First-Year Direct-Entry 

Candidates, who meet the University and School of Nursing admission requirements will be admitted to Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) as direct-entry nursing student majors. Please see the University Admissions Requirements.

First-Year, Direct-Entry Year Admission Requirements 

  • SAT Scores-≥ 980
  • High School Preparatory Courses
    • Biology-grade of ‘B’ or better and
    • Chemistry-grade of ‘B’ or better

Admission to NDMU as a direct-entry nursing major does not automatically ensure progression into the nursing program starting in the third year. Students must meet the academic progression criteria, described below, to progress into the nursing program in their third year.

First-Year Health Sciences Major, Caring Healthcare Professional Cohort

Candidates who meet the University, but not the School of Nursing admission requirements will be admitted as Health Sciences majors. Both the School of Arts, Science, and Business and School of Nursing internally distinguish Health Sciences major students, who express interest in pursuing nursing in their 3rd year, as part of the Caring Healthcare Professional (CHP) Cohort. 

In this CHP cohort model, two professional advisors from each School are responsible for monitoring students’ academic success. The primary professional advisor from the School of Arts, Science, and Business oversees progression in the Health Sciences program of study. While, the secondary professional advisor from the School of Nursing periodically reviews CHP students’ success in required general education and science courses for transfer into the nursing program. 

The Health Sciences program of study mirrors the Nursing major program of study for the first two years. During the first and second years, students pursue liberal arts, sciences, general education, and program of study requirements for both Health Sciences and Nursing programs of study with one exception. Health Science students will take an Introduction to Health Sciences course in the second year, while Nursing majors take Nutrition. If all transfer requirements are met, then Nutrition must be taken prior to entry into the nursing program.

Acceptance Criteria for Transfer Students to Nursing Program (3rd Year)

Health Sciences, other science majors, and transfer students from other higher education institutions must in their second (sophomore year):

  1. Submit an application which includes a writing sample and official transcripts from all institutions attended. 
  2. Complete the Supplemental School of Nursing Application, if currently a NDMU student and submit to the NDMU, Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
  3. Submit nursing applications by February 15th to receive priority consideration for each fall semester. However, the School of Nursing Admissions will accept late applications if all required documents are submitted.
  4. Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam with a score of 65% or greater; this is required and included as part of the admissions process. Applications will not be reviewed without the ATI TEAS exam results. The score received on the test will be included in the admissions process.*
  5. Register for ATI TEAS at ATI Testing www.atitesting.com.  
  6. Recommendation letters (2)
    • Letters from previous educators are required, but letters from professional officials may be accepted. They should provide evidence regarding the applicant’s knowledge, work ethic, and performance. Letters may be on institutional letterhead or from the institution’s official email and include the writer’s official title, address, and contact information.
    • EXCEPTION: Health Sciences, Caring Healthcare Professional cohort and other NDMU science majors, do not need to submit recommendation letters. However, if a student is not meeting all transfer criteria, but believes that their grades and/or TEAS score do not accurately reflect their abilities, it is recommended that the student submit two letters of recommendation. An educator must submit the requested letter. The School of Nursing will carefully review this information and consider admission on a case-by-case basis.
  7. Schedule an interview, if requested.

* TEAS EXEMPTION: A student applying for admission is EXEMPT from the TEAS requirement if they have 30 or more college transfer credits completed, have not repeated any required courses, AND have a transfer GPA of 3.3 or above.

Transfer Criteria

  1. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0
  2. Complete each of the following required courses with a minimum grade of “C”
    • Applied Algebra (unless waived)
    • Basic Statistics
    • College Writing
    • Ethics
    • Fundamentals of Biology
    • General Microbiology
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
    • Human Growth and Development
    • Nutrition
    • Survey of General, Organic & Biochemistry

Note: Applicants cannot withdraw from or repeat any more than one (1) required/pre-requisite science course.

Students are waived from Fundamentals of Biology if they have already completed Anatomy and Physiology I and II successfully.

Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology must be taken no more than five years prior to NUR-301 Holistic Health Assessment and NUR-305 Foundations of a Caring Profession.

Nursing Program Requirements

  1. Introduction to Sociology
  2. General Education requirements:
    • Beginning Spanish for Health Professions
    • Fine Arts
    • History
    • Introduction to Philosophy
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • Literature
    • Oral Communication
    • Religion and the Big Question

The School of Nursing generally does not accept nursing courses completed at other institutions. If an applicant is accepted into the Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing, they must repeat previously completed nursing coursework. If an applicant previously attempted/started a nursing program, the School of Nursing may request a letter from the prior institution.

Definition of a Transfer Student

Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing defines a transfer student as:
Any student who has attempted or completed 18 or more credits at a regionally accredited college or university following graduation from high school (or GED credential), before applying for admission to the NDMU School of Nursing. The admission decision is based on the transfer criteria, described above.

School of Nursing - Transfer Credit Statement

Generally, college-level courses completed at regionally-accredited institutions will be evaluated and awarded transfer credit if approved, provided the course is similar in level, scope, content and expected learning outcomes to courses offered at Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing and a grade of "C" or higher is earned. Regional accrediting bodies include:

  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges;
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities;
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing typically does not award undergraduate transfer credit for pre-collegiate, remedial, vocational, technical, or professional (e.g., nursing) courses. Other transfer courses that usually are not awarded transfer credits are independent study, internship, externship, practicum, or co-op work experiences that Notre Dame of Maryland University faculty does not supervise. In addition, transfer credit is not awarded for these types of experiences completed through other institutions. Finally, Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing does not grant undergraduate transfer credit for courses completed at online educational companies, including but not limited to Straighter line and Study.com.