Curriculum | Online RN to BSN | Utica College Online

Curriculum Details

31-61 TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED

Explore the latest methodologies in patient-centered health care in the Utica College online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) curriculum.

Through 9 core courses totaling 25 credits, prepare for advanced nursing roles that demand critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and leadership. As you do, expand your knowledge of essential nursing concepts and practices.

The curriculum also offers extensive liberal arts electives, including courses on treating chemical dependence, caring for the elderly, and more, so you can bring a broader perspective to your practice. Through these BSN classes, you will meet the multifaceted demands of modern nursing in three years or less.*

The curriculum course abstracts on this page are meant to provide a high-level course overview and subject to change based on term, faculty, and/or institutional requirements. View the official course descriptions as written in the Utica College Academic Catalog and in adherence to regional compliance. Select the appropriate Undergraduate Catalog from the dropdown.

Major related requirements

BIO 101 Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4

Learn about the structure and function of the human body. Explore how the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems work; and understand the roles of cells, tissues, and skin. May not be taken by biology majors except by special permission.

BIO 102 Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 4

A continuation of BIO 101. Examine the structure and function of the human body including the endocrine, reproductive, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems.

Prerequisite: BIO 101.

BIO 203 Microbiology and Lab Credit Hours: 4

During this introduction to microbiology, you’ll learn about pathogenic micro-organisms and their role in disease, inhibition, and destruction. You’ll also explore bacteriology principles and techniques.

This course is not open to biology majors.

Prerequisites: BIO 101 and 102

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Explore the various fields of psychology including human development, learning and memory, and sensation and perception. You’ll also examine psychopathology and psychotherapy, physiology and behavior, social psychology, psychological testing, motivation, and emotion.

ANT 415 Cultures, Health, and Healing Credit Hours: 3

Examine the effects of culture when it comes to health and beliefs. You’ll also explore practices related to illness and healing.

Prerequisites: ANT 101 or SOC 151 or permission of instructor.

BIO 113 Human Genetics Credit Hours: 3

Learn the fundamental principles of human genetics and look at the social, medical, as well as moral issues raised by current research in areas like race, behavior, and genetic engineering.

Lecture only.

This course is open to all majors, but may not count as a major elective for biology majors.

SOC 151 Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3

Explore sociological concepts in United States society to gain an understanding of topics including social class, race, ethnicity, sex, age, family, education, and religion. You’ll also examine sub-cultures, polity, economy, deviance, urban life, collective behavior, population, bureaucracy, social groups, and social change.

PHI 108 Professional Ethics Credit Hours: 3

Examine the ethical dilemmas professionals encounter at work. Take a close look at the issues present in industries like journalism, health care, law, education, computer science, information technology, and public relations.

NUR 445 Introduction to Research Methods and Design Credit Hours: 3

Gain an understanding of the scientific method and a foundation for evidence-based practice in nursing. Using published research studies, you’ll examine, discuss, and apply critical elements of the research process with an emphasis on scientific integrity and maintaining ethical standards. You’ll develop the skills needed to become a critical consumer of research literature and a participant in the research process.

Prerequisites: MAT 112 or PSY/SOC 211 or ECN 241.

MAT 112 Basic Statistics Credit Hours: 3

Explore statistical competencies as a non-mathematics major. You’ll explore probability theory topics, binomial distribution, normal distribution, descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, measures of central tendency, and hypothesis testing. Additionally, you’ll learn about confidence intervals, correlation, and prediction.

Prerequisites: MAT 100, or satisfactory performance in Mathematics Placement Test administered by the mathematics department, or permission of instructor. Students may not also take PSY 211, ECN 241, or SOC 211 for credit toward Core Goal 4: Quantitative Reasoning

Required nursing courses

NUR 311 Socialization to Professional Nursing Credit Hours: 3

Gain an introduction to all aspects of the nursing profession, including an overview of nursing roles, theory, and professional practice. This course sets the foundation for professional practice that is built upon throughout the RN to BSN curriculum.

Prerequisites: PHI 107 or PHI 108 and SOC 151, except for RN to BSN program

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NUR 325 Health Assessment Credit Hours: 3

Broaden skillsets in assessing healthy individuals with references to illness through the assessment of physical, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental aspects of clients across their lifespan. Focus is on well individuals with reference to illness for comparison.

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NUR 312 Leadership and Informatics in Professional Nursing Credit Hours: 3

Discover the differences between nursing leadership and nursing management as you explore the impact of informatics and technology on nursing, patient care, and health care delivery.

Prerequisite: NUR 311, except for RN to BSN program.

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NUR 332 Pathophysiology Credit Hours: 3

You’ll examine the basic principles and processes of pathophysiology, including cellular communication, genetics, forms of cellular injury, fluid and electrolytes, acid-base balance, immunity, stress, coping, illness, and tumor biology.

Prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 203, and CHE 211, except for RN to BS program

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NUR 333 Pharmacology Credit Hours: 3

Review information for safe, effective nursing care related to pharmacology.. You’ll examine actions, uses, administration alerts, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, contraindications, interactions with other drugs, herbs, food, and treatment of overdose and antidotes.

Prerequisite: NUR 332, except for RN to BSN program.

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NUR 347 Care of Communities Credit Hours: 3

Focus on the health of populations and communities through the study of epidemiology, health promotion, and disease prevention across the lifespan. You’ll analyze factors including environment, genetics, culture, economics, and access to care, in addition to completing a community practice experience.

Students cannot also take NUR 346 for credit.

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NUR 411 Health Policy Management in Professional Nursing Credit Hours: 2

Explore the role of the nursing manager in practice, political, and community settings. You’ll also analyze different management techniques and routine tasks such as budgeting, planning, supervision, and delegation.

Prerequisite: NUR 312, except for RN to BSN program.

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NUR 413 Trends and Issues in Professional Nursing Credit Hours: 3

Gain insight into the key factors shaping nursing today and what may influence the field in the future, with an emphasis on the role of the bachelor-prepared nurse. You’ll participate in a practice experience where you’ll apply your leadership abilities in a practice setting.

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NUR 465 End-of-Life and Palliative Care Practice Credit Hours: 2

Examine end of life issues, palliative care, and complementary therapies and explore physical, psychological, social, and spiritual concerns of patients and families as they relate to pain and comfort care, and end-of-life decisions.

Prerequisites: PHI 107 or PHI 108, except for RN to BSN program.

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Transfer Information

Applicant must be a graduate of an accredited Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) or Diploma Nursing program.
If from a diploma program, the applicant must also have completed an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to transfer.
A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from four-year institutions, and 60 credits from two-year institutions, depending on one’s academic major. Courses to be considered for transfer credit must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.”
Upon matriculation, 30 transfer credits in nursing are granted toward the baccalaureate degree based upon a current nursing license. Up to 30 credits of Arts and Sciences can be transferred from the associate’s degree program and up to 60 from a baccalaureate degree program.
Completion of a minimum 121 credit hours is required for graduation. Transfer credits are included in the total required 121 credit hours. At least 60 of the 121 credit hours must be taken in the liberal arts and sciences.

*Students must complete sufficient elective courses to earn at least the minimum of 121 credit hours required for this degree. At least 60 credit hours must be in the liberal arts and sciences.