South Carolina State University Nursing School Review
South Carolina State University (SC State, SCSU) in Orangeburg, founded in 1896, is a historically black college and has a rich history of civil rights activism. As of 1966, the university has accepted students of all races. Now, over 5000 students are enrolled in its programs, mostly at the undergraduate level, although the university does offer a few graduate programs as well.
SC State, through its College of Business and Applied Professional Sciences, offers a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with three different tracks. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Pre-licensure
A freshman at SC State University may enroll in pre-nursing classes. Pre-nursing classes include classes in the humanities and sciences. If she successfully completes these classes, maintaining a GPA of at least 2.8, she may apply for admission to the nursing program. Admission is competitive, so applicants with the highest GPA will receive preference. Once enrolled in the nursing program, she will spend the next three years completing nursing classes, clinical rotations, and additional general education classes. In total, she must earn at least 127 credits in order to graduate. After she graduates, she may seek work as a Registered Nurse (RN), as long as she passes the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN to BSN
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who is a graduate of a practical nursing diploma program may enroll in South Carolina State University’s BSN program, on a special LPN to BSN track. Like a student in the pre-licensure BSN track, a student on the LPN to BSN track must complete 127 credits in order to graduate. However, an LPN has the option of transferring in up to seventy-two credits of general education classes. Alternatively, if he wishes, he may complete these courses at South Carolina State University. South Carolina State University also offers the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which allows the LPN to test out of some of the general education courses (up to fifteen credits). Through the American College Testing – Proficiency Evaluation Program (ACT/PEP), the LPN can also earn advanced placement credits for nutrition, nursing science I, professional nursing development, fundamentals I, fundamentals II, and pharmacology (twelve credits maximum). Based on how many general education credits the LPN must earn and his performance on the ACT/PEP, the length of the LPN to BSN program can vary considerably.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN
A graduate of an associate-degree or diploma program will receive advanced standing in the BSN program. On the basis of her work experience and nursing coursework, she will receive thirty-three advanced placement credits toward the first two years of nursing coursework. In addition to these advanced placement credits, she can transfer in credits from any general education classes she has completed. To earn the BSN degree, she must complete any missing general education classes, and must take sixteen credits of upper-level nursing courses.
Contact:
South Carolina State University
300 College St. NE,
Orangeburg, SC 29117
