The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing

Program Length & Format

• 16-month accelerated program consisting of 4 consecutive, full-time semesters beginning each fall (late August)
• Cohort-based model; students remain at the campus to which they are accepted; campus changes not permitted
• Graduation in December of the second fall semester
• Program offered at Penn State Altoona, Penn State Erie (Behrend), and Penn State Harrisburg

Admission Requirements

• Completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• Completion of all required prerequisite coursework by the end of the spring semester immediately preceding program start
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA used in review; space availability considered in admissions decisions
• Applicants previously dismissed from a nursing program should consult the designated campus contact

Prerequisites

• Anatomy & Physiology I with lab and Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (each 4 credits)
• Lifespan Development or Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• Introductory Chemistry with lab (3–4 credits)
• Introductory Nutrition (3 credits)
• Elementary Statistics or Introduction to Biostatistics (3–4 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (3–4 credits)

Deadlines

• General application cycle: August 1–December 1 (applications accepted only during this window at most locations)
• Penn State Harrisburg application cycle: August 1–November 30
• Information sessions for fall 2026: Wednesday, 10/15/25 (8:00–9:15 a.m.); Thursday, 11/20/25 (12:00–1:15 p.m.)

Application

• Submit the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Second Degree departmental application during the open application cycle
• Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended (applications not complete until all transcripts received)
• Prior Penn State students: submit re-enrollment form to campus Registrar between August 1 and application deadline
• Transfer/advanced standing applicants: complete Undergraduate Admissions application and pay processing fee; submit official transcripts, AP/CLEP scores, study abroad transcripts as applicable
• Applicants taking spring coursework must provide a copy of spring schedule or unofficial transcript to the Nursing contact at preferred campus by the third week of December

Selection Process

• Applicants with cumulative GPA 3.25 or higher reviewed on a rolling basis and may receive immediate (all prerequisites complete) or contingent (some prerequisites in progress) offers
• Applicants with cumulative GPA 2.750–3.249 reviewed in January with decisions released in February
• Applicants with cumulative GPA below 2.750 are not generally eligible for admission; exceptions require consultation with campus contact
• Conditional/contingent offers convert to full offers in May after verification of prerequisite completion and on-time bachelor’s degree completion; offers are not deferrable

Clinical & Related Requirements

• Clinical placements occur within approximately a 50-mile radius of the campus; students are responsible for transportation and related costs
• Required pre-clinical items: state and federal background checks, criminal and child abuse clearances, drug screening, annual health examination, required vaccinations including COVID-19 and influenza, American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification, professional liability insurance, official Penn State Nursing scrubs/uniform attire
• A felony conviction within the past 10 years may prevent eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite and other coursework may be completed at any Penn State campus or other accredited institutions
• Undergraduate Admissions reviews transfer and international transcripts and calculates cumulative undergraduate GPA for transfer applicants
• International transcript evaluations are completed by Undergraduate Admissions at University Park

International Students

• Required documents for international applicants include official transcripts, translated transcripts (if applicable), language proficiency scores, secondary school records, and financial verification records
• International transcripts are reviewed only by Undergraduate Admissions at University Park; review timelines may extend the offer timeline and early application (by early September) is recommended
• Applicants must notify the Nursing program office at the chosen campus when international transcripts are ready for review

Contacts

• Ryan Costanzo, Academic Adviser, Second Degree Nursing Program (listed contact for Second Degree inquiries)