School of Nursing & Health Sciences · Bachelor’s degree
Nursing: LPN to BSN
Build on your LPN experience and earn your BSN.
Already a licensed practical nurse? MVU’s LPN to BSN track builds on what you know, with a transition course, BSN-level nursing courses, and clinical experience. An online track and an on-campus track are available.
LPN license
active, unencumbered Missouri license
84–85
credit hours of prerequisites and nursing
Online or on campus
choose your track
October 1
online track application deadline
Why LPN to BSN at MVU
Your experience counts
Move from LPN to BSN with courses designed for working nurses.
A bridge to the BSN
Start with NURS 355 Transition from LPN to BSN, then take BSN-level nursing courses.
Online or on campus
Choose the online track or the on-campus track.
Accredited and approved
The nursing program is CCNE-accredited and fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Advance from LPN to registered nurse.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree while you work.
- Take on more responsibility and leadership.
- Prepare for graduate study, such as an MSN.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Provide compassionate, person-centered care at the BSN level.
- Use clinical judgment and evidence-based practice.
- Promote health across the lifespan and in communities.
- Lead and manage care with professionalism.
How the degree works
Your path from LPN to BSN
Your LPN license and the prerequisites set you up for BSN-level courses.
01
Prerequisites and core
Complete the general education core and nursing prerequisites with a B or higher.
02
Apply to the track
Online track applications are due October 1 (accepted through December 1 if seats remain). On-campus applications are due February 1.
03
Transition and nursing courses
Take the LPN to BSN transition course and BSN nursing courses and clinicals.
04
Senior practicum
Finish with a senior seminar, a senior practicum, and NCLEX preparation.
Accreditation and approval: MVU’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through the 2027–2028 academic year and has full approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Completing the program doesn’t guarantee licensure or eligibility to take the NCLEX. Review the eligibility rules before you test.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
Nursing prerequisites (B or higher required)
- BIOL 275 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- BIOL 285 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- BIOL 320, HLTH 320, or CHEM 111 Microbiology or General Chemistry I (4–5)
- EXSI 385 or NURS 385 Human Nutrition, or Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals
- HLTH 280 Pathophysiology for the Health Professions
- PSYC 225 Developmental Psychology
- PHIL 125 or PHIL 150 Ethics and Contemporary Moral Issues, or Biomedical Ethics
LPN to BSN nursing courses
- NURS 300 Fundamentals of Nursing
- NURS 303 Health Assessment
- NURS 304 Pharmacology (4 credits)
- NURS 310 Mental Health Nursing
- NURS 320 Adult Health Nursing (5 credits)
- NURS 322 Adult Health Nursing Clinical
- NURS 340 Nursing of Families
- NURS 350 Community and Public Health Nursing
- NURS 355 Transition from LPN to BSN (2 credits)
- NURS 365 Evidence Based Practice
- NURS 410 Nursing Management & Law
- NURS 440 Gerontologic Issues in Nursing (2 credits)
- NURS 450 Adult Health II (4 credits)
- NURS 452 Adult Health II Nursing Clinical (1 credit)
- NURS 460 NCLEX Success
- NURS 480 Senior Seminar in Nursing
- NURS 482 Senior Practicum in Nursing (5 credits)
How to apply to the LPN to BSN track
- Be admitted to MVU (this doesn’t guarantee admission to nursing).
- Complete the TEAS exam within the last five years at the Proficient level (58.7%).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in core and prerequisite courses, with a B or higher in every nursing prerequisite.
- Complete science courses within seven years of applying.
- Send official transcripts from every college you’ve attended, and complete a transcript review and plan of study with nursing.
- Submit the nursing program application with references. Preference goes to students who have finished (or are finishing) their core and prerequisite courses.
- Hold an active, unencumbered Missouri LPN license.
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Start by applying to MVU, then apply to the LPN to BSN track.
01
Apply to MVU
Complete the free online application and send official transcripts from every college you’ve attended.
02
Finish your prerequisites
Complete the nursing prerequisites with a B or higher and take the TEAS.
03
Apply to the track
Submit the nursing application by October 1 for the online track or February 1 for the on-campus track.
Is the LPN to BSN track online?
MVU offers an online LPN to BSN track and an on-campus track. Ask the School of Nursing which fits your schedule.
Do I need a Missouri license?
Yes. Admission requires an active, unencumbered Missouri LPN license.
Does finishing the program make me eligible for the NCLEX?
Not automatically. Under Missouri law, completing a nursing program doesn’t guarantee eligibility to take the licensure exam. Review the Missouri State Board of Nursing’s eligibility rules before your testing date.
I’m an international student. What English scores do I need?
Non-native English speakers educated abroad can show proficiency with a TOEFL score of 540 (paper) or 83 (internet), a TOEIC score of 725 (Listening and Reading), or an IELTS academic score of 6.5 with a Spoken Band score of 7.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with an Associate Dean
Have questions about courses, your LPN credits, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Nursing: LPN to BSN
