All applicants must meet the general admission requirements of Marshall University as described in the Undergraduate Catalog. The RN to BSN application deadline is:

  • For Spring Semester – October 1
  • For Fall Semester – June 1

Applications will be processed as received.  For the application to be processed, the applicant must be a current Marshall Student or admitted for the semester in which the student is applying to the RN to SBN Program.  Once the class size of 30 students has been reached, applicants will be waitlisted.

Once the admission letter is sent out to the applicant via email, the applicant will have 2 weeks to return their plan of study and complete the requirements (e.g. Documentation on Verified Credentials and/or a background and drug screen through Verified Credentials if a new Marshall Student or Marshall student who has been out school and is returning.) Admitted applicants who fail to complete the requirements by the 2-week deadline will not be guaranteed a seat in the next nursing class.

Questions about the application process, please contact the School of Nursing by phone 304-696-3821 or by email at rntobsn-nursing@marshall.edu

Criteria for admission include the following:

  1. Regular admission to Marshall University which is separate from the RN to BSN applications.
  2. Separate application to the School of Nursing RN to BSN Program which is separate from the admission application to Marshall University.
  3. Unencumbered nursing license.
  4. Graduation from a nationally-accredited nursing program.
  5. An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher on all college work.
  6. A satisfactory background check and drug screen must be completed prior to beginning classes.
  7. Students applying for the program who are completing their associate degree/diploma upon application to the RN to BSN Program must hold an unencumbered RN license PRIOR to beginning the second semester of coursework or they will be withdrawn from the program.

Unencumbered License – Current unencumbered licensure as an RN in the United States is required. An unencumbered license has not been subjected to formal discipline by any Board of Nursing. This includes but is not limited to reprimand, revocation, probation, suspension, restriction, limitation, disciplinary action, discretionary review/hearing or encumbrance. An unencumbered license is a license that has no provisions or conditions that limit practice in any way. This applies to all current or past RN licensure in one or more states.

State Program Participation (SARA)

Marshall University’s RN to BSN Program does not discriminate against applicants from any geographic region of the USA. However, some states do have statutes and laws that make it difficult, perhaps impossible, for Marshall University to reach a legal distance education agreement with facilities in the state. In addition, the required project-based experiences that take place in health care facilities in certain states may not be possible due to extreme measures enacted by state organizations to limit learning and career opportunities for qualified RN to BSN students.  In order for Marshall University to reach a legal distance education agreement with a state, the state has to be an approved member of SARA.  Please be aware that it may be challenging to successfully secure health care facilities for the project-based experiences in areas that are not approved members of SARA. Without practice sites or legal distance education agreements between Marshall University and the facility, there is a strong likelihood that you may not complete the RN to BSN Program.

You will need to determine if the state in which you are licensed is a member of SARA.

How to Apply to the RN to BSN program

  1. Apply to Marshall University
  2. Print and fill out the RN to BSN Application
  3. Send the RN to BSN application by June 1 or October 1 to:

Marshall University School of Nursing
Attention: RN to BSN Program Director
Corbly Hall 429
1 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755-9510

Background Checks and Drug Screens

RN to BSN  Drug Test and Background Check

As part of the admissions process to the RN to BSN Program, students must complete a background check and drug screen. Based upon the findings, students may not be accepted into the Nursing Program. Additionally, the School of Nursing may require students to submit to a drug screen upon reasonable suspicion or cause or may impose random drug testing for students undergoing treatment and/or rehabilitation for substance abuse. All drug screens and background checks are the financial responsibility of the student.

Health Form and Immunizations

Upon admission to the RN to BSN Program, students must complete required documentation including technical standards form, health form, and record of immunizations, etc.. It is the responsibility of the student to provide documentation as required.

Required Transcripts

Applicants must provide official transcripts to BOTH the university and the SON. Transcripts must be submitted on admission to the program and upon completion of the diploma or associate degree nursing program.

Unencumbered License – Current unencumbered licensure as an RN in the United States is required. An unencumbered license has not been subjected to formal discipline by any Board of Nursing. This includes but is not limited to reprimand, revocation, probation, suspension, restriction, limitation, disciplinary action, discretionary review/hearing or encumbrance. An unencumbered license is a license that has no provisions or conditions that limit practice in any way. This applies to all current or past RN licensure in one or more states.

What documentation is required?

Documentation includes but is not limited to: CPR verification, immunization records, health form, technical standards form, unencumbered  RN license, etc.  See RN to BSN Handbook for additional requirements for admitted students.

Will I receive credit for my diploma or associate nursing degree?

The School of Nursing awards up to 40 hours of undergraduate nursing credit for RN licensure after first 12 nursing credit hours are complete.  Students are responsible for submitting  a request to the Director of the program to obtain this credit upon completion of the 12th nursing credit hour.

What are the costs for the RN to BSN program?

Undergraduate online course fees are set by the Marshall Board of Governors. Cost subject to change each semester. Please check with the Bursars Office for up to date fees.  Students must submit a request to be a distance learning student to get this discounted rate.  All classes must be taken online.  Distance Learning Enrollment Status Form

Do I need a RN license?

Students applying for the program who are completing their associate degree/diploma upon application to the RN to BSN Program must hold an unencumbered RN license PRIOR to beginning the second semester of coursework or they will be withdrawn from the program. Students who are currently licensed as a Registered Nurse must show evidence of an Unencumbered RN license.

How many clinical hours are students required to complete in the RN to BSN program?

Students will complete various course specific project based experiences in order to meet the course objectives.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The program is designed for the working nurse to be completed in four semesters if general education requirements have been met. However, there are two plans of study available:  Option A four semesters, Option B two semesters.  Students needing general education or program specific required courses will take longer.  Students must have completed the majority of the non-nursing hours of study to begin nursing courses. Nursing classes are offered Fall, Spring, and Summer to allow students to complete the program faster.

RN to BSN Agency Practicum Request Form

RN to BSN Student Handbook

RN to BSN Plan of Study