The Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (TBSN) degree program prepares individuals for careers in professional nursing in hospitals and other health care agencies. This TBSN program provides a foundation for progressing to positions of increased responsibility, leadership, and continued education in graduate programs. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a bachelor of science in nursing degree from the UW–Madison School of Nursing.
The curriculum includes courses in nursing as well as in liberal arts and sciences. Most students enter UW–Madison as pre-nursing students and spend their first two years completing nursing prerequisite and general education courses. Students apply midway through their sophomore year to start the nursing program once admitted. From there, the two-year nursing component includes lectures, laboratory, and clinical courses. Nursing courses emphasize clinical decision-making and the application of theoretical knowledge. Clinical experiences can be up to 90 miles from Madison and may include ambulatory sites, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, geriatric facilities, school districts, nursing homes, policy centers, etc. This range of sites and opportunities gives students comprehensive exposure to a broad range of patients, illness, and care in both clinical patient and community health settings. Elective courses in general education and in nursing permit students to pursue individual interests.
How to Get in
Current UW-Madison Students
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | Application required. Meeting the requirements listed below does not guarantee admission. (https://nursing.wisc.edu/undergraduate/bsn-traditional/) |
| Courses required to get in | Students are required to complete a course in each of the seven prerequisites listed below. Requirements can be completed via coursework, test credit, transfer work, or placement exam (if applicable). Chemistry Microbiology Human Anatomy Human Physiology Psychology Sociology
Human Growth and Development |
| GPA requirements to get in | At the point of application submission (mid-January):
Prior to admission (at the conclusion of the spring term):
|
| Credits required to get in | At the conclusion of the spring application term, complete at least 54-degree credits. |
| Other | Have not previously enrolled in a professional Bachelor of Science-Nursing program at another institution. |
| Semester | Deadline to apply | Decision notification timeline |
|---|---|---|
| To apply for a fall start | Mid January | On or before July 1st |
| To apply for a spring start | This program does not accept applications to start in the spring. | |
| To apply for a summer start | This program does not accept applications to start in the summer |
Admission to the nursing major is competitive and determined by a comprehensive review of each student’s academic preparation and performance, leadership, extracurricular activities and service, health care experience and background, diversity in experience and background, and the quality of application statements/essays.
Upper Division Admission
Upper division admission is the standard route into the Traditional BSN nursing program. In this model, students enter UW–Madison as pre-nursing students (PRN), they spend the first two years completing general education requirements and nursing prerequisites, and then apply for admission to the nursing program for the final two years on campus.
Prospective Transfer and Second-Degree Applicants
Students transferring to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as well as students who already have a bachelor’s degree and wish to earn a second degree in nursing, also apply to the Traditional BSN program via the Upper Division Admission option. More information on the admission process and requirements for transfer students and second-degree students is available on the School of Nursing website.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
Traditional BSN Major Requirements
Note: This program requires a minimum of 124 credits to earn the degree.
Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Chemistry in Our World | ||
| Advanced General Chemistry | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| General Microbiology | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Human Nutritional Needs | ||
| Anatomy | ||
| ANAT&PHY 337 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| Physiology | ||
| ANAT&PHY 335 | Physiology | 5 |
| Total Credits | 15-16 | |
Humanities and Social Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | ||
| PSYCH 202 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Sociology | ||
| Complete one of the following for 3 credits: | 3 | |
| General Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity | ||
| Human Growth and Development | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Development of the Young Child | ||
| Development from Adolescence to Old Age | ||
| Human Development in Infancy and Childhood | ||
| Human Development in Adolescence | ||
| Human Development From Childhood Through Adolescence | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Humanities | ||
| Complete six credits of Humanities | 6 | |
| Humanities or Social Science | ||
| Complete seven credits of Humanities or Social Science | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Math
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 112 | College Algebra | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 14 or more credits of electives, if needed. | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Nursing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NURSING/S&A PHM/SOC WORK 105 | Health Care Systems: Interdisciplinary Approach | 2 |
| NURSING 313 | Foundations of Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURSING 314 | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURSING 315 | Professionalism in Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NURSING 316 | Foundations of Nursing Practice: Experiential Learning | 4 |
| NURSING 317 | Pharmacology Essentials for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURSING 318 | Pathophysiology Essentials for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURSING 323 | Health and Illness Concepts with Individuals and Families | 4 |
| NURSING 324 | Meeting the Psychosocial Health Needs of Individuals, Families, and Communities | 3 |
| NURSING 326 | Health and Illness Concepts with Individuals and Families: Experiential Learning | 4 |
| NURSING 430 | Perinatal Nursing | 2 |
| NURSING 431 | Nursing Care of Children & their Families | 2 |
| NURSING 432 | Population Health Nursing | 2 |
| NURSING 433 | Nursing Care of the Older Adult | 2 |
| NURSING 436 | Health and Illness Concepts with Individuals, Families, and Communities: Experiential Learning | 4 |
| NURSING 438 | Informatics and Health Technologies for Nursing Practice | 1 |
| NURSING 443 | Advanced Concepts in Complex Nursing Practice | 5 |
| NURSING 445 | Transformative Nursing Capstone | 1 |
| NURSING 446 | Advanced Concepts in Complex Nursing Practice: Experiential Learning | 4 |
| NURSING 448 | Leadership in the Profession of Nursing | 2 |
| NURSING 447 | Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice | 2 |
| Total Credits | 58 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for graduation.
- Students must earn a C or better in all nursing coursework.
- 30 credits of coursework must be completed in-residence
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Promote health and manage illness by providing safe, client-centered, culturally congruent care across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings.
- Employ professional nursing leadership concepts to address patient care and system needs to promote quality health care outcomes and health equity for all.
- Make effective use of technology for patient care, education, and management of health information.
- Understand the roles and scope of practice of disciplines of the health care team and practice as an effective, collaborating member of the interprofessional team.
- Use knowledge sources effectively to provide evidence-based care.
- Identify health disparities and advocate for basic essential health services for all.
- Allocate health care resources to maximize the health care benefit to clients, families, and community.
- Assume fiscal and ethical responsibility for clinical practice.
- Function as a member of the nursing profession within the community and the world.
Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample four-year plan. There are many potential variations of this plan, especially in the pre-nursing years. The degree requires 124 credits minimum which could be more than 15 credits per semester depending on individual situations.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Chemistry, Biology, and/or Math | 3 | Chemistry, Biology, and/or Math | 5 |
| PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course) | 3-4 | PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course) | 3-4 |
| General Education Requirements | 3 | General Education Requirements | 3 |
| Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives | 6 | Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives | 6 |
| NURSING/S&A PHM/SOC WORK 105 (if taken in a FIG)* | 2 | NURSING/S&A PHM/SOC WORK 105 (if not completed previously)* | 2 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Human Anatomy | 3 | Human Physiology | 5 |
| General Education Requirements or Parallel Plan Courses | 3 | General Education Requirements or Parallel Plan Courses | 3 |
| PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course) | 3-4 | PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course) | 3-4 |
| Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives | 8 | Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives | 6 |
| NURSING/S&A PHM/SOC WORK 105 (if not completed previously)* | 2 | NURSING/S&A PHM/SOC WORK 105 ( (if not completed previously)*) | 2 |
| 17 | 17-18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NURSING 313 | 3 | NURSING/S&A PHM/SOC WORK 105 (if not completed previously)* | 2 |
| NURSING 315 | 2 | NURSING 314 | 3 |
| NURSING 316 | 4 | NURSING 323 | 4 |
| NURSING 317 | 3 | NURSING 326 | 4 |
| NURSING 318 | 3 | NURSING 447 | 2 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NURSING 324 | 3 | NURSING 430 | 2 |
| NURSING 431 | 2 | NURSING 432 | 2 |
| NURSING 433 | 2 | NURSING 443 | 5 |
| NURSING 436 | 4 | NURSING 445 | 1 |
| NURSING 438 | 1 | NURSING 446 | 4 |
| NURSING 448 | 2 | ||
| 12 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 124-125 | |||
*It is recommended to complete NURSING/S&A PHM/SOC WORK 105 before starting the nursing program if possible.
Advising and Careers
The School of Nursing’s advising team helps students identify academic pathways and educational goals to aid in developing meaningful plans to ensure academic and career success. We believe that advising is an ongoing, caring, and collaborative relationship between advisor and student that provides meaning, guidance, and support throughout the educational process.
Academic Advising
All students are assigned an academic advisor based on the nursing or pre-nursing program with which they are affiliated. Detailed information on the school's advising structure and staff is available on the School of Nursing’s academic advising website.
Career Advising
The School of Nursing offers extensive career advising services which provide resources and strategies for career readiness and licensure planning. This includes workshops, career fairs, resume review, prospective employment resources, and licensure information. More information about career advising is available on the School of Nursing’s career advising website.
Student Support
The School of Nursing offers academic support, leadership & connection, mentorship, and wellness throughout the student experience. Additionally, admitted nursing students have access to onsite UHS mental health services. Information about student support is available on the School of Nursing’s student support website.
Certification/Licensure
Earning the bachelor of science in nursing degree is the first step toward becoming a Registered Nurse. Graduates must also take and and pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to receive their nursing license and begin their careers as nurses in hospitals, community health and mental health agencies, industrial health centers, nursing homes, family planning centers, crisis care centers, and beyond. A nursing license gives an individual permission to practice nursing, granted by the state where he or she met the requirements.
The School of Nursing works with students as they complete graduation requirements and the two-step process to register for the NCLEX. Specifically the school verifies graduation and assists students as they register for the exam. Most students take the NCLEX within three months of graduation. More than 90 percent of School of Nursing graduates pass the NCLEX on first attempt.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
National Council of State Boards of Nursing NCLEX-RN
| Year of Exam | UW-Madison Graduates: First Attempt | National: First Attempt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April-September 2024 | 96% | 91% | |
| April-September 2023 | 96% | 81% | |
| April-September 2022 | 85% | 80% |
Note: UW-Madison BSN Graduates pass rate reflects all UW-Madison Bachelor of Science-Nursing graduates who tested during the April-to-September test period for the first time, including recent and previous graduates.
Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)
The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.
Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.
UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.
The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands
The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
California, New York
Updated: 1 June 2025
Resources
Signe Skott Cooper Hall
The School of Nursing is located in Signe Skott Cooper Hall. The building features world-class technology and innovative educational spaces that will allow the nursing school to address health care’s new standard of excellence—high-tech and high-touch methods and practices that result in better patient outcomes.
Office of Academic Affairs
The Office of Academic Affairs functions as the academic dean's office for the School of Nursing. Staff members interpret school regulations, policies, and program requirements; make exceptions around requirements and deadlines; advise prospective and current students; monitor and support students having academic difficulties; coordinate compliance; facilitate the admissions process; and maintain the official files of students in the school.
Academic and Career Advising
The School of Nursing provides dedicated, professional academic and career advising to undergraduate students in their pre-nursing and nursing years. Detailed information can be found on each individual degree guide page and on the School of Nursing’s Student Website.
Academic Support Services
Career & Student Success is available at the School of Nursing. Students can utilize support by Student Success course TAs and peer led study groups.
Student Support Services
Information about student support: academic and non-academic resources, policies, forms, clinicals, and compliance can be found on the School of Nursing’s Student Website.
Student Organizations
The School of Nursing encourages and supports students to pursue their interests and form social networks. You can also find more opportunities by going to the Wisconsin Involvement Network page.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The School of Nursing offers a generous scholarship program to incoming and current School of Nursing students. All School of Nursing applicants and current students are highly encouraged to apply for scholarships. Applications will be considered for all School of Nursing scholarships depending on a variety of factors, including: academic achievement, financial need, leadership experiences, community involvement, personal qualifications, and career interests.
Students are invited to apply to nursing-specific scholarships, as well as campus-wide or non-nursing scholarships, through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub or WiSH. For more information, see the School of Nursing website.
In addition, university scholarships, loans, and employment are available through the Office of Student Financial Aid for additional information about financing your education.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Accreditation status: Next accreditation review: 2029–2030.