Second Degree

Thank you for your interest in the School of Nursing and the 2nd degree BS in Nursing. We are very pleased to have been approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing to offer this exciting opportunity to new BS graduates as well as those adults who are making a career change. As the name indicates, this new program is intended for those individuals who already hold a bachelor degree in another field.

This is a full-time, intensive program consisting of four consecutive semesters beginning in the fall (fall, spring, summer, fall). Cohorts will be small; only 20 students will be admitted each fall semester. Both nursing courses and clinical experience will be through the Altoona Campus, which is about 45 minutes southwest from University Park. All general education requirements as well as all non-nursing major courses must be completed prior to admission. GPA of previous course work must be at least 2.5. Admissions will be competitive and the academically strongest students will be selected for the twenty available seats.

NON-NURSING MAJOR COURSES:

  • anatomy
  • physiology
  • microbiology
  • chemistry
  • statistics
  • nutrition
  • psychology
  • sociology
  • human development or developmental psychology

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Individuals who are Penn State current or former students will submit a re-enrollment request form, found at the Registrar's website www.registrar.psu.edu/re_enrollment/re_enrollment.cfm The form along with the $20 fee will be sent by the applicant to the Penn State Altoona Registrar, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601

Individuals who are new to the Penn State system will complete a paper application and be considered transfer students. All transcripts of both college work and high school must be sent to the Admissions Office, University Park, PA 16802.

Both re-enrollments and transfer applications will be reviewed by the 2nd degree admission committee.

The Fall 2009 class is full; applications and re-enrollments for the Fall 2010 cohort will begin August 1, 2009.

Good luck in your endeavors as you pursue this worthwhile goal!