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Union County College
Solaris Health System Union County College


  1. Is there a waiting list for admission?
    There is no waiting list for admission. However, there may be a waiting list for nursing clinical courses. Enrollment for all nursing courses (N100, N119, N120, N121, N122, N141 and N221) is determined by date of admittance, satisfactory completion of the science and other general education course requirements and seat availability.

  2. Should I begin to take courses on my own prior to being accepted to Muhlenberg School of Nursing?
    No. It is neither recommended nor necessary to do so. The Muhlenberg program consists of two parts: the general education courses (pre-requisites and co-requisites to the nursing clinical courses), which include science and liberal arts courses, and the nursing courses (clinical). While advanced standing can be awarded, courses are not pre-requisites for acceptance. Refer to the Transfer Credit Form on the Schools’ website for more information about transferring from other colleges. You do not have to attend Union County College first (or any other college) before applying to Muhlenberg’s nursing program.

  3. Do I have to take pre-requisites before being accepted to the School of Nursing?
    The term "pre-requisite" is not the same as the term "admission requirements." Pre-requisite courses are courses that must be completed before progressing to the next course. The pre-requisite courses listed in our curriculum are part of the nursing program. They are not admission requirements. Therefore, you do not have to complete them prior to applying for admission.

  4. What are the admission requirements?
    The criteria, which should concern you as an applicant, are the admission requirements outlined below. (All criteria are considered.)
    • Official High School Transcript or GED
      The School will review your overall record; in particular, completion of algebra, biology with lab, chemistry with lab and a second unit of mathematics. Applicants must receive a “C” (70%) or higher in each subject.
    • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
      This is a requirement for high school seniors and those having graduated from high school within the last three years. The School requires a minimum combined score of 750 or higher.
    • Nurse Entrance Test (NET)
      The components of this test are:
      • MATH: This section evaluates basic operations in mathematics and algebra that are considered essential for success in nursing. Any score that is less than the Math Average (62%) should be considered an area of concern. The School expects applicants to score at the high school level.
      • READING: The Reading Comprehension portion evaluates your ability to effectively read material at the difficulty of medical/surgical textbooks for nurses. The average score is 56%. The School expects applicants to score as Independent or Instructional readers.
      • READING RATE: The NET determines your effective speed in reading college level material. The average score is 275 WPM (words per minute).
      • WRITTEN EXPRESSION: This section evaluates the level of competence in developing and organizing ideas that are expressed in a written format.
      • TEST TAKING SKILLS, STRESS LEVEL PROFILE AND LEARNING STYLE: These sections provide academic counseling information should you become a Muhlenberg student.
    • Previous College Transcripts (if applicable)
      The applicant’s overall academic record will be reviewed, particularly those classes relevant to the Muhlenberg program.
      • If you have ever attended Union County College, are currently attending Union County College, or plan to attend Union County College prior to your enrollment in the School of Nursing, be aware that this acceptance is contingent upon achieving and maintaining a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all science courses. You must make arrangements to have an official transcript from Union County College forwarded to the School of Nursing, Admissions Office, following completion of courses. In the event that your cumulative grade point average is below a 2.0, your acceptance to the School of Nursing will be cancelled.
      • Admission as a transfer student from schools other than Union County College requires a 2.5 cumulative grade point average in all relevant courses (see page 7 of Pathways, School of Nursing Curriculum Design). No more than one repeat is permitted in these relevant courses; there may not be any failures in science or English courses taken in the last college attended.
      • If you are seeking to transfer any of the required biology courses (Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology), please note that these courses must have been successfully completed within the last five (5) years; Chemistry must have been completed within the last ten (10) years.
      • The School of Nursing may grant up to seventeen (17) credit hours of advanced standing in nursing (clinical) courses that correspond in subject matter and number of credits to Muhlenberg’s nursing courses. These courses must have been passed successfully at the school they were taken.
        • All advanced standing in nursing courses will be granted sequentially.
        • Students transferring nursing credits will be required to complete a Skills Review with this Schools’ Nursing Arts Laboratory Coordinator prior to registration.
    • Letters of Reference
      Three complete references are required from individuals who are acquainted with you in a professional capacity. References from family members or friends are NOT acceptable. Consult Pathways for specific reference requirements.
    • ESSAY
      This 250-word writing sample must addresses one of the three essay topics listed on page 4 of the application. It is evaluated on grammar, spelling, clarity of thought and neatness.
    • In addition:
      • Applicants to the Accelerated Track are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree.
      • Applicants to the LPN to RN Career Ladder Track are required to show their current LPN licenses and submit a transcript from their LPN school.


    Note: The Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center School of Nursing Curriculum includes science, general education and clinical courses. While many sections are offered, registration into these courses cannot be guaranteed. Registration for all nursing courses is on a seat-available basis. This means that students with advanced standing are not guaranteed enrollment in nursing courses for the semester they prefer. Students may register for other required general education courses. All biology courses (Anatomy I and II and Microbiology) have a five year time limit; chemistry has a ten year limit. Consult page 7 of Pathways for the Curriculum Design.

    This information is provided for your convenience. In no way does it supercede the official information found in Pathways, the Catalog or on the Schools’ website.

    Revised: October 2004