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The Healthcare Workforce needs you! Get ready fast with a two-year associate's degree in nursing from Shawnee State University.

Guaranteed Acceptance with a 24 ACT score!

Are you ready? You have guaranteed acceptance into our nursing program if you have at least a 24 ACT (with minimum 18 in each subscore).

Apply Today

Earn your Associate Degree In Nursing at Shawnee State

For over 30 years, the ADN program at Shawnee State University has graduated quality nurses who have assumed multiple roles in health care facilities in the community, region, and across the nation.

The program is fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Apply for Admission

View admission requirements.

Nursing Scholarships Available

Apply to receive a $1500 scholarship up to full-tuition when you apply and are accepted into SSU's Nursing program.

Learn how to Apply

Highlights

students on campus

Shawnee State University to host Showcase Day on Nov. 16

Shawnee State University’s Office of Admissions will host a Showcase Day on Saturday, Nov. 16.

SSU graduate receiving diploma at commencement ceremony

Shawnee State University ranked among US News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges

Shawnee State University (SSU) ranked among the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the sixth year in a row.

students gathered on campus

Shawnee State University to host College Fair on Oct. 24

Shawnee State University’s Office of Admission will welcome high school juniors and seniors to a College Fair on Thursday, Oct. 24 on campus.

Eric Braun

Shawnee State University inaugurates eighth President Eric Andrew Braun

In a celebration held on campus in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, President Braun was sworn in by university Board of Trustees Chairperson Scott Evans.

SSU student on campus

Shawnee State University’s C.H. Lute School of Business receives IACBE Accreditation

The C.H. Lute School of Business at Shawnee State University has received accreditation by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), school officials announced.

Joshua Cummins

Freshman Joshua Cummins found relief through SSU’s Free Tuition Program

A Piketon, Ohio native, freshman Joshua Cummins found out he qualified for Shawnee State University’s Free Tuition program when applying to college.

Nursing Associate Degree Pathway

Admission Requirements

Admission is determined on a competitive basis. The total number of students admitted to the program is based upon available facilities and faculty.

Qualified applicants are admitted to the associate degree in nursing program annually.

Students may be required to complete designated courses in the summer or autumn semester prior to official admission into the nursing program.

The Associate Degree in Nursing curriculum will meet the requirements for licensure in most states, but will not meet the requirements for licensure in Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Mississippi.

Admission Deadlines

Autumn Semester: March 1st
or until seats are filled

Spring Semester: October 6th
or until all seats are filled

Apply for Admission

If you apply with less than 20 hours of semester college credit,

You will need:
  • Official high school transcript denoting high school graduation or official GED test score transcript
  • A GPA of 2.5 or higher in high school and college credit
  • A minimum composite ACT score of 22 with an 18 or above in all other sections of the ACT
  • Note: Students who have met the above minimum requirements with an overall ACT score of 24 or better are eligible for automatic acceptance into the associate degree nursing program provided they meet the deadline for application.

If you apply with 20+ hours of semester college credit,

You will need:
  • Official high school or GED test score transcript (along with partial high school transcript), and official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • A cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale from all college and universities attended
  • 15 of the 20 college credits must be required non-nursing courses with a minimum of 8 of the credit hours in the required science courses (BIOL 1130, BIOL 1131, BIOL 3650 or BIOL 3750; CHEM 1121 will be considered a science course through the Spring 2025 admission cycle)

    Note: Students may repeat any required science course only one time to achieve a grade of “C” or better. Science courses must be taken within 5 years of application to be considered during admission process. 

Improve Your Chances of Admission

If you apply and are not accepted to the ADN program on your initial attempt, please contact the School of Nursing for further guidance.

If you are currently a high school student:

  • Choose science courses such as biology, anatomy & physiology, and chemistry. GRADES MATTER.
  • Choose at least one algebra course.
  • Take the ACT early, and plan to re-take if you would like to improve your score.
  • Talk to a nurse about their work and educational path.
  • Talk to your guidance counselor about the profession of nursing and educational requirements.
  • Investigate opportunities to take college level classes while you are still in high school.

If you are currently a college student:

  • Take the following courses first: BIOL 1130, BIOL 1131, BIOL 3750, & BIOL 3650.
  • Take as many of the non-nursing courses listed in the program of study as possible.
  • Remember; GRADES MATTER!
Free Tuition Program

Shawnee State University has announced a Free Tuition Initiative for qualifying students from Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Learn more
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