Towson University

Towson University (TU) was founded in 1866. It is a public institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and is part of the University System of Maryland. It was the first training school for teachers in the state and has evolved over the years to become a four-year university. It now enrolls over 20,000 students each year, making it one of the largest public universities in the state. Towson University was ranked the 8th-best public university in the Universities-Master's category. It has also been recognized in numerous rankings over the years, including receiving recognition for offering the best value for public colleges.

Prospective nursing students can earn degrees through four different nursing programs. Undergrad options include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs, which were accredited by the CCNE in 2001. There is also a CCNE-accredited MSN program for those that already have a BSN. The BSN program requires students to first complete a minimum of 42 undergraduate credits, including 3 laboratory science prerequisites. After these prerequisites are met, students may apply for admission to the BSN program. The school has a 91.22% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate, which exceeds the state average. Students will receive clinical experience through partnerships with Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Updated on: 26 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

Two-year full-time program
Program completed during fall and spring terms
No evening or weekend cohort available
Curriculum follows the same undergraduate nursing major requirements as first-time undergraduates

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing
Admission to the nursing major and admission to the university are both required for enrollment
applicants follow the same academic criteria and degree requirements as first-time undergraduate nursing applicants
Age and breadth of prior undergraduate studies may affect admission policy applicability

Application

Apply to the nursing major; wait to submit the university second bachelor’s application until after receiving the nursing admission decision
Admitted nursing applicants must submit the university second bachelor’s application and complete the university admission process by institutional deadlines
Students cannot begin the nursing program unless admitted and enrolled as degree-seeking students
Application instructions and deadlines available on the program web page

Selection Process

Admission decisions follow the same review and criteria used for first-time undergraduate nursing applicants
Screening and policy application depend on prior coursework age and scope

Alternative Pathways

Entry-level Master of Science (ELMS) program available beginning Fall 2022 as an alternate option for career changers to nursing
ELMS is a separate pathway from the second bachelor’s degree

Contacts

Towson University main address: 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252
Program and application information available on the Towson University Department of Nursing web pages