Nursing Change of Major
The first-year student nursing cohort is at maximum capacity.
There will be no first-year student change-of-major application this year.
Current Clemson students are eligible to apply to change their major to nursing both during the freshman and sophomore years at Clemson University. Applications are taken once a year throughout the month of January. Applications are available on the School of Nursing website during the application period and are submitted electronically. A nursing faculty committee determines change of major admission, and students are typically notified with the committee decision in early March. This leads accepted students to begin nursing classes the following fall. The faculty committee is looking for students who have completed the appropriate science and math courses in line with the attached nursing curriculum. Please note that students are only eligible to apply to change their major to nursing twice while at Clemson (not including the Undergraduate Admissions application). Because of the graduation timelines (see nursing curriculum below), it is strongly encouraged that your two applications periods occur during your freshman and sophomore year.
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Nursing Change of Major Application
The 2025 application opened January 2, 2025 and will close on January 31 at 4:30 PM.
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Current Freshmen Criteria For Application
The first-year student nursing cohort is at maximum capacity.
There will be no first-year student change-of-major application this year.
Current freshmen students who meet all of the following criteria at the time of application:
- Have been enrolled at Clemson University and completed their first fall semester only as an incoming freshman
- Have an established Clemson GPR/GPA
- Currently enrolled in and completing Clemson courses for the current spring semester
- Have met the science pre-requisites to continue forward in the Freshman Change of Major nursing curriculum (minimally BIOL 1030/1050 which is only offered in fall semesters)
- Earned Clemson GPR/GPA of a 2.75 or higher. Note that selection is more competitive than just the minimum. Typically, students above a 3.0 GPR/GPA are considered competitive
Students admitted to Summer Start will be eligible for the Freshman Change of Major application after their first full-time fall semester after completing the Tiger Town Summer Bound Program.
Students who successfully change their major to Nursing during their first year at Clemson should expect to graduate with the BS Accelerated Cohort. More information regarding cohorts can be found here.
The Freshman application process is typically extremely competitive and dependent on clinical space. In 2022, 32 freshmen were admitted out of 59 applicants. The average GPA of the accepted students was a 3.71.
The admitted number will fluctuate from year to year. For example, in 2020, 12 freshmen were admitted out of 55 applicants. The average GPA of the accepted students was a 3.9. The number of seats offered will be evaluated based on the size of the admitted Freshman Nursing cohort. In 2023, the School of Nursing did not admit freshman change of major applicants due to clinical space restrictions.
Please refer to the Nursing Curriculum Plan for Freshmen Change of Major Nursing Students for additional information including timeline of coursework.
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Current Upper-Class Student Criteria For Application
Current upper-class students who meet all of the following criteria at the time of application:
- Have been enrolled in college (Clemson or elsewhere) for two (2) or more semesters.
- Have an established Clemson GPR/GPA
- Currently enrolled in and completing Clemson courses for the current spring semester
- Have two or more of the math or science courses required for nursing completed: (BIOL 1030/1050 or 1100, CH 1010, BIOL 2220, 2230, MICR 2050 or 3050, STAT 2300). Note that selection is more competitive than just the minimum. Typically, students have completed in excelled in the majority of the courses listed above.
- Earned Clemson GPR/GPA of a 2.75 or higher. Note that selection is more competitive than just the minimum. Typically, students above a 3.0 GPR/GPA are considered competitive.
Students who successfully change their academic program to nursing their sophomore year should expect to take an extra semester to complete the program (intended graduation in December). Once accepted, the first fall semester is comprised of the NURS courses (and NUTR 2050) not taken during the freshmen and sophomore years. The first of the four clinical semesters begin the following spring semester. This program is only offered as a full-time program, and all clinical courses are taken at Clemson University’s main campus, with clinical placements all throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. There is not a way to accelerate this timeline.
In 2023, 27 upper-class students were admitted out of 54 applicants. Their average GPA was a 3.6. In 2022, 29 upper-class students were admitted out of 62 applicants. The average GPA of the accepted students was a 3.54.
Please refer to the Nursing Curriculum Plan for Upper-Class Change of Major Nursing Students for additional information including timeline of coursework.
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Criteria for Both Applications
The selection committee looks at each student’s overall Clemson GPR/GPA. In addition, excellence in science and math courses is stressed. Priority is also given to students who have completed the majority of the general education courses within the first two years of the attached nursing curriculum. It is important to continue making progress toward a back-up major. Taking random courses that do not meet degree requirements is discouraged.
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Coursework Recommendations
Prospective change of major students can “shadow” the first two years of the nursing curriculum with the exception of any NURS courses and NUTR 2050 (Note: NUTR 2030 cannot be used for NUTR credit toward the nursing degree). We strongly encourage students to continue their designated major’s curriculum while incorporating the courses (particularly science and math) outlined in the attached nursing curriculum when possible. Please note that simply pursuing a minor does not necessarily lead to degree completion.
If you are looking for courses to take in the upcoming semester, please refer to the freshmen and sophomore years on the below curriculum. Successfully completing the majority of the general education courses and all of the sciences and math required will lead to a competitive application.
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Financial
Full time students will be assessed the following academic program fee: $1000 per semester, beginning in the first semester of enrollment in the nursing program.
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Contact
If you have questions about the change of major process or application, please contact:
Leigh Spooner
309-B Edwards Hall
864-656-5506
rspoone@clemson.edu
