University of Northern Colorado
Nursing BSN (Second Degree) · Greeley, CO · school's own site (opens the school's website in a new tab)
ActiveHybridlast verified Oct 2026
Prerequisites
The courses Northern Colorado says you need before you start, as published on its own pages. Credits, labs, and minimum grades are shown where the school states them.
- 01General BiologyPrinciples of Biology · BIO 110The handbook calls this course 'Biology: Atoms to Cells'.
source · unco.edu
“BIO 110*+ | Principles of Biology (4 credits) |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC- - 02Anatomy & Physiology IIntro to Human Anatomy & Physiology · BIO 245
source · unco.edu
“BIO 245+ | Intro to Human Anatomy & Physiology (4 credits) |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC- - 03Anatomy & Physiology IIAdvanced Human Anatomy & Physiology · BIO 246
source · unco.edu
“BIO 246+ | Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology (3 credits) |”
credits3labrequiredmin gradeC- - 04MicrobiologyAllied Health Microbiology · BIO 251
source · unco.edu
“BIO 251+ | Allied Health Microbiology (4 credits) |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC- - 05BiochemistryFundamentals of Biochemistry · CHEM 281The handbook lists this as CHEM 281 (3 credits) plus CHEM 281L lab (1 credit).
source · unco.edu
“CHEM 281*+ | Fundamentals of Biochemistry (4 credits) |”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeC- - 06English CompositionCollege Research Paper · ENG 123Exempt from the 10-year policy.
source · unco.edu
“ENG 123*^^ | College Research Paper (3 credits) |”
credits3labnomin gradeC- - 07NutritionPrinciples of Nutrition · FND 250
source · unco.edu
“FND 250* | Principles of Nutrition (3 credits) |”
credits3labnomin gradeC- - 08PathophysiologyPathophysiology · NURS 326Not accepted in a self-paced, self-directed or independent study format.
source · unco.edu
“NURS 326 | Pathophysiology (3 credits) |”
credits3labnomin gradeC- - 09Lifespan / Human Growth & DevelopmentHuman Growth & Development · PSY 230Exempt from the 10-year policy.
source · unco.edu
“PSY 230*^^ | Human Growth & Development (3 credits)”
credits3labnomin gradeC- - 10StatisticsIntroduction to Statistical Analysis · STAT 150Exempt from the 10-year policy.
source · unco.edu
“STAT 150*^^ | Introduction to Statistical Analysis (3 credits) |”
credits3labnomin gradeC-
Minimum prerequisite grade
C-
The 2026-27 BSN Student Handbook instead says a grade of 'C' or better is required ('C-' is not acceptable). The program page and the Pre-Clinical page say C-.
source · extended.unco.edu
“Completion of a minimum of 6 prerequisite courses or course equivalents with a grade of 'C-' or higher.”
In-progress prerequisites
At least 6 complete at application; up to 4 may be in progress
The handbook says all nursing prerequisite classes must be completed before entering the nursing program.
source · extended.unco.edu
“Up to 4 prerequisite courses (see the Courses and Requirements section above) may be in-progress at the time of application.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Do prerequisites expire?
Prerequisite age limit
10 years; ENG 123, PSY 230 and STAT 150 are exempt
The catalog phrases this as within 10 years of application.
source · unco.edu
“Only the most recent grade from the first two attempts counts for admission, and all courses must be completed within the past 10 years—older courses will need to be retaken.”
Attempts counted
Only the most recent grade from the first two attempts counts
source · unco.edu
“Only the most recent grade from the first two attempts counts for admission, and all courses must be completed within the past 10 years—older courses will need to be retaken.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
GPA and grades
Minimum GPA for admission
3.0, calculated from the most recent 45 non-remedial/non-technical college credits plus prerequisite grades
Grades from technical courses such as CNA and EMT, and from remedial courses, are excluded.
source · extended.unco.edu
“A minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For second-degree applicants, GPA is calculated using the most recent 45 non-remedial/non-technical college level credits and grades in prerequisite courses).”
Science GPA Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Is there an entrance exam?
Entrance exam
The catalog lists program entrance examinations as a possible admission criterion; no exam is named
The program page does not mention an entrance exam. Confirm with the School of Nursing.
source · unco.smartcatalogiq.com
“Eligible applicants will be selected to the clinical portion of the nursing major based on an admission GPA (calculated using the most recent 45 non-remedial/non-technical college level credits and grades in prerequisite courses) and other admission criteria (e. g. academic and professional recommendations and program entrance examinations).”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Where can courses be taken?
Course delivery restrictions
Science prerequisites and NURS 326 are not accepted in self-paced, self-directed or independent study formats
Online courses are not explicitly banned; the program page points applicants to online prerequisite options.
source · unco.edu
“The following prerequisite courses – BIO 110, 245, 246, 251; CHEM 281, 281L and NURS 326 – will not be accepted if the course is delivered in a self-paced, self-directed, or an independent study format.”
Community college courses
Prerequisites may be taken at community colleges
source · extended.unco.edu
“You can also search for online (and in-person) courses at any community college, particularly one near you (tuition is often lower for local residents).”
Pass/fail Not published. Confirm with the school.
Credit by exam Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Application deadlines and start dates
Upcoming cycles Northern Colorado publishes. A date without a year on the school's page is noted rather than guessed.
Summer term (May) startDeadline not publishedOnly the start month (May) is printed, with no day or year. Application availability and deadlines are on the School of Nursing's prospective BSN students page, which was not provided.
source · extended.unco.edu
“You can begin this program in summer term (May). Coursework will last through December of the following year, for a total of 5 terms (20 months).”
Application route Not published. Confirm with the school. Our two readings of the page disagreed (“UNC undergraduate application, then the School of Nursing application process; NursingCAS is not mentioned” vs “No; UNC undergraduate application (Program: Nursing B.S.N. (Seeking Second Bachelors)) plus School of Nursing process”), so we are not publishing a value yet.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Cost
Tuition and fees as the school publishes them. Living costs vary; the source link has the full table.
Tuition
$495 per credit (2026-27), same for in-state and out-of-state; the program is 71 credits
There are no student or technology fees, but some courses may carry course fees. Tuition for 2027-28 will be decided in mid-June 2027.
source · extended.unco.edu
“Rate for the 2026-27 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*”
Application fee
UNC application fee waived with code UNCnursing
The fee amount is not stated.
source · extended.unco.edu
“Use the following code to waive the UNC application fee: UNCnursing”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Other requirements
What the school asks for beyond courses and scores.
Prior degree
Bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing
source · extended.unco.edu
“Do you already have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, but want to become a Registered Nurse?”
CPR certification
Healthcare-provider CPR required on entry
source · unco.smartcatalogiq.com
“All students entering the clinical portion of the nursing major must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the adult and child/infant (health professional) as evidenced by current CPR card.”
- Must meet UNC undergraduate admission requirements.
source · extended.unco.edu
“You must meet the current UNC undergraduate admission requirements .”
- Criminal background check and drug screen are required on admission.
source · unco.smartcatalogiq.com
“To comply with clinical agency requirements, all students are required to submit evidence that a criminal background check and drug screen have been completed upon admission to the clinical portion of the major.”
Interview Not published. Confirm with the school.
Recommendations Not published. Confirm with the school. Our two readings of the page disagreed (“Academic and professional recommendations are listed as example admission criteria” vs “Academic and professional recommendations listed as possible criteria; number not stated”), so we are not publishing a value yet.
CNA Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Good to know
What the school says about the program that is not a requirement: how it selects, how many it admits, what to expect.
Format
Hybrid: most courses fully in person, a few partially online; clinicals in person
source · extended.unco.edu
“Delivered in Northern Colorado: All courses in this program include in-person requirements. Most courses are delivered fully in-person. Because many of our students have busy schedules, we deliver a few BSN second degree courses in a hybrid format. Those courses are delivered partially online, reducing your time spent in classrooms.”
Start term
Summer (May)
source · extended.unco.edu
“You can begin this program in summer term (May).”
Priority for UNC coursework
Applicants with UNC credits receive admission priority (open admission)
source · unco.smartcatalogiq.com
“Students who have taken credits/coursework at UNC will be given priority for admission.”
Advisor meeting
Meeting with a pre-nursing advisor is strongly recommended
You must first be admitted to UNC and have a bear number.
source · extended.unco.edu
“It is strongly recommended that all applicants to the UNC BSN programs meet with a pre-nursing advisor to go over the application checklist.”
UNC coursework priority
Applicants with UNC coursework get admission priority
Stated for Open Admission in the catalog.
source · unco.smartcatalogiq.com
“Students who have taken credits/coursework at UNC will be given priority for admission.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Sources
Every page we read for Northern Colorado, with when we last checked it. Tier 1 is the program's own pages; tier 2 the nursing school's general pages; tier 3 university-wide pages.
- Admissions & Aid - UNC Extended Campustier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Eligibility for Online Learning - UNC Extended Campustier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Pre-Clinical Nursing Students - University of Northern Coloradotier 1 · prereqs · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Student Budget - University of Northern Coloradotier 1 · tuition · checked Oct 15, 2026
- University Website Privacy Statement - University of Northern Coloradotier 3 · policy · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.unco.edu/app/uploads/2026/03/0-BSN-handbook-2026-27.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026PDF text truncated (79 pages)
- University of Northern Colorado - Nursing B.S.N.tier 1 · catalog · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Nursing Bachelor’s (Second Degree) - UNC Extended Campustier 1 · catalog · checked Oct 15, 2026
Open questions we're still checking
- Application open dates and deadlines are on the School of Nursing prospective BSN students page, which was not provided.
- The minimum prerequisite grade conflicts: the program and Pre-Clinical pages say C-, but the 2026-27 handbook says C (C- not acceptable).
- It is unclear whether an entrance exam and recommendations are required for second-degree applicants; the catalog lists them only as example criteria.
- The handbook's challenge exam policy for prerequisites (credit by exam) was not included in the provided text.
- Minimum prerequisite grade conflict: program and pre-clinical pages say C-, the 2026-27 BSN Student Handbook says C (C- not acceptable).
- Whether an entrance exam (e.g., TEAS/HESI) or recommendations are required for second-degree applicants is not specified; catalog mentions them generically.
- Challenge exam policy for prerequisites (handbook p.29) was not included in provided text.
- Online lab acceptance for science prerequisites is not explicitly addressed.
- Two readings of the page disagreed on uses_nursingcas: UNC undergraduate application, then the School of Nursing application process; NursingCAS is not mentioned | No; UNC undergraduate application (Program: Nursing B.S.N. (Seeking Second Bachelors)) plus School of Nursing process.
- Two readings of the page disagreed on recommendations: Academic and professional recommendations are listed as example admission criteria | Academic and professional recommendations listed as possible criteria; number not stated.
Something wrong here? Report an error
ABSNcheck summarizes requirements that schools publish on their own websites, with a link to each source and the date we last verified it. Schools change requirements, sometimes contradict themselves, and make individual decisions. Results show whether you meet published minimums; they are not an admission decision or a guarantee, and are not official advice from any school. Always confirm requirements with each program before you apply or enroll in a course.
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