To be eligible for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, students must successfully complete the Capstone College of Nursing program of studies and meet the following criteria:
- Earn a grade of "C-" or higher in all courses identified in the planned program of studies
- Complete at least 32 semester hours of coursework at The University of Alabama
- Meet University Core Curriculum requirements
- Have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 at the time of graduation in all courses in the planned program of studies.
- Minimum of 127 earned hours.
In order to progress to upper division, students must successfully complete all lower division coursework, and have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 point scale in all courses required in the first three semesters of the designated curriculum. Spaces in upper division are limited and competition is competitive. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee promotion to the Upper Division of the nursing curriculum. Specific information on promotion to upper division can be found under the section on Admission to the College.
Nursing courses in upper division make up the professional component of the curriculum. Courses focus on providing students with essential knowledge and skills to provide care to persons in a variety of health care settings. Nursing courses are designed to build on preceding semesters; foster the development of critical thinking and progressively independent decision making; and provide collaborative opportunities for students with other health care providers. Therefore, students must successfully complete all clinical and non-clinical courses in a semester before progressing to the next semester coursework. Other nursing courses in upper division may be offered in summer school to allow students flexibility within the curriculum. In addition, a variety of nursing elective courses, including opportunities for independent study, are offered at different times throughout the curriculum. Students are encouraged to talk with an academic adviser during pre-registration each semester to ensure that individual needs and career goals are met.
Students need to keep in mind that deviation from the scheduled program of studies may lengthen time spent in the curriculum. Upon progression to upper division, permission to depart from the clinical sequence must be obtained from the Director of the Undergraduate Programs. Because of the limitations in clinical course spaces, departure from the sequence for any reason may significantly lengthen the time for program completion.