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  5. Nursing Major Progression Policy - Freshman/Sophomore Year

Nursing Major Progression Policy - Freshman/Sophomore Year

Students are admitted to Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) as nursing students. Please see the criteria for admission to the university at http://www.ndm.edu/womens-college/admissions-aid/what-we-look-for. During their first and second years, students take liberal arts and sciences, general education requirements, and program requirements for the nursing major.

Admission to NDMU does not automatically ensure progression to the junior year of the nursing program; however, all students who meet the minimum academic criteria will be able to progress to the junior year.

Junior Year Progression Criteria

Students will meet the following criteria year-to-year for progression to the junior year:

Freshmen Year

  • ​Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 by the end of freshmen year
     
  • Only one science course (BIO or CHM designation) out of all science courses taken in both freshmen and sophomore year may be repeated one time (for grade less than C).
     
  • Students who need to take BIO 110 - Exploring Concepts of Biology must receive a grade of C+ or better to advance to all subsequent Biology courses. BIO 110 - Exploring Concepts of Biology is a non-repeatable course.
     
  • Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is required to be submitted by the end of fall semester freshmen year. Students who have had success in the program typically have had TEAS scores at the national average given by ATI. 

Register for ATI TEAS ​

Sophomore Year

  • Cumulative grade point average of  2.8 in order to progress to junior year
     
  • Only one science course (BIO or CHM designation) out of all science courses taken in both freshmen and sophomore year may be repeated one time (for grade less than C).
     
  • Over the course of freshmen and sophomore year, each of the following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of  “C:”
    • BIO 111 - Fundamentals of Biology
    • BIO 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    • BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
    • CHM 108 - Survey of General, Organic & Biochemistry
    • BIO 260 - Genetics and Genomics for Clinical Practice
    • NUR 250 - Nutrition for Wellness
    • BIO 253 - General Microbiology
    • ENG 101 - College Writing
    • MAT 100 - Algebra Applications or MAT 103  Applied Algebra (unless waived)
    • MAT 215 - Basic Statistics
    • PSY 233 - Human Growth and Development
    • PHL 339 - Medical Ethics
  •  The following prerequisite courses must be completed:
    • NDMU 100 - First Year Seminar
    • ENG - Literature general education requirement
    • PHL 201 - Introduction to Philosophy
    • PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology
    • RST 201 - Introduction to Biblical Studies
    • HIS - History general education requirement
    • SOC 101 - Introductory Sociology
    • RST - 300/400 Elective
    • Gender Studies Requirement
  • Academic Records of all students are reviewed every semester by the Admissions and Progression Circle. A student will be placed on program probation when her record reveals:
    • overall cumulative GPA below 2.5 at the end of freshmen year
    • overall cumulative GPA below 2.8 at the end of sophomore year
    • Received one grade below a C in a science course (BIO or CHM designation). Receiving a second grade below a C in a science course would make the student ineligible to progress to junior year in the nursing major.
  • Students placed on Nursing program probation due to GPA below the requirement must re-establish overall cumulative GPA of 2.8 to be eligible for progression to junior year.
     
  • If a student is not meeting all criteria, but believes that her grades and/or TEAS score do not accurately reflect her abilities, it is recommended that the student submit two letters of recommendation. The letters must be submitted by previous educators. An interview may be requested. The Nursing Admissions and Progression Circle will carefully review the information and consider progression on a case-by-case basis.

Acceptance Criteria for Transfer Students to Junior Year

Students may apply to be admitted to Notre Dame of Maryland University in the Women's College and can subsequently apply as a nursing major. Students who meet the criteria for acceptance are welcomed on a space available basis. Students interested into the nursing program must:

How to Apply

  1. Follow the steps to Apply to the Women's College, which includes a writing sample and official transcripts from all institutions attended. 
  2. Complete the Supplemental School of Nursing Application and submit to the Notre Dame of Maryland University, Women's College Office of Admissions.

  3. To receive priority consideration for each fall semester, nursing applications must be submitted by February 15th.  However, we will accept late applications on a space available basis if all required information is submitted.

Criteria for Acceptance

1. Cumulative grade point average of  2.8 

2. Each of the following required courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C”:

  • General Biology
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • Survey of General, Organic & Biochemistry
  • Genetics and Genomics for Clinical Practice
  • Nutrition
  • General Microbiology
  • College Writing
  • Applied Algebra  (unless waived)
  • Basic Statistics
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Medical Ethics

3. Only one science course may be repeated one time (for grade less than C). 

4. Students are waived from General Biology if they have already completed Anatomy and Physiology successfully.

5. The following courses must be completed; select courses may be completed during the Junior and Senior year if the remaining courses are compatible with the schedule of nursing courses.

  • Nursing Requirements:
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • Introduction to Sociology
  • General Education Requirements
    • Literature general education requirement
    • Introduction to Philosophy
    • Introduction to Biblical Studies
    • History general education requirement
    • Religious Studies 300/400 Elective
    • Gender Studies

6. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is required as part of the application process. Applications will not be reviewed without the ATI TEAS  exam results. The score received on the test will be included in the admissions process. 

Register for ATI TEAS 

7. Interview upon request

8. Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology must be taken no more than five years prior to NUR-301 Holistic Health Assessment and NUR-305 Foundations of a Caring Profession.

9. Only nursing courses earned in nationally accredited programs will be considered for transfer into Notre Dame of Maryland University nursing program. If a student is transferring from another Baccalaureate Nursing Program, a letter from her current nursing program confirming good academic standing and that there were no ethical violations on the student's record is required. If a student has more than one nursing course grade of a D or F, she is not eligible for acceptance to the nursing major.

10. If a student is not meeting all criteria, but believes that her grades and/or TEAS score do not accurately reflect her abilities, it is recommended that the student submit two letters of recommendation. The letters must be submitted by previous educators. An interview may be requested. The Nursing Admissions and Progression Circle will carefully review the information and consider progression on a case-by-case basis.