Nursing & Health Studies Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Table of Contents

General Information

Faculty

Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Graduate Degree Requirements

The following areas are available:
Basic Baccalaureate

RN/BSN

Bachelor of Health Sciences with Emphasis in Clinical Laboratory Science or Cytotechnology

The Barnes College of Nursing provides course work leading to the Bachelor of Science in nursing. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Missouri Board of Nursing. The undergraduate program offers two means for achieving the bachelor's degree in nursing: studies that are preparatory for completion of the professional nurse licensure examination (pre-licensure track) and advanced placement for the professional registered nurse without repetition of fundamental nursing courses (RN/BSN track). An accelerated prelicensure option is available for qualified persons who hold earned degrees in nonnursing fields, for outstanding students who have completed all prescribed general education and science course work, and for highly motivated, qualified high school graduates. Baccalaureate students meeting admission criteria may participate in the Pierre Laclede Honors College.

Admission Policies

Basic Baccalaureate

First-time freshman or students with fewer than 24 college credits:

Admission to the university (see Undergraduate Admission and Application Procedure section in this Bulletin).

Cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale).

High school rank in upper third of graduating class.

GED score, if applicable.

ACT composite score of 21 or higher.

Basic computer literacy prior to beginning nursing courses required in nursing major.

Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on 4.0 scale) required prior to beginning nursing courses required in nursing major.

Completion of a minimum of 45 semester hours of general education course work applicable to BSN degree NS010, NS 103(2103) (or equivalent), and NS 105(2105) (or equivalent) prior to beginning nursing courses required in nursing major.

Students with 24 or more college credit hours:

Admission to the university (see Undergraduate Admission and Application Procedure section in this Bulletin).
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) on 24 transferable credits from an accredited college or university..
Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on 4.0 scale) required prior to beginning nursing courses required in nursing major.

Degree/Transfer Pathway to accelerated option

Admission to the university (see Undergraduate Admission and Application Procedure section in this Bulletin).
Baccalaureate or higher degree from regionally accredited college or university. Applicants not holding a baccalaureate degree must have completed 62 semester hours of general education academic credit before beginning the program, including prescribed course work, as evidenced by official transcript.
Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale for students with baccalaureate or higher degree or 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for students not holding a baccalaureate degree.
Completion of all prerequisite general education and science courses for major in nursing with grade of C or higher.
Two letters of recommendation that address applicant's ability to be a self-directed learner.

Post High School Pathway to the accelerated option

Admission to the university (see Undergraduate Admission and Application Procedure section in this Bulletin).
ACT score of 24 or higher
Minimum high school grade point average of 3.2 on 4.0 scale.
Two (2) letters of recommendation that address applicant's ability to be a self-directed learner
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on 4.0 scale on general education coursework prior to beginning nursing courses
Completion of all prerequisite general education and science courses for the nursing major with grade of C or better.
Completion of at least 45 semester hours of designated general education credits at UM-St. Louis, including credit earned through advanced standing.
Basic computer literacy prior to beginning nursing courses required in nursing major.

Honors pathway

Meet all requirements for admission to the traditional four-year option.
Apply to the Pierre Laclede Honors College.

Admission to Nursing Clinicals requirements

Basic computer literacy prior to beginning nursing courses required in nursing major.
Completion of a minimum of 45 semester hours of general education course work applicable to BSN degree and NS010, NS 103(2103) (or equivalent) prior to beginning nursing courses required in nursing major.

RN/BSN

Admission to the university (see Undergraduate Admission and Application Procedure section in this Bulletin).

Graduate of either an accredited diploma or associate degree program in nursing.

Evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse with eligibility for licensure in Missouri.

Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale)* on all previous college-level course work. (excluding nursing coursework)

Minimum of 30 academic hours of college credit applicable to a degree.

*Cumulative GPA of 3.0 required of individuals seeking accelerated access to MSN option.

Students are required to furnish their own transportation to and from campus and clinical agencies. Students must have automobile access for all community experiences through the program. For specific information regarding the B.S.N. degree program, contact Nursing Student Services and Records office at (314) 516-6066 or 1-888-NURSEUM or http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/nursing.

Credit by Transfer and Examination
Credit may be granted for selected general studies. See Admission and Application Procedure section in this Bulletin for credit information.

Degree Requirements
The bachelor of science in nursing degree requires comprehensive course work in general education and nursing. Basic undergraduate nursing course work includes theory, on-campus laboratory and clinical activities. Clinical experiences require weekday, evening, and/or weekend commitments. Full-time study in the prelicensure baccalaureate track can be completed in four academic years. The prelicensure accelerated track requires full-time study and can be completed in 15 months. RN/BSN course work is offered via interactive telecommunication at various sites throughout eastern Missouri, on-campus, and by Internet. Clinical activities are community-based and may be completed in the student's home community.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Undergraduate nursing majors may not take required related area general education or nursing courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Support Course Requirements
Nursing majors must complete all general education requirements of the university as outlined in this Bulletin (see Undergraduate Studies, General Education Requirements).

In addition to meeting the university's general education requirements, the following specific courses must be completed prior to initiation of the nursing major. See a curriculum planning guide for specific courses and proper sequencing.

1)Natural science course work
Biology 113(1131), Human Physiology and Anatomy I
Biology 114(1141), Human Physiology and Anatomy II
Biology 116(1162), General Microbiology
Chem 5(1052), Chemistry for Health Professions (or equivalent)

2)Behavioral science course work
Psych 3(1003), General Psychology
Psych 268(1268), Human Growth and Behavior
Econ 40(1000), Introduction to American Economy (or equivalent)

3) Humanities
Phil 156(2256), Bioethics (or equivalent)

4) Nursing
Nursing 010, Orientation to Nursing
Nursing 103(2103), Nutrition and Health (or equivalent)
Nursing 105(2105), Communication in the Nursing Profession (or equivalent)
Nursing 373(3799), Quantitative Analysis in the Health Sciences (or equivalent)

Nursing Course Work Requirements

Prelicensure
101(3101), Nursing and Health*
106(3106), Assessment of Clients in Health and Illness*
110(3110), Pathophysiological Bases of Nursing Practice
111(3111), Pharacotherapeutics in Nursing Practice
205(3205), Adult Health Nursing I*
206(3206), Adult Health Nursing II*
207(3807), Nursing Research
214(3214), Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing*
215(3215), Nursing of Women and Childbearing Families*
216(3216), Child and Family Health Nursing*
217(3817), Information Systems Utilized in Health Care*
300(4300), Community Health Nursing*
304(3804), Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Nursing Practice
308(3808), Management and Leadership in Nursing
310(4310), Senior Synthesis*

RN/BSN
200(3900), Dimensions of Professional Nursing
207(3807), Nursing Research (or equivalent)
217(3817), Information Systems Utilized in Health Care
220(3920), Health Assessment*
301(4901), Family and Community Nursing*
305(4905), Values in Professional Nursing
308(3808), Management and Leadership in Nursing
311(4911), Synthesis in Nursing Practice*

* Includes a laboratory and/or clinical component

Bachelor of Health Sciences with Emphasis in Clinical Laboratory Science or Cytotechnology
The bachelor of health science degree (B.H.S.) is designed to prepare students for two career areas: clinical laboratory science (CLS) and cytotechnology (CT). The B.H.S. combines course work taken at UM-St. Louis with clinical experiences at Barnes Jewish Hospital and throughout the BJC Systems of member hospitals and clinics.

The clinical laboratory science program prepares students to perform analytical tests on body fluids, cells and products. The students will learn to identify possible discrepancies in data, confirm abnormal results, and develop solutions to problems concerning the generation of laboratory data.

The cytotechnology program prepares students to be knowledgeable about all of the normal cells from numerous body sites, as well as those changes encountered due to neoplasia, infectious agents, viruses, and other causative agents. Graduates will be able to perform cytologic evaluations of body fluids, cells, and fine-needle aspirations.

Courses in clinical laboratory science and cytotechnology are offered for students who are pursuing a career in one of these fields. Students develop a program of studies through the bachelor of health sciences degree.

The following courses are offered in this area through the Barnes College of Nursing and Health Studies. These courses are not acceptable for graduate credit:

Clinical Laboratory Science:

Courses (specific course or distribution area and credits):

Humanities (9)

State requirement (3):
BIO 011(1811), Intro Biology I (5)
BIO 113(1131), Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
BIO 114(1141), Anatomy & Physiology II (4)
BIO 116(1162), General Microbiology (3)
BIO 118, General Microbiology Lab (2)
BIO 317(4842), Immunobiology (3)
BUS 103(1800), Comp and Info Systems (3)
BUS 210(3600), Mgt & Org Behavior (3)
CHEM 11(1111), Intro to Chemistry I (5)
CHEM 12(1121), Intro to Chemistry II (5)
CHEM 122(2223), Quantitative Analysis (3)
CHEM 261(2612), Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 262(2622), Organic Chemistry II (3)
COM 30(1030) or 40(1040), Interpersonal Com or Public Speaking (3)
EN 010(1100), English Comp (3)
Math 35(1035), Trigonometry (2)
NS 110(3110), Patho Bases of Nrsg Practice (3)
PSY 003(1003), General Psychology
PSY 268(1268), Growth & Development
SOC 10(1010), Intro to Sociology

Clinical Requirements:
BIO 303a(4810), Issues and Trends in Role Development (3)
BIO 303b(4010), Clinical Bacteriology (3)
BIO 303c(4110), Bacteriology Practicum (4)
BIO 303d(4250), Parasitology and Mycology (2)
BIO 303e(4410), Clinical Immunology (2)
BIO 303f(4450), Immunology Practicum (1)
BIO 303g(4510), Immunohematology (3)
BIO 303h(4550), Immunohematology Practicum (3)
BIO 303i(4601), Hematology (4)
BIO 303j(4661), Hematology Practicum (3)
BIO 303k(4701), Clinical Chemistry (3)
BIO 303l(4750), Chemistry Practicum (4)
BIO 393(3807), Research Methods Health Sciences (3)

Cytotechnolgoy:
Courses (specific courses of distribution area and credits):

Humanities (9):

State requirement (3)
BIO 011(1811), Intro Biology I (5)
BIO 113(1131), Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
BIO 114(1141), Anatomy & Physiology II (4)
BIO 116(1162), General Microbiology (4)
BIO 118, General Microbology Lab (4)
BIO 234(3631), Histology and Microtech (5)
BIO 317(4842), Immunobiology (3)
BUS 103(1800), (or CIS 101(1010) Intro to Computers (3)
BUS 210(3600), Mgt & Org Behavior (3)
CHEM 11(1111), Intro to Chemistry I (5)
CHEM 12(1121), Intro to Chemistry II (5)
CHEM 261(2612), Organic Chemistry I (3)
COM 30 (1030), or 40(1040), Interpersonal or Public Speaking (3)
EN 010(1100), English Comp (3)
EN 213(3130), Technical Writing (3) OR EN 216(3160) Writing in the Sciences (3)
MATH 30(1030), College Algebra (3)
MATH 35(1035), Trigonometry (2)
NS 110(3110), Pathophysiological Bases of Nursing Practice (3)
PSY 003(1003), General Psychology
PSY 268(1268), Growth and Development
SOC 10(1010), Intro to Sociology (3)

Clinical requirements:
HS 302a(4000), Intro to Cytology (3)
HS 302b(4100), Female Genital Tract I (4)
HS 302c(4200), Female Genital Tract II (3)
HS 302d(4300), Processing Lab (2)
HS 302e(4400), Respiratory and Order (3)
HS 302f(4600), Body Fluid Cytology (3)
HS 302g(4700), Gastro Genitourinary Cytology (3)
HS 302h(4800), Fine Needle Aspiration (4)
HS 302i(4900), Adv Practices in Cytology (12)
HS 302j(3520), Leadership and Mgmt Cytology (3)
HS 393(3807), Research Methods Health Science (3)

Request for additional information concerning the B.H.S. degree and academic advising can be obtained through the Barnes College of Nursing and Health Sciences.