LVN to BSN

Pre-nursing students must be core complete for the Fall 2025 admission cycle and thereafter. 

LVN to BSN
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 33
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 43
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 54
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 2403Human Anatomy & Physiology I 2, 64
BIOL 2404Human Anatomy & Physiology II 2, 64
BIOL 2420Introduction to Applied Microbiology4
or BIOL 3470 General Microbiology
CHEM 1406Inorganic & Environmental Chemistry 74
or CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I
FSCN 2362Nutrition 83
MATH 1314Pre Calculus Algebra 13
or MATH 1324 Mathematics for Managerial Decision Making
or MATH 1410 Elementary Functions
or MATH 1420 Calculus I
MATH 1370Introduction to Biomedical Statistics3
or MATH 1342 Elementary Statistics
or PSYC 3402 Psychological Statistics
PSYC 1301Introduction To Psychology 43
PSYC 3374Development Psychology3
Track Specific Requirements
NURS 3310Health Assessment3
NURS 3320Pathophysiology for Nursing3
NURS 3321Pharmacology for Nursing3
NURS 3340Older Adult Health Management3
NURS 3351Nursing Concepts I3
NURS 3360Introduction to Research3
NURS 3540Mental Health and Illness5
NURS 3620Adult Health I6
NURS 3631Nursing Fundamentals6
or NURS 3660 LVN-to-BSN Role Transition
NURS 4030Community Nursing5
NURS 4060Leadership and Management4
NURS 4250Nursing Concepts II2
NURS 4520Child & Adolescent Nursing5
NURS 4540Women's Health and Maternal Newborn Nursing5
NURS 4620Adult Health II6
Total Hours121
Nursing Prerequisites and Texas Core59
Nursing Credit Hours62
Total Hours121
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

3

PHIL 1301 is recommended and satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

5

SOCI 2319 and KINE 2115 are recommended and satisfy Core Curriculum requirements for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

6

BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

7

CHEM 1406 recommended.

8

FSCN 1367 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

Notes

Students must earn a 3.0 minimum GPA in nursing prerequisite and Core Curriculum coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all Nursing major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

BIOL 2404 requires a grade of "C" or higher in BIOL 2403.

Science courses do not require a 7-year renewal for practicing LVNs. 

Students must apply and be accepted into the SHSU School of Nursing prior to registering for any NURS courses (unencumbered LVN license required).

Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in each NURS course to progress to the next nursing courses.

Students may not progress to the next level of NURS courses until all courses in previous level have been successfully completed.

Students accepted into the SHSU School of Nursing are required to adhere to additional policies indicated in the School of Nursing student handbook.

Pre-nursing students must be core complete for the Fall 2025 admission cycle and thereafter. 

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
BIOL 240314BIOL 240414
CHEM 1406 or 141124ENGL 130233
ENGL 130133HIST 130163
MATH 1314, 1324, 1410, or 142043MATH 1370, 1342, or PSYC 34023
PSYC 130153PSYC 33743
 17 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Component Area IX73Component Area IV103
BIOL 2420 or 34704Component Area V3
FSCN 236283Component Area IX71
HIST 130263NURS 33203
POLS 230593NURS 33513
 16 13
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
NURS 33103NURS 33603
NURS 33213NURS 35405
NURS 3631 or 36606NURS 36206
POLS 230693 
 15 14
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
NURS 40305NURS 33403
NURS 45205NURS 40604
NURS 45405NURS 42502
 NURS 46206
 15 15
Total Hours: 121
Nursing Prerequisites and Texas Core59
Nursing Credit Hours62
Total Hours121
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science). BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please, see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

2

CHEM 1406 recommended.

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum for Component Area I (Communication). 

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum for Component Area II (Mathematics).

5

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

6

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

7

SOCI 2319 or KINE 2115 are recommended and satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

8

 FSCN 1367 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

9

Satisfies Core Curriculum for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government). 

10

PHIL 1301 is recommended and satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).

Notes

Students must earn a 3.0 minimum GPA in nursing prerequisite and Core Curriculum coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all Nursing major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

BIOL 2404 requires a grade of "C" or higher in BIOL 2403.

Science courses do not require a 7-year renewal for practicing LVNs. 

Students must apply and be accepted into the SHSU School of Nursing prior to registering for any NURS courses (unencumbered LVN license required).

Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in each NURS course to progress to the next nursing courses.

Students may not progress to the next level of NURS courses until all courses in previous level have been successfully completed.

Students accepted into the SHSU School of Nursing are required to adhere to additional policies indicated in the School of Nursing student handbook.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The LVN to BSN is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Lead in the provision of safe quality care using evidence-based practice.
  • Collaborate with patients and members of the healthcare team to promote health and provide preventive care.

  • Incorporate ethical principles and professional standards to provide quality care to diverse populations.
  • Advocate for patients and the nursing profession while incorporating dynamic system practices, health policies, and global healthcare factors.

  • Maintain confidentiality and protect patient rights utilizing technology and information management systems.