RN to B.S. in Nursing

Program Overview

The RN to B.S. degree completion option at Towson University can help you broaden your nursing practice skills and build a solid foundation for developing an area of specialization. You will gain the education you need to assume expanding nursing roles that require greater problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, both within health care institutions and the community. The RN to B.S. option builds on your previous learning and offers nursing courses that are designed to improve your professional nursing practice.

The RN to B.S. option is available at three locations: the Towson University main campus, the TU in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE) campus, and the University of Maryland System Hagerstown (USMH) center.

Degree Completion Curriculum

This is a flexible option designed to meet the needs of working RNs. The program can be completed at a pace that suits a student's individual needs. At the start of the program, new students will meets with an academic advisor to review the degree completion curriculum and map out a plan of study based on their individual needs and goals.

Year-round, part-time enrollment is recommended for working RNs. Up to 90% of the RN to B.S. curriculum can be completed via online courses. Students who require full-time enrollment or in-person courses should contact the Department of Nursing before applying.

Students will work closely with an academic advisor to follow a plan for success in completing the degree requirements. View more information about degree requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Admission to RN-BS Option

Admission to the RN to B.S. option is offered in the fall and spring terms.  Enrollment at the university as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student is required to begin the nursing major. You must submit an application to both the university and the nursing major by their respective application deadlines.

Before applying, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to questions we often get asked by prospective students regarding the format and completion of the option.

Nursing Application Deadlines

For priority consideration, students must submit their nursing application and materials by these deadline:

• Spring Admission: November 1st
  Fall Admission: May 1st

Applications may be accepted after the deadlines based on space availability. However, applications submitted after the deadline are not automatically reviewed. If you are interested in applying after the deadline has passed, you must first contact the Department of Nursing before submitting an application to confirm whether applications are still being accepted.

Admission Criteria

In order to be screened for admission, RN to B.S. applications must meet the following admission criteria: 

• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50

  • Cumulative GPA includes all colleges/universities attended, not just your most recently attended school
• Completion of prerequisite courses completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher:
  • General Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)
  • Nutrition for Health Professionals (3 credits)
  • Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
• Completion of a state-approved diploma* or associate’s degree nursing program
• Active, unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in Maryland or a compact state

*Nursing diploma graduates and students with international nursing education may be required to complete additional courses required for the bachelor's degree.

You may apply to the RN to B.S. option in the final term of your associate degree and/or while prerequisites are still in progress. Any offer of admission would be contingent upon completion of all prerequisites, the associate degree, and RN licensure by the start of the program.

Application Process

Applicants must follow the instructions below based on their intended start term.

Spring 2025 Applicants

1. Submit the online RN-BS application form and $50 non-refundable application fee:
   1. Application: Department of Nursing Application for Admission: Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science (RN-BS) Degree Completion Option. 
   2. The application will redirect to the online payment center upon form submission.
2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to University Admissions. Electronic transcripts are preferred.
   1. Electronic Transcripts: Send via your school's electronic transcript service (e.g., Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.) and select Towson University as the recipient.
      • New transfer or second bachelor applicants can request electronic transcripts via Common App when applying to the university.
      • Keep a copy of your transcript delivery confirmation until your application has been reviewed.
   2. Mailed Transcripts: University Admissions, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252

All official transcripts must be received by University Admissions by the application deadline. Neither Towson University nor the Department of Nursing are responsible for transcripts mailed and not received by the deadline. Please note that TU transcripts do not need to be sent. For any transcript submission questions or receipt verification, students should contact University Admissions.

Fall 2025 Applicants

1. Submit NursingCAS application for RN-BS admission.
   • This application is currently under development. An application link and instructions will be available in December 2025.
2. Submit all official transcripts via NursingCAS when the application is available.

University Application & Enrollment

Application to the major is not an application to the university.  Admission to and enrollment at Towson University is required in order to enroll in the major, but it is not required by the time you apply to the major.

Students who are not currently enrolled at TU must complete the appropriate application to enroll at the university if admitted. If you are not currently enrolled at TU, please read the following reminders to ensure that you understand what you must do to enroll.

1. Transfer Admissions - If you have not completed a bachelor's degree and are seeking to transfer from another college/university
2. Second Bachelor Degree Admissions - If you already have completed a bachelor's degree at TU or another college/university
3. Reenrollment - If you previously attended TU as an undergraduate degree-seeking student, have not attended in at least one regular academic term (fall/spring), and have not completed a bachelor's degree since attending.

Admission Screening

Applications will only be reviewed after the application deadline has passed. Admission to the option is determined by the Towson University Department of Nursing. All admission decisions will be communicated via email.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this program or the application process, please contact us.