Join the Bachelor of Science Nursing program on the Portland campus: R.N. to B.S. Entry
Each applicant brings a unique educational background and determining your best entry option may be difficult. Our admissions advisors are available to help you determine the best entry option for you. Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.
Visit Portland
The Portland campus is offering a limited number of visit days.
Campus: Portland (10345 S.E. Market Street, Portland, OR 97216) | (509) 527-2330
GPA: 3.25 or higher (cumulative, college-level, non-vocational)
Credits: 136+ transferable credits required by program start date
Application deadline: August 30, 2025. (Fall term begins late September)
Acceptance of R.N.s into the Walla Walla University Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing is based on available space in the fall quarter senior class each year.
Entry requirements
- A current unencumbered Oregon R.N. license.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above. This includes college level class work only, from all regionally accredited colleges attended. Grades from vocational schools are not included in this calculation.
- Successful completion of a standardized examination to validate nursing knowledge to receive advanced standing as a senior level nursing student (fee applies). Based on successful completion of this exam, R.N.s with a current license are granted 16 lower division nursing credits and 32 upper division nursing credits and are exempt from taking NRSG 201, 202, 203, 204, 321, 331, 344, and 354.
- Validation exam only needed if student has been licensed for longer than 5 years.
- Completion of (by program start date) 136+ transferable credits of required prerequisites, cognates, general studies, and electives that apply to the nursing major. See the transfer guide for appropriate courses from various local colleges.
Prerequisites
- Anatomy & Physiology: a full sequence of 10-12 credits with labs
- Microbiology: 4-5 credits with lab
- Chemistry: 5-8 credits with lab(s) (must be inorganic, organic & biochemistry concepts)
- Nutrition: 3-4 credits
- General Psychology: 3-4 credits
- Human Growth & Development (through the lifespan)
- Statistics: must be descriptive & inferential. An additional math class is not required for the nursing major. Some community college statistics courses require a pre-requisite math class of 100-level or above. Statistics courses with prefixes other than MATH or STATS may not be adequate.
- Writing/English Composition: 8-9 credits of College Writing/English Composition including adequate content in research writing.
- Speech (Public Speaking or Small Group Communication)
- PE: 1 credit - activity courses only
- History: One course in U.S. History, World History, or Western Civilization. One additional course in history or philosophy required for graduation (approx. 8 credits).
- Humanities: One course in introductory art/literature/music/philosophy, critical reasoning, world music, drama/theater, creative/poetry writing. One additional course required for graduation (approximately 8 credits).
- Highly recommended elective: (see WWU nursing transfer guide for courses)
- Privilege & Oppression (or Social Inequities/Social Problems)
Note:
- Credits in Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology more than 5 years old are not accepted unless applicant has recent work experience as an R.N.
- No grade lower than a C is accepted in all nursing prerequisites and cognate courses.
- All transfer courses must be from a regionally accredited (NWCCU) university or community college.
- All transfer courses must be a 100 level or above.
- Advance Placement (AP) credit must be documented.
- Prerequisite requirements are NOT the same as graduation requirements.
Steps to applying
1. Email a nursing advisor.
The advisor for R.N. to B.S. entry is at this email address, portland.advising@dbctl.com.
2. Apply to WWU.
Once you apply, you will have access to your Enrollment portal.
3. Request transcripts.
Request the issuing institution(s) to send all official college, vocational school, and College Board (for any Advanced Placement credits) transcripts to Walla Walla University, either electronically (via the issuing institution's electronic service) to transcripts@dbctl.com or by mail to the following address:
Admissions
Walla Walla University
204 S. College Ave
College Place, WA 99324
From the enrollment portal, you can see when these documents are received.
4. Submit a copy of your current R.N. license.
Email your current R.N. license of any state, to portland.advising@dbctl.com.
5. Complete the nursing essay.
Click on the link in the Enrollment portal to access the online form.
A complete application includes all items above, not just the application form. To apply for financial aid, Walla Walla University's FAFSA code is #003799.
