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BEAR Admission 2025 (for a 2026 start)

This is an internal application for the Bear Admission process, open to current University of Northern Colorado (UNC) students only. Applicants must meet the criteria listed below. If applicants do not meet the criteria, their application will not be processed.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for early or "BEAR Admission" to the Clinical Phase of the Nursing Major (BSN) you must meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum of 18 earned UNC credits (excluding college credit earned while concurrently enrolled in high school, IB credit, or advanced placement (AP) credit).
  • Currently enrolled at UNC.
  • Admitted to UNC as a first-time freshman. Applicants with prior college credit earned through support or co-registration of high school education are eligible for Bear Admission application. Applicants who have attended any other community colleges or universities not supported/co-registered with high school education are not eligible for Bear Admission.
      • Courses taken at an institution other than UNC during sessions outside of fall and spring (ie. summer, interim) do not apply to this criteria.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the most recent 30 semester hours of credit completed. Credit is not given for vocational or remedial courses below college level.
  • A minimum grade of C- in each of the prerequisite courses or course equivalent. A minimum of 4, but not more than 6, of the following prerequisites must be complete at the time of application:
      • BIO 110 Principles of Biology
      • ENG 123 ºÃÉ«TV Research Paper
      • BIO 245 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
      • CHEM 281 Fundamentals of Biochemistry
      • CHEM 281L Fundamentals of Biochemistry Lab
      • BIO 251 Allied Health Microbiology
      • PSY 230 Human Growth and Development
      • STAT 150 Introduction to Statistical Analysis 
      • BIO 246 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology
      • FND 250 Principles of Nutrition
      • NURS 326 Pathophysiology

If you meet the above eligibility criteria, you may submit an application for the clinical phase of the BSN nursing program.

If you do not meet the above criteria, and are interesting in applying to the School of Nursing, please contact your nursing advisor for further information regarding open admission.

Step 1:

Meet with your NHS Nursing Exploring advisor if you have questions about eligibility.

You can email nhsadvising@unco.edu and verify all requirements for Bear Admission have been met.

Step 2:

Apply for Bear Admission:

  • Application for the nursing program must be submitted through .
    • The application opens Monday, May 12, 2025.
    • There is an $60 application fee to NursingCAS.
    • For the term for which you are seeking admission, select 'Spring 2026'. 
      • We have openings for both Spring 2026 and Fall 2026. Spring start students must have all pre-requisites successfully completed by Friday, December 12, 2025. Fall start students must have all pre-requisites successfully completed by Friday, May 8, 2026.
    • Unofficial transcripts are required. These can be accessed in URSA.
    • Personal attributes and accomplishments are not required.
    • Required: please enter prerequisite courses, semester taken, and grade achieved. Data will be compared internally by the Nursing Admission team with UNC DegreeWorks. 
  • Due date for submitting your application is Friday, May 23rd, 2025, by 11:59pm (MT).  No requests for an extension will be granted.

Students will be notified by email to your UNC Bear Mail, of admission status no later than Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at 11:59pm (MT).

Students who do not apply for or are not admitted to Bear Admission are eligible to apply for open admission in November.

Contact Information:

Contact the School of Nursing at 970-351-2293 or nursing@unco.edu if you have any questions.