Program Overview
One of the most transparent admissions processes in Michigan — EMU ranks second-degree applicants on an explicit 485-point scale (prerequisite GPA, science GPA, credits earned at EMU, TEAS, and a head-start course), so you know exactly how to maximize your competitiveness — at a public university whose nursing program has been continuously accredited since 1978.
The Bachelor’s in Nursing Second Degree program at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a 20-month accelerated pathway, spanning five semesters, for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The program blends classroom instruction, hands-on clinical experiences, and simulation labs (including EMU’s simulation and VR program) and is delivered primarily on campus in Ypsilanti.
What distinguishes EMU is the clarity of its admissions: rather than an opaque review, applicants are ranked on a published 485-point system, so prospective students can see precisely how prerequisite performance, science grades, EMU-earned credits, TEAS scores, and an optional intro course factor into an offer.
Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to become licensed Registered Nurses.
Accreditation
Approved by the Michigan State Board of Nursing in 1973, EMU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has held continuous professional accreditation since 1978. The BSN, MSN, and Post-MSN APRN Certificate programs at Eastern Michigan University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reaccredited in Spring 2022 through December 2032 (the DNP program is CCNE-accredited through December 2027).
Eastern Michigan University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admission Requirements (Second Degree BSN)
Eligibility
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities
- TOEFL required if English is a second language (per university policy)
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials arrive by the deadline
Prerequisite Courses (or approved transfers)
- Anthropology/Sociology: ANTH 135 or SOCL 105
- Chemistry: CHEM 120 (Fundamentals of Organic & Biochemistry)
- Life Course: NURS 261 (or DTC 261, EDPS 225, IHHS 260)
- Psychology: PSY 101
- Writing: WRTG 121 (Composition II)
- Quantitative Reasoning: one GEQR course (university requirement)
- Anatomy & Physiology (choose one path): EXSC 201 (Anatomy) and EXSC 202 (Physiology), or BIO 251 (A&P I) and BIO 252 (A&P II)
Recommended (adds points): NURS 110 – Introduction to Professional Nursing. Some courses may have their own prerequisites.
Application Process & Timeline
- Review program details on the Undergraduate Programs site and Nursing Student Handbook
- Attend an information session (dates posted on the School of Nursing homepage)
- For advising, schedule via Starfish in my.Emich (CHHS Advising Office)
- Deadline: May 15, 5:00 pm (annually)
- Decisions: notified in June; classes begin in fall
- No waitlist — applicants not admitted may reapply the following year (new application, re-ranked)
Selection Criteria (Max 485 points)
- Prerequisite GPA × 75 (max 300)
- Science GPA × 25 (max 100)
- EMU points: 2 pts per credit for the eight prerequisites taken at EMU (max 58)
- ATI TEAS: up to 5 pts/category (max 20)
- Math/English waiver (ACT/SAT/CLEP): 3 pts each if granted (max 6)
- NURS 110 completed: 7 pts
Applicants are ranked highest-to-lowest by total points, and offers are made based on available seats.
Post-Offer Requirements
- Criminal background check, physical exam, drug screen, and required paperwork
- Failure to pass or complete these may result in revocation of the offer
Important Notes
- EMU requires a minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite for the second-degree pathway; admission is competitive and point-ranked, so stronger applicants typically exceed the minimum
- Chemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology must be 10 years old or newer
- If retaken, only the first two attempts of Chem/Anatomy/Physiology count toward GPA
- ATI TEAS may be taken twice per calendar year; to earn points, minimum subtest scores are Reading ≥ 69%, Math ≥ 63%, Science ≥ 46%, English ≥ 60%
- Transfer credit for nursing courses is case-by-case, with final decisions by the School of Nursing (meet with CHHS Advising for equivalencies)
Curriculum
The nursing core consists of 60 credit hours, with each course focused on developing essential skills for professional nursing. Students must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all courses to progress through the program.
NURS 208 The Art and Science of Nursing I
Introduces professional nursing roles in promoting health and preventing illness for adult clients and their families. Emphasizes foundational concepts of holistic, family-centered care and the nurse’s impact on outcomes.
NURS 209L4 The Art and Science of Nursing I Clinical [GELB]
Pairs lab skill-building with supervised clinical practice to deliver basic nursing care to adults and families. Students apply beginner concepts, safety, and communication in real settings.
NURS 220 Health Assessment and Physical Examination
Develops comprehensive history-taking, system-focused exam techniques, and accurate documentation across the lifespan. Builds confidence in interviewing and physical assessment for diverse clients.
NURS 250 The Art and Science of Nursing II
Expands core nursing knowledge and skills for caring for adults across health states while considering family impact. Focuses on advancing clinical reasoning and professional role formation.
NURS 251L4 The Art and Science of Nursing II Laboratory [GELB]
Continues lab and supervised clinical experiences to practice intermediate nursing skills. Applies classroom concepts to varied client conditions and family needs.
NURS 260 Pathophysiology
Explores how disease and stressors alter normal physiology to inform nursing judgments. Provides the biologic rationale behind assessment findings and interventions.
NURS 270 Pharmacology
Covers essential pharmacologic principles, legal/ethical responsibilities, and safe medication administration. Emphasizes therapeutic decision-making and monitoring across common drug classes.
NURS 275 Essentials of Professional Nursing Practice I
Introduces AACN-defined foundations of professional nursing, including ethics, communication, and evidence-based care. Sets expectations for academic rigor and professional identity.
NURS 304 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families
Uses a family-centered lens to span preconception through postpartum care. Addresses health promotion, risk reduction, and collaborative management in maternal-newborn nursing.
NURS 305L4 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families Clinical [GELB]
Provides clinical experience in prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum settings. Applies family theory and evidence-based interventions to support safe childbirth and recovery.
NURS 306 Child/Family Health Nursing
Examines wellness and illness in children and the family’s role in care. Stresses health promotion, restoration, and holistic support of physical, psychosocial, and developmental needs.
NURS 307L4 Child Family Health Nursing Laboratory [GELB]
Offers pediatric clinical practice across acute and community sites. Builds judgment, leadership, collaboration, and management skills in family-centered pediatric care.
NURS 330 Adult Health Nursing I
Focuses on adults with chronic conditions and their families, highlighting education, advocacy, and coordination. Applies critical thinking and interprofessional collaboration to optimize outcomes.
NURS 331L4 Adult Health Nursing I Clinical [GELB]
Immerses students in inpatient care for adults with chronic illness. Emphasizes evidence-based interventions, teaching, and care coordination with families and teams.
NURS 350 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
Establishes foundations for holistic, recovery-oriented mental health nursing across the lifespan. Centers on therapeutic relationships, prevention, and evidence-based interventions.
NURS 351L4 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Clinical [GELB]
Provides inpatient and outpatient experiences using therapeutic communication and recovery principles. Students deliver client-centered, evidence-based care guided by the nursing process.
NURS 372 Nursing Research
Introduces research ethics, appraisal, and application to evidence-based practice. Prepares students to interpret studies and translate findings into clinical decisions.
NURS 375W Essentials of Professional Nursing Practice II [GEWI]
Builds on professional competencies with a writing-intensive focus. Strengthens communication, leadership awareness, and integration of evidence into care.
NURS 404 Adult Health Nursing II
Addresses acute and complex medical-surgical conditions and the transition to professional practice. Emphasizes prioritization, advanced clinical reasoning, and readiness for entry-level RN roles.
NURS 405L4 Adult Health Nursing II Clinical [GELB]
Applies principles for caring for adults with high-acuity, complex needs. Prepares students for professional role transition through synthesis of skills and teamwork.
NURS 450 Community Health Nursing
Integrates nursing and public health to promote population wellness across the lifespan. Covers prevention levels, case finding/coordination, ethics, referrals, and culturally responsive practice.
NURS 451L4 Community Health Nursing Clinical [GELB]
Delivers community-based clinical experiences with individuals, families, groups, and populations. Implements health promotion and disease/injury prevention in diverse settings.
NURS 475 Essentials of Professional Nursing Practice III
Culminates the essentials sequence with leadership, professional practice concepts, and NCLEX preparation. Reinforces synthesis of prior coursework for safe, entry-level practice.
More detail is available in the EMU nursing catalog.
Tuition
EMU uses a block tuition model, so full-time students pay a set rate per semester. Across the five-semester second-degree sequence, total tuition is estimated at approximately $36,516 (the exact amount depends on residency, the current block rate, and program/course fees).
Confirm current figures via EMU’s tuition page and tuition calculator.
Additional Programs
EMU’s School of Nursing also offers a traditional four-year BSN, graduate degrees and certificates (MSN, Post-MSN APRN certificates), and two doctoral programs (including a CCNE-accredited DNP) for students interested in advancing beyond the BSN.