Nursing (ASN)

The Associate of Science in Nursing courses consist of liberal arts and selected sciences, as well as nursing courses. Each required course listed on the curriculum worksheet must be taken in the designated sequence as knowledge builds from less complex to more complex. Nursing courses include theoretical and clinical components.

Topics covered include

• Foundations of Nursing
• Medical Surgical Nursing
• Maternal Child
• Behavioral Health
• Geriatrics

Degree Requirements Nursing (ASN) Checksheet Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Our advanced placement advisement pathway provides the LPN an opportunity to advance to an RN. It offers LPNs a pathway to career advancement, increased earning potential, a broader scope of practice, and the opportunity to make a more significant impact in healthcare. It is a valuable investment in professional growth and the pursuit of higher nursing qualifications. Students must have an LPN license prior to the start of this program.

Degree Requirements ASN Program Guide LPN-RN Checklist Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

• GPA of 2.7 or higher
• Algebra- earning a C or higher. From high school or college level.
• Biology with a lab- earning a C or higher. From high school or college level.
• Chemistry with a lab- earning a C or higher. From high school or college level.
• TEAS composite score of 65% or higher

Disclaimer: Those who apply that do not meet the admission criteria may or may not be added to a waitlist to be considered for the program when application criteria is met. Acceptance is highly competitive. Being added to the waitlist does not guarantee acceptance into the ASN program.

Application Deadlines

All applications are processed through the Commonwealth University – Lock Haven Admissions Office. The Admissions Office will correspond with applicants about missing paperwork or inability to meeting the competitive prerequisite requirements.

• Early Deadline: December 1st Nursing admissions committee will review only completed files received by the above date. Applicants will be notified of their decision via email in late December
• Regular Deadline: April 1st Nursing admissions committee will review only completed files received by the above date. Applicants will be notified of their decision via email in early April

Please Note: It is your responsibility to ensure all course information has been submitted with your nursing application by the deadline in order for your application to be considered complete. Only completed course final grades will be accepted for prerequisite courses, not courses in progress. You can check your status at anytime using the Application Portal.

Application Process 

• Complete the Commonwealth U application - be sure to select "Associates Degree" when prompted for 
• TEAS Score of 65 or higher 
• High school students must submit transcripts from high school, including dual enrollment courses. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from high school and every college they have attended.
  • GPA of 2.7 or higher
  • Algebra- earning a C or higher. From high school or college level.
  • Biology with a lab- earning a C or higher. From high school or college level.
  • Chemistry with a lab- earning a C or higher. From high school or college level.
  • TEAS composite score of 65% or higher

Please Note: Acceptance into Commonwealth University does not guarantee acceptance into the nursing program. Admission to the nursing program is a separate process. Applicants for the nursing program are considered on a competitive basis for fall semester start date only. 

• CU Student Interested in Changing Major 
• Directions for Current CU Student- Application for Fall 2025

TEAS Information

You will need to have a minimum composite score of 65 on the TEAS exam as part of your admission application. You may take the exam once in a calendar year, Jan. 1 – Dec. 31.

The School of Nursing will accept TEAS scores from exams taken at (1) CU - Bloomsburg Testing Center (2) remotely through ATI; or (3) at another University/Testing Center. If you take the exam remotely or at another University it is your responsibility to have your scores sent to Lock Haven University. 

Learn more about TEAS and Register

If you have questions about the application requirements or the application process please contact the Admissions Office at 570-484-2027 or admissions@commonwealthu.edu

The philosophy of the Breiner School of Nursing at Commonwealth University reflects the values and beliefs of faculty which provide a strong foundation for each nursing program, associate to doctoral, and contributes to excellence in professional nursing practice. Our program will prepare the graduate to be proficient in nursing competencies for clinical practice. Our philosophy is based on the belief that nursing is a unique and valuable profession that requires a commitment to caring, career-lifelong learning, innovation, and professional development. We believe that nurses should be competent, compassionate, and provide person-centered holistic care. Faculty believe in fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment that equips students with the necessary cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, clinical judgment, and commitment to the values of the profession to function as effective nurse leaders. The faculty recognize diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning experiences based on the students’ individual learning needs, learning styles, and readiness. Learning is a continuous, career-life-long process that occurs throughout domains enhanced by an environment that encompasses critical thinking, clinical reasoning, clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, clinical simulation, and person-centered holistic care. In a developmental manner, students will progress from knowledge to proficiency in the eight core concepts. We are committed to providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to succeed as competent, compassionate, and person-centered professional nurses.

Core Concepts

• Clinical Judgment
• Communication
• Compassionate Care
• Diversity, equity, inclusion
• Evidence-based practice
• Ethics
• Health policy
• Social determinates of Health

Upon completion of the Commonwealth University – Lock Haven Associate Degree nursing program, the graduate is prepared to:

• Provide nursing care across the lifespan, adapted to the health care consumer’s physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, developmental, and spiritual dimensions of health. (Patient-Centered Care)
• Demonstrate professional nursing behaviors, evidencing integrity, legal accountability, ethical responsibility, advocacy, caring and a commitment to lifelong learning. (Professionalism)
• Select informatics and technology to manage information, minimize error, and achieve defined health care outcomes. (Informatics and Technology)
• Select effective and professional communication skills. (Communication)
• Interpret effective relationships with health care consumers and members of the health care team in order to meet mutually determined health care outcomes. (Teamwork and Collaboration)
• Demonstrate the ability to provide nursing care that protects health care consumers and health care personnel from health and environmental hazards. (Safety)
• Evaluate the principles of quality improvement to achieve cost effective, patient-centered outcomes. (Quality Improvement)
• Use critical reasoning and best current evidence to make nursing care decisions. (Evidence-Based Practice)
• Select leadership strategies to direct nursing care, promote change and foster achievement of health care goals. (Leadership).
• Demonstrate professional nursing behaviors related to global health practices that include the effects of the culturally diverse community, from the individual to global perspectives, on such areas as disease transmission, violence, health care policy, and health care economics. (System Based Practice/Global Awareness)