Application Instructions for the RN-BS Degree Completion Program at St. Catherine University


APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY

Your application to the College for Applied and Continuing Learning will be considered complete when all of the following have been received in Evening | Weekend | Online Admission:
  • A completed application form.

  • A $25 application fee or fee waiver.

  • Official high school transcript. If you have not graduated from high school, submit official scores from the General Education Development (GED) test. Transcripts from schools that no longer exist or official GED scores may be obtained by sending a request to your state Department of Education.

  • Official transcripts from all post-high school educational institutions (colleges, technical, medical, business and professional schools, etc.) previously attended, whether or not credits were earned.
Applicants for whom English is a second language may be required to take the English Language Assessment at St. Catherine University. Or, for applicants who have not taken any college-level courses or, if they did and earned under a 2.0 cumulative GPA, the admission committee may request additional information, such as a reading comprehension/grammar assessment (administered by Evening | Weekend | Online Admission) and an interview.

You will be notified if any additional information is required.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR 'SECOND DEGREE' APPLICANTS

Some applicants have already earned a bachelor's degree (with a non-Nursing major) in addition to their associate degree or diploma in Nursing. For these 'second degree' applicants, the requirement to submit a high school transcript or GED scores is waived. All other application requirements listed in the previous section apply.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF ST. KATE'S ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM

Applicants who earned associate degrees in Nursing from St. Catherine University are not required to re-submit college transcripts submitted at the time of application to the associate program. If, however, it has been seven or more years since you received your St. Kate's associate degree, you will need to resubmit transcripts. Also, if since graduating from St. Kate's you have taken coursework at another college, you must submit new transcripts reflecting that work. The $25 application fee is waived for St. Kate's alumni.

RE-ENROLLING STUDENTS

Applicants seeking readmission to St. Catherine University to resume their bachelor's degree must submit the following to Evening | Weekend | Online Admission (no application fee is required):

If absence is two terms, but less than seven years:
  • The application for admission.

  • Official transcripts if you have attended classes at a different institution after leaving St. Catherine.

If absence is seven years or more, then your file needs to be re-created:
  • The application for admission.

  • Official high school transcripts (or official GED scores)

  • Official transcripts from any and all post-high school institutions

ADMISSION CRITERIA

The RN-BS Degree Completion option in the College for Applied and Continuing Learning (CACL) is for women and men who have completed associate degree programs in nursing or diploma-granting registered nurse (RN) programs. This upper-level, 'bachelor's-completion' program of study builds directly on the educational and professional experiences of registered nurses.

Applicants must also demonstrate readiness for advanced undergraduate studies. Admission into this program, designed for adult learners, is based on a holistic evaluation of students' readiness for independent and self-directed learning.

Transcripts of prior academic work should demonstrate the following:
  • A cumulative post-secondary G.P.A. of 2.5 (calculated on all courses, including failed courses, completed within the last 10 years).

  • Successful completion of an associate degree in nursing granted by a regionally accredited college or university, or an RN diploma, with a minimum grade of 'C' in all nursing courses.

Tuition Deposit

Accepted students must pay a $100 tuition deposit and it needs to be paid before registering for classes. This deposit is refundable 14 calendar days prior to the beginning of the term.

PROGRESSING INTO THE UPPER-LEVEL NURSING COURSES

If accepted, students will enroll in core liberal arts, prerequisite and supporting courses and, at a later date, apply to progress into the one-year Nursing course sequence. Admission to the University does not guarantee progression into the Nursing major sequence.

To progress into nursing courses, students must pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) exam, complete the nursing department application and should have some nursing work experience. Students should be employed as nurses before the second semester of nursing courses, which will include workplace projects.

WHEN TO START

The Nursing course sequence begins in fall or spring. Many students enter the university early, to get started on liberal arts courses. Students may begin in fall or spring semester or summer session.

QUESTIONS?

If you need assistance, contact Evening | Weekend | Online Admission: 651-690-6542 or toll free 888-STKATES (785-2837)