Two nursing students practicing skills on a dummy

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):
  • Earn a “C” or higher in any four of the seven prerequisite courses.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate courses.
  • Have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75 for all completed prerequisite courses.


Prior to admission (at the conclusion of the spring term):
  • Earn a “C” or higher in each of the individual seven prerequisite courses
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate courses.
  • Have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75 for all completed prerequisite courses.
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
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B *
  • Ethnic Studies *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B *

* 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

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 Anatomy3
Physiology
ANAT&PHY 335 Physiology5
Total Credits15-16

Humanities and Social Science

Psychology
PSYCH 202 Introduction to Psychology3
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 Humanities6
Humanities or Social Science
Complete seven credits of Humanities or Social Science7
Total Credits22

Math

MATH 112 College Algebra3
Total Credits3

Electives

Complete 14 or more credits of electives, if needed.14
Total Credits14

Nursing

NURSING/​S&A PHM/​SOC WORK  105 Health Care Systems: Interdisciplinary Approach2
NURSING 313 Foundations of Nursing Practice3
NURSING 314 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan3
NURSING 315 Professionalism in Nursing Practice2
NURSING 316 Foundations of Nursing Practice: Experiential Learning4
NURSING 317 Pharmacology Essentials for Nursing Practice3
NURSING 318 Pathophysiology Essentials for Nursing Practice3
NURSING 323 Health and Illness Concepts with Individuals and Families4
NURSING 324 Meeting the Psychosocial Health Needs of Individuals, Families, and Communities3
NURSING 326 Health and Illness Concepts with Individuals and Families: Experiential Learning4
NURSING 430 Perinatal Nursing2
NURSING 431 Nursing Care of Children & their Families2
NURSING 432 Population Health Nursing2
NURSING 433 Nursing Care of the Older Adult2
NURSING 436 Health and Illness Concepts with Individuals, Families, and Communities: Experiential Learning4
NURSING 438 Informatics and Health Technologies for Nursing Practice1
NURSING 443 Advanced Concepts in Complex Nursing Practice5
NURSING 445 Transformative Nursing Capstone1
NURSING 446 Advanced Concepts in Complex Nursing Practice: Experiential Learning4
NURSING 448 Leadership in the Profession of Nursing2
NURSING 447 Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice2
Total Credits58

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

  1. Promote health and manage illness by providing safe, client-centered, culturally congruent care across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings.
  2. Employ professional nursing leadership concepts to address patient care and system needs to promote quality health care outcomes and health equity for all.
  3. Make effective use of technology for patient care, education, and management of health information.
  4. 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.
  5. Use knowledge sources effectively to provide evidence-based care.
  6. Identify health disparities and advocate for basic essential health services for all.
  7. Allocate health care resources to maximize the health care benefit to clients, families, and community.
  8. Assume fiscal and ethical responsibility for clinical practice.
  9. 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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Chemistry, Biology, and/or Math3Chemistry, Biology, and/or Math5
PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course)3-4PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course)3-4
General Education Requirements3General Education Requirements3
Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives6Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives6
NURSING/​S&A PHM/​SOC WORK  105 (if taken in a FIG)*2NURSING/​S&A PHM/​SOC WORK  105 (if not completed previously)*2
 15 17
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Human Anatomy3Human Physiology5
General Education Requirements or Parallel Plan Courses3General Education Requirements or Parallel Plan Courses3
PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course)3-4PSYCH 202 (or SOC or Human Growth & Development course)3-4
Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives8Humanities, or Social Science, or Electives6
NURSING/​S&A PHM/​SOC WORK  105 (if not completed previously)*2NURSING/​S&A PHM/​SOC WORK  105 ( (if not completed previously)*)2
 17 17-18
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NURSING 3133NURSING/​S&A PHM/​SOC WORK  105 (if not completed previously)*2
NURSING 3152NURSING 3143
NURSING 3164NURSING 3234
NURSING 3173NURSING 3264
NURSING 3183NURSING 4472
 15 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NURSING 3243NURSING 4302
NURSING 4312NURSING 4322
NURSING 4332NURSING 4435
NURSING 4364NURSING 4451
NURSING 4381NURSING 4464
 NURSING 4482
 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.