Nursing Direct Admission for First Year Students

The School of Nursing offers direct admission to the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

The PLU Nursing program does not require a separate application to be considered. Your application to PLU is also your application for direct admission to Nursing. When you apply to PLU (it’s free to apply), list Nursing as your intended major.

To be considered for direct admission, you must have:

  • A 3.4 or higher weighted cumulative GPA
  • Three or more college-preparatory math and science courses (e.g. Algebra 2 and higher, chemistry, physics, earth science, biology) with a B- or better grade

First year students who are directly admitted to Nursing and meet the following academic requirements will be guaranteed a spot in the Nursing program their junior year:

  • Students are required to complete ALL pre-nursing coursework during their first two years at PLU
  • Students are required to earn a ‘B’ grade or higher in ALL PLU coursework

Note: If you are a Running Start or transfer student, please review the Running Start & Transfer Students section

Application Dates & Decisions

The deadline to be considered for Nursing Direct Admission is December 1, 2025 (Early Action II).

Nursing Direct Admission decisions will be made along with your university admission decision (and posted to your PLU student applicant portal). If you are selected for direct admission, you will be notified of your nursing program start term (fall or spring semester of your junior year) by February 1, 2026.

Those not offered direct admission may still complete the pre-nursing coursework during their first two years at PLU, and apply to the School of Nursing during their sophomore year.

Running Start & Transfer Students

Running Start:

  • If you will earn your Pre-Nursing Associate’s Degree (AA-DTA) and have all PLU nursing prerequisites complete by the end of summer 2026, you can apply to the School of Nursing during your first year as a current PLU student.
  • If you will NOT complete nursing prerequisites by the time you start at PLU, apply for direct admission to Nursing instead.

Transfer:

  • PLU’s Nursing Direct Admission Application is ONLY for first year students (high school seniors).
  • If you are a transfer student, learn more about applying to our nursing programs on the transfer application webpage.