2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Traditional Pre-licensure BSN Program Option
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 Return to: College of Health Sciences
The Traditional Pre-licensure BSN program option requires 128 credit hours for degree conferral, and consists of four semesters of prerequisite courses that are foundational to the upper-division nursing courses taught the following four semesters.
Admission Pathways
The Traditional Pre-Licensure BSN program offers two admission pathways:
- Freshman Direct Admission Pathway - Designed for graduating high school seniors.
- Non-Direct & Transfer Admission Pathway - Available to non-direct-admission students and internal transfer students (students who change majors within LU) or external transfer students.
Students who successfully complete the required prerequisite and upper-division coursework will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Lipscomb University. Throughout the program, students gain hands-on experience through multiple clinical placements. In addition to comprehensive nursing education, the curriculum includes a strong foundation in the humanities and social sciences, equipping graduates to excel as professional nurses and providing a solid academic base for those pursuing advanced degrees in nursing.
Accreditation and Approval
The Baccalaureate nursing program at Lipscomb University located in Nashville, TN is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326
P: (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Baccalaureate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
The Pre-licensure BSN program option has full approval status from the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON).
Costs
Lipscomb undergraduate tuition applies to this program with degree-specific fees applicable to the junior and senior years. Please visit https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/programs/nursing for more information.
Traditional Pre-licensure BSN End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Lipscomb University’s BSN program will be able to:
1. Apply knowledge from nursing, liberal arts, natural and social sciences into the practice of professional nursing.
2. Provide holistic, evidenced-based, person-focused care to diverse populations across the lifespan in a variety of contexts.
3. Collaborate with individuals, families and communities utilizing teaching and learning principles to promote, maintain and restore health.
4. Evaluate evidence to integrate into nursing practice.
5. Implement principles of quality and safety for both the care provider(s) and care recipient(s).
6. Communicate and collaborate with members of the healthcare team, consumers, & stakeholders to optimize the delivery of healthcare and utilization of resources within complex systems.
7. Utilize information technology to guide decisions & communicate data to support clinical judgment.
8. Develop a professional nursing identity that reflects Lipscomb School of Nursing core values and the Christian faith.
9. Participate in activities that support resilience, nursing expertise, & the development of leadership abilities.
Essential Competencies for Nursing Practice
Delivering care as a registered nurse requires many competencies, such as the functional abilities listed below:
- Ability to see, hear, touch, smell and distinguish colors.
- Ability to speak and write with accuracy, clarity and efficiency.
- Manual dexterity, gross and fine movements.
- Ability to learn, think critically, analyze, assess, solve problems and reach judgment.
- Emotional stability and ability to accept responsibility and accountability.
All students enrolled in the BSN program must satisfactorily demonstrate these competencies in the didactic, laboratory, seminar and clinical courses throughout their program of study.
Admission Requirements
1. Freshman Direct Admit Pathway
This pathway is for graduating high school seniors who meet or exceed the following criteria:
- High School GPA: Minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Standardized Test Scores: ACT composite score of 22 or higher (or SAT/CLT equivalent)
- Application: Completion of the university application
To progress to upper-division nursing courses (didactic-to-clinical), students must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the Intent to Progress Form
- Earn a grade of “C” or higher in all lower-division nursing prerequisite courses
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the required 66 credit hours of lower-division nursing prerequisite coursework
- Achieve a “B” average or higher in the following five prerequisite science courses:
- CM 1024 Chemistry for Health Sciences
- BY 2424 Introduction to Microbiology
- BY 2434 Anatomy & Physiology I
- BY 2444 Anatomy & Physiology II
- NURS 2103 Pathophysiology
2. Non-Direct & Transfer Admission Pathway
This pathway is for non-direct-admission students and internal transfer students (students who change majors within LU) or external transfer students who meet or exceed the following criteria:
Note: Transfer students are evaluated individually, and eligibility for transfer credits will be carefully assessed.
Transfer Student Credit Policy
The Lipscomb University School of Nursing maintains a competitive admissions process and only accepts transfer science courses in which students have earned a grade of “C” or higher. Additionally, the “B” average requirement in the five prerequisite science courses applies to all transfer science courses as part of the admissions process.
Lipscomb University participates in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway. For more information, refer to the Admissions section of the university catalog or visit www.tntransferpathway.org.
In addition to the Transfer Pathway, the School of Nursing may have articulation agreements with other institutions. Students should check the websites or catalogs of their community colleges for additional transfer options.
Transfer students must also meet graduation requirements for Bible courses and chapel attendance, which will be determined based on prior coursework and whether the student holds a previous degree. Chapel requirements are the same as for all Lipscomb students, except during semesters enrolled in upper-division nursing courses, when a modified requirement applies.
Upper Division (Didactic-to-Clinical) Nursing Requirements
Before beginning the upper-division nursing curriculum-and at the start of each subsequent academic year-students must provide documentation of:
- Required immunizations/titers (see the Pre-Licensure BSN Program Nursing Student Handbook for details)
- A clear criminal background check and negative drug screen (required by clinical agencies)
Additionally, students must:
- Meet eligibility requirements for licensure in Tennessee
- Maintain a 76% exam average in all nursing courses (unless otherwise stated in the BSN Nursing Student Handbook)
- Achieve an overall 76% course average to remain in good academic standing and progress in the program
To earn a BSN degree from Lipscomb University, students must successfully complete all required coursework for the nursing major, totaling 128 credit hours.
Licensure
After successful completion of the prescribed curriculum, the pre-licensure student is eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Licensure is required to deliver patient care as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Program of Study RequirementsMajor
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