Rowan's nursing department has collaborated with Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing to develop an innovative, cooperative diploma/BSN degree program. Students will enter Rowan for their first year of this cooperative degree, taking foundational courses. They can then apply to the diploma program through Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing. Successful application to the diploma phase depends upon meeting academic requirements, and there are a limited number of spaces available in the cooperative program*. Upon completion of the diploma program, students study for the NCLEX. Once becoming RNs, they can then complete the RN-BSN program to gain their bachelor's degree. 

This program is designed to provide students the opportunity to acquire a highly sought after BSN degree, whose quality is enhanced through combining the expertise and strengths of Rowan's Department of Nursing and Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing.

The application deadline for Fall 2026 entry into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is January 15, 2026 with an application completion deadline (all materials in) by January 31, 2026. Please note: all nursing applicants will be asked to choose a secondary major when applying.

Are you a current Rowan student interested in changing your major to Nursing?

There are now a limited number of opportunities available for internal transfer into the Cooperative Nursing BSN program. The Nursing Department has developed an application process for eligible Rowan students who wish to change their major to Nursing. To be eligible, students must have 59 or fewer credits completed by end of Fall 2025 semester, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and have completed the following courses prior to Summer 2026 semester:

• College Composition I and II
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II
• Essentials of Psychology
• One of the following courses 
  • Statistics I 
  • Lifespan Development 
  • World History 

Interested eligible students must attend one of the following information sessions:

• Monday, September 15th, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Chamberlain Student Center Room 144
• Tuesday, September 16th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm,on Zoom

You must register here to attend an information session. If you are unable to attend any of the information sessions, please indicate so by completing the registration form. You will be notified of your next steps.

The deadline to apply is October 10th (application opens September 16th).

All eligible applications will be evaluated by the Nursing department and will include consideration of posted final semester grades.

Application to the Cooperative BSN is highly competitive and space is limited; application does not guarantee acceptance.

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Accreditation 

The RN diploma program at Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing is accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Rowan University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001.

Program details