BS to PhD

The Rutgers College of Nursing is pleased to announce the BS to PhD Program, designed to provide early admission to the graduate program (master’s and doctoral levels) for exceptional students. We are committed to educating future nursing leaders and seek young, energetic people for this program. There are five routes to early admission.

1. Early Admission from High School Prospective high school students who wish to enter the baccalaureate nursing program at Rutgers and to continue in graduate studies should meet the following admission criteria:

• Upper 15% of high school graduating class and/or 3.5 GPA or higher,
• Completion of admission form to the baccalaureate program,
• Successful completion of an interview with Rutgers College of Nursing faculty, and
• Admission as a baccalaureate student in nursing at Rutgers.

2. Early Admission in Junior or Senior Year of BS Program at Rutgers

• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater after completion of at least five semesters (1st semester junior year) in BS program, and
• Successful completion of an interview with Rutgers College of Nursing faculty.
• Note: Completion of admission forms to the graduate school will take place during the second semester of the senior year.

3. Early Admission with Entry as RN/BS Student at Rutgers

• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater at graduation from associate degree or diploma program in Nursing,
• Completion of admission form to the baccalaureate program, and
• Successful completion of an interview with Rutgers College of Nursing faculty.

4. Early Admission with Entry as Second Degree Student at Rutgers

• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater at graduation from first degree,
• Completion of prerequisities to baccalaureate program,
• Completion of admission form to the baccalaureate program, and
• Successful completion of an interview with a member of Rutgers College of Nursing faculty.

5. Early Admission in Junior or Senior Year of BS Program at Another Nursing Program

• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater after completion of at least five semesters (1st semester junior year) in BS program at another nursing program, and
• Successful completion of an interview with a member of Rutgers College of Nursing faculty.
• Note: Completion of admission forms to the Graduate School will take place during the second semester of the senior year.

Students not completing the baccalaureate program at Rutgers with the graduate courses listed for this program will develop a master’s program that will incorporate the core master’s courses. Therefore, the master’s portion of the program will be longer than one calendar year.

The student is expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 throughout the program. The student is also expected to take and successfully complete the NCLEX-RN by October 31 following graduation from the baccalaureate program in May. The student is also expected to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) by the end of the first year of the master’s program. The suggested curriculum is approximately 8-9 years in length if full-time.

Honors College and/or Honors Program Participation Students accepted into the BS to PhD Program during their undergraduate years may also join the Rutgers Honors College and/or the College of Nursing Honors Program. Students taking honors courses can participate in research that could culminate in the doctoral program's dissertation.