Associate of Science in Nursing: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.

No, as an LPN you can apply to the nursing mobility (LPN-RN) program.

Yes, you are required to submit official transcripts from EVERY school you are currently attending or have ever attended in the past, whether you think the credits will transfer or not. This includes any college, university, technical school, PSEO, military education, trade school, etc. Failure to list every school you are currently attending or have attended on your application and failure to submit every official transcript will result in an incomplete application and revocation of offer of admission and state grant funds.

No, if you have your bachelor’s degree you do not need to submit your high school transcript or GED. You do need to submit official transcripts from every college you have attended. See the question above for more information on official transcripts.

Yes.

Students who apply to St. Catherine University are required to submit official transcripts or other documentation for their complete academic history from secondary school onward. Your specific requirements will depend on where you attended school outside of the United States. Some students may be required to complete the GED. Because it may be a lengthy process to get your documents sent to us, please start this process as soon as possible. All documents must be original or certified photocopies. Original documents will be returned.

Any document in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation. Applicants are not allowed to translate their own documents. A certified, professional translator must complete the translations.

If you have college coursework from outside of the United States you will be required to have an official evaluation completed by the World Education Service. If you have participated in a formal study abroad program, please contact us regarding your study abroad transcript.

If you are a student who has coursework from outside of the United States, please contact the Office of Admission as soon as possible to begin the process to submit all required documentation. We suggest starting this process well in advance of the application dates for your program. Students with education from outside the United States must meet the same deadlines as all students.

If you were enrolled as a student on the Minneapolis campus within the past 5 years, please contact the Office of Admission at (651) 690-7800 regarding the reenrollment process.

If you are planning to apply to the Associate of Science in Nursing program, you are still required to attend the nursing information session.

If you have attended any other colleges since leaving St. Catherine University you will need to submit official transcripts from each college.

If you are planning to apply to the Associate of Science in Nursing program, you are still required to attend the nursing information session.

Please contact the Office of Admission at (651) 690-7800 regarding the reenrollment process.

You must complete the regular admissions process like all other new incoming students, including attending a nursing information session.

If you have attended the St. Paul campus within the past 5 years, the Office of the Registrar will have your official transcripts. Copies may be sent to the Minneapolis campus. You are responsible for ensuring that all updated official transcripts are submitted to our office.

If you attended the St. Paul campus over 5 years ago, you will need to resubmit official transcripts to our office to complete the application process.

Yes, both day and evening options are offered.

The day program offers classes Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. The evening program offers classes after 6 p.m. and every other weekend. Weekend classes are typically held during morning/afternoon hours.

No. Once you are accepted as pre-nursing student and you have completed program prerequisites, you may apply for either the day (fall program start) or evening (winter program start) nursing program.

To be admitted into the nursing major, students must demonstrate basic competencies required for success in a demanding clinical program. These competencies include the ability to communicate effectively in speech, reading and writing; measure and calculate accurately; use critical analysis and problem-solving skills; and synthesize and apply information.

To be considered, students must have completed requirements listed below at the time of application to the major. Completion of these requirements does not guarantee admission into the major.

If transferring coursework from another institutuion, it must be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

• Acceptance into the university as an associate "Pre-Nursing" student
• In good academic standing (defined as cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above)
• Completion of all Foundation coursework (per placement from post-admission COMPASS test) with a C or better
• Completion of Chemistry (two semesters of high school chemistry, or one semester of college-level) with a grade of C or better within the past 7 years
• Completion of General Anatomy & Physiology with a grade of C or better within the past 7 years
• Completion of Medical Terminology with a grade of C or better within the past 7 years
• Active on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry at time of application to major
• Advanced Anatomy & Physiology may be in the process of being completed at time of application to major but must be completed with a C or better before proceeding to the nursing program
• Composition I may be in the process of being completed at time of application to major but must be completed with a C or better before proceeding to the nursing program

There is no quick way to get accepted to either! You should choose the option that best fits your schedule for the next 2-3 years. Please consider your work schedule, children’s schedule, daycare options, extra-curricular activities, etc. when making this decision.

We accept 90 students for the day program and 60 students for the evening program.

Yes. Our program is designed for students who attend on a part-time rather than a full-time basis. Students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits each semester.

If you are enrolled at the time of application, you are required to submit an official transcript. You are also required to submit updated official transcripts each semester, regardless of completion of course or grade. If you submit a transcript that shows you are in the process of completing a course, we must receive an official transcript showing the outcome of that semester.

An official transcript evaluation will be completed by the registrar’s office once you are accepted into the program.

During the nursing information session, the admission counselor will explain the criteria to determine whether your courses will transfer. Certain courses that are required for the Associate Nursing program have a seven-year time limit. Please note that our requirements differ from other nursing programs and that each college is able to determine their individual transfer policies.

Transfer guides for area community colleges are available here.

The time to complete prerequisites and be accepted to the program will vary depending on each students academic record, availability for day or evening classes, and the number of eligible students completing the application to major. Students may not be accepted to the program the first time they apply. If accepted to the program, the nursing sequence takes two years to complete.

No, the nursing courses follow a specific two-year sequence and must be completed in this sequence.

No. The program follows a specific sequence of courses.

No, nursing courses from other colleges will not count as any nursing courses toward the associate nursing program.

All associate of science degree programs consist of roughly 30+ nursing credits and 30+ liberal arts and sciences credits. The nursing courses follow a two-year sequence. Most programs require students to have most of the liberal arts and sciences completed prior to beginning the two-year nursing sequence.

No, but if you have not completed a requirement prior to beginning your nursing courses, you may have to complete this requirement in the summer to be able to begin the nursing courses.

Although there are certain courses that must be completed to be able to progress into the nursing courses, it is not a requirement that all liberal arts and science courses be completed prior to beginning the nursing sequence. We do stress to students, however, that they should try to complete as many liberal arts and science courses as possible to ease their course load once in the nursing courses.

No courses are offered exclusively in an online format, but a few courses have an online component.

No math course taken at another college will transfer as the math requirement for the associate nursing program. You can either take the math placement test to attempt to test out of the math requirement or take the math course.

You must submit documentation at the time of application to program showing you are in active and good standing on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry. If you are set to expire on the MNNA Registry prior to that time, you will need to follow the necessary steps to remain active. Contact the MNNA Registry at (651) 215-8705 for any questions.

If you are not a C.N.A. you must take a C.N.A. training course. Once you complete the course, you will take the state exam. Once you pass the state exam you will automatically be active on the registry for 24 months. If you have never worked as a C.N.A. it is highly recommended that you work as a C.N.A. to gain the experience and ensure that nursing is the right career for you.

You may request an information packet by completing the Online Request Form.

You must complete the CPR requirement before Nursing 2100.

The tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year for associate courses is $510 per credit.