Wichita State and Kansas State Pathway to Nursing Program

In partnership with the K-State’s College of Health and Human Sciences, this unique dual degree program will give students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Kansas State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) from the College of Health Professions at Wichita State University.
 
As part of the program, all students are assigned a health professions advisor in the College of Health and Human Sciences that works in conjunction with the students’ academic advisor. With the assistance of the advisors, students begin the program working towards their bachelor’s degree from K-State while fulfilling the requirements needed for the nursing program. Once requirements are met, students will then submit an application for WSU’s Traditional BSN program. Accepted students will spend the next two years in the Traditional BSN program, and earn a BSN degree from WSU. Both degree programs will be based in Manhattan, Kansas.

Pathway to Nursing Program Application Process

application process

Dual Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the cost of tuition?

This information can be found on the Tuition and Fees web page. 

When did the WSU's Traditional BSN program begin on the K-State Manhattan campus?

The Kansas State Board of Nursing has granted approval for WSU to begin accepting students to its Traditional BSN program in fall semester 2022.

What are the advantages of the WSU/K-State nursing program?

This dual degree program gives students the opportunity to earn two degrees from two prestigious universities in approximately five years.

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

This program is available to any student who is admitted to K-State. Students will apply to K-State and declare their major of choice as well as declare pre-nursing. Students who meet the eligibility requirements established will be eligible to apply to the WSU Traditional BSN program.  Please visit the WSU School of Nursing website for information about the Traditional BSN program’s eligibility requirements.

How long will it take to complete WSU’s Traditional BSN program offered on the K-State Manhattan campus?

The Pathway to Nursing program may be completed in as little as five years, but may require additional time depending on the K-State major selected by the student. There are some majors whose coursework requirements are better suited for this program. Students should work with the health professions advisor to review their long range plan to determine the time it would take to complete both degrees.

What are the requirements for acceptance to WSU's Traditional BSN program on the K-State Manhattan campus?

In addition to the he program requirements for students enrolled on the WSU's main campus in Wichita, Kansas, students must also be an active, degree-seeking student at KSU in order to apply. Please visit the WSU School of Nursing website for information on the Traditional BSN program and Graduate programs.

What major will I enroll in at K-State? 

There are several majors specifically coordinated with the nursing program designed for program completion within five years. These majors include human development and family science, integrative human sciences, nutrition and health, and kinesiology. However, students in the pathway program may choose to enroll in any of the 250 majors offered at K-State.

Before selecting any major, students should visit with a College of Health and Human Sciences representative to create a long-range plan with the student's selected major to understand the course load and sequence of courses that will be required to fulfill both the K-State degree and the nursing pre-requisite courses.

Will all clinical rotations and courses be in Manhattan?

All courses will be on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas. Clinical rotations will be held at various clinical sites across the state of Kansas.

What prerequisite courses do I need to apply for the nursing program?

Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more about required prerequisite courses.

Is there a separate application for this program?

All students applying to the WSU Traditional BSN program will complete the same application. Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more.

How will I be advised through the Pathway to Nursing program?

Students who enter the Pathway to Nursing program will meet with an academic advisor, (sometimes called a major advisor) specific to their major, and a health professions advisor in the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences. Academic advisors help students understand what they must do to complete the requirements of their major (degree). Health professions advisors help students understand what they must do to become competitive applicants to health professional schools and programs.

Once a student applies and is accepted into the WSU Traditional BSN program, students will transition to a WSU nursing advisor as they complete the nursing portion of the program.

How many students will be admitted into the program?

20 students will be admitted into the program each semester.

How many admit periods or cycles are there?

There are two Program Entry Points for the Traditional BSN Program: Spring and Fall. Application deadlines are Feb. 1 for fall entry and Sept. 1 for spring entry.

What does the coursework look like for just the nursing classes?

Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more about coursework.

Once students complete the K-State degree requirements is admission to the traditional BSN program at WSU guaranteed?

No, admission to the traditional BSN program at WSU is not guaranteed. All students will apply to the traditional BSN program and admission is competitive. Please visit the WSU Traditional BSN Program website to learn more.

If I am part of the WSU/K-State nursing program, will I be able to apply to other nursing schools?

Students in the program will have met the general requirements to apply to other nursing programs. However, specific nursing programs may require additional courses that were not required for this program. Required courses for certain nursing programs should be discussed with your health professions advisor.

I am a registered nurse with an Associate’s Degree. Will I be able to complete my BSN degree at WSU’s Traditional BSN program on the K-State campus?

If a student already has their RN license and holds an Associate’s Degree, the program that would fit their interest is WSU’s RN-BSN completion program. The RN-BSN program is completely online and can be completed in three semesters as a full-time student.

I already have a BA in Psychology. Will the Accelerated BSN program be available through WSU’s BSN program at K-State’s Manhattan campus?

WSU's Traditional BSN program will be offered at K-State’s Manhattan campus. The Accelerated (ABSN) program is offered on WSU’s main campus in Wichita, Kansas. Please visit WSU’s School of Nursing website for information about the Accelerated BSN program, Traditional BSN program and Graduate programs.