Pathway to Nursing Program in Manhattan

Eligibility and Requirements for the BSN Program 

To apply for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, students must meet all of the following requirements before submitting their application: 

General Requirements 

• Be admitted to Wichita State University (WSU) as an active, degree-seeking undergraduate student.
• You must reactivate your student status if you were admitted to WSU but haven’t taken classes in the past two years. Visit the WSU Reactivation Page for help.
• Submit all official transcripts from other schools showing completed courses with final grades.
• Include a plan for finishing any remaining prerequisite courses.
• Provide unofficial transcripts for any courses you are currently taking.
• Find all prerequisites listed in the BSN checksheet.
• Must remain a current undergraduate student at Kansas State University. You cannot graduate from Kansas State University while pursuing the dual degree. 

Academic Requirements 

• You may have no more than 6 credit hours of general education or elective courses left when the nursing program begins.
• You must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.75.
• If you’ve taken classes at WSU, your WSU GPA must be at least 2.00.
• You must have already completed three of the four required science courses :
  • Chemistry
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Biology 

Application Requirements 

• Submit your application by:  
  • August 15th (spring start)
  • January 15th (fall start)
• Make sure your application packet is complete and submitted by the deadline. 

Program Entry Requirements 

After admission, to be eligible to enter the nursing program, students must meet the following academic and administrative requirements: 

Academic Requirements 

• Maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Maintain a WSU GPA of 2.00 or higher (if applicable)
• Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
• Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in the required science courses.
  • Chemistry
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Biology
• Have no more than 6 credit hours of general education or elective courses remaining during the nursing program 

Important Update for Spring 2027 Applicants 

• Beginning with the Spring 2027 application cycle, all fall entry applicants must complete all prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester prior to starting the program. 

• Prerequisite courses may not be taken during the summer semester immediately before the program begins. 

Transcript Submission 

• Submit all official transcripts for courses taken outside of WSU (including WSU Tech and KSU) to the WSU Registrar’s Office immediately after the semester ends. 

Program Deposit 

• A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to reserve your spot in the program. 
  
  Deadline: 
  • December 1st for spring start
  • May 1st for fall start 

Orientation Requirement 

• Attend the mandatory nursing program orientation, typically held the Thursday or Friday before the first day of classes each semester. 

Final Academic Check 

• The Ascension Via Christi - Wichita State University School of Nursing will conduct final academic checks the week before classes begin. 
  Students who do not meet all entry requirements at that time will not be allowed to start nursing classes. 

How to Apply 

Applications Cycles

• Fall Program Start
  • Application window: December 1 to January 15
  • Admission notifications sent by: March 15
• Spring Program Start
  • Application window: July 1 to August 15
  • Admission notifications sent by: October 15

• The application link will be posted on this page when it is available. 

Before You Begin Your Application 

Make sure you have the following ready: 

• Your WSU ID (e.g., X989Z989)
• Your WSU Email (e.g., firstinitiallastname@shockers.wichita.edu)
  
  Note: Your WSU email includes your name, not your ID. All communication will be sent to your WSU email address. If you need help setting up your email, please contact the WSU Help Desk.
• Unofficial transcripts from all outside institutions (including WSU Tech and KSU) 

Ensure your name is visible and current courses are listed. 

• Licenses or certifications (e.g., LPN, CNA, CMA) (if applicable) 
  Must include:
• Your full name
• Certification or license number
• Date issued
• Healthcare experience (if applicable) 

Include employer name and dates of employment for at least 6 months of hands-on, paid experience. 

• Bachelor’s degree information (if applicable) 
  Include degree name, institution, and date conferred (e.g., Bachelor of Science, Washburn University, Dec. 2019). 

Essay Submission 

Submit a typed essay (max 350 words) addressing: 

• Your understanding of the role of the nurse
• Why you want to be a nurse
• Essays may be reviewed using AI detection tools.  

Selection Rubric 

GPA

Your overall GPA will be multiplied by 10 to determine your score. 
Example: A GPA of 3.65 × 10 = 36.5 points 
The total possible score for the science course requirement is a maximum of 40 points. 

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How Science Courses Are Scored

To meet the science requirement for admission, applicants must successfully complete three out of four designated science courses. Each course is scored using the highest grade earned.

First Attempt (First Time Taking the Course)

• A = 10 points
• B = 7 points

Repeating a Course

Students may repeat a course with a passing grade (C or higher) to improve their score. There is no penalty for repeating a course in this situation, the most recent grade will be used.

However, if a course is repeated due to a failing grade (below a C), a reduced point system applies:

Second Attempt (Second Time Taking the Course - After Failing)

• A = 7 points
• B = 3 points

Third Attempt (Third Time Taking the Course - After Failing Twice)

• A = 3 points
• B = 0 points

Only the most recent grade for each course is used in the final admission calculation. The maximum total possible score for the science requirement is 40 points. 

For Example:

Attempt	#1	#1	#1	#2	#2	#2	#3	#3	#3
Grade	A- to A	B- to B+	C to C+	A- to A	B- to B+	C to C+	A- to A	B- to B+	C to C+
Points awarded	10	7	0	7	3	0	3	0	0

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Healthcare Experience (Maximum 3 Points) 

Points are awarded based on qualifying healthcare experience as detailed in your application packet. The total possible score for the healthcare experience requirement is a maximum of 3 points. 

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Volunteerism (Maximum 2 Points) 

You must have completed at least 20 volunteer hours within the last 5 years. 
The total possible score for the volunteerism requirement is a maximum of 2 points. 

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Typed Essay (Maximum 3 Points) 

Submit a typed essay (no more than 350 words) addressing both of the following prompts: 

• Your understanding of the role of the nurse
• Why you want to become a nurse
• Both prompts must be answered. 

The total possible score for the typed essay requirement is a maximum of 3 points. 

 

Program FAQs

How does the Pathway to Nursing Program in Manhattan work?

• Students apply to K-State and declare pre-nursing.
• Students work on nursing pre-requisites while simultaneously working to complete K-State degree.
• After completing pre-requisites, students apply to Wichita State University and the WSU Traditional BSN program.
• Students graduate at the same time with both bachelor's degrees.

All students are assigned a health professions advisor in the College of Health and Human Sciences that work in conjunction with the students’ academic advisor. Students begin the program working towards their bachelor’s degree from K-State while fulfilling the requirements needed for the nursing program. Once requirements are met, students submit an application for WSU’s Traditional BSN program. Accepted students will spend the next two years in the Traditional BSN program and earn a BSN degree from WSU. Both degree programs are based in Manhattan, Kansas.

What is the cost of tuition?

This information can be found on the Tuition and Fees web page. 

When did the WSU's Traditional BSN program begin on the K-State Manhattan campus?

The Kansas State Board of Nursing granted approval for WSU to accept students to its Traditional BSN program in fall semester 2022.

What are the advantages of the WSU/K-State nursing program?

This dual degree program gives students the valuable opportunity to earn two degrees from two prestigious universities in approximately five years. A degree from K-State will advance your nursing career toward your specialty area of interest and allow you to have twice the impact on patient care. 

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

This program is available to any student who is admitted to K-State. Students will apply to K-State and declare their major of choice as well as declare pre-nursing. Students who meet the eligibility requirements established will be eligible to apply to the WSU Traditional BSN program.  Please visit the Ascension Via Christi - Wichita State University School of Nursing website for information about the Traditional BSN program’s eligibility requirements.

How long will it take to complete WSU’s Traditional BSN program offered on the K-State Manhattan campus?

The Pathway to Nursing program may be completed in as little as five years, but may require additional time depending on the K-State major selected by the student. There are some majors whose coursework requirements are better suited for this program. Students should work with the health professions advisor to review their long-range plan to determine the time it would take to complete both degrees.

What are the requirements for acceptance to WSU's Traditional BSN program on the K-State Manhattan campus?

In addition to the program requirements for students enrolled at WSU's main campus in Wichita, students must also be an active, degree-seeking student at KSU to apply. Please visit the Ascension Via Christi - Wichita State University School of Nursing website for information on the Traditional BSN program and graduate programs.

What major will I enroll in at K-State?

There are several majors specifically coordinated with the nursing program designed for program completion within five years. These majors include human development and family science, integrative human sciences, nutrition and health, and kinesiology. However, students in the pathway program may choose to enroll in any of the 250 majors offered at K-State.

Before selecting any major, students should visit with a College of Health and Human Sciences representative to create a long-range plan with the student's selected major to understand the course load and sequence of courses that will be required to fulfill both the K-State degree and the nursing pre-requisite courses.

Will all clinical rotations and courses be in Manhattan?

All courses will be on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas. Clinical rotations will be held at various clinical sites across the state of Kansas.

What prerequisite courses do I need to apply for the nursing program?

Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more about required prerequisite courses.

Is there a separate application for this program?

All students applying to the WSU Traditional BSN program will complete the same application. Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more.

How will I be advised through the Pathway to Nursing program?

Students who enter the Pathway to Nursing program will meet with an academic advisor, (sometimes called a major advisor) specific to their major, and a health professions advisor in the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences. Academic advisors help students understand what they must do to complete the requirements of their major (degree). Health professions advisors help students understand what they must do to become competitive applicants to health professional schools and programs.

Once a student applies and is accepted into the WSU Traditional BSN program, students will transition to a WSU nursing advisor as they complete the nursing portion of the program.

How many students will be admitted into the program?

20 students will be admitted into the program each semester.

How many admit periods or cycles are there?

There are two Program Entry Points for the Traditional BSN Program: Spring and Fall. Application deadlines are Feb. 1 for fall entry and Sept. 1 for spring entry.

What does the coursework look like for just the nursing classes?

Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more about coursework.

Once students complete the K-State degree requirements is admission to the traditional BSN program at WSU guaranteed?

No, admission to the traditional BSN program at WSU is not guaranteed. All students will apply to the traditional BSN program and admission is competitive. Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more.

If I am part of the WSU/K-State nursing program, will I be able to apply to other nursing schools?

Students in the program will have met the general requirements to apply to other nursing programs. However, specific nursing programs may require additional courses that were not required for this program. Required courses for certain nursing programs should be discussed with your health professions advisor.

I am a registered nurse with an Associate’s Degree. Will I be able to complete my BSN degree at WSU’s Traditional BSN program on the K-State campus?

If a student already has their RN license and holds an Associate’s Degree, the program that would fit their interest is WSU’s RN-BSN completion program. The RN-BSN program is completely online and can be completed in three semesters as a full-time student.

I am currently at a community college and would like to transfer to K-State for this program. Am I able to do this?

Please contact the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences with questions about the transfer process.