Howard University offers Basic, LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN undergraduate nursing tracks. The Basic track has lower and upper divisions; upper-division applicants complete prerequisites and additional nursing admissions requirements, including Casper and an admissions examination.
- Program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Credential
- BSN
- Location
- Washington, Washington, DC, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- November 1, 2026 (First-year early action application and documents)
- Length
- Basic track: four years, two lower-division years and two upper-division years.
Casper Requirement for Howard University Undergraduate Nursing
Howard University Undergraduate Nursing requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Howard University Undergraduate Nursing Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Common App for first-year and external transfer admission; a separate upper-division nursing application is required for eligible applicants.
- Applications open
- Fall 2027 undergraduate applications are open.
- Application fee
- $45 non-refundable undergraduate Common App fee
| What | When |
|---|---|
| First-year early action application and documents | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| First-year early decision application and documents | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| Spring 2027 transfer application and documents | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| First-year regular decision application and documents | February 1, 2027upcoming |
| Fall 2027 transfer application and documents | April 1, 2027upcoming |
First-year applicants apply through Common App. External upper-division transfers complete Howard’s university application, then request the nursing application at nursingud-app@howard.edu and submit official transcripts and TEAS results. The upper-division nursing application deadline is not published for the current cycle.
Eligibility Requirements for Howard University Undergraduate Nursing
- Degree / credits
The Basic track has two lower-division years followed by two upper-division years. Upper-division applicants must complete the prerequisites before starting; RN-to-BSN applicants must complete the lower-division plan and hold a current RN license.
- Citizenship
International students may apply.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS overall 6.5, unless Howard grants a stated exemption.
Admission pathways
- Basic track: First-year students enter lower-division study; upper-division admission requires an application.
- Upper-division Basic transfer: Eligible transfers apply to Howard and request the upper-division nursing application.
- LPN-to-BSN: Fall admission; current LPN license required.
- RN-to-BSN: Fall admission; current RN license required.
Entry to the Basic track does not remove the upper-division application requirement.
Other requirements
- Nursing license: A current LPN license is required for LPN-to-BSN; a current RN license is required for RN-to-BSN.
- Official transcripts: Upper-division applicants submit official transcripts from every institution previously attended.
Selection Factors Howard University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry I with lab | 4 credits Courses may be in progress when applying but must be complete before the semester starts. Prerequisites must have been taken within the past five years; the listed courses total 58 semester hours. |
| General Biology with lab | 4 credits |
| Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs | 8 credits |
| Microbiology with lab | 4 credits |
| College Algebra or higher mathematics | 3 credits |
| Statistics | 3 credits |
| Nutrition for Health Science Majors | 3 credits |
| English Composition I and II | 6 credits |
| Principles of Speech | 3 credits |
| Literature | 3 credits |
| African-American Studies | 3 credits |
| Fine Arts | 2 credits |
| General Psychology | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 credits |
| The Family | 3 credits |
| Human Growth & Development Across the Life Span | 3 credits |
GPA
- How it is calculated
For upper-division Basic and LPN-to-BSN admission, the science GPA includes College Algebra, General Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, and Anatomy & Physiology I and II.
- Minimum
- Upper-division Basic and LPN-to-BSN: 3.0 cumulative and 3.0 science; RN-to-BSN: 2.8 cumulative.
Competitive candidates exceed minimums, demonstrating readiness through strong performance in biology, chemistry, and related fields.
Admissions tests
- TEAS (required): Upper-division Basic and LPN-to-BSN applicants must successfully complete the nursing admissions examination.
- SAT/ACT (optional): Not required for first-year admission in the 2026-2027 cycle.
Supplementary application
Upper-division Basic and LPN-to-BSN applicants submit a personal statement essay and complete the nursing application. First-year applicants submit the main Common App essay; Howard’s additional Common App essay is optional.
How applicants are ranked
First-year applicants undergo Howard’s holistic university review. Upper-division Basic and LPN-to-BSN applicants must meet prerequisite and GPA requirements, complete the nursing admissions examination and Casper, and submit a personal statement; Howard’s nursing handbook lists an admissions-committee interview by invitation.
Interview Format at Howard University
Howard’s undergraduate nursing handbook lists an interview with the Undergraduate Nursing Program Admissions Committee by invitation only; it does not specify a format.
- Who is invited
- Upper-division applicants invited by the nursing admissions committee
Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.
Prepare for Casper and Your Interview
Access Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank with 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert-crafted responses, AI Interview Simulator with realistic practice conditions, and personalized mentorship from current medical students, all on one web-based platform.
Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Howard University Undergraduate Nursing
- Program length
- Basic track: four years, two lower-division years and two upper-division years.
- Structure
The lower division covers liberal education and nursing prerequisites. Junior and senior years concentrate on nursing coursework and clinical training; progression requires upper-division admission.
Electives are available in summer before senior year or fall/spring senior semesters after successful prerequisite completion. Participate in consortium opportunities as a fully admitted degree-seeking student meeting GPA standards.
Campus and facilities
Located in Washington, DC, Howard University operates as the preeminent HBCU, often called the Mecca. Nursing students access facilities supporting clinical training and research. The program upholds strict academic dishonesty policies, aligning with professional nursing standards.
Tuition and Funding at Howard University
- 2026-2027 full-time undergraduate tuition, per semester: $18,998
- Nursing clinical skills and simulation lab fee, years 3-4, fall: $690
- Nursing electronic bundle, years 3-4, per semester: $900
Other university-wide and nursing-specific charges also apply; these are 2026-2027 published rates, not Fall 2027 rates.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a structured path emphasizing hands-on preparation. Students report that campus experiences depend on individual engagement in this vibrant environment. Students note competitiveness is what you make of the Mecca experience. Non-traditional applicants with families highlight balancing coursework.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Howard University Undergraduate Nursing Application
- Review the upper-division prerequisite list and five-year course rule.
- Plan for the required nursing admissions examination, personal statement and Casper if applying to an upper-division track that requires them.
- Submit the Common App and required documents by your admission-plan deadlines.
- If transferring into upper division, request the nursing application and arrange official transcripts and examination results.
- If invited, prepare for the nursing admissions-committee interview.
More About Howard University Undergraduate Nursing
- Academic integrity
Upper-division includes academic integrity policies preparing students for professional practice; the program upholds strict academic dishonesty policies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Howard University Undergraduate Nursing
Does Howard University School of Nursing require Casper for undergraduate nursing?
Yes. Howard lists Casper for upper-division Basic and LPN-to-BSN admission. Consult Acuity’s program search for booking details.
What is the minimum GPA for Howard University undergraduate nursing upper division?
Upper-division Basic and LPN-to-BSN applicants need at least 3.0 cumulative and 3.0 science GPAs. RN-to-BSN applicants need at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA.
Are there direct-entry options in Howard University School of Nursing BSN?
Basic-track students complete lower-division study and must apply for upper-division admission.
What prerequisites are needed for Howard University nursing upper division?
Howard lists 58 semester hours of upper-division prerequisites, including laboratory sciences, mathematics, English and social sciences. Courses must be completed before the semester starts and taken within the past five years.
Is an interview required for Howard University School of Nursing undergraduate admissions?
Howard’s nursing handbook lists an upper-division admissions-committee interview by invitation; no format is specified.
Can international students apply to Howard University undergraduate nursing?
Yes. Howard accepts international first-year applications. Applicants whose native language is not English generally need TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS 6.5 unless exempt.
What electives are available in Howard nursing BSN?
Ask the nursing program about elective availability in your plan of study.
How competitive is Howard University School of Nursing undergraduate program?
Howard publishes minimum requirements, including upper-division GPA, prerequisites, an admissions examination and Casper; it does not give a competitive GPA figure on its nursing admissions page.
Sources
- cnahs.howard.edu: undergraduate nursing prerequisites
- cnahs.howard.edu: admission requirements
- scribd.com: ugupperdivapplication 2021
- cnahs.howard.edu: 2022 2023 DON Undergraduate Student Handbook
- cnahs.howard.edu: ugupperdivapplication 2021
- cnahs.howard.edu: undergraduate nursing
- cnahs.howard.edu: Admissions Policy (A2.05b, A3.13) 10.26.22 website
- cnahs.howard.edu: Upper division Plan of Study
- cnahs.howard.edu: Grad Handbook 2024 2026
- cnahs.howard.edu: ug plan of study bsnlower updated 1
- blackstonetutors.com: nursing university interviews the complete guide
- glassdoor.ca: Howard University Hospital New Grad RN Interview Questions EI IE121009.0,26 KO27,38
Last updated: September 26, 2026