The RN to BSN program, called the BSN@Home program, is for Registered Nurses who already have an associate's degree or diploma in nursing and wish to earn the bachelor of science in nursing degree.
The curriculum is designed for working adults. Almost all required coursework is completed online. Students can complete the program in as little as a year and a half.
The BSN@Home program is cooperatively administered by six campuses in the University of Wisconsin System: UW–Madison, UW–Eau Claire, UW–Green Bay, UW–Milwaukee, UW–Oshkosh and UW–Stevens Point. Students typically select their home institution based on proximity. All BSN@Home students are required to complete the same core nursing curriculum, but specific admission and degree requirements vary among campuses.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | Application required. Meeting the requirements listed below does not guarantee admission. Complete the UW System Application for admission (https://apply.wisconsin.edu/) by following detailed instructions listed on the website: https://nursing.wisc.edu/undergraduate/bsn-online/. |
| Courses required to get in |
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| GPA requirements to get in |
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| Credits required to get in |
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| Other |
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| Semester | Deadline to apply | Decision notification timeline |
|---|---|---|
| To apply for a fall start | March 1 | On or before April 30 |
| To apply for a spring start | October 1 | On or before December 31 |
| To apply for a summer start | This program does not accept applications to start in the summer |
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
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. More information: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. More information: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
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| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
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.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
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| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
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| Language | Complete one:
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| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
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
| Chemistry | Complete one: |
| Microbiology | Complete one: |
| Anatomy | ANAT&PHY 337 |
| Physiology | Complete either: |
| Psychology | PSYCH 202 |
| Social Science | Complete one:
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| Human Growth and Development | Complete one: |
| Humanities | 6 credits with the Humanities, Literature, or Language designation. |
| Humanities or Social Science | 7 credits with the Humanities, Literature, Language, or Social Science designation. |
| Communication A | Complete either:
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| Communication B | One course with the Communication B designation. |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | Complete either:
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| Quantitative Reasoning B | One course with the Quantitative Reasoning B designation. |
| Ethnic Studies | One course with the Ethnic Studies designation. |
Graduation Requirements
| Cumulative Credits | A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required to be eligible for graduation. |
| Quality of Work | Students must earn a C or better in all required NURSING or CNP coursework. |
| Residency | 30 credits of coursework must be completed in-residence. |
Nursing (Collaborative) Major Requirements
Students may transfer up to 90 credits of coursework (from a two-year or a four-year institution). A total of 120 credits are required for the Nursing, BSN (Collaborative).
Nursing Core
The following must be completed at UW-Madison (cannot be transferred in).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CNP 306 | Transitions: Practice, Professional and Personal | 3 |
| CNP 407 | Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| CNP 441 | Chronic Care Management | 3 |
| CNP 446 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| CNP 447 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| CNP 453 | Information Management and Healthcare Technology | 3 |
| CNP 454 | Community Health Nursing | 3 |
| CNP 519 | Capstone Practicum for Registered Nurses | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Nursing Transfer Credits
Students pursuing a Nursing BSN may transfer in credits from another institution to fulfill some of the requirements of the degree. These transfer credits are awarded in recognition of an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma. Students who earned an ADN from a Wisconsin Technical College (1996 or after) receive 30 transfer credits1. All other students receive 24 credits.2
- 1
Transcripted as NURSINGX02 and NURSINGX28.
- 2
Transcripted as NURSINGX02 and NURSINGX22.
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
The Nursing Collaborative program requires a 120 credits. The plan below only outlines nursing specific coursework that must be completed while enrolled in the collaborative program and does not include the additional 96 credits required to graduate.
| Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| CNP 306 | 3 |
| CNP 407 | 3 |
| 6 | |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| CNP 441 | 3 |
| CNP 446 | 3 |
| 6 | |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| CNP 447 | 3 |
| 3 | |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| CNP 453 | 3 |
| CNP 454 | 3 |
| 6 | |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| CNP 519 | 3 |
| 3 | |
| Total Credits 24 | |
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.
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
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Accreditation status: Next accreditation review: 2029–2030.