH 231 or 237 | 3-4 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Core 14 | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14-15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| NURS 347 | 3 | NURS 333 | 3 |
| NURS 356 | 3 | NURS 358 | 3 |
| NURS 356C | 2 | NURS 358C | 2 |
| NURS 361 | 3 | NURS 360 | 3 |
| NURS 365 | 3 | NURS 360C | 2 |
| NURS 435 | 3 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| NURS 473 | 3 | NURS 416 | 3 |
| NURS 473C | 2 | NURS 476 | 3 |
| NURS 475 | 3 | NURS 476C | 2 |
| NURS 475C | 2 | NURS 481 | 3 |
| NURS 480 | 3 | NURS 483 | 3 |
| NURS 480C | 2 | NURS 488 | 2 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Units 123-124 | |||
- Integrate evolving knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in the exercise of clinical judgment and the provision of nursing care across diverse practice environments.
- Develop a caring relationship with individuals and communities by communicating effectively, applying the nursing process, promoting health, and advocating for person-centered care.
- Incorporate knowledge of the interplay between population health and the social determinants of health in the care of diverse populations in a variety of settings.
- Use knowledge of the research process and the resulting evidence base to improve patient health and transform health care.
- Analyze how quality improvement principles and a culture of safety promote the delivery of high-quality care.
- Collaborate with professional partners to deliver respectful, high-quality care that aligns with the goals and needs of the individual, family, and/or population.
- Apply knowledge of healthcare systems to promote safe, equitable, and cost-effective care to individuals and populations across the continuum of care.
- Incorporate safe and ethical use of information and communication technologies in nursing care.
- Develop a professional identity reflective of the characteristics and values of nursing.
- Demonstrate accountability for engaging in activities that foster the acquisition of nursing expertise, personal well-being, and leadership development.