Nursing A.A.S. Program Requirements

Please note 

All required materials for admission must be submitted by the admission deadline.

All other criteria being equal, preference is given to current students at TC3, applicants with more college credits than other applicants, and applicants who reside in Tompkins, Cortland, or Tioga counties.

Current TC3 Students

TC3 students applying to the Nursing program should contact the Department of Nursing for internal application instructions.

Prior TC3 Nursing Students - Readmission

Students who receive a grade of W, WP, WF, or F in a required nursing course may apply for readmission to the nursing program. Upon readmission, the student will have one opportunity to repeat the failed course and attain a passing grade. A student can do this with only two nursing courses. Having been admitted previously to the Tompkins Cortland nursing program does not guarantee readmission.

  • Official College transcripts not already on file at Tompkins Cortland. Electronic transcripts should be sent directly from the institution via email to transcripts@tompkinscortland.edu.
  • Three letters of reference. One letter must be from a member of the TC3 College's nursing faculty, and another letter must be from another member of the nursing profession, preferably a nursing supervisor/employer.

Students wishing to be readmitted to the second, third, or fourth semester must have an overall GPA of 2.0, excluding grades from failed nursing courses. If there are more applicants than spaces available in a given semester, selection will be based on grades in science, math, and nursing courses, overall GPA, the personal statement on the application form, the applicant’s personal letter, and letters of reference.

Traditional Applicants who Graduated from NYS High School within the Last 5 Years
  • Final high school academic average of 80 or above.
  • High school coursework must include: NYS math courses in algebra, biology, and chemistry with Regents scores of 80% or above in each course.
All Other Traditional Applicants
  • Overall GPA must be 2.5 or above.
  • Required Prerequisite Courses: All required courses must have been taken within the last 5 years with an earned grade of "C" or higher.
  • College-Level Math Course: Math course must be equivalent to TC3’s MATH 095 or higher, with a grade of C or better. The math requirement may be waived based on entrance assessments.
  • College-Level Biology/Chemistry Course: Biology/Chemistry course must be equivalent to BIOL 101 and CHEM 101, both taken within the past five years, with a grade of C or better, or BIOL 104, taken within the last five years, with a grade of C or better. Note that BIOL 101 and CHEM 101, or BIOL 104, are the required prerequisites for BIOL 131 and BIOL 132, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I and II.
  • Based on assessment, a student may be required to take ENGL 100 prior to enrollment in the first semester of the nursing program.
Transfer Admissions

LPN

Practical nurses (LPNs, LVNs) may apply to enter the first or second semester of the nursing program or apply for advanced entry into the third semester. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their nursing advisor or speak with nursing admissions to discuss their appropriate path.

In addition to application requirements: Personal Statement, High School Diploma or GED, College Transcripts, and Licensure, a Faculty Coursework analysis will determine eligibility for first, second, or third semester admission.

Transferring from Another RN Program

Nursing transfer applicants, students with nursing credit (C or better) from another program, may apply to enter the second or third semester. Tompkins Cortland does not admit new students into the fourth semester of the program. Nursing courses taken at other schools will be evaluated for transfer credit when the student provides an official transcript. Nursing courses that are more than five years old will not be accepted. Transcripts must be sent directly to the enrollment services center.

If there are more applicants than spaces available in a given semester, selection will be based on grades in science, math, and nursing courses, overall GPA, and a personal statement of application. An interview may be required. Letters of recommendation from previous nursing faculty or nursing supervisors are strongly suggested.

In addition to application requirements: Personal Statement, High School Diploma or GED, College Transcripts, and Licensure, a Faculty Coursework analysis will determine eligibility for first, second, or third semester admission.