Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution in West Lafayette, Indiana, and is part of the Purdue University system that operates four campuses across the state. The main campus offers over 200 undergraduate majors and 69 graduate-level programs. The campus is located in the small city of West Lafayette, which is separated from larger Lafayette by the Wabash River. Purdue University is part of the Big Ten Conference and the intercollegiate sports teams are a big part of campus life. The university has earned various awards and recognition for their education programs. Most recently, Purdue University was listed as the 20th-best public university in the US, according to the 2017 Us News & World Report rankings.

Undergraduate and graduate-level nursing programs are available at Purdue University-Main Campus through the Purdue School of Nursing. These CCNE-accredited programs include a traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, BSN to DNP, DNP, ADN, and MSN program. Upon completion of the BSN program, students are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam. The school also helps with job placement. A nursing career fair is held each year to give students the opportunity to meet potential employers. There is also an annual Health Careers Day sponsored by the University Placement Services.

Not reviewed yet

Updated on: 26 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

16-month program delivered over four consecutive semesters (full-time)
Location: West Lafayette, IN

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; recommended cumulative GPA 3.0
Prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to starting classes
Credits earned more than 10 years before program start are not acceptable for prerequisites

Entrance Exams

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT required for applicable applicants; score greater than 100

Prerequisites

Human Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters with labs): BIOL 20300/20400 or BIOL 30100/30200
General Chemistry (two semesters with labs): CHM 11100/11200 or CHM 11500/11600 or CHM 12901
Microbiology: BIOL 22100 or BIOL 43800/43900
Nutrition: NUTR 30300 or NUTR 31500
Research Statistics: STAT 11300 or STAT 30100 or STAT 50300 or SOC 38200 or PSY 20100
Lifespan Human Development: HDFS 21000
Sociology or Psychology: any PSY or SOC course
Five of nine prerequisite courses must be complete at time of application (by March 1); of the remaining four, no more than one may be left to the summer prior to program start
Courses may be completed the summer prior to starting the program

Deadlines

Prerequisite completion requirement: five of nine courses complete by March 1 (application timing tied to this date)

Application

Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional)
Current resume or curriculum vitae
Essay of 300–500 words explaining reasons for career change, choice of nursing, suitability for the program, and career goals
Academic advisor in the School of Nursing must review transcripts for course acceptability

Selection Process

School of Nursing advisor reviews transcripts to determine acceptability of prerequisite courses
Applicants must meet prerequisite and document requirements to be considered

Credit Transfer

Purdue course numbers listed with accepted transfer equivalencies for prerequisites (applicants must confirm equivalency)
Credits earned more than 10 years prior to program start are not acceptable for fulfillment of prerequisites; retake or competency exam required