Frequently Asked Questions | Nursing

Once a student is admitted into the Nursing Program it takes four semesters to complete. For the traditional student, without interruption in progress, the program takes two years to complete. Courses are completed during the fall and spring semesters, without summer nursing coursework. For the accelerated student, without interruption in progression, the program takes 15 months to complete. Coursework is completed during the summer/fall/spring/summer semesters.

To be considered for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete and submit an Harford Community College credit enrollment application, if not a current student.
2. Complete and submit a Nursing Program application online by February 15 for admission to the summer accelerated class and/or fall class; by September 15 for admission to the spring class.
3. Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended (not Harford). Transcripts through Parchment and the National Student Clearinghouse are acceptable. Transcripts older than 12 months will not be accepted. Official college transcripts can be submitted by the transfer school either electronically to transcripts@harford.edu or through regular mail to:
          Harford Community College
          401 Thomas Run Road
          Bel Air, MD 21015
          Attention: Registration and Records
4. Complete TEAS testing with a minimum score of 58.7 (less than 58.7 not eligible to apply).
5. To meet the math requirement to qualify for the Nursing Program, students must do one of the following:
         • Receive a qualifying score on the Harford math assessment test (score valid for two years), or
         • Achieve a 530 score on SAT mathematics or an ACT score of 21 or higher (SAT and ACT scores valid for two years), or
         • Complete the highest transitional math course at Harford (025, 026, or 027), or
         • Complete a college‐level general education math course
             (101, 102, 103, 109, 111, 203, 204, 211, 212, 216, transfer: MATH REQR/M ELC‐M*) MATH elective requirement.
             * A grade of C or better must be earned in this course.
6. Complete a minimum of 16 college credits that must include:
         • ENG 101* English Composition
         • BIO 203* Anatomy and Physiology I
         • PSY 101 General Psychology
   AND two courses from the following:
         • PSY 214* Human Development Across the Life Span
         • BIO 204* Anatomy and Physiology II
         • BIO 205* Microbiology
         • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
               * A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses.
7. Achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.50 on the courses applicable to the Associate of Science Degree Nursing Program.

Classes for the traditional program and the accelerated day program are offered Monday through Friday with some evening and weekend clinical hours.

You may be eligible for advanced standing in the LPN-RN Program. Complete an application to the college and have your official transcripts sent to the college. Complete an LPN to RN application and submit by February 15 for admission to the fall class or by September 15 for admission to the spring class. Once you are notified that the transcripts have been received, make an appointment with an academic advisor to help you plan a course of study.

Forty-eight students are admitted in the fall and spring semesters. Thirty-two students are admitted in the summer accelerated program. Ten LPN to RN students are admitted in the fall and spring semesters.  

There are often as many as 250 applicants that meet the admission requirements each semester. Only 48 applicants can be accepted into the traditional program in each fall and spring semester. In the summer, an additional 32 students are accepted into the day accelerated program.

Rev. 02/07/2019

Apply to the College and have official transcripts sent to Records and Registration. Once you receive notice that your transcripts have arrived, make an appointment to see an academic advisor to identify which courses can be transferred toward your degree in nursing.

A 4.0 GPA is not necessary to be accepted in the Nursing Program; however, most students who are accepted into the program have above a 3.0 GPA. Sometimes repeating a course helps you gain the knowledge, skill and abilities necessary to be successful in the program. However, it is not advised to repeat courses unless it provides a beneficial learning experience or is critical to being selected in the program.

No. Students are rank ordered based on the selection criteria. Once classes begin, the rank order is no longer operational and the process is repeated with the next admission group.

Transfers and advanced placement are permitted on an individual, limited basis depending on space. Often a transfer student loses some of the nursing credit for previous coursework since nursing curricula differ a great deal. Students who have failed a nursing course at another nursing program are not eligible for transfer with advance standing but may apply to the program as a new student.

Meet with an academic advisor to review the selection criteria and develop ways to strengthen your standing in the selection process.

To complete the entire program at Harford, including prerequisites, the cost is approximately $15–$16,000 at current tuition rates. The following is a rough breakdown of expected costs. All figures are approximated and may be higher or lower based on your specific needs:

• Tuition and Fees (in-county): $8,680
• Consolidated Fees: $1,736
• Course Fees: $1,449
• Books: $2,000
• Uniforms and Equipment: $350
• Graduation, NCLEX Application, etc: $700
• Physical, Immunizations, etc: $400

TOTAL $ 15,315