Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Direct Admission
Direct Admission Program Flyer
Admission to the clinical portion of our BSN program is competitive — most students apply during their freshman year and compete for a limited number of seats. If you qualify for a Tennessee Tech Presidential Scholarship, you skip that step entirely: your seat in the nursing program is guaranteed before you start your first class.
How to Qualify
- A composite ACT score of at least 23
- A high school GPA of at least 3.40 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrollment as a new freshman - not available to transfer students
What Direct Admission Means
Your seat in the clinical nursing program is reserved. You will not complete the competitive clinical application, and you will not wait until the end of your freshman year to find out where you stand.
You will still do everything else every nursing student does: complete your prerequisite and general education coursework at the required grade level, keep your GPA in good standing, and complete the health records, immunizations, background check, and drug screening required before clinical courses begin. Your advisor will map all of it with you from your first semester.
Not Eligible for Direct Admission?
You can still become a nurse here, and most of our students do it this way. You would enroll as an Interest Nursing student, complete your prerequisite coursework, and apply to the clinical program — applications open twice a year, for a Fall or a Spring start. See the traditional BSN program for how the four years work, and How to Apply for requirements and dates.
If you are early in high school and want to aim for direct admission, the two numbers to work toward are a 3.40 GPA and a 23 ACT. Talk to us any time — we would rather help you plan for it now than have you find out in your senior year.
About the College of Nursing
The Whitson-Hester School of Nursing has an environment that builds on our tradition
of commitment to the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, service
and nursing practice. We are dedicated to advancing the nursing profession and meeting
the diverse healthcare needs of our society. Our passionate community of educators,
scholars and graduates work together to create an enriching environment that upholds
a tradition of excellence.