Nursing (BSN Track 1) and Occupational Studies (BSOS) are selective majors and have rigorous admission criteria and firm application deadlines which students must meet in order to be considered eligible to apply. Meeting minimum criteria and application deadlines does not guarantee a student's admission. First-year and transfer applications are processed through the Undergraduate Admissions Office. External transfers to Occupational Studies are not accepted. Current Worcester State students are not able to change their major to Nursing (BSN Track I) or Occupational Studies (BSOS). Students who are competitive for admission to a selective major will have completed all appropriate pre-requisite courses and have an outstanding academic record. 

NOTE: First-year students applying to the Occupational Studies or Nursing (track I) majors for Fall 2025 admission may participate in the University’s test-optional admission policy.  Students who apply to these majors as test-optional candidates will be evaluated based on their academic record, including course selection, rigor of curriculum, and grades earned.  Students eligible for admission to the major should have a minimum re-calculated high school GPA of a 3.0 for occupational therapy and 3.2 for Nursing (Track I).  Meeting this minimum re-calculated high school GPA does not guarantee admission to the major. Students who choose not to submit test scores will not be negatively impacted for consideration.

The following is used, along with other criteria, in considering applications to selective majors:

First-Time Applicants to Nursing (BSN Track 1)

First-time Applicant Early Action Deadline:  November 15

First-time Applicant Application Deadline:  January 15 

First-time Applicants must have a re-calculated High School GPA equal to 3.2 or greater (on a 4.0 weighted scale) and SAT scores equal to a combined evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW) and math (M) score of 1130 or greater or ACT Composite score equal to 23 or greater, if not applying as a test-optional applicant.

Transfer Applicants to Nursing (BSN Track 1)

Transfer Application Deadline:  January 15

Transfer applicants into Nursing (BSN Track 1) must complete all prerequisite courses and submit official TEAS exam scores.  To be eligible for admission, students must complete English Composition I and II, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, General Microbiology or Medical Microbiology, 4-credit lab-based Chemistry course, Statistics I, and Introduction to Psychology and Sociology (in progress coursework will not be considered) and score a 78 or higher for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. Students must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of a 3.0 or greater and grades of B- or better in all pre-requisite courses. Meeting minimum standards does not guarantee admission which is based on space availability. Students are considered for admission into the first-year cohort.

The application and all required supporting documents including official final high school transcript(s) and official college transcript(s) must be received by the January 15 firm deadline for transfer applicants. All required courses for transfer must be completed by December 31st of the current fall semester when applying for admission.

Transfer Applicants to Occupational Studies

Due to lack of space availability, external transfer applications are not accepted for Occupational Studies.

Transfer applicants with questions should contact the Admissions Transfer Center at 508-929-8018.

Current Worcester State students may not change their major to Nursing (BSN) or Occupational Studies. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor.