R.N. to B.S.N. Program

The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Nursing’s RN-BSN program is accredited and offered online. This innovative program is designed to prepare baccalaureate nurse graduates who are able to meet the current and future demands of the global healthcare system. This is accomplished through a program that develops and fosters both personal and interpersonal effectiveness in managing health outcomes in a complex and dynamic healthcare environment. Utilizing a transformational framework, the integrated curriculum addresses the needs of students, the nursing profession, health care organizations as well as the clients they serve. There are no bedside clinicals required for this program. Instead, the clinical practicum involves the development and implementation of leadership projects that meet community needs, and appropriate projects are identified in collaboration with students and community health care organizations.

Students wishing to attend full time, start in any fall semester and complete the following fall, or select one of the various part-time plans of study options.  Submit your application now and engage with students from all over the country via this innovative, flexible and student-friendly program.

The Rural Nurse Initiative (RNI) program is targeted to rural nurses who want to enter the UMKC RN-BSN program.  There is no on-site requirement for rural nurses.  For additional information about qualification for and entry into the UMKC RN-BSN program as part of the RNI, contact JoAnn Klaassen, klaassenj@umkc.edu or Anita Skarbek skarbeka@umkc.edu.

Program Admission Requirements


Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for admission to the School of Nursing:
  • Graduation from a state board of nursing-approved school of nursing;
  • Current licensure as a registered nurse in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Missouri; and
  • Cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) from the basic school of nursing and all previous/subsequent college coursework.

General Education Requirements (56 credit hours)

Students complete a total of 56 hours in general education coursework from the sciences and humanities. UMKC requires that all students complete a three-hour constitution course. Courses that currently satisfy this requirement include History 101, History 102, History 360R or Political Science 210. In addition, students must complete English Composition I & II; a three credit hour Philosophy course; Statistics (upper division); and Pathophysiology (upper division). All of these courses can be completed at UMKC as part of their program requirements.

Lower-Division Nursing Requirements (28 credit hours)

Twenty-eight hours of lower-division nursing credits may be obtained by (1) direct transfer from an associate degree program accredited by a nationally recognized nursing accrediting body; or (2) successful completion of specified core nursing courses for graduates of the diploma programs or non-accredited associate degree programs.

Upper-Division Nursing Requirements (36 credit hours)

Thirty-six hours of upper-division nursing credits are obtained at UMKC to complete a 120 credit hour bachelor of science in nursing degree.  Four transformational six credit hour “blocks” make up the core content (N481-N484).  A clinical practicum project (not bedside) is completed in 5 credit hours (N485 & N486 ).   N476 Scientific Inquiry and N401 Health Assessment for 3 credit hours each, and a 1 credit hour N488 Special Topics for Professional Nursing course will complete the nursing requirements for the program.

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Sample Plans of Study

Application Check-off for the RN-B.S.N. program (RN Completion program)
  • Must meet admission criteria
  • Have an official transcript mailed from each institution attended to:
  •        UMKC - Office of Admissions
           120 Administrative Center
           5100 Rockhill Road
           Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

  • Sign and submit the Personal Responsibility Form


  • Still have questions? Please contact the School of Nursing advising office.