School of Nursing: Academic Rules, Regulations, and Information

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Academic Rules

Programs/Courses

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First Year Entry

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the School of Nursing is a full-time four-year program built for traditional entry from high school. Application deadlines are October 15 for Early Decision, November 1 for Early Action, and January 1 for Regular Decision. Please visit the  Office of Undergraduate Admission  for admission requirements. 

Two-Year Transfer 

Students from other colleges and Universities and from other Schools with the Unviersity of Virginia can apply to transfer to the School of Nursing’s accelerated two-year transfer track. Accelerated transfer students complete two years of full-time study, which includes two summer sessions. The application deadline is October 1st for a May start date.  

To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must: 

• Submit a completed application by the October 1 deadline 
• Be in good standing, both academically and socially, at the institution or institutions they have attended 
• Have completed at least 52 credits of college level work by the end of the spring semester 

For May admission: 

• Successfully completed the following prerequisite courses with a grade of a C or better prior to beginning our program in the fall semester: 
• Microbiology (3-4 credits) 
• Chemistry (3-4 credits) 
• Human anatomy and physiology I with lab (4 credits)  
• Human anatomy and physiology II with lab (4 credits)  
• Lifespan Development/Developmental Psychology (3 credits) 
• College Composition (3-6 credits) 
• At least 9 credits of humanities/fine arts  
• At least 9 credits of social science/history 
• At least 9-11 credits of general education coursework* 
• *Credit hours vary based on the completion of 3 or 4 credit science prerequisites and college composition credits. 

Three-Year Transfer  

Students from other colleges and Universities and from other Schools with the Unviersity of Virginia can apply to transfer to the School of Nursing’s three-year transfer track. Students in the three-year transfer program complete three years of full-time study. The application deadline is February 1st for internal transfer applicants and March 1st for external transfer applicants. This program starts in the fall semester.  

To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must:  

• Be in good standing, both academically and socially, at the institution or institutions they have attended
• Have completed at least 30 credits of college level work by the end of the spring semester 

For Fall admission: 

• Successfully completed the following four prerequisite courses with a grade of a C or better prior to beginning our program in the fall semester: 
• Microbiology (3-4 credits) 
• Chemistry (3-4 credits) 
• Human anatomy and physiology I (4 credits) * 
• Human anatomy and physiology II (4 credits) * 
• Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (3 credits) 

RN to BSN 

The RN to BSN program at the UVA School of Nursing is a 21 month, part-time hybrid program for associate’s degree or diploma prepared nurses to obtain their BSN.  Students are offered admission to  one of our three locations: Charlottesville, Richmond or Northern Virginia; students attend in-person classes once a month and all other learning occurs online. The University of Virginia has a Guaranteed Admission Agreement with all schools in the Virginia Community College System for the RN to BSN program; please refer to this  link  for more information. 

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit a completed application and: 

• Have an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited school of nursing 
• Have completed 48 general education credits by the start of the academic year at a regionally accredited institution (for requirements see https://www.nursing.virginia.edu/academics/bsn/rn-bsn) 
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on all college/university courses completed prior to admission 
• Possess an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the United States by the start of the academic year (submit a copy of your current nursing license with your application) 
• Submit official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended to the UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission 
• Submit one academic or professional recommendation 

General education requirements:  

• English Composition - 3-6 credits  
• Natural Science and Math - 12 credits: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, and microbiology required.  
• Social Science and History - 9 credits: Acceptable courses include history, government, psychology, sociology, economics, western civilization, political science, anthropology, linguistics, and women’s studies.  
• Humanities and Fine Arts - 9 credits: Acceptable courses include philosophy, ethics, art, religion, music, drama, foreign languages, classics, comparative literature, English (except composition), and foreign literature.  
• Electives - to total 48 general education and/or elective credit hours: Two skills courses (up to 5 credit hours) such as studio art or music performance may be transferred toward these elective credit requirements. A maximum of 2 credit hours of physical education may be transferred.  
• Core Nursing Courses: Forty-two credit hours are awarded for core academic nursing courses taken in the student’s basic nursing program that are comparable to core courses in UVA’s traditional BSN programs. Students must have dedicated courses for lifespan development, pharmacology, and health assessment. These courses are included in the 42 core credit hours. 

Cooperation and personal attention mark the relations between faculty members and students. Each undergraduate student is assigned an academic advisor upon admission to the school, and students are encouraged to avail themselves of this resource. The School of Nursing Office of Admissions and Student Services (OASS) provides assistance and serves as a source of information for other support resources.

Nursing students are required to meet with their faculty advisor once every semester. An advising hold, preventing enrollment in the following semester’s courses, is placed on the student’s account and cannot be lifted until that meeting has taken place. This hold can only be lifted by the student’s faculty advisor.

Good Academic Standing

First-year students in the pre-professional component of the program are considered to be in good academic standing if they earn no more than one grade below C-. Additionally, first year nursing students are required to earn a minimum C- grade in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, lifespan development and cells to society. Students who do not earn a C- or higher in either semester of anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, lifespan development or cells to society are required to retake the course(s). This may alter the planned sequence of courses and may lengthen the time for completion of the program. 

Second, third, and fourth year students in the professional component of the program are considered to be in good academic standing if they have a semester average of at least 2.000 and no grades below a C- in required nursing courses regardless of the semester average. Grades of D and F are failing grades for all required nursing courses in the professional component of the program. Students earning a grade of D or F in a required course in the professional component will be placed on academic probation and must successfully repeat the course with a grade of C- or above. This may alter the planned sequence of courses and may lengthen the time for completion of the program. 

First year students must maintain a semester GPA average of 1.8. Students who do not meet these standards will be placed on academic probation. Nursing students in years two, three, or four will be placed on academic probation if their semester GPA falls below 2.0. A grade of D is included in the student’s GPA and counts toward credits earned. An F grade is included in the student’s GPA but does not count toward credits earned. 

A nursing student is subject to suspension if (1) the student earns a total of two D’s or one F at any time in the professional component of the program (years two through four), (2) the student’s GPA is below 2.000 for two semesters, (3) the student has been placed on academic probation two semesters, or (4) the student earns fewer than 9 credits in a semester. 

Statement of Policy: Academic Action Plans

The UVA School of Nursing expects all students to meet established academic standards satisfactorily for all course requirements, including meeting learning objectives, clinical practice objectives/standards, and professional standards of behavior for safe and quality nursing practice.

The purpose of this policy is to promote academic achievement, maintain academic and professional standards, and to achieve fairness and consistency in decisions regarding students with academic or professional concerns. Faculty members as course professors or clinical instructors are responsible for assessing and monitoring each student’s academic and professional progress, including knowledge gained, skills acquired, and professional behavior, as well as adherence to policies and procedures concerning clinical education and the health system/clinical facility policies.

A student’s failure to meet the established academic, clinical and/or professional standards requires faculty documentation of an academic action plan and may be initiated at any time.

This process is intended for faculty members to use to address single instances of significant errors (such as failure of an exam or a medication error) as well as patterns (such as a repeated tardiness to clinical).

Consequences for a student with 3 or more notices:

• Remediation is required (may occur over summer or winter break).
• A review of the academic action plans is conducted by the program director (or delegate) and the Senior Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Services to determine whether a revised plan of study is needed.

Faculty should refer to the SON Faculty/Staff Handbook for procedures with Academic Action Plans.

Grade Appeals

Students who wish to appeal a course grade must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course. Absent a satisfactory outcome, the student consults with their faculty advisor prior to meeting with the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. 

The student will be advised by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services to file a formal appeal to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.  The appeal letter must address the grounds for the appeal including any claims of grading errors, perceived inequities based on policies/syllabi discrepancies or extenuating circumstances. 

For grades awarded for the fall semester, the written appeal must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days after the beginning of the spring semester. For grades awarded for the spring semester or summer sessions: the written appeal must be submitted no later than 14 days after the first day of the fall semester. For January term, a written appeal must be submitted no later than 14 days after the end of that session or term. Appeals submitted after the deadline will be heard only in exceptional cases, as determined by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services.

The Associate Dean for Academic Programs shall make a final decision after full consideration of the materials submitted and/or a committee’s recommendation.  The student will be notified of the decision within three weeks of receipt of the student’s appeal.

Dean’s List 

The School of Nursing recognizes exceptional academic achievement attained by undergraduate nursing students each semester. The requirements for this honor include:

1. No grade below D
2. No grade of NC, NG, IN or U
3. 15 hour minimum number of graded credits
4. Minimum semester grade point average of 3.700

For additional information regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic for Dean’s List please visit the University Regulations: Academic page .

Distinguished Majors 

Nursing students who demonstrate superior academic performance (GPA of 3.4 or above) are encouraged to apply for the School’s Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) to pursue a substantive project of their own that they would not have the opportunity to develop as part of their regular program of study. The application process requires students to define a detailed research project and to obtain agreement of a faculty member to guide the research. The research should be focused and well-defined, but it should also shed light on broader themes and questions within the general field in which the thesis falls. The final project should result in a manuscript, suitable for publication, and a public presentation.

Graduation with Distinction 

Diploma with Distinction: Diplomas inscribed “with Distinction” are awarded to graduates who have earned a cumulative UVA grade point average of 3.400 and successfully completed the Distinguished Majors Program, or to students with a cumulative UVA GPA of 3.750 who have not completed the Distinguished Majors Program.

Diploma with Highest Distinction 

Diplomas inscribed “with Highest Distinction” are awarded to graduates who have earned a cumulative UVA GPA of 3.750 and have successfully completed the Distinguished Majors Program.

• Clinical Agencies: Responsibilities and Compliance with Affiliation Agreements Policy Formal affiliation agreements are executed with all agencies prior to placement of students in clinical sites to provide direct care to patients.  If the student is an employee of the agency, an agreement is still needed with the agency. While performing the practicum activities, the individual is in the role of student, not employee. Therefore, he/she would be considered an agent of the University. Agreements must be fully executed and include the signatures of the authorized representative of the facility, a representative of the School of Nursing, and the University Director of Financial Operations (Office of Tax Compliance & Contracting). Students will be placed in clinical sites only when enrolled in a credit-bearing course for which he or she paid tuition and in which participation in the clinical experience is a course requirement. This applies to all clinical experiences that require the student to have patient contact.

The faculty member placing students and the students assigned to agencies are responsible for knowing and adhering to the contents of the affiliation agreement, including its conditions and responsibilities.

The School does not provide legal advice to the student regarding whether to submit to the conditions set by the facility. The School does not pay any student costs related to the clinical experience. If the student declines or fails to participate in or complete the clinical experience and the experience is a requirement for the course, the student will not successfully complete the course and may not graduate. The student is solely responsible for the consequences of his or her decision regarding whether to submit to the conditions or requirements established by the facility.

Students who wish to continue at the clinical site outside the class end date are required to have written approval of the faculty member and must submit the Incomplete Grade Form for approval. Students cannot begin clinical hours before the semester begins.

• Clinical Agency Requirements Students must meet the required competencies of the clinical agency to which they are assigned as outlined in the clinical agency contract.  This may include requirements such as respiratory mask fit, infection control training, criminal background investigations, and mandatory drug screening.
• Clinical Competencies and Compliance Students are required to complete screenings, trainings, immunizations, and infection control training such as annual TB screenings and flu vaccinations.
• CPR Certification Students are required to obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults, children, and infants prior to entering clinical courses. Certification must be maintained throughout the program, and validation must be presented each year. Students must complete the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers course.
• Criminal Background Check (CBC) and Drug Screening All students are required to complete a criminal background check prior to course enrollment in the School of Nursing. The Office of Admissions and Student Services communicates this requirement to students. Additionally, different clinical agencies may require students to undergo a criminal background investigation and/or drug examination using their own vendor when students are assigned to clinicals beginning in the second year. This expense is covered directly by the student.
• EPIC Training EPIC is the electronic medical record used at the UVA Health System. All second-year students are required to complete a mandatory classroom training.
• Insurance All students must be covered by year-round health insurance. Each student must be insured under the University Health Insurance Plan or by another insurance contract that the University believes to be comparable in benefits to the University Plan. All students must present proof of insurance with their Pre-Entrance Health Forms. See the Student Health Requirements in the University Regulations: Non-Academic section of the Undergraduate Record for more details.
• NCLEX Preparation Program All pre-licensure nursing students use Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education program to help prepare them for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).  This program includes learning and assessment activities, such as case studies, supplemental review materials, quiz banks, and practice exams. The materials are assigned in selected courses as a prescribed percentage of the course grade. The program includes specialty and cumulative proctored examinations. Students scoring below the recommended benchmark on a specialty exam are required to complete an individualized remediation (review) plan and submit appropriate documentation of their work, and retake the exam, if applicable. Students who do not show substantial improvement upon remediation will be required to meet with a faculty member to discuss study and test taking strategies.  They will develop an individualized plan for NCLEX preparation.
• Workday Learning Throughout the educational experiences at the University, students are required to complete competencies on a yearly, or more frequent, basis. These competencies are delivered through the UVA Human Resources learning management system, Workday. All students are required to complete all of the assigned and mandatory learning modules.
• Patient Confidentiality Guidelines The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has important personal and professional implications for SON faculty, staff, and students. The regulations prohibit the disclosure, intentional or otherwise, of patients’ Protected Health Information (PHI). These regulations apply to information contained in any format, including electronic and hard-copy health records. Patient information may not be reproduced (copied and pasted, photographed) from any electronic or written medium. When collecting data for an academic clinical assignment, students and faculty must consider carefully what clinical data is absolutely necessary for effective learning. Faculty, staff, and students: Please refer to the United States Department of Health and Human Services website for additional information http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/.
• Respiratory Mask Fit (RMF) All pre-licensure nursing students assigned to clinicals are required to be fitted for special masks. Students must complete this requirement prior to enrollment in clinicals. The cost for the fit test is covered via the Clinical Services Fee. The student is responsible for any cancellation fees.
• Transportation Policy Nursing students are responsible for all arrangements and expenses for travel to and from clinical sites and other educational experiences. Students may need a car accessible to them. Carpooling is encouraged. Students are also eligible to join Zipcar at UVa.
• Typhon The School of Nursing uses the Typhon NSST system for student portfolio development and student clinical activity tracking throughout the BSN curriculum. Access to this system is required for all students. Pre-licensure students pay a one-time access fee. Initial training to Typhon will be provided for all students. Ongoing use of Typhon will continue throughout the program and access is available for three years after graduation.
• Uniforms Students are required to follow the School of Nursing uniform policy for pre-licensure student clinical attire: www.nursing.virginia.edu/current-students/uniform/.

Attendance

Regular attendance in classes and clinical is a vital part of the nursing program.  At the University of Virginia each student is expected to accept the responsibility of attending classes and clinical regularly and promptly.  Instructors are encouraged to state their policy on attendance in course syllabi; any student whose attendance record faculty consider unsatisfactory will be referred to the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. If you are unable to attend class or clinical for any reason, including illness, you must notify your instructor in advance of the class or clinical (unless specified otherwise in the course syllabus) in order to be considered for an excused absence. If you believe that you have an illness or are developing an illness (i.e., have symptoms such as fever, aches, or a cough), you should notify your instructor (unless specified otherwise in the course syllabus). Absences traditionally excused are those that occur because of hospitalization, serious illness, death in a student’s family, religious observance, professional nursing conferences, or authorized participants in University events (i.e., ROTC, Division I athletes, etc.). 

Students anticipating the need to be absent are expected to consult with the instructor in a timely manner. Please consult the course syllabus for additional information. Instructors are not obligated to allow students to make up missed work; it is the instructor’s decision, not the dean’s, whether students may be allowed such a privilege. Neither the Department of Student Health nor the dean’s office issues excuses for class or clinical absence or for missed quizzes.  Only when students are unable to contact instructors themselves (e.g., debilitating illness, leaving town suddenly for family emergencies, protracted absences) does the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services send notification to instructors; otherwise it is the student’s responsibility to consult directly with the instructor regarding absence from class or clinical.

UVA nursing students taking courses in the College or other schools of the University are governed by the attendance regulations of the instructor in that division; unexcused absences from such courses are subject to the penalties prescribed.

Class Scheduling

Students change their class schedules via SIS (www.virginia.edu/sis). Students may add and drop full-semester courses through the deadlines stated in the University Registrar’s Academic Calendar.

Overload of Credit Hours

Traditional BSN students who wish to enroll in more than the allowed maximum credit hours for their program (17) must gain approval from the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. In order to receive approval, a student must complete a Request for Increased Course Load form (available at: https://community.nursing.virginia.edu/students/forms/). The student submits the signed request to the School of Nursing Registrar’s Office for processing. RN-BSN students are part-time students and enroll in 6-7 credits/semester.

Transfer of Courses

The University of Virginia School of Nursing accepts a maximum of 60 credits of transfer credit from institutions other than the University of Virginia toward the baccalaureate degree.

Students who receive advanced standing for a required course transferred into the University of Virginia from another institution may be responsible for replacing the credits not earned in that course with another course at the University.

Exception: Upon completion of selected courses, RN to BSN students receive up to 42 hours of advanced standing credit for equivalent course credit earned in their basic RN program. Therefore, not all prior credit hours may be transferable for credit. For example, pharmacology, assessment, and life span are all part of the 42-credit-hour package of advanced credit hours; therefore, these credits do not transfer in as additional credits.

External Transfer Credit for New Students in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Spring 2020. To review the criteria that will be used to evaluate external transfer credits earned during Spring 2020 please Click Here .

Transferring out of the SON

Nursing students who plan to pursue intra-university transfer into one of the other undergraduate programs at UVA need to meet with the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services prior to transferring out. Students pursuing transfer out may have one semester to be released from nursing requirements in order to take courses in their future program. It is the student’s responsibility to be accepted into another program. Once a student is approved for transfer out, the School of Nursing will not hold a place for the student to return.

B.S. in Nursing (BSN)

The University of Virginia offers two tracks leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing: A traditional BSN program and an RN to BSN completion program. The degree is awarded after satisfactory completion of a prescribed program of study. Graduates of the traditional BSN program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is conferred by the general faculty upon candidates recommended by the School of Nursing faculty as having completed a prescribed course of study of no less than 120 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.000 (C).  All candidates for degree must apply to graduate in SIS by the deadline stated by the University.

Residence Requirement

The residence requirement for a BSN is a minimum of two academic years in the School of Nursing. The residence requirement for RN to BSN students is two academic years (30 credits) in the School of Nursing.

Final examinations are given in regularly scheduled courses during a designated period of time at the end of each semester.  Final exams in courses may be given only at the times listed on the UREG (Office of the University Registrar) website. Examinations in courses not fitting the regular class times are scheduled by UREG in consultation with the instructor.  Faculty members are not authorized to change the announced times of their examinations.  Such changes may be authorized only by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services, and then only for compelling reasons.  All students must have the opportunity to take the exam at the time announced on the UREG website.

Students are not permitted to take a final exam before its regularly scheduled time.  When a student has three exams scheduled over two consecutive days, the student may request a postponement of one of their exams.  The student must file the exam postponement request, endorsed by the instructor of the course, no later than one week prior to the first day of the examination period.

Grading Basis Changes in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic. To review the grading basis change information please Click Here .

Credit/No Credit Grades

Students have the option of receiving the grades CR (credit) or NC (no credit) in place of the regular grades, A through F, for a given course except for courses in the major or those that fulfill basic area competency requirements. Courses used to fulfill area requirements must be taken on a graded basis. Students may take up to 6 credit hours for CR/NC.

This option is selected when students register for courses. The last day to change the CR/NC option is the same as the last day to add a course. Instructors may deny students permission to take courses on a CR/NC basis. If this occurs, students may either change back to the regular grading option or drop the course entirely. Students may not use a CR/NC course to repeat a course in which a grade has already been given.

Repeated Course Policy

Two essentially identical courses, whether under the same course number or not, may not both be counted for degree credit. If a course is passed and repeated, only the first grade received is entered in the computation of grade point average. However, only the repeated course counts toward the 120 credits required for graduation. Both the original and repeated course, and their grades, appear on the student’s transcript. If a course is failed and repeated, both courses and grades appear on the transcript, the repeated course with a passing grade counts toward the 120 credits, and both courses are computed in the grade point average. All F’s are calculated into the grade point average.

Grade Changes

No final grade may be changed without the approval of the School of Nursing after it has been posted in the Student Information System (SIS). The School of Nursing is not authorized by the faculty to change a final grade, except when an instructor certifies that, because of errors in calculation or transcription, an incorrect grade has been submitted. Extra work to raise a final grade, once submitted, is not permitted. 

Grades

An undergraduate student’s work in a course is graded on the basis of A+ (100), A (95-99), A- (90-94), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62) and F (59-0).

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade may be given to students that are unable to complete scheduled coursework due to reasons beyond their control.  A grade of IN becomes an F 200 days after the end of the examination period unless a form requesting an extension of time has been signed by the course instructor and approved by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. Instructors are not authorized to extend the time for completion of course work without the Dean’s approval. Forms for securing extensions are available from the School of Nursing website. Prior to the end of the course, students must initiate the request for an IN and secure the instructor’s approval. 

Students with two or more outstanding incomplete designations (in the same semester or cumulatively) may not enroll in courses in subsequent terms. Students who have had an incomplete grade lapse after 200 days and become an F may not enroll in courses in a subsequent term until the grade has been changed, or a new incomplete form has been approved and turned into the SON Registrar. A student’s degree cannot be conferred with a grade of Incomplete (IN) on record, even if that course is not required for the degree being sought. 

Leave of Absence

A student in good standing may request a leave of absence from the School of Nursing for up to two semesters. Refer to the “Leaving and Returning to the University” section of the “University Regulations: Academic” section of this Record for more information.

Leaving the University

All policies, procedures, and timelines governing withdrawal from the University in its various forms (Enforced, Medical, Voluntary) are outlined in the “Leaving and Returning to the University” section of the “University Regulations: Academic” section of this Record.

Readmission to the SON after Suspension or Withdrawal 

Students should consult “Leaving and Returning to the University” in the “University Regulations: Academic” section of this Record for policies that govern their readmission to the University. Students in the School of Nursing who have been suspended must wait one full fall term and one full spring term before being eligible to apply for readmission. A student who has been readmitted following suspension will be permanently dropped from the school if she or he becomes subject to suspension a second time. Nursing students on an approved leave of absence who wish to return do so by initiating the Return to the University process in the Student Information System (SIS).

Students who decide to complete requirements for a minor or a second major must contact the department to request information on that course of study. Once a minor or second major has been declared, a declaration of major/minor form must be signed by someone in the major/minor department and then submitted to School of Nursing Registrar. The second major or minor must be completed prior to or at the same time as the nursing major. Students may not return to the University to complete a second major/minor after the nursing curriculum has been completed.

Courses that nursing students take that count toward their minor/second major may also be used to satisfy BSN general education requirements. 

 Public Professional Licesnsure Disclosure

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the UVA School of Nursing, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).

Beyond promoting diversity and inclusion within the school, the UVA School of Nursing is enthusiastic about preparing our nursing students to embrace the challenges and exciting opportunities of our global community.  Study abroad programs are centered around deep and sustainable global partnerships that integrate research, education, and clinical experiences. 

The School of Nursing offers J-Term study abroad courses, interdisciplinary summer global health electives, and independent study opportunities.  A semester-long exchange program with two universities supports reciprocal studies and broadening cultural experiences for participating fourth-year students.  

Nursing students may pursue individual opportunities for study abroad through the University’s International Studies Office.  An interdisciplinary Global Sustainability minor complements the School of Nursing degree, preparing students to incorporate sustainable practices into their future careers. 

External Transfer Credit for New Students in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Spring 2020. To review the criteria that will be used to evaluate external transfer credits earned during Spring 2020 please Click Here .

The School of Nursing will consider requests for transfer of credit from other fully accredited two or four year colleges or universities for courses which may be equivalent to those in the baccalaureate or master’s nursing programs. Other University of Virginia faculty and departments may evaluate courses equivalent to those in other areas. Implementation of this policy will not negate the residency requirement policy.

Undergraduate students may not transfer courses that are a required part of their curriculum in the Nursing school. Students may only transfer in courses that fulfill their general education requirements. Please refer to this link  for further information.

Dual Enrollment

Students who have taken dual enrollment courses while in high school must arrange to send an official transcript to the BSN Program Manager, University of Virginia, School of Nursing, PO Box 800782, Charlottesville, VA  22908. Transcripts will be evaluated as they arrive and the credit will be posted in SIS. If dual enrollment credit is not posted by October of the first semester, check with the BSN Program Manager to see if transcripts have been received. You may not transfer in your first writing requirement through dual enrollment.

International Baccalaureate

Pre-approved departmental equivalencies for qualifying higher-level IB examination scores can be found here: http://college.as.virginia.edu/iclec. The School of Nursing accepts only IB scores sent directly from IB North America (http://www.ibo.org). We award no credit for standard-level  (SL) examinations.

Advanced Placement Credit

The University of Virginia participates in the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program by awarding advanced standing (course exemption and academic credit hours) or advanced placement (course exemption without credit hours) to entering students who have qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Students may receive credit in any academic discipline in which an AP test is offered so long as the test was taken before the end of the senior year in high school. If an AP test was not taken in high school, one cannot be taken once a student has matriculated into the University. Also, if a student enrolls in a course equivalent to that of an advanced placement course, the student waives the Advanced Placement credit. If a student places out of a course without having received credit hours, that course cannot count towards degree requirements.

Students may also earn course exemption (without credit) for qualifying scores on foreign language tests. The University does not award credit based on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests; for information on possible placement refer to Admission .

Accepted students should have AP score reports sent directly to the University Office of Undergraduate Admission (College Code 5820) in the summer following the senior year of high school. Be sure to ask that test scores include those taken prior to your senior year be sent. For more information, visit AP Credit .