Admission Criteria ADN Program

Admission to the ADN program is competitive and based on, but not limited to, ranking according to an objective ranking scale and other qualifying factors such as semester GPA, overall GPA, pattern of coursework and professional behaviors.

We are now offering admittance to the ADN program twice a year!

The applicant is responsible to verify the university’s receipt, by the deadline date, of accurate records used in the admission selection process. The nursing admissions committee determines acceptance of applicants into the nursing program. Admission or readmission to the nursing program is not guaranteed to any applicant. All students accepted to the nursing program also must be accepted to the University of Pikeville.

In addition to completing and submitting the nursing application, applicants must take the TEAS Exam, which is proctored and given online.  Dates and times for testing are listed in the ADN application packet. 

Spring 2024 application deadline is October 1, 2023, and Fall 2024 application deadline is March 1, 2024.


  • Official admission to the University of Pikeville.
  • High school graduate or the equivalent.
  • Completion of developmental courses with a “C” grade or better, per university policy for course placement.
  • College or university GPA of 2.0 or higher.  Transcripts from all institutions attended are to be submitted.
  • Completion of the TEAS Nursing Entrance Exam.  One attempt is allowed.  There is no set cut-off score, but scores above 55% will be weighted (receive points) in the determination of applicant ranking.  Readmission students only retake an entrance exam if out of program for more than one year.
  • “C” grade or better in required courses in the major that have been completed.  Note: these courses are not prerequisites to admission, but if already taken, must be a “C” grade or better.   The grade on a second attempt, including “W” grade, stands as the final grade.  No required course can be taken more than twice.
  • Science course grades must be within the last 10 years.
  • Any exception will be determined on an individual basis by the nursing admissions committee.
  • Meet the admission criteria for all nursing applicants.
  • Meet University of Pikeville requirements for transfer applicants and transfer credit.
  • Transcript evaluation for nursing course equivalency.
  • Grade of “C” (76%) or better on required Nursing Challenge exams if out of an RN program for more than a year but less than three years, or if required for transfer equivalency. Otherwise, one must apply as a new nursing student.
  • Validation of selected nursing skills.
  • Abide by an admission contract, if applicable, which may specify one or more required activities.
  • Two letters of reference, one of which must be from the applicant’s former nursing program.  Transfer applicants from other nursing programs without letters of reference will not be considered.
  • Meet with the dean of nursing and/or the admissions committee for a personal interview and update on requirements.

WRI 118             College Writing  OR

ENG 112            Composition II                        3 hrs.

BIO 171             Anatomy & Physiology I       4 hrs.

PSY 110             General Psychology              3 hrs.

NUR 110            Fundamentals of Nursing I  8 hrs.

                            Total: 18 hrs. 

 

BIO 172             Anatomy & Physiology II      4 hrs.

PSY 215             Lifespan Development         3 hrs.

   Or 

SW 315              Human Behavior in the Social Environment

NUR 120            Fundamentals of Nursing II 4 hrs.

NUR 125            Family Nursing                       4 hrs.

Elective              Restricted Elective*              3 hrs.

*Choose one: BIO 280, HEA 261, SOC 119, SOC 229, REL 230, or SPN 111

                            Total : 18 hrs.  

BIO 273         Microbiology w/lab              4 hrs.

NUR 200       Pharmacology in Nursing     2 hrs.

NUR 230       Nursing Lifespan I                  8 hrs.

REL xxx         Systematic Study of the Bible (meet Gen Ed req)      3 hrs.

                            Total:  17 hrs.

NUR 240       Nursing Lifespan II                 7 hrs.

NUR 241       Preparing for NCLEX             1 hr.

NUR 245       Mental Health Nursing         4 hrs.

NUR 246       Professional Transition         4 hrs.

                            Total: 16 hrs. 

Support Courses –   27 hrs.

Nursing Courses –   42 hrs.

Total Hours: 69 hrs. 



Admission Criteria-LPN to RN Program

LPN-to-RN applicants are considered for admission once a year to Semester III of the nursing program, with an application deadline of March 1.

  • Meet the admission criteria for all (ADN) nursing applicants.
  • Meet University of Pikeville requirements for transfer applicants and transfer credit.
  • Current, unencumbered practical nurse license.
  • Clinical experience as an LPN within the last three years.
  • Grade of “C” or better in prerequisite Semester I and Semester II required support courses. These courses include: WRI 118, PSY 110, BIO 171, BIO 172, PSY 215/SW 315, and the restricted elective.
  • Grade of “C” (76%) or better on required Nursing Challenge examinations.
  • Grade of “C” or better in NUR 130 received within the last two years.
  • Meet with the dean of nursing and/or the admissions committee for a personal interview and update on requirements.

Admission Criteria RN-BSN Program

Students will be accepted into the RN-BSN program at the University of Pikeville after completing an associate degree program or a diploma program with a major in nursing. For admission to the RN-BSN program, the student must meet the following:

  1. Official admission to the University of Pikeville including:
    a.) Official transcripts of high school and all college/university schools attended. b.) ACT or equivalent test scores.
  2. Submit a separate RN-BSN application to the School of Nursing. 
  3. Be a graduate of a state-approved pre-licensure program for registered nursing.
  4. Have earned at least a ‘C’ grade in all courses taken to satisfy the nursing major at the ADN or diploma level.
  5. Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
  6. Have earned at least 26 credit hours of the 52 credit hours of general education core requirements. These 26 hours should include the equivalent of the MTH 105 prerequisite to a college level statistics course.
  7. All general education core requirements for the major must be at least a ‘C’ grade.
  8. Have validation of a current, unrestricted, and unencumbered RN license in Kentucky or a compact state.

Rural Health Nursing Fellowship

UPIKE’s Elliott School of Nursing and Pikeville Medical Center have partnered in offering the Rural Health Nursing Fellowship, a new educational and employment opportunity. Students eager to pursue a career in nursing can now earn a two-year associate degree from UPIKE and graduate debt-free by making a commitment to work at PMC upon becoming a licensed RN. With their commitment, the hospital agrees to cover the remaining education costs once financial aid is applied. UPIKE and PMC are innovatively working together to address the ongoing nursing shortage in the commonwealth by creating an opportunity for education and employment in a lucrative career path.

Any student interested in the Elliott School of Nursing or this fellowship can get more information from the UPIKE Admissions Office by emailing wewantyou@upike.edu or calling (606) 218-5251.