Overview

Pre-Nursing Admissions

All students applying to the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will first be admitted as Pre-Nursing students during their freshman year. Admission to the Pre-Nursing Entry program is competitive. Applicants must have a high school GPA of 3.25 or above. Upon successful completion of foundational coursework during the Pre-Nursing year, students meeting the nursing program admission criteria (listed below) will be admitted into the BSN program at the end of their first academic year. Admission to the upper division of the traditional BSN program will be competitive and based on a holistic review of the following criteria:

• A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 during the Pre-Nursing year
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 in science and math courses completed during the Pre-Nursing year
• A short personal essay outlining your motivation for choosing nursing as a major and career path
• Observation or volunteer experience in a healthcare setting (strongly preferred)
• An interview may be required as part of the final selection process

There will be no direct admission to the traditional BSN program. All admissions must go through the Pre-Nursing Entry program.

Admission deadline for this program is February 1.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: HP-PNUR-BS

Contact Information

Laura Rauth, MSN, RN, CNS
BSN Program Director
Paley Hall, Room 260E
215-204-6835
laura.rauth@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2026-2027. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2026 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

Pre-Nursing Requirements

The Pre-Nursing program is the first-year sequence of courses for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Selection of students for progression to the BSN program will be based on a holistic review of each applicant's academic performance, personal experiences, and professional potential using the EAM (Experiences, Attributes, and Metrics) model (AACN, 2020). All components listed below will be carefully considered as part of a holistic evaluation process; no single criterion guarantees admission.

Applicants must meet or exceed the following minimum requirements:

• A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 during the Pre-Nursing year;
• A minimum grade of B in CHEM 1021, CHEM 1023 and KINS 1223 in the Fall semester of the Pre-Nursing year;
• An interview may be required as part of the final selection process.

After successful completion of the Pre-Nursing program, the BSN program will be completed in 3 years (total of 4 years; 1 year in Pre-Nursing + 3 years in BSN). Any transfer of credit of college level and AP courses from high school will be accepted based on Temple University policy.

University Requirements

All students are required to complete the university's General Education (GenEd) curriculum.

College Requirements

All College of Public Health undergraduates must successfully complete the College Core course, HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play.

Clearance Requirements

Students attending Temple University College of Public Health are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required. Some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings. Visit Student Health Services for more information on Prematriculation Requirements.

Please note: Pre-nursing students do not have a clinical / practicum / field education experience; however, if a student advances into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, there are additional requirements. All students who attend programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience will be required to purchase access to the EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module. This module to order, store and maintain compliance documents is required for participation in a learning experience at an affiliate site.

Students who attend CPH programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience which are completed at affiliate sites both on and off the Temple University campus are required to comply with minimum standard compliance metrics which include the above health requirements in addition to a national criminal background check, Act 33/34 clearances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and FBI fingerprinting through DHS or DoE. FBI fingerprinting is a national check, which can be performed through any of the 50 states.

The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice depending on the field of study.

In addition to the above, students who attend the BSN program are required to show proof of health insurance annually, and proof of current American Heart Association CPR certification for Healthcare Professionals.

View the full BSN Program requirements.

Department of Nursing Requirements

Nursing Major Requirements

Suggested Academic Plan

Pre-Nursing Entry Program

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2026-2027 Academic Year