Nursing — Traditional Program

Program Type
Undergraduate Major
Degree
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Modes of Study
Blended;In person

Tuition & fees

Costs include tuition, fees, & other costs such as books. See cost details

Financial aid

On average, 92% of enrolled students who file a FAFSA receive an offer. 91% of offers include scholarships, grants, waiver, and/or work-study. Explore aid

Program duration

Typical completion time: 4 years. Flexible options may save time. Explore options

Admissions

SAT & ACT scores optional. Apply by February 1 for fall term only. View application process & deadlines

Program highlights

  • Gain generalist nursing knowledge, an orientation to leadership, and a foundation to begin graduate studies.
  • Engage in a variety of clinical experiences at inpatient, outpatient, and community-based facilities.
  • Become eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) upon graduation.
  • Be supported by dedicated academic advisors who will guide you through each semester’s course selection process.
  • Study with engaged faculty members who are committed to advancing excellence in nursing.
  • Take advantage of our lab facilities, which include a Simulation Center, Physical Assessment Lab, and Fundamentals of Nursing Lab.

Expected career outcomes

The accreditation logo for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Accreditation

This program is approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

A nursing student sits at a picnic table and reads a textbook.

Licensure

Upon program completion, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).

A nurse in blue scrubs adjusts an IV bag.

Clinical experience

You’ll spend your final three semesters in clinical settings. Our students work in small groups along with a clinical faculty member. In your final semester, you’ll be assigned to work with a preceptor in a direct-care setting for your practicum experience.

A nursing student takes a patient's bloodpressure.

Hands-on learning

In addition to clinical experience, you’ll work with underserved populations to identify risks and establish plans for improvement. Our students provide primary care, public health, and mental health services to the clients of community-based organizations.

A nursing student practices using her stethoscope with a simulation mannequin.

Learning spaces

We offer robust learning environments and laboratories. For example, our Learning Resources and Simulation Center provides an environment to develop clinical judgment and reasoning while focusing on best practices.

A nursing faculty member demonstrates a technique for a nursing student.

Program requirements

You’ll follow a sequence of didactic and clinical courses with a student cohort group. Learn to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for people of all ages: in families, groups of clients, and communities across the health continuum.

A view of Masterton Hall on the USM Portland campus.

Dedicated faculty

Our faculty are active in research and policy issues at the state and national level, are board members of state and national nursing associations, and frequently publish in leading nursing journals.

A student in a graduation cap and gown gazes upward.

Scholarship opportunities

Scholarships offer valuable financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. You’ll be automatically considered for Merit Scholarships when you apply for admission by the deadline. Additional opportunities are available.

Three students walk down the sidewalk of our Portland campus on a sunny day.

Considering transferring to USM?

We welcome students who are transferring from another four-year university or community college. Our knowledgeable Admissions Counselors will help you to navigate the admissions and credit-transfer process.

You may also be interested in…
Next steps

Our helpful admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services. We also invite you to explore the many ways to visit campus or to engage with us through online experiences.


The front steps of Masterton Hall.

Admission information: Nursing — Traditional Program BS

Because the baccalaureate nursing program includes supervised clinical experiences, the nursing faculty reserves the right to limit enrollments. Admission to the program is highly selective.

There are three different application processes for this program. Prospective students should select the appropriate application process for their current student type.

This application process is intended for students who have not attempted any college credits since graduating from high school or earning a GED/HiSET.

Application deadlineFall term start
For nursing considerationFebruary 1

Applicant Criteria

  • Applicants must meet the University’s general undergraduate admission requirements, which can be found in the Admissions section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
  • In addition to general requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria:
    • High school GPA of 3.25 or above
    • Completed high school biology and chemistry with labs, with grades of B or above in those courses.

Applicants who do not meet one of the above criteria will be reviewed by the Office of Admissions for possible nursing admission consideration.

Application process

This application process is intended for admitted USM students who can meet Applicant Criteria before they have completed more than 32 college credits. If students wish to pursue this option, they should meet with their Professional Academic Advisor to discuss plans.

Application Deadline: Students should apply at the end of the semester in which Applicant Criteria are met, after final course grades are posted.

Applicant Criteria

  • Complete at least one semester at the University; and
  • Achieve a 3.0 or higher GPA at the University; and
  • Be eligible to take, or have completed MAT 120 or a direct equivalent statistics course; and.
  • Complete one of these sets of science courses with a grade of C or better: CHY 107 Chemistry for Health Sciences (CHY 113 also accepted) or BIO 111 and BIO 112 Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab; and
  • Complete two of these social sciences with grades of C or better: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology, SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology, or HRD 200 Multicultural Human Development; and
  • Complete College Writing with a grade of C or better.
  • If a student does not meet the above criteria before completing more than 32 credits, the student still can apply to the School of Nursing through Process 3. See below for Process 3 application instructions.

Application Process

Students should contact their Professional Academic Advisor to get started. Their Professional Academic Advisor will assist students with planning courses to meet the criteria for the change of major to nursing. If the applicant criteria are satisfied, their advisor will assist with the change of major process at the end of a semester after all final grades are posted.

For more information about the change of major process and the nursing program application process, please contact your Professional Academic Advisor. Not sure who your Advisor is? Check your MaineStreet Student Center to find out.

This application process is intended for current USM students who have completed more than 32 credit hours and any external applicant who does not meet the criteria for application process 1 or 2, including students who have completed college credits at another institution of higher education or who are currently enrolled at another higher education institution.

Students should verify that they meet the eligibility requirements listed below. Applicants who do not meet all of the criteria will not be considered for admission into the BS in Nursing – Traditional Program.

Application deadlineFall term start
For nursing considerationFebruary 1
Students will be notified of application decisions by postal mail in early-to-mid April.

Applicant Criteria

  • Applicants must meet the University’s general undergraduate admission requirements, which can be found in the Admissions section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
  • In addition to general requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria:
    • Hold a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 (note that the cumulative college GPA is calculated from the combination of all college courses completed by the student at any institutions that they have attended); and
    • Hold a minimum natural science GPA of 2.67 in natural science courses for nursing that have been completed at the time of application. These courses include direct equivalents of Anatomy and Physiology I with lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with lab, Microbiology with lab, Human Nutrition, an introductory Chemistry course (lab not required), and Pathophysiology. Applicants who have retaken more than 3 natural science courses for nursing, or retaken the same science course more than twice in their college academic history will not be considered for admission.


Application Process for current USM students with more than 32 credit hours

Application Process for students currently enrolled at another higher education institution or who have completed college credits at another higher education institution and are not eligible for Application Process 1 or 2:

  • Apply to the University of Southern Maine as a Transfer applicant;
  • When applying select Nursing as your first choice major; and
  • Submit the following documents along with your USM application:
    • Online Supplemental form: Nursing — Traditional Program BS
    • Nursing Essay (you may submit this to edocs@maine.edu)
      • Essay using this prompt: In 500 words or less, discuss the reasons why you have chosen nursing and the strengths you bring to the profession. Your essay should reflect your academic strengths and strategies for success in this rigorous program.

For questions about the application process, or to check the status of a completed application, please contact the Office of Admissions.