More students who want to be nurses will soon be able to pursue that dream.
妻友社区's College of Nursing is launching a new pathway that will allow students without high school mathematics, chemistry or biology courses to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The Foundational Entry concentration, beginning fall 2026, provides students with opportunities to complete required STEM prerequisites as part of their nursing program. This innovative approach is expected to add more than 125 first-year students to Kent State's nursing program each year.
The Foundational Entry concentration reflects Kent State鈥檚 commitment to providing educational opportunities to students with varied backgrounds and experiences. While maintaining Kent State College of Nursing鈥檚 rigorous academic standards, this new track offers a supportive pathway for aspiring nurses who may have faced educational barriers earlier in their academic journey.
鈥淲e are thrilled to offer this new concentration to students who have the passion and dedication to become nurses but may not have had access to advanced science and math courses in high school,鈥 said Versie Johnson-Mallard, Ph.D., Henderson Memorial Endowed Leadership Chair and dean of Kent State鈥檚 College of Nursing. 鈥淭he Foundational Entry concentration embodies our belief that nursing talent exists in all communities. By offering a marathon rather than a sprint approach to meeting nursing prerequisites, we鈥檙e ensuring that more students can achieve their dreams of becoming safe, competent nurses at the bedside while maintaining a strong 4- to 4.5-year graduation timeline.鈥
The program has already generated significant interest, with approximately 100 prospective students expressing interest in this pathway. Students admitted to the Foundational Entry concentration will complete the same comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum as their peers in other concentrations, ensuring they receive the highest quality nursing education and are fully prepared for professional practice.
Key features of the Foundational Entry concentration include:
Accessible Admission Requirements: Students must achieve either a minimum 2.700 overall high school GPA with a minimum 22 ACT composite or 1100 SAT score, or a minimum 3.000 overall high school GPA.
Comprehensive Support: Students receive foundational coursework to prepare them for success in advanced nursing courses.
CNA Certification Requirement: Students complete a State Tested Nurse Aide program and obtain Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification before entering the Professional Nursing Sequence, providing valuable hands-on healthcare experience.
Same High Standards: All students must maintain a minimum of 2.750 overall GPA and science GPA to progress through the program.
Like all Kent State nursing students, Foundational Entry concentration students will benefit from the program鈥檚 emphasis on professional knowledge, evidence-based practice, cultural competency and compassionate care. The curriculum includes clinical experiences across the lifespan and prepares graduates to be nurse leaders and healthcare advocates in their communities.
Students interested in the Foundational Entry concentration can apply through Kent State's standard admissions process. For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and its concentrations, visit www.kent.edu/nursing/nursing-bsn or contact Kent State鈥檚 College of Nursing at nursing@kent.edu.
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Photo Caption:
妻友社区 students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing pathway look forward to a bright future. (Photo credit: Bob Christy, 妻友社区)
Media Contacts:
Mariah Gibbons, mgibbon2@kent.edu, 330-672-8756
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797