- What is the curriculum for completing the nursing program?
The entire curriculum includes 71 credits in nursing, 16 credits in the sciences, and 39 credits in other general education courses. A total of 126 credits are needed to complete the Coppin State University Helene Fuld School of Nursing (CSUHFSON) program.
- What type of curriculum is offered: full time and/or part time, day and/or evening and weekend?
The CSUHFSON program consists essentially of a full-time day curriculum. Students may be able to complete NURS 120, NURS 211 and some of the general education courses in the evenings or perhaps even on Saturdays, however the nursing courses are primarily offered during the weekdays. When students reach their upper level nursing courses, they may find that a few courses may be offered in the early evening to accommodate some work schedules. Keep in mind, we are ever moving towards making our program more accessible to all students. Therefore, we will continue to add as many evening courses as we appear to have a need for.
- How many semesters is this nursing program and how long will it take you to complete the program?
In general, the CSUHFSON Program takes four years on a full-time basis from the time the student begins the nursing program. Students transferring into the program with a degree(s) or existing academic college credits need to have their transcript reviewed by the Coppin State University Office of Admissions to help determine any course exemption(s) and program length. The minimum amount of time needed to complete this program will be three (3) years. This is due to the sequence of the nursing courses and their prerequisites.
- How many students are accepted to the nursing program each semester?
Each fall semester 100-150 students are accepted.
- What is the length of the waiting period for acceptance into the nursing program?
Once accepted to Coppin State University, contact the Nursing Admissions Coordinator/Nursing Recruiter. This person will prepare your applicant file to be reviewed by the Nursing Admissions, Progression and Retention Committee, and the Dean of Nursing. This Committee will meet after the Nurse Entrance Test (NET) has been administered to review potential new nursing student records. The meeting dates to review new applicants will be approximately after every 3 to 4 NETs, to discuss Fall candidates. Each applicant's record is reviewed. After the Admissions, Progression and Retention Committee determines the applicant's acceptance status, applicants are notified in writing as soon as possible after the meeting. Unlike some colleges where you cannot apply to the nursing major until all your prerequisite academic courses are completed, at the Coppin State University Helene Fuld School of Nursing students can be accepted into the nursing major before their first course is taken, provided the student has at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, is not in need of any developmental course work, and achieves a passing score on the NET.
- What is the selection criteria for admission to the nursing program?
Admissions to the CSUHFSON Program is granted to those applicants whose academic and personal qualifications indicate the potential for success. Each applicant is considered on an individual basis. Applicants should have taken two years of algebra and a year of biology and chemistry in high school. Selection is based on:
- Scholastic grade point average (2.5 GPA or higher required)
- Three (3) Recommendations
- Personal Interview (if required by the Admissions, Progression and Retention Committee, the Nursing Admissions Coordinator or the Dean of Nursing)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores (a total score of 940 or higher recommended) or Achievement College Test (ACT) scores (a composite score of 20 recommended)
- Demonstrated interest in nursing
- If accepted to the nursing program, when does the nursing education component begin?
An important feature of this program is the clinical education and the fact that the nursing courses begin the first semester in college, if accepted to the nursing program. The first year of the program introduces students to the diversity of nursing roles from wellness advocate to bedside caregiver, with the clinical application for these roles in actual health care settings.
- Is there a waiting list for admission and, if so, how long is it?
No. Normally, when the School of Nursing fills all of the spaces available for a particular Fall semester, we cease testing for entrance into the program until the Spring of the following year. If, however, there are more students than spaces at the end of the last test given, those students would be offered a guaranteed space in the next year's beginning class, if they cannot be accommodated in the fall of the year that they took the test. That is, provided they maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- What is the faculty to student ratio?
The academic faculty to student ratio is usually no higher than 1:30, and the clinical faculty to student ratio is never more than 1:8. The CSUHFSON takes great pride in offering students smaller classes with plenty of personal attention.
- What is the percentage of graduating students that pass the licensure exam?
The CSUHFSON Program generally has a licensure exam pass rate between 75 to 100 percent. For much of the last 12 years, our graduates have consistently out performed the graduates form other MD Schools of Nursing on the MD Board of Nursing RN Licensure Examination. In any case, whether in the 1st position or not, our students consistently score above the national average and are more than prepared for life as a professional nurse.
- When does the "hands on" clinical education begin?
Student's first "hands on" nursing course will be Introduction to the Nursing Process I (NURS 211 ), which is usually taken in the first or second year, depending on if the student is a transfer student, and has completed all level one courses on the Nursing Traditional Track Program of Study. In this way, we differ from the other schools of nursing where students are not exposed to clinicals until their junior year. In our program if you transfer in the level I (freshman) courses (29 credits) then you are eligible to begin the program at the sophomore level as long as all entrance requirements are met. This is one year sooner, as well as 30 or more credits sooner than you would be able to begin at any of the 2 + 2 nursing schools, such as University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Towson, Columbia Union or Bowie State University.
- Is this nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and is it approved by the State Board of Nursing?
The CSUHFSON is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. We received the prestigious honor of being re-accredited in 2002 for eight (8) years. That is the longest amount of time that a program can be re-accredited for. The program is also approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. We also are accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing(AACN), and received re-accreditation in 1998 for eight (8) years.
- What is the tuition for this nursing program?
The Tuition fee for full-time resident students taking 12 or more credit hours per semester is approximately $5879 per year for the 2005-2006 school year including books. For non-residents the tuition is approximately $11,900 per year for the 2005-2006 school year including books. Tuition for part-time students on a per semester credit basis is approximately $151 for in-state and $347 for out-of state students. Additional lab fees may be required for some courses. All fees are subject to change. Please check Tuition, Fees and Course Expenses Sheet for up to date information.
- Can a nursing instructor be contacted personally if there are questions concerning program courses?
Academic advisement is an extremely important aspect of planning university experiences and course work so that each student can best achieve his/her personal and career goals. In addition to the counseling during the admissions interview and the service provided during orientation and throughout the year by the Office of Admissions and the Office of Freshman & Undeclared Major Advisement, each nursing student is assigned academic advisor who assists in course planning and is a source of information about their respective disciplines and areas of interest or experience. While it is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with academic regulations found in the Coppin State University Catalog and in other University publications, the academic advisor can provide background knowledge and assistance, with emphasis on the student's own decision making. The assigned academic advisor is also an Instructor in the Nursing Program.
- What type of scholarships and financial aid are available?
Grants, scholarships, college work study, loans, and loan assistance repayment programs are available to students. Coppin State University participates in federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. Many financial aid opportunities are available to nursing students as a direct result of the nursing shortage. There is also a Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) available to nursing students who have completed the FAFSA, provided we are awarded any funds to distribute.
For additional information on scholarships/aid for nursing students visit the following web sites:
Additionally, for some great information about nursing in all its various forms, as well as, additional scholarship information, please also visit Discover Nursing.
- What is the nursing program's philosophy and goals?
The CSUHFSON prepares graduates with the education to creatively meet the challenges and demands of nursing in the twenty-first century. The goal of the program is to educate nurses who, as members of the health team, address the varied health concerns of individuals, families and groups.
- Is job placement available?
Coppin State University's Office of Career Development and Cooperative Education Center exists to assist students and alumni in obtaining full-time and part-time employment and in considering long-term career objectives. Placement services constitute an integral part of the student's program. This office provides resources for self assessment, career exploration and job placement and offers a full calendar of events, activities, and programs throughout the year. Services include employment referrals, workshops on career development, resume writing and job-hunting techniques. Also, nursing students are able to establish contacts and network as a result of working in the hospitals, nursing centers, etc., while completing clinical rotations.
- Where will the clinical instruction take place?
In addition to our own state of the art Community Health Clinic located directly across the street from our campus, CSUHFSON has clinical agreements with several clinical agencies in and around Baltimore. Some are as follows: University of Maryland Medical Systems, Bon Secours Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Maryland General Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Total Health Care, University Care, Villa Saint Michael's, and Caton Manor. We are always seeking new agreements with other facilities to further enhance our students' learning opportunities. Student's may also be completing some of their clinical rotations at our own Coppin State University Community Health Clinic, which is a nurse managed clinic run by the School of Nursing. The Clinic is located directly across the street from Coppin's campus.
- If the applicant is a transfer student or already has a degree, what courses will this nursing program accept from my previous college education?
A student desiring transfer from another college and admittance to Coppin State University and the Helene Fuld School of Nursing must submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. The Office of Admissions is responsible for all transfer evaluations. Once the transfer evaluation is completed, the student will know exactly how their courses transferred, and how many of their courses transferred to Coppin. Courses offered for transfer credit must carry a "C" grade quality or better and meet the academic regimen offered at this University. Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, and Chemistry must have been completed within the past five years.
In general, if you already have a bachelor's degree, you will need to at least complete all the nursing and science courses required for the Nursing Program. This curriculum will take no less than three years to complete. This is due to the sequence of nursing courses and their prerequisites.
- Is this nursing program up to date with leading technology and equipment?
Absolutely! The CSUHFSON has two computer labs with the latest in interactive video, smart classrooms and CAI technology. We also have a skills lab where the students are able to fine tune their nursing skills. Additionally, Coppin State University has a new, cutting edge of technology Distance Learning Lab. This Lab will allow our students to attend lectures literally anywhere in the United States and even the world, without ever leaving our campus. Our program is unique in that it is possible to begin the clinical component of nursing in the first year, provided applicants meet the established criteria to do so. This program meets the needs of both recent high school graduates and of returning adult learners. Our nursing education program continues to evolve to meet today's needs and tomorrow's challenges.
- How is an applicant notified of their acceptance to the nursing program?
All applicants are notified of their acceptance to Coppin State University in writing from the Office of Admissions. Once accepted to the University, all nursing major applicant files are then sent to the School of Nursing for review for acceptance into the nursing major. After review of applicant file, verification of cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and confirmation that the applicant will not need any developmental courses, an invitation letter is sent to the applicant inviting them to sit for the Nurse Entrance Test (NET). Once the test scores are received by the Nursing Admissions Coordinator/Recruiter, the applicant files are checked for completeness and then sent to the Admissions, Progression, and Retention Committee for review. This committee, comprised of nursing faculty members, the Nursing Admissions Coordinator/ Recruiter and the Dean of Nursing, will then determine which applicants will be accepted to the Nursing Program for the coming fall semester. The accepted and denied students' will be notified by mail of their acceptance status to the nursing major.
