RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
The RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at Chatham University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202)887-6791.

Chatham’s online RN to BSN degree is based on a strong liberal arts and science foundation preparing nursing students with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to perform creatively, ethically, and effectively. This nursing program is focused on developing leadership and management skills and increasing the career mobility of the registered nurse. It also provides students a gateway for furthering their educations.
BSN Program Structure (120 Credits)
The RN to BSN program is taught in an online distance learning format. To successfully complete the BSN program, students are required to complete 120 credit hours in college level courses. Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 or better to be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
We are pleased to announce BSN program curricular enhancements which will take effect in the Spring 2013 session. (NOTE: The total credit hours will remain the same.) The programs introductory course (NUR 402 – Health Policy and Ethics in Nursing) is being restructured to include an introduction of basic research skills. Students will be taught how to develop and apply skills in searching, locating, evaluating, and synthesizing information from a variety of sources. This enhancement will allow students to find success in identifying a balance between research and the information that can be gained through the clinical experience.
Note: the changes listed above and the credit structure listed below pertains to students who enter the RN-BSN program on or after Spring 2013. Those students currently enrolled will follow the previous credit structure. Students entering the RN-BSN program prior to Spring 2013 are not required to take the enhanced "basic research skills" and will receive 5 credits for NUR 499.
Clinical Requirements
To enable nursing students to complete the necessary clinical experiences, Chatham requires students to complete a self-directed clinical placement process. Detailed steps in this process can be found here: RN to BSN Clinicals.
Liberal Arts Electives
Nursing students will need to complete a group of college-level general education courses prior to the core courses. A growing selection of liberal arts online courses will be available each term to satisfy this requirement.
Admissions Requirements
Applicant must:
- Provide RN license number and a copy of current license
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Complete online application without fee at apply.chatham.edu/ccps
Admissions Materials may be submitted to:
Chatham University
Berry Hall/CCPS Admission
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Fax: (412) 365-1609
Email: dvey@chatham.edu
Additional Information
Transfer Credits
Students may transfer up to 75 credit hours of college level courses into the program. All requests for transfer credit must be made prior to enrollment. A minimum of 45 credits, including the 26 credits of core requirements, must be completed at Chatham University.
Accelerated BSN Completion Option
Graduates of UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing, and Conemaugh School of Nursing qualify for an accelerated completion option.
Scholarship Information
A limited number of nursing scholarships may be available. A FAFSA form must be completed and on file to be considered for the scholarship. To fill out the FAFSA, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov (school code: 003244).
RN to BS Nursing
Core Courses
Total 26 Credits
LIBERAL ARTS COURSES |
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|---|---|---|
| ART271 | Asian Art |
3 Credits |
This course surveys the art of India, China, Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan from the earliest civilizations to the modern period. Since much Asian artistic production was inspired by religious belief, students also will be introduced to the major currents of Asian religion and philosophy, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shintoism. |
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| COR304 | Diversity and Identity in a Global Context |
3 Credits |
This course provides students with an understanding of issues pertaining to global diversity. Students will develop an understanding of how socially constructed categories such as race, sexuality, and nationality emerge, evolve, inform, and affect the individual. This course prepares students for responsible citizenship in a global community. |
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| MTH110 | Elementary Statistics |
3 Credits |
Topics include statistical measures and distributions, decision making under uncertainty, application of probability to statistical inference, linear correlation, introduction to nonparametric statistical methods, and application to problems drawn from the natural and social sciences. Three hours of class per week. Three hours of class per week. |
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| PHI121 | Introduction to Logic |
3 Credits |
An introduction to critical thinking, induction, deduction, and contemporary symbolic logic including argument symbolization, proof construction, and truth tables. |
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| SWK164 | Diversity in Health and Illness |
3 Credits |
This course will examine the impact of culture on health care services and delivery in the United States. The influence of cultural difference on patient/provider interactions will be considered within the cultural competency model. The context of health and illness for groups including African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Latin-Americans will be included. |
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Typical Program Schedule
NOTE: THE SCHEDULE LISTED BELOW BEGINS FALL 2012
Students can enroll in a full time or part time track.
Part Time RN-BSN Course Track |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester |
2nd Semester | 3rd Semester | 4th Semester | |
| Session 1 | NUR402 IND175 (1 credit) |
NUR403 | NUR408* | NUR406 |
| Session 3 | NUR404* | NUR405 | NUR407 | NUR499* |
*Clinical Courses
Full Time RN-BSN Course Track |
||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester | 2nd Semester | |
| Session 1 | NUR402 IND175 (1 credit) NUR403 |
NUR406 NUR408* |
| Session 3 | NUR404* NUR407 |
NUR405 NUR499* |
*Clinical Courses
Part Time RN-BSN Course Track |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester | 2nd Semester | 3rd Semester | 4th Semester | 5th Semester | |
| Session 1 | NUR402 IND175 (1 credit) |
NUR403 | NUR406 | NUR408 | |
| Session 3 | NUR405 | NUR404* | NUR407 | NUR499* | |
*Clinical Courses
Full Time RN-BSN Course Track |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester | 2nd Semester | 3rd Semester | |
| Session 1 | NUR402 IND175 (1 credit) NUR403 |
NUR406 NUR408* |
|
| Session 3 | NUR405 NUR407 |
NUR404* | NUR499* |
*Clinical Courses
