Nursing, A.S.

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The Associate in Science in Nursing Program is offered at two sites - at the Main Campus in Columbia, Missouri and at the Lake Ozark Campus. The program is open to individuals who have no prior nursing education and to individuals who hold a Licensed Practical Nursing license.

The program is designed to prepare the graduate for a nurse generalist role. Graduates are awarded an Associate in Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to apply for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).¹

The curriculum consists of general education, mathematics and science courses and specific nursing courses. Students are required to complete all of the general education, mathematics and science courses before entering the Nursing Course Sequence.

Columbia College systematically reviews the curriculum to ensure that students are prepared for a position in the nursing field. As a result, the prerequisite requirements noted in the Undergraduate Catalog are periodically updated to reflect coursework that best supports degree completion. Although not required, students are highly encouraged to transfer to the most recent catalog year in order to complete the prerequisite courses that have been identified as best aiding in the successfully completion of the Nursing Course Sequence.

Admission to the nursing program is on a selective basis. Cohort sizes and selection deadlines vary by location:

Lake of the Ozarks campus selection will be made each December.
Columbia campus selection will be made each July and December.

The application deadline is in July for students who plan to start the Nursing Course Sequence in the late fall session. The application deadline is in December for students who plan to start the Nursing Course Sequence in late spring session. LPN students begin the Nursing Course Sequence based on the fundamental standard exam. Class cohorts consist of non-LPNs and LPNs.

All candidates for the nursing program are expected to meet general admission requirements to the College. Acceptance to Columbia College does not guarantee acceptance to the Nursing Course Sequence.

Selection criteria for the Nursing Course Sequence:

Minimum of an overall GPA of 2.75 for the general education, mathematics, science courses listed below, and be in good academic standing within Columbia College. A minimum grade of “C” is required for all prerequisite courses.
Completion of the general education, mathematics and science courses. Students may have ENGL 133W and one science prerequisite class outstanding if they are enrolled in those courses in the 8-week session between the time of submission of the application and the start of the Nursing Program Sequence. Note that concepts and ideas from ENGL 133W are on the HESI A2 test, therefore it is recommended the course be completed prior to taking the test.
Minimum score of 70% on the HESI A2 pre-nursing test. The test can only be taken two times.
Completion of the Nursing prerequisite courses, NURS 311 Pathophysiology.

Additional requirements for those selected for the Nursing Program:

Urine drug test
Physical forms, including documentation of immunizations/titers
Current CPR certification by the American Heart Association, Health Care Providers course
Criminal background check

General Education Requirements (41 sem. hrs)

Courses in the major cannot be taken as pass/fail. A grade of C or higher is required in all science courses.

Nursing Sequence Courses (36 sem. hrs)

All must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Total Semester Hours: 77

¹ Successful completion of the program does not guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination. According to the Nursing Practice Act, licensure may be withheld or revoked. More information is available on the Nursing Program Website and in the Nursing Program Information document.

² Functional abilities to meet the role of the nurse include: behavioral/ emotional abilities, cognitive abilities, communication abilities, professional conduct, psychomotor skills, and sensory/perceptual abilities. These Functional Abilities are described in the Nursing Student Handbook

³ Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are not required to take NURS 210 - Fundamentals of Nursing 6 hours if they are able to pass the Fundamentals Placement Exam with a minimum satisfactory/ acceptable performance, as determined by test psychometrics, and successfully complete a clinical skills assessment conducted by nurse faculty. The Fundamentals Exam and clinical skills assessment are arranged through the Nursing Department Office. The exam costs $50.