Information on the Online Degree Program

This online nursing degree program is offered through Columbus State Community College (CSCC). The program is for those students who have a bachelors degree in another field of study, but now wish to become a registered nurse.

The program includes both online courses and hands-on experience. Therefore the student will still be committed to attend clinical and/or lab for 1 or 2 days per week depending on the number or credit hours per quarter and the class/clinical arrangements. 

CSCC will evaluate admission applications and maintain all records and provide services such as advising and financial aid and will award the students an associate degree in nursing when all the components of the program have been completed. Instruction for each of the courses is divided into two parts. There is a theory portion of the course, which will be delivered totally online and will include: online lectures, videos, discussion groups and other learning activities that are suitable. The clinical and campus lab will be taught in the skills lab at Columbus State or the clinical site in the Central Ohio area. Clinical and Lab are available in the evenings and on weekends.

STEPS FOR ADMISSION

You may want to complete an online assessment tool to be sure that this method of learning is best for you. This is very important. To do a self assessment go to http://global.cscc.edu/GettingStarted/readi.asp  and take the Distance Learning Assessment. While online learning has many advantages such as learning at your own rate/speed and when it is most convenient, it is not for everyone. The online student will be held to the same standards and take the same examinations as the traditional students, but will be doing interactive learning online rather than in a large lecture group or small face-to-face seminar. It is important to understand that while there is opportunity for online discussion boards and e-mail interaction, that there is much less peer-to-peer and instructor contact.

This method of learning requires a student who is able to learn independently and has a high degree of motivation and organization. Once a student has chosen this online nursing program and is offered and accepts admission, it is expected that the program will be completed online. Space in the traditional program is not guaranteed should a student decide that online learning is not for them and wish to switch to their program. You must meet the same basic admission requirements as the traditional students along with having a bachelors degree or higher in another field of study and submit an essay describing why you would be a good candidate for this online degree program.  Due to the overwhelming interest in this program the competitive nature changes with each application period depending on the level of applicants.  Meeting basic requirements does not guarantee admission to the online track. 


Admission Requirements

• Apply to CSCC
• Submit transcripts from all prior colleges. You must have a bachelors degree in another field of study to apply to the online tract.
• You must have achieved a GPA of 2.6 on a 4-point scale on prior college work.
• You should have completed an introduction level biology and chemistry “C” or better.
• You must have a course equivalent to or above Math 103 (beginning algebra) or take Math 103. Credit for Math 135 will not substitute for Math 103 credit.
• You must complete the following college courses with a “C” or better or have transfer credit for:
  NURC 101 (Nurse Aide Training)
  NURC 102 (Patient Care Skills)
  CHEM 113 (general and biological chemistry)
  PSY 100 or PSY 240
• You must complete the Nurse Entrance Test (NET) and achieve both a reading comprehension score and math composite score of 64 percent or higher. 
• You must meet the health requirements for nursing. You will need to submit this information to the health office to be able to register for the NURC 101 and NURC 102 series.
• You must complete all requirements before applying to the nursing program.

You will complete the program in 7 quarters by taking all the courses in sequence. There is no way to complete the program any faster. Required science/math/psychology courses may need to be taken if these or the equivalent were not completed in previous college work.

We will begin taking applications again December 3, 2008 at 9:00 AM for the next class that will start in Autumn 09. The application process is competitive.  The admission committee will review transcripts, GPA, NET score and the online essay.  The essay should start, “I feel online education is right for me because….”

All the prerequisites will need to be completed before you can submit an application.

The application period will end at 5 PM on Tuesday, December 30, 2008.

We are pleased that you are interested in this new experience in learning and look forward to working with you. If you have specific questions you can email Susan Accetturo, Nursing Instructor at CSCC at: saccettu@cscc.edu .