Why study nursing at UA's Capstone College of Nursing?
The Capstone College of Nursing isn't the only place for undergraduate study, but it's one of Alabama's best -- both for the quality of the program and the personal interest our faculty and administrators show students. Faculty take the time to be helpful and administrative staff are supportive. You'll also have your own academic adviser as well as a faculty advisor to assist you as you progress through the curriculum.
The College facilities are a big asset. The College has a learning resources center that has a wide range of resources designed to help students be successful in their course work.
The University of Alabama is a great place to be! And the College of Nursing provides students with the advantages of broad clinical experiences, high-tech facilities, and a nationally recognized faculty.
What is meant by lower division and upper division course work?
Lower Division
All students declaring nursing as their major are
admitted to the lower division of the Capstone College of Nursing. During
your first four semesters, you will learn basic knowledge from the humanities
and social and natural sciences. This study provides the basis for the
broad education you need to meet the challenges of professional nursing.
These courses are referred to as lower division or the preprofessional
portion of the curriculum.
Upper Division
As you near completion of lower division course
work, you will apply for promotion to the upper division. Promotion to
the upper division is required for entry into the clinical nursing courses
and prgression in the nursing program. The upper division is the professional
phase of the curriculum. Upper division spaces are limited and the acceptance
process is competitive. Once promoted to the upper division, you begin
your nursing courses with labs in a variety of clinical settings.
What are the requirements to be promoted to the upper division of the Nursing program?
When you are in your last semester of lower division, having completed at least 45 hours of lower division course work, you are eligible to apply for promotion to the upper division. Students must complete and submit an application to be considered for promotion to the upper division of the Nursing program. Student's GPA in all required lower division courses will determine promotion to the upper division. The science courses are the most important, but all required courses count toward the GPA. Promotion to the upper division is competitive so the better your GPA is the greater your chance of being promoted to the upper division.
You must have a 2.5 GPA to apply for promotion to the upper division.
Students must have a least a 2.0 in the sciences and the sciences are
looked at separately for promotion purposes. Native UA students are given
preference in promotion decisions.
How many students are accepted in to the upper division of the nursing program?
88 students are accepted for both the summer and fall semesters for a total of 176 students a year. Students may not begin upper divsion courses in the spring semester.
Can I transfer courses?
Students can transfer course credit if the coursework is evaluated to be equivalent to UA courses. The Office of Nursing Student Services is available to answer your questions related to transfer credit.
What special facilities, equipment and technology are available?
The facilities and resources of the University, various West Alabama community health care facilities, selected clinical agencies throughout Alabama, home care settings, industry, and public schools are available to students to learn the knowledge and skills needed for professional nursing. Classroom facilities are located on campus in Russell Hall. A unique feature of the facilities is the Lowery Learning Resources Center (LLRC), which includes a computer lab, media lab, simulation lab and the Koss Clinical Practice Laboratory. The LLRC has a broad range of multimedia to assist students in the learning process. To learn more about the College's facilities, visit the section on Facilities.
Technology within the College and UA facilitate a variety of distant education opportunities for students taking specific courses. The College offers designated courses through the distance format Global Online Academic Learning System (GOALS) - Courses delivered via the Web.
How do I get involved?
The University of Alabama provides its students with a quality on-campus academic, social, and residential environment. We invite you to visit The University of Alabama home page and particularly the section on Admission and Student Services.
Students are also encouraged to participate in the Association of Nursing Students, the preprofessional nursing organization that is dedicated to enhancing your professional development. In the upper division portion of the curriculum, qualified students are invited to join Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing. Through membership in the various student organizations students learn valuable leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and have access to a wide range of support groups.
How will I select the right courses?
The Capstone College of Nursing has a planned program of studies to follow. During freshman and transfer student orientation you will be assigned an academic adviser who will assist you with your course selections. The College's advising system is one of the best! Your academic adviser, Valerie Mills and the Office of Nursing Student Services are available to help you every step of the way.
What is the Core Curriculum?
In order to graduate from The University of Alabama all students are required to take specific courses to include freshman composition, the humanities, social sciences, and mathematics; natural science courses with laboratory work; courses that include college-level writing; and either a foreign language or computer science sequence. These courses are called the core curriculum. A copy of approved core curriculum courses can be obtained from the Office of Nursing Student Services and is available online.
Does the nursing curriculum include the University's core curriculum?
The Capstone College of Nursing's planned program of studies includes core curriculum requirements. Core courses are identified in the College's program of studies. To see how UA's core courses are integrated into your program of study, go to the undergraduate programs section and select the program of studies appropriate for you.
Do I have to follow the planned program of studies outlined by the College?
The sequencing of some lower division courses may be adjusted to meet individual needs. Students may also choose to enroll in summer school to adjust the program of studies. It is important to progress through the science courses in a timely manner. However, once students are admitted to the upper division, courses must be taken in sequence. Successful completion of each semester is necessary in order to progress in the curriculum. Some non-clinical upper division courses may be offered in summer sessions.
Does a degree in nursing prepare me for the national licensing examination?
The Capstone College of Nursing awards the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Upon completion of the program, students meet the educational qualifications of the Alabama Board of Nursing for taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
I am a registered nurse. I would like to pursue a BSN, but I can't quit my job. What does the College have for me?
There is an RN to B.S.N./M.S.N. track for registered nurse students meeting the required admission criteria.
If I earn a degree in nursing, can I pursue graduate studies at UA?
Yes! The Capstone College of Nursing offers the M.S.N. with a case management or clinical nurse leader focus. Dual degree options also are available in conjunction with the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration (M.S.N./M.A.) and College of Education (M.S.N./Ed.D or Ed.D). For more information about graduate opportunities at UA, visit the CCN Graduate Web site.
What is WebCT?
WebCT is an online educational environment, better knowna as a course management system. Simply put, it is a web-based application used to make and host course web sites.