School of Nursing

On-Campus Post-AAS to B.S. Classes and Requirements

An overhead view of a nursing student in scrubs walking across OHSU’s Portland campus while holding a tablet.
In the post-AAS to B.S. program, OHSU nursing students develop their skills on-campus, combining coursework with real-world health care experience.

A B.S. with a major in nursing from OHSU prepares you for a rewarding nursing career. The curriculum helps you become a skilled nurse. 

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Post-AAS to B.S. with a major in nursing program curriculum

You need 180 credits to complete the post-AAS to B.S. with a major in nursing degree program. This consists of your prerequisites and 33 credits of nursing classes you’ll take at OHSU, including clinicals and practicum coursework. 

  • Location: In-person at OHSU’s Portland campus 
  • Length: Nine months 
  • GPA: To graduate, you need a minimum 2.0 GPA.   

Sample post-AAS to B.S. classes and program of study

Get a glimpse of the nursing classes you’ll take during the program. 

Post-AAS to B.S. program of study

B.S. in nursing student learning outcomes

Completing your B.S. in nursing at OHSU prepares you for the next step of your career. The curriculum helps you build your skills as a competent nurse and learn to: 

  • Base personal and professional actions on a set of shared core nursing values 
  • Use reflection, self-analysis and self-care to develop insight 
  • Engage in intentional learning 
  • Demonstrate leadership in nursing and health care 
  • Collaborate as part of a health care team 
  • Practice within, utilize, and contribute to all health care systems 
  • Practice relationship-centered care 
  • Communicate effectively 
  • Make sound clinical judgments 
  • Locate, evaluate and use the best available evidence 

Post-AAS to B.S. degree requirements

You need 180 credits to complete the post-AAS to B.S. program. That includes prerequisites you’ll complete before you start and credits taken at an accredited college or university and OHSU.

Credits required to graduate

Upon completing the OHSU School of Nursing RN to B.S. program, you will meet these graduation requirements.

Program course requirements Quarter credits GPA requirements
General education and elective classes* 54 Minimum 3.0
Post-AAS to B.S. core nursing classes 33 Minimum 2.0

*These courses may be met by a bachelor’s degree or classes from an accredited college or university other than OHSU: 

  • Humanities classes: 9 credits   
  • Social science classes: 6 credits   
  • Statistics: 3 credits 
  • Upper-division electives: 15 credits   
  • Lower-division electives: 21 credits  

Ask an admissions counselor

Credits/prerequisites required before you start

You must complete the following prerequisite courses with a C- or better before you start your program.

Prerequisite courses Quarter credits
Nursing classes transferred to OHSU 60
Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, human development, nutrition, English and genetics classes 33

 Prerequisite coursework requirement details:

Anatomy and physiology

You need 12 quarter credits of human anatomy and physiology with lab. This must cover all body systems. You should:   

  • Complete the full sequence  
  • Finish at least one course by the end of the fall term the year before you start the program  
  • Complete all courses before starting the program  
  • Take each course no more than twice in the last 7 years  

If you've taken a course more than twice in 7 years, we'll use your second attempt's grade. 

Microbiology with lab

You need 4 quarter credits of basic microbiology with lab.

Nutrition

You need 3 quarter credits in nutrition. The course should cover:   

  • Biological functions  
  • Dietary sources of essential nutrients  
  • How diet affects health 

Human development

You need 3 quarter credits in a human development course that covers the social and psychological development of humans across the entire lifespan, from birth to death. Courses that only cover part of the lifespan won’t count.

Written English/English Composition (WR 121 & 122 or equivalent)

You need 8 quarter credits in English composition. Courses should:   

  • Develop and support ideas in written English  
  • Prepare you for scientific or technical writing  

Note:   

  • Remedial English courses don't count.
  • Writing-intensive college courses can meet this requirement (i.e. WR 121, 122, or 123).
  • A non-nursing bachelor's degree from an English-speaking country satisfies this, but you may need extra elective credits to graduate.

Introduction to genetics

You need 3-4 quarter credits in a human biology course that includes a human genetics component. The course catalog must specifically mention human genetics. Microbiology or Anatomy and Physiology courses won’t count.  

If you plan on pursuing the full-time track, we recommend completing Statistics before applying.  

Application requirements 

To apply, you must have:   

  • An associate of applied science degree in nursing (AAS) from an OCNE community college—or be on track to complete it before enrollment 
  • RN license within one term of starting the program 

*If you have a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99, you may still apply. Please contact Admissions before applying.  

How to apply 

Follow these steps to apply:    

  • Apply by April 30 for a fall start.
  • Go to Nursing CAS and apply.
  • Answer the essay prompt in Nursing CAS. Essay responses are used for clinical placement purposes.
  • Send transcripts to Nursing CAS. Contact Nursing CAS to ensure your transcripts arrive.

You do not need to enter any coursework information or supporting information into Nursing CAS.  

Get application details for international students, veterans and current OHSU employees.  

OHSU B.S. with a major in nursing class descriptions

During the B.S. program, you’ll take upper-division nursing classes (300-400 level) at OHSU, totaling 33 credits. You must complete all OHSU courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

NRS 410 Population-Based Care

9 credits. This course is intended to prepare nurses in the practice of community and population health. Students are given an opportunity to apply population health principles to address health disparities. Community and population health are examined as a synthesis of knowledge from nursing, public health, the social sciences and epidemiology. Students analyze prevalent population health issues, explore population interventions and participate with the community as client to promote quality, culturally proficient, and preventive healthcare. Frameworks of community and public health are examined, and community assessments are conducted using a systems approach that promotes health literacy and embraces cultural diversity. 

NRS 411 Epidemiology

3 credits. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of death, disease and disability in human populations. In this course, students will learn the basic principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation; examine studies of the distribution and dynamic behavior of health determinants; understand etiologic factors, modes of transmission and pathogenesis; and explore concepts in social epidemiology. Applying epidemiologic case studies, students will engage systems and complex thinking to evaluate programs and policies in population health and nursing. 

NRS 412 Nursing Leadership in Health Care Delivery Systems

10 credits. This course requires the learner to consider his or her role as a leader in nursing and in health care. Focus is on the knowledge and skills required to improve health care delivery and client outcomes from a systems perspective. Historical, legal, ethical, regulatory, socio-cultural, economic and political factors influencing the health care system and professional nursing practice provide context to the learning. Students will understand how nursing leadership influences client care and practice within the broader health care delivery system. This course includes classroom and clinical learning experiences. 

NRS 413 Introduction to Research for Nurses

2 credits. This course builds on foundational learning activities in evidence-based practice and research. In the course students will deepen their understanding of evidence-based practice, the research process, and the nursing contribution as they learn to refine research questions and access, critique, and translate evidence into practice. 

NRS 425 Integrative Practicum II

9 credits. A continuation of NRS 224 or 424, this course provides the student with the opportunity for developing deeper understanding of and competence in the nursing care of the selected population. Faculty/Clinical Teaching Associate/Student Triad Model provides a context that allows the student to experience the nursing role in a selected setting, balancing demands of professional nursing and lifelong learner, supporting the transition to the nursing role in the delivery of health care. Emphasis is on the health care needs of the selected population, and the associated systems and policy issues. Includes seminar, self-directed study and clinical learning experiences. 

Nursing scholarships

OHSU offers more nursing scholarships than ever before. See if you qualify.