West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA) is a public institution in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It is also part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, along with nine other campuses. WCUPA is also the largest of the 14 universities that belong to the system. The university was established in 1871 as the West Chester Normal School. It initially offered a four-year program to educate teachers and added a liberal arts program a couple of years after its founding. It now offers a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including the nursing programs.

Four CCNE-accredited nursing programs are offered through the WCUPA Department of Nursing, including three BSN programs. Students can enroll in traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, or RN to BSN programs. The university also offers an MSN program. The accelerated program is designed to be completed in 18 months, while the traditional BSN program is a standard four-year program. Both programs include clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities, such as retirement centers, day care centers, community health clinics, and nursing homes. The nursing program has a low student to faculty ratio, with eight students per instructor in clinical settings. Students also receive training at a high-tech learning laboratory located on campus.

Updated on: 26 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

24-month program
One cohort per year; approximately 30–40 students
begin in January
Program awards BSN and MSN with Leadership focus and leads to eligibility to sit for NCLEX-RN
Classes held weekdays in summer; fall and spring classes held weekdays with clinicals on weekdays or weekends

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or better required (official transcripts required)
Verification of completed prerequisite courses required
Minimum GPA of 3.0 or above within the last 5 years for Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2
Two letters of recommendation required

Entrance Exams

Required entrance exam score: 75 or better
Source does not specify the name of the exam

Prerequisites

Pathophysiology
Psychology
Pharmacology
Chemistry
Statistics
Developmental Psychology
Nutrition
Microbiology
Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2
All prerequisite courses must be completed by the onset of the program

Deadlines

Applications accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until December 1
Candidate reviews begin in August
Cohort start month: January
Information session dates: July 17, 2025 (12:00 pm); September 8, 2025 (6:00 pm); October 22, 2025 (6:00 pm); November 10, 2025 (12:00 pm)

Application

Submit online application (follow program online application procedures)
Official academic transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Verification of completed prerequisite courses
Two letters of recommendation
All prerequisites must be completed by program start date
For online application procedures contact: 610-436-2279

Selection Process

Rolling admissions with final review until December 1
Candidate reviews begin in August or after verification of a significant number of applications

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Clinicals scheduled during fall and spring; may occur on weekdays or weekends
Classes held weekdays in summer
Flexible schedule required to meet clinical requirements
Program includes remediation program and access to educational resources related to licensure preparation

Contacts

Program Coordinator: Carolyn D. Meehan, PhD, RN; Department of Nursing; West Chester University; 700 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19383; phone: 610-436-1000
Department of Nursing office: SECC 327, 155 University Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383; phone: 610-436-2219
Online application questions: 610-436-2279