Nursing - AAS

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Associate of Applied Science degree builds upon the practical nursing certificate and is designed for students who wish to continue their nursing education and obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). A minimum of 15 hours of general education, which shall include courses in composition, math, human relations, and six hours outside the major, are required in addition to the major courses for the Associate of Applied Science degree.

In addition to the Practical Nursing Certificate admissions requirements, AAS students must also:

1. Submit a completed application to the nursing department (refer to the nursing website for application period dates).
2. Obtain a grade of B- or better in all prerequisite courses. Applicants who have completed a prerequisite course with more than three attempts without achieving a grade of B- or better will not be considered for admission. Courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
3. Pass the NCLEX-PN and submit a copy of current practical nursing license in good standing in the state of Utah no later than one week prior to the first day of fall semester. This requirement does not apply to USU PN students immediately (without a break in their nursing program) transitioning to the USU AAS program in Blanding, Moab and Price.

After acceptance to the USU AAS program, students will be given instructions on how to submit results of a clean criminal background check, a negative drug screen, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and proof of required immunizations per program policy. 

AAS students must maintain at least a 79.5% exam average and a grade of B- or better in all nursing courses. Courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Students will receive the lesser of the exam average or overall course average as the course grade.