Academics & Admissions

Program Overview

Rutgers School of Nursing, ranked among the top nursing schools in the nation, reflects our commitment to excellence in education and research. Our 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers a seamless path to your degree, combining two years of prerequisite coursework with two years of immersive nursing education. This comprehensive program blends rigorous academics with hands-on practical experience, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the healthcare field.

  • International students are eligible for this program. Learn more.
  • Application Timeline for Summer Admission 

    • Applications Open: August 1
    • Applications Close: February 1

    Why Apply to the 2+2 Nursing Program at Blackwood? 

    • Programs begin in late May every year!
    • Graduate in just 2 years with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S. in Nursing) – the preferred degree for entry into nursing practice 
    • The only program of its kind in New Jersey, located at the Rutgers School of Nursing campus in Blackwood, NJ 
    • Premier partnership with Camden County College in Blackwood, NJ
    • Join one university—Rutgers—that offers every level of nursing education, from undergraduate to doctoral 
    • Benefit from the prestigious Rutgers name and reputation in health care and higher education 

    Admission Requirements 

    1. Ensure you meet all degree and course requirements.
    2. Submit your transfer application online.
    3. Official transcript(s) must be submitted electronically or through postal mail.
      • Submit official transcripts electronically to: transcripts@admissions.rutgers.edu
      • Or mail official transcript to:
        • University Enrollment Services Admissions Processing
          Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
          65 Davidson Road, Room 308
          Piscataway, NJ 08854-8097

    Prerequisite Courses

    The following courses and labs may be completed online and can be from multiple 2- or 4-year regionally accredited colleges.

    Sciences
    Course NameUndergraduate LevelCourse Credits
    Anatomy & Physiology I with lab100 or higher4 credits
    Anatomy & Physiology II with lab100 or higher4 credits
    Microbiology with lab100 or higher4 credits
    Chemistry I100 or higher4 credits
    Chemistry II100 or higher4 credits
    Non-Sciences
    Course NameUndergraduate LevelCourse Credits
    Ethics or Philosophy100 or higher3 credits 
    English Composition I100 or higher3 credits 
    English Composition II100 or higher3 credits 
    General Psychology*100 or higher3 credits 
    History/Political Science/
    Economics Elective
    100 or higher3 credits 
    Life Span: A Holistic Approach
    or Developmental Psychology
    The course must cover the
    entire human lifespan
    (Newborn to Elderly)
    100 or higher3 credits 
    Nutrition – a course focusing on nutrients and their functions in the human body throughout the life cycle.100 or higher3 credits 
    Statistics – a descriptive
    and inferential statistics course
    100 or higher3 credits 
     Free Elective #1100 or higher3 credits 
     Free Elective #2100 or higher3 credits 
     Free Elective #3100 or higher3 credits 
    Additional Course Requirements

    These two additional courses are required to graduate with a BS in Nursing degree from the Rutgers School of Nursing

    Course NameUndergraduate LevelCourse Credits
    Introduction to Anthropology100 or higher3 credits 
    Literature Elective
    (Please consult your
    advisor for course options)
    100 or higher3 credits 

    Prerequisite Guidelines

    • Science courses must be completed within 10 years of application. 
    • A grade of C+ or higher is required in: 
      • Life Span/Developmental Psychology
      • Nutrition
    • A grade of C or higher is required in all other prerequisites. 
    • Science grades weigh heavily in the admission decision. 
    • Applicants with multiple course failures, withdrawals, or repeats—especially in science courses—may be less competitive. 
    • All science prerequisite coursework is recommended to be completed before applying; however, applicants with Microbiology and/or Chemistry II in progress during the spring semester before enrollment will still be considered. 
    • All non-science coursework is recommended to be completed before applying; however, applicants with non-science courses in progress will still be considered. 
    • Applicants must submit proof of enrollment for any in-progress courses at the time of application. 
    • Final official transcripts must be submitted before the program starts, showing successful completion of all in-progress courses with appropriate scores. Admission offers will be rescinded if requirements are not met. 

    Preferred Coursework for Camden County College Applicants

    Students applying to the 2+2 program directly from Camden County College are recommended to have completed the following courses for select prerequisite requirements: 

    • Ethics or Philosophy Course: 
      • Course Preference: Biomedical Ethics – PHL 232 
        • A comparable ethics/philosophy course can be accepted in lieu of PHL 232. 
    • Nutrition: 
      • Course Preference: Nutrition for Health Care Professional – FNS 107
        • A 100-level nutrition course covering nutrients and life cycle health can be accepted in lieu of FNS 107.

    Any student who has not enrolled in the preferred courses above, but has completed equivalent courses, will still be reviewed for admission as long as all other requirements are met. 

    Curriculum

    Rutgers — Junior Year —  Summer Semester — 8 credits 

    Course #Course TitleCredits
    705:306 Health Assessment Across the Life Span3
    705:205 Sociocultural Dimensions of Health 3
    705:201Academic & Professional
    Development for the 2+2 Student 
    2

    Rutgers — Junior Year — Fall Semester — 12 credits 

    Course #Course TitleCredits
    705:325 Professional Nursing I3
    705:350Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics:
    An Integrated Approach I
    3
    705:335 Nursing Care of Healthy Populations6

    Rutgers — Junior Year — Spring Semester — 17 credits 

    Course #Course TitleCredits
    705:351 Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics:
    An Integrated Approach II
    3
    705:326 Professional Nursing II2
    705:340 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families6
    705:336 Nursing Care of Adults & Older Adults
    with Common Health Conditions
    6

    Rutgers — Senior Year — Fall Semester — 15 credits 

    Course #Course TitleCredits
    705:412 Nursing Care of Infants, Children,
    & Adolescents
    6
    705:428 Nursing Care of Adults & Older Adults with
    Complex Health Conditions
    6
    705:427 Professional Nursing III3

    Rutgers — Senior Year — Spring Semester — 16 credits 

    Course #Course TitleCredits
    705:414Nursing Care of Individuals/Populations
    with Acute & Chronic Mental
    Health Conditions
    6
    705:418Population Health3
    705:455Transition to Professional Practice4

    After Admission

    Admitted students will need to:

    • Obtain a physical examination. 
    • Submit proof of having received all required immunizations, including COVID. 
    • Complete a criminal background check. 
    • Take the Anatomy/Physiology and Math portions of the HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2), a diagnostic tool to determine student learning needs for success in a nursing program. 

    How to Apply

    To apply, you must:
    • Have an Associate of Science degree or at least 60 transferable college credits from a regionally accredited institution.
    • Recommended minimum GPA: 3.30 or higher.
    • Completed prerequisite requirements (see below)
    • Hold current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers from the American Heart Association.
    • Admission is competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

    If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact  sonblackwoodadmissions@sn.rutgers.edu 

    Tuition and Fees

    Learn more about the university’s tuition and fee rates.


    “We’re all in this together—and I’m proud to be a Rutgers nursing student!” 

    My dream is to become a pediatric nurse and, one day, travel the world to care for children in underserved communities. Rutgers School of Nursing at the Blackwood campus truly feels like a close-knit family. Whenever I’ve felt unsure or overwhelmed, I’ve never had to face it alone. The supportive staff and academic services are always ready to help and guide us, making sure we have what we need to succeed.
    What I love most is how connected we are—not just through our classes, but also through community and campus events that bring us together and help us grow. Nursing school isn’t easy, but here at Rutgers, we’re surrounded by encouragement and support. Keep believing in yourself, and keep going. You’ve got this!

    Somechi A.

    “At Blackwood, I felt seen, supported, and empowered.” 

    As a proud Colombian, English is my second language—but that’s never stopped me from chasing my dreams. I’m a mother of two and a small business owner, so I needed a nursing program that supported all parts of my life. Rutgers Nursing at the Blackwood campus gave me exactly that.  
    Blackwood is more than a campus—it’s a place where you’re valued, uplifted, and inspired to grow. I’m proud to represent resilience, compassion, and the strength of our community as a future Rutgers nurse.

    -Elvia V.

    “I didn’t just become a nurse—I found a second family.” 

    As a parent myself, it meant so much to walk alongside classmates who understood my struggles and offered encouragement during the hardest moments. This program didn’t just teach me how to become a nurse—it gave me a second family and showed me that with support, determination, and community, anything is possible.

    -Luis M.

    Licensure & Clinical Compliance for Nursing Programs

    At Rutgers School of Nursing, we are dedicated to preparing ethical and skilled nursing professionals. To be licensed in most states, a criminal history background check is a prerequisite for licensure as a registered professional nurse (RN) per the state’s Board of Nursing. Since eligibility criteria may vary, applicants should check with the Board of Nursing of the state in which they plan to apply for licensure to determine the eligibility criteria. 
    All nursing students in clinical courses are required to complete a criminal history background check.  Depending on your program,  clinical sites may require additional screening, such as drug testing and/or fingerprinting to ensure compliance with their policies and standards.  Please review  Clinical Clearance Requirements for individual Rutger’s nursing programs.   These practices reflect the nursing profession’s commitment to trust, accountability, and community safety. If you have questions or need support, our team is here to help guide you on your journey