Calculation of Nursing Curriculum Support Course (NCSC) GPA

A minimum 2.5 NCSC GPA is required to enter the applicant pool for the nursing program.

The following guidelines are used to calculate NCSC GPA:

  1. The highest grade in option courses will be recorded on the application worksheet. (Example: If the applicant has a C in Marriage and the Family and a B in Social Gerontology, the B will be recorded for the sociology requirement.)
  2. Applicants who receive a course waiver will record an A on the application worksheet. (Example: The applicant who does not have to take Composition I due to a high ACT or SAT score will record an A for Composition I.)
  3. Transfer courses that are in compliance with SAU’s Articulation Agreement will be calculated into the NCSC GPA. (Example: The applicant who has had a chemistry course and it is determined by course title and the articulation agreement that the course is equivalent to General Chemistry I.) Courses not identified as transferable by the course title and SAU’s Articulation Agreement will not be included in the NCSC GPA and will require completion of a substitution form by the student’s nursing faculty advisor during the first semester of nursing course work.
  4. D and F grades in NCSCs are recorded and calculated.
  5. The most recent grade in repeated courses will be used for calculation of NCSC GPA.
  6. The Department follows SAU policies regarding academic clemency.

Admission Information

LPN to RN Entry Options

The Department offers two options for students who are currently licensed as LPNs or LPTNs.

Option 1: Traditional (4 semester) Program
Entry into the program is in the first semester (Fall or Spring semester). Students interested in this option should review Traditional RN Program Admission Information.

Option 2: Transition
Entry into the program is in the semester prior to the third semester. Students enter in August and complete the program in three semesters (summer semester not offered). Applications for this option are accepted between January 15 and February 28 (Fall semester nursing class).

To be considered for admission to Nursing 1417 (LPN to RN Transition) the student must:

  1. Complete HESI Admission Assessment Exam.
  2. Be a graduate of a State Board of Nursing approved LPN or LPTN program.
  3. Meet work experience requirement:
    1. less than 12 months after LPN/LPTN graduation: no Skills Competency testing required for admission to transition option.
    2. greater than 12 months after LPN/LPTN graduation: no Skills Competency testing required if during past 12 to 24 months have had at least 1000 hours of nursing employment. Employment verification letter must be provided with application.
  4. Have a current, unencumbered LPN or LPTN license in the state of nursing practice.
  5. Be admitted to SAU with regular or conditional admission status and maintain a 2.0 at SAU. Transfer students currently enrolled in other universities at the time of application will be considered for admission into the nursing program if the following documents are on file in the SAU Office of Admissions by February 28: completed SAU application form; valid ACT or SAT scores, completed high school transcript or GED scores, and college transcripts through the previous semester; and required immunization records. International students must contact the International Student Services office. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to the Department of Nursing.
  6. Recognize that priority ranking will be given to those who have successfully completed MATH 1023 (College Algebra) or its equivalent. All developmental courses must be completed.
  7. Recognize that priority ranking will be given to those who have successfully completed CHEM 1013/1011 (General Chemistry I/Lab) or its equivalent. A 3-hour Chemistry course or a Chemistry course without a lab does not meet the Chemistry requirement.
  8. Have a minimum 2.5 GPA in Nursing Curriculum Support Courses (NCSC). GPA for admission to the department will be calculated based on NCSCs completed at the time of application. NCSCs are not prerequisites. It is not necessary to complete all courses in order to apply to the program; however, all science courses must be completed before entering NURS 2018 Medical/Surgical Nursing I.
  9. Submit a completed Department of Nursing Application Form between January 15 and February 28 for Fall semester nursing class. Application forms may be obtained from the Nursing Department or from our web site www.saumag.edu/nursing/  Enclose a copy of all unofficial college transcripts
  10. Mail application and unofficial transcripts to SAU, Department of Nursing, Admissions Committee, APPLICATION, P.O. Box 9406, Magnolia, AR 71754.