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 

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 Requirements

All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later. 

Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.

Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements

For more information see the policy.

University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements

All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.

School of Nursing BSN Requirements 

All BSN students must complete both the BSN General Degree Requirements and Graduation Requirements. To determine which requirements are needed for application eligibility, review the How to Get in section.

BSN General Degree Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Nursing (Traditional) Major Requirements

A total of 124 credits are required for the Nursing, BSN (Traditional).

Math

Nursing Core

Honors in the Major

First-year Traditional BSN students can apply to the BSN Honors in the Major. Applying to the Nursing Honors in the Major includes completing an essay prompt about how engagement in nursing research would enhance your career. For complete information on how to apply and application details, review the Honors program page. Questions about the application should be directed to Academic Affairs.

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.

*It is recommended to complete NURSING/​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

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 2026

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. Information about nursing specific student organizations can be found on the School of Nursing’s Student Website. 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

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at the University of Wisconsin - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Next accreditation review: 2029–2030.