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Early Acceptance Program

Our program offers two distinct pathways for early admission into the upper-division professional component, encompassing the junior and senior years of the curriculum. Admission to this advanced level is competitive and highly selective. The first pathway is tailored for high school seniors, while the second is open to students who have successfully completed their freshman year at USA.

For High School Seniors

The College of Nursing offers an Early Acceptance Program designed for exceptional high school seniors who exhibit strong leadership skills and a passion for nursing. This program guarantees participants admission to the upper-division professional component of the nursing curriculum, provided they meet specific requirements. Eligible students must also submit an application for the Professional Component by the deadline listed on the Traditional BSN webpage corresponding to their desired start semester.

Academic Requirements

High School Criteria

To be considered for the Early Acceptance Program, students must:

  1. Achieve a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, as calculated by the USA Office of Admissions.
  2. Submit an ACT composite score of at least 25 (or 1200 SAT). Note: This requirement was temporarily suspended in 2021. For details, refer to the undergraduate admissions test-optional policy under “Transcripts and Scores.”
  3. Apply for general admission to the University of South Alabama (USA).
  4. Submit an application for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN program.

Post-Admission to USA – Student Obligations

Once accepted to USA, Early Acceptance Program students must:

  1. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 on all coursework, as calculated by the USA Office of Admissions, prior to entering the Professional Component.
  2. Complete all pre-professional nursing courses at USA, whenever possible, to ensure a smooth transition.
  3. Earn a grade of C or higher in all coursework.
  4. Remain continuously enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester (summer semesters have no minimum credit hour requirement).
  5. Obtain approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Nursing.

This program is an excellent opportunity for highly motivated students to secure their path toward a career in nursing while benefiting from a structured and supportive academic environment.

Students who have completed their freshman year of pre-nursing prerequisite courses at the University of South Alabama (USA) and achieved a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 (as calculated by the USA Registrar’s Office) are eligible for a second opportunity to participate in the CONEAP program. To qualify for early acceptance, students must also submit an [application for admission](https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/resources/bsn_professional_component_admissions_application.pdf) to the Professional Component by the deadline listed on the Traditional BSN webpage for the semester they plan to begin the program.

Academic Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 on all coursework completed at USA, as verified by the USA Office of Admissions.
  2. Successfully complete their freshman year of college.
  3. Finish the following prerequisite courses with required labs: BLY 101, MA 110 or MA 112, and CH 101.
  4. Sustain a 3.2 GPA across all coursework.
  5. Earn a grade of C or higher in all completed courses.
  6. Submit an application for admission to the Professional Component of the BSN program.
  7. Receive approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Nursing.

This streamlined process ensures that students meeting the criteria are well-prepared to advance into the Professional Component of the BSN program, setting them on a path toward academic and professional success.

Students admitted to the BSN program within the College of Nursing must fulfill all obligations outlined in the Medical Documents Manager. These requirements must be completed at least one month before the start of classes for the professional component. Additionally, students are not required to create a Castle Branch account until they have officially been accepted into the professional component of the program.