Nursing (ASN)

Application Deadlines

• Priority Deadline: December 1st
• Regular Deadline: April 1st
  • Pending space in the incoming cohort, we will accept official TEAS score reports until May 1.
    • Student interested in LPN-RN Advanced Placement (see next dropdown) must complete their application by March 1 for priority consideration.
• Change of Major Requests — Deadline for transfer is April 1. To be considered, students must complete the Change of Major Request Form. Completed application should be returned to ASN@commonwealthu.edu for processing and include a TEAS score of 65 or higher.

Application Process 

• Complete the Commonwealth U application - be sure to select "Associates Degree" when prompted
• 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.

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

If you are currently enrolled at any of our Commonwealth University campus locations and are requesting to change your major to Nursing ASN or LPN-RN pathway please complete the following steps:

LPN Change of Major Requests:— Deadline for transfer is March 1. To be considered, students must complete the LPN Change of Major Request Form. Transfers are based on seat availability, pre-requisites met and GPA. 

ASN Change of Major Requests— Deadline for transfer is April 1 prior to the Fall in which you intend to enroll (Ex, April 1, 2027 for Fall 2027 applicants). To be considered, students must complete the Nursing Change of Major Request Form. 

Seats in the Nursing program are based on seat availability and reviewed annually. 

Questions regarding the internal application process should be sent to ASN@commonwealthu.edu 

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 ASN Program Guide

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Our advanced placement advisement pathway provides licensed LPNs 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, completed NACE exam, and completed all prerequisite coursework prior to the start of this program.

Students must submit official transcripts from high school and every college they have attended and meet the following requirements in order to be considered for this advanced placement option:

• Complete the Commonwealth U Application 
• Cumulative 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.

Prerequisite Courses (College-level)

*Must be completed prior to the start of the program with a grade of C or higher.

• MATH 101 or higher – Math (Quantitative) or STAT 141
• WRIT 103 - Foundations in Composition
• HLSC 115 - Anatomy and Physiology I
• HLSC 120 - Anatomy and Physiology II
• PSYC 212 - Lifespan Development (Interconnections)

Complete the LPN to RN Advanced Placement NACE Assessment Package

• FN1.2 Foundations of Nursing v1.2

• NCCF Nursing Care of Childbearing Family

  We encourage you to schedule your exam early to allow sufficient time for processing of your scores. To ensure timely processing, please email ASN@commonwealthu.edu once you have completed the exam.

Degree Requirements LPN-RN Checklist

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

This program includes a per semester clinical fee which supports the clinical education requirements by the accrediting agencies for the ASN and BSN Nursing Programs. For full details on various fees, visit the undergraduate student fees webpage.

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

NCLEX Passage Rate

Expected Level of Achievement
The program's most recent annual licensure examination pass rates will be at least 80% for all first-time test-takers during the same 12-month period.

Lock Haven ASN Program Completion

Expected Level of Achievement
75% of all students who begin the first nursing course in the generic ASN program will complete the program on time, which is 4 academic semesters.

Lock Haven ASN Program Job Placement

Expected Level of Achievement
80% of ASN graduates are employed within a year post-graduation.

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)

• Can I be a student-athlete while in the ASN program? 
  • Yes. Students in the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program may participate in intercollegiate athletics. However, nursing is a rigorous program with a demanding academic schedule that includes classes, clinical rotations, labs, and studying outside of class. If you have specific questions, please reach out to the Office of Admissions. 
• What are the admission requirements for the ASN program?
  • Applicants must meet the following criteria:
    • GPA: Minimum of 2.7.
    • Coursework: Completion of high school or college-level courses in Algebra, Biology with a lab, and Chemistry with a lab, each with a grade of 'C' or higher.
    • TEAS Score: A composite score of 65% or higher on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
  • High school students must submit transcripts, including any dual enrollment courses. Transfer students must provide official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.  
• What is the application deadline for the ASN program?
  • The priority application deadline is December 1. Ensure all materials, including TEAS scores and transcripts, are submitted by this date.
• How can I strengthen my application?
  • Academic Excellence: Aim for a GPA higher than the minimum requirement, Honors and AP courses are always encouraged due to the academic rigor of the nursing program.
  • Relevant Experience: Engage in healthcare-related volunteer work or employment to demonstrate commitment to the field.
  • Schedule your TEAS Exam Early: Students are only eligible to take the TEAS exam once per calendar year so be sure to schedule your exam early in case you need to retake it.
• Where will I complete clinical rotations?  
  • The majority of clinical rotation will take place at UPMC, Penn Highlands, Evangelical, and Mount Nittany hospitals, as well as long-term care facilities, based on the clinical rotation.
• How is the program structured?  
  • Nursing courses typically meet:
    • NURS 103 — Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    • NURS 104, 210, 211 — Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
    • NURS 213 — Tuesday, 10:00 – 11:50 p.m.
    • Clinical Wednesdays, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Nursing Clinical Course is blocked off all day Wednesday for students to complete their shifts.
• Do you accept transfer students?  
  • Yes! Transfer students are required to submit the TEAS exam along with transcripts from any college/university that they previously attended along with any current grades (if applicable).
• What is the NCLEX pass rate?  
  • 95.12% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate for 2025 (exceeds the national average)
• What is your placement rate?  
  • The graduating class of 2024, 100% of our graduates had a full-time job offer prior to graduation in a variety of specialties.
• Can I take BSN courses concurrently?
  • Yes! Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can take BSN courses concurrently with academic advisor approval. After ASN graduation and passage of the NCLEX, students can complete the RN to BSN degree. Most students complete the BSN degree in less than 4 years.

Have additional questions? Contact us at ASN@commonwealthu.edu