Semester 3 Admission Requirements
Semester 3 entry requirements
This two-calendar-year (six-semester) continuous period of study is designed for students who have previously studied at university and have completed the following pre-requisite courses:
Subject requirements:
- Anatomy (ANAT) 1010 or equivalent: 3 credit hours
- Physiology (PHYL) 1001 and 1002 or 1011 and 1012 (or PHYL 1001 + Biological Science): 6 credit hours
- Statistics (STAT) 1060 or equivalent: 3 credit hours
- Microbiology (MICI) 1100 or equivalent: 3 credit hours
- English (ASSC) 1700 or equivalent writing course: 3 credit hours
- Science elective: 3 credit hours
- Open electives*: 9 credit hours
- A minimum grade of C is required for each course
*Please note that Nursing courses cannot be used to fulfill the open electives pre-requisite requirement.
A student with a .03 credit hour combined Anatomy and Physiology course will also be required to have .06 additional credit hours of Biological Sciences
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 based on overall post-secondary career or most recent year of studies (30 credit hours)
Meeting the minimum entrance GPA does not guarantee admission. As a result of the competitive admission process, applicants typically require a higher entrance GPA than the minimums listed in the admission requirements.
To be eligible for semester 3 entry admission, the 5 core pre-requisite courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, English, and Statistics) cannot be more than 10 years old from the forecasted date of graduation from Dalhousie's Nursing program. Elective pre-requisite courses cannot be more than 15 years old.
Semester 3 students have all the required non-nursing courses (equivalent to semesters 1 and 2) completed with at least 30 credit hours and will enter the program at Semester 3 in September. Semester 3 entry is not available to students entering directly from high school.
Applicants with 15 credit hours or more of the Semester 3 pre-requisites cannot be reviewed for the semester 1 entry point. Applicants will need to complete any missing pre-requisites and upon submission of an application will be reviewed for the semester 3 entry point.
Semester 3 students will enter the program at Semester 3 in September and take 6 semesters over a 2-year period. Semesters 3 to 8 are exclusively nursing courses. Fall Semester is September to November; Winter Semester is January to March; Summer Semester is May to July. Students will have a one-month break between each semester.
Additional information for Semester 3 applicants:
- Students must seriously consider whether financial, work and family responsibilities will allow them to study full time, year-round. Enrolment is limited—not all applicants with the minimum GPA will receive a place in this option
- Applicants must carefully compare courses completed with the published information to determine, to the best of their ability, whether the subjects align. Academic admissions requirements can be met by attending any recognized university or college. Visit Dalhousie’s Transfer Credit Equivalency Table for more information.
- Our Nursing Admissions Committee reserves the right to make the final decision on whether a course satisfies admissions requirements. We encourage you to apply early to ensure you satisfy the course requirements for admissions consideration.
Graduation: October, with eligibility to practice as a graduate nurse and apply to write the NCLEX-RN Licensure Examination in August.
Information Sessions: Semester 3 Entry
The Undergraduate Admissions Team will be hosting Nursing Information Sessions for prospective applicants with previous postsecondary experience.
Full details can be found here: https://apply.dal.ca/portal/future-student-events?tab=virtual
During the session, students will:
- Learn about the Nursing program, admission requirements, and key deadlines
- Receive guidance on the application process for applicants with previous postsecondary experience
- Have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with Dalhousie Admissions representatives
Sessions are offered weekly with in-person and virtual options available.
We require all prospective Nursing applicants with previous postsecondary experience to attend one of the information sessions rather than scheduling an individual advising appointment with an admission team member.