The undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing and Health Professions are designed to comply with the University System of Georgia core curriculum requirements. The program requirements for Undergraduate Core Curriculum Areas A through E are listed in the "Core Curriculum" chapter of this catalog. Recommendations of specific courses in the core curriculum for nursing, nutrition and respiratory therapy students are listed below as well as in each program section. Area F requirements for the major and other course requirements are found in the sections of this chapter which describe the specific major.
Area B: Institutional Options:
It is recommended that nursing majors take Phil 1010 as one of the two required courses.
Area C: Humanities and Fine Arts:
It is recommended that nursing majors take Spanish 1002 as one of the two required courses.
Area D: Science, Mathematics and Technology:
It is strongly recommended that nutrition and respiratory therapy majors take Chem 1151K and 1152K.
Area E: Social Sciences:
It is strongly recommended that nursing majors take Psyc 1101 as the social science foundations selection.
The nursing, nutrition and respiratory therapy, because of their professional nature, have more stringent admission requirements than those of Georgia State University.
Nursing
The student must meet the general admission requirements of Georgia State University and the Division of Nursing. Acceptance to the university allows the student to register for prerequisite course work leading to the professional program in nursing and does not guarantee automatic admission into the nursing program. Acceptance into the professional program requires a separate application and admissions process. Students will be admitted on a space-available basis.
Two program options are available in the undergraduate nursing program: the traditional option and ACE (Achieving the Curriculum Expeditiously). The traditional option is six semesters and does not require summer classes. The ACE option is four semesters, including summer over a 16-month period. Students in both options have identical degree requirements; however, the ACE option has more stringent application requirements.
Traditional Option Prerequisites: The following courses are prerequisites, which must be completed before entering the traditional option in the fall or spring semester.
Area A courses of the Core Curriculum:
It is recommended that Nurs 2010 be taken before beginning the nursing courses, but it is not required.
Traditional Option Requirements:
ACE Option Prerequisites: The ACE option requires the following prerequisites, in addition to those listed for the traditional option, be completed before entering the first semester of the ACE option.
ACE Option Requirements:
Admission selection for both options is based on GPA, number of and grades earned in required science courses taken, score on the nursing entrance exam, letters of reference, and a social/health issue paper. If the applicant's native language is not English, regardless of language of instruction, he or she may be required to submit acceptable results on the Georgia State Test of English Proficiency (GSTEP) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
It is important that students are aware of the current level of competition for admission. The program can accommodate only a limited number of students each year.
The application deadline for the fall semester is March 1. The application deadline for the spring semester is October 1. Early applications are advisable. Application requirements and information about the Test Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Test are available on the Nursing website nursing.gsu.edu/338.html. The cost of the exam is the applicant's responsibility.
Upon receipt of an acceptance letter, the student will be required to complete the Program Intake for Nursing School orientation on uLearn and attend an orientation meeting before the first semester of nursing classes begin. The student must complete required forms and health-related requirements prior to the first semester of nursing classes. The accepted student must submit to Nursing a current health record (and must keep this record current). Evidence of in-force liability insurance and current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification by the American Heart Association is required for enrollment in clinical nursing courses. Students may be required to have a criminal background check and a drug screen based on hospital policy. It will be the student's responsibility to pay for any cost associated with the criminal background check and/or drug screen.
When applying to the Georgia Board of Nursing to take NCLEX upon graduation, students will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screen according to a Georgia law that went in to effect in July 2008. Students may be required to provide documentation to the Georgia Board of Nursing explaining any such positive findings on the criminal background check. The Georgia Board of Nursing has the exclusive authority to issue a license for the Registered Professional Nurse and could decline to issue a license based on an applicant's prior criminal record. Further information regarding this requirement can be obtained from the Georgia Board of Nursing or any other state licensing board where practice is contemplated.
Nutrition
Admission to the DPD requires completion of prerequisite courses and an application to the division. Application packets are available in February of each year and must be returned to the Office of Academic Assistance for review. Applications will be reviewed throughout the year for applicants who have met prerequisite requirements. March 1 is the deadline for fall admission. Applicants who plan to complete their prerequisite requirements after March 1 should submit their applications by the March 1 deadline, but they will be reviewed once final transcripts are received. Courses in nutrition, organic chemistry, human physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry must be completed within ten years prior to beginning the DPD. A student must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and must have a letter grade of C or higher in all science and nutrition courses. Selection will be based upon academic performance, a letter of reference from a college professor, and a statement of professional goals.
Nutrition courses completed at other institutions may be considered for transfer credit if they have been completed within ten years prior to beginning the DPD.
Respiratory Therapy
Admission to the Division of Respiratory Therapy is limited. In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the university, the applicant must meet the specific admission requirements and regulations of the Division of Respiratory Therapy. Acceptance into the program is based competitively on the factors of demonstrated academic ability, consistency of performance, personal qualifications, including motivation and interpersonal abilities.
International applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of language of instruction, must submit acceptable results from the Georgia State Test of English Proficiency (GSTEP). Because of the communication demands in the profession of respiratory therapy, both with patients and staff members, and the critical nature of clinical care, adequate verbal and written comprehension of English is necessary.
Individuals who desire to pursue respiratory therapy as a profession and show academic ability may apply for admission. Enrollment in the Division of Respiratory Therapy is limited and, therefore, early application is advisable. The application deadline is May 1st proceeding the fall semester in which admission is desired. The Office of Admissions evaluates the credentials of students transferring from other colleges and universities. Acceptance into the university does not ensure admission into the respiratory therapy program.
Students taking the prerequisite courses in colleges or universities other than Georgia State University should take equivalent course work.
Students are admitted into the professional courses in the fall of the junior year. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 is required. Higher GPAs receive preference for admission.
A.S. to B.S. Bridge Program
Requirements for Admission
Program Highlights
Bridge students must complete University core education requirements (see General Education Courses), as mandated by the University System for a Bachelor's degree. Many students have coursework from other schools that can transfer to satisfy some of the required prerequisite courses.
Students must also demonstrate knowledge of the history and constitutions of the United States and Georgia by either completing an American History and an American Government course, or by taking exams to fulfill these requirements after enrollment at Georgia State. Information is available at www.gsu.edu/success/georgia_history_and_constitution_legislative_requirements.html.
Georgia State University also requires that 39 semester hours in the major area (Respiratory Therapy) be completed in residence (at Georgia State). The suggested courses are listed, which represent the most advanced coursework in the Bachelor program
Credit by Validation for 30 semester hours is given based on the RRT credential. This includes all clinical coursework in the Bachelor degree program (See AreaG: Major).
Students have the option to Test Out of a Course, if they are competent in the course area, with the exception of the final capstone course, RT 4950, Directed Study (Contact course instructor for further information).
An Integrated B.S. to M.S. degree is an option to those who have a bachelor's degree in another field and wish to enter the respiratory therapy profession. See the Graduate Catalog for details.