The College of St. Scholastica


Career Opportunities

Nurses are the largest group of health care professionals in the United States. With the nursing job market extremely good nationwide, the time to become a nurse has never been better. Since experts predict that the nursing shortage will continue for the next decade, a nursing career will mean choices in work settings, types of positions, and security, knowing that there is a well-paying and prestigious position waiting for you upon graduation.

Nursing Education

Today nursing leadership is critically needed. Getting a baccalaureate degree is an asset to nurses whose broad educational background and strong foundation in the sciences facilitates their upward mobility. Graduates of baccalaureate programs are prepared to be leaders in the rapidly changing health care system.

Nursing Education at St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica's traditional baccalaureate nursing program has a long-standing reputation of excellence and currently admits up to 112 students each fall semester. The curriculum reflects current health care trends and the role of the registered nurse in today's complex health care system. Health promotion, illness management and population-based care are the focus of the traditional undergraduate curriculum. Students are prepared to practice holistically as leaders in healthcare delivery, with an educational foundation grounded in the Benedictine values. Throughout the curriculum simulation, technology and integrative therapies are blended to prepare students as healers of the mind, body and spirit. Graduates are also eligible to apply for registration as a Minnesota public health nurse.

Our history speaks for itself as The College of St. Scholastica's nursing program has been providing nursing education since 1933. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. It is a program in which students are able to combine quality student-centered classroom learning with clinical learning experiences in a variety of settings. Duluth is a regional health care center with three hospitals, two major clinics, several nursing homes and residential health care facilities, and numerous community health agencies that serve northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and upper Michigan.

Based on our long and rich history of educating individuals for positions of responsibility in all areas of the health care delivery system, the College of St. Scholastica School of Nursing is poised to respond to the challenges that lie ahead in health care. Students are given the opportunity for clinical experiences in pediatric, maternity, psychiatric-mental health, medical/surgical, community and gerontological nursing. In addition we require electives in the senior year that allow students to expand their knowledge in an area of interest. As a graduate you will have the knowledge to provide the kind of care we need tomorrow.

Nursing Major Requirements

Lower Division Required Courses

Dignitas (4 credits)
First Year Composition (4 credits)
Human Communication (4 credits)
Sociology (4 credits)
Introductory Chemistry for Health Sciences (2 credits)
General and Organic Chemistry (2 credits)
Introduction to Biochemistry (2 credits)
Cell Biology (2 credits)
Lifespan Developmental Psychology (4 credits)
Introduction to Counseling (2 credits)
Anatomy and Physiology (8 credits)
Microbiology (3 credits)
Nutrition I (2 credits)

Required Nursing Courses

There are 50 nursing credits in the traditional baccalaureate program. Six credits are taken second semester of sophomore year with the other 44 credits distributed between junior and senior year.

Required Support Courses

Pathophysiology (4 credits)
Statistics (4 credits)
Nutrition II (2 credits)

Application to the Nursing Major

Students apply to the baccalaureate nursing program during the fall semester of their sophomore year and if accepted, will begin the nursing program in the spring of their sophomore year.

Specific requirements are:

  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and completion of at least 48 credits by the end of fall semester of the sophomore year.
  • Completion of all lower division required courses by the end of spring semester, sophomore year.
  • Minimum of C or higher in all nursing prerequisites taken at CSS and a grade of B or higher in prerequisites taken at another college.

The following requirements need to be completed prior to making application to the major:

  • 2 year Health Care Provider certification in CPR for Infants, Children and Adults.
  • Nursing Assistant course followed by current State registration as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
  • Current physical examination with updated immunizations (physical required the summer prior to application).

New CSS freshmen are eligible for the ENTER program, which is a criterion based, early admission program. This program guaranties admission to those students who upon admission to the college declare their intent to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing and who meet ENTER program criteria. Although admission is guaranteed, ENTER students must complete the application form and all the requirements listed above.

Option for Registered Nurse Students

Are you already a Registered Nurse (RN) but interested in the advantages that come with a baccalaureate degree in nursing?

Registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma who wish to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing can apply for admission to the RN/BS track. This track is designed for the RN who has at least one year's experience in nursing and who may currently hold a full-time position in nursing. All courses are offered online. Inquire about St. Scholastica's flexible program for registered nurses by contacting the School of Nursing.

Transfer Policy

Students seeking to transfer into the nursing program from another college should consult with the Director of Student Services for the School of Nursing to determine course equivalencies for prerequisite courses. An overall GPA of 3.0 with at least a B in all transferred prerequisite courses is required. The School of Nursing reserves the right to select students who best meet the qualifications. Students transferring at the junior and senior levels are considered individually.

For Further Information
If you would like more information about our program or financial aid contact:
Admissions Office
The College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, Minnesota 55811
(218) 723-6046 or 1-800-447-5444
TTY/TDD (218) 723-6790
e-mail: admissions@css.edu

Visitors are always welcome! To help us best plan for your visit, please call us in advance.

The College of St. Scholastica is an equal opportunity educator and employer.