RN to BS to MS Program

Admission Guidelines | Degree Requirements | Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is nationally known for high quality graduate, professional and research programs.  The School of Nursing offers an accelerated program designed for individuals who have received their nursing preparation in either an associate degree or diploma program, have been practicing in the field and are seeking additional education. Faculty recognizes that many RNs who return for the baccalaureate degree go on to attain the Master of Science degree.

The accelerated track is for highly motivated RN and academically eligible (3.0 GPA-above) students whose educational goal is masters or doctoral preparation.  This track allows selected individuals to accelerate through the BS and MS programs. Students are considered for the accelerated track after admission to the BSN@Home program and completion of a designated confirming course. They conduct program planning with an undergraduate advisor and graduate faculty member in anticipation of admission to the MS program.

Students substitute Master's-level credits for baccalaureate-level credits while earning the BS.  Credits awarded upon completion of graduate-level courses count towards the baccalaureate degree.  If students demonstrate graduate-level competency (grades of B or better) and are successfully admitted to the master's program after completion of the BS, the corresponding number of credits will reduce the masters credit requirement.

Students in the accelerated track must apply to the master's program after completing the BS degree and before entering their first semester of exclusively MS level course work. They must take GREs and meet all other prerequisites for admission to the graduate program.

Degree Requirements

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (65-71 Credits)

A. Sciences: (22 credits):

Chemistry
Anatomy
Physiology 
Microbiology or Biochemistry
Pathology*
Pharmacology*

B. Social Studies/Humanities (22 credits);

Combined credits must include 6 cr. humanities, 3 cr. introductory psychology,     3 cr. introductory sociology, 3 cr. growth & development and 7 additional credits may be either social sciences or humanities breadth

C. Communications: 3-6 credits

D. Quantitative Reasoning: 3-6 credits

E. General Electives: 15-21 credits



1. NURSING COURSE REQUIREMENTS: (53-59 credits)

^  Recommended, but not required
*  Offered via Internet through the BSN@Home program
** Graduate Course substitution allowed

PRIOR LEARNING CREDITS GRANTED — 24-30 Credits granted according to an Articulation agreement with Wisconsin Technical Colleges:

Call (608) 263-5202 for appointments