Admission
Butler’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers direct admission. This means admitted students are automatically enrolled in the Nursing program starting their first year, with no need for additional applications or other admission requirements.
Because the Nursing program offers direct admission, entry into the program is highly competitive. A very limited number of transfer student spots are also available. Applications for the program are accepted for a fall start only.
If Butler’s Nursing program is your number one choice, we highly encourage you to apply Early Decision. Early Decision applicants will receive priority admission into the program.
Admission Criteria
To be considered for direct admission to the Nursing program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Completed Common App to the University, with Nursing as the selected major
- Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 weighted (or 3.0 unweighted)
- Successful completion of the following high school coursework:
- English: 4 years
- Mathematics: 3 years; 4 years preferred
- Pre-calculus preferred
- Statistics preferred
- Laboratory Science: 3 years; 4 years preferred
- Biology and Chemistry required
- Social Studies/History: 3 years
- World Language: 2 years of the same language preferred
To learn more about applying to Butler, select your student type below.
BSN Application Deadlines
Students who are serious about attending Butler’s Nursing program are highly encouraged to apply Early Decision. Early Decision is a binding commitment, meaning those who apply and are admitted to the Nursing program will enroll and attend Butler. Students should only apply Early Decision to one school because of that binding commitment. The Nursing program is the only program at Butler currently utilizing an Early Decision admission process. When completing the Common App, you will select ‘Early Decision’ on the application.
August 1: Application opens
November 1: Early Decision Deadline
December 1: FAFSA Priority Deadline
December 20: Admission decisions released
Mid-January: Financial Aid Offers sent
February 1: Non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit due
Early Action is different from Early Decision because it is not binding. If you are interested in Butler’s Nursing program, and it’s among your top choices, applying Early Action could be the right choice for you. Due to the competitive nature of the application process, priority admission is given to those who apply Early Decision.
When completing the Common App, select ‘Early Action’ on the application.
August 1: Application opens
November 1: Early Action Deadline
December: Recommended FAFSA Filing Period
March 1: Butler’s Priority FAFSA Deadline
May 1: Enrollment deposit deadline
While applicants can also elect to apply through our Regular Decision program, with an application deadline of February 1, it is less likely the BSN program will still be extending admission to the program at this time.
August 1: Application opens
February 1: Regular Decision Deadline
March 1: Butler’s Priority FAFSA Deadline
May 1: Enrollment deposit deadline
Learn more about Butler’s first-year Regular Decision deadline.
Apply to Butler’s BSN program using the Common App. The application for fall 2025 admission opens on August 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
No additional application requirements are needed beyond the standard application requirements to apply to Butler. Additionally, students have the option to apply test-optional.
Students who successfully complete AP, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program, or dual-credit courses in high school are eligible for advanced course placement.
The BSN program curriculum only allows the following coursework for AP/IB credit or college credit transfer consideration:
- Chemistry (with lab)
- Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
- Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
- Microbiology (with lab)
- Nutrition
- Psychology/Lifespan Development
Using transfer credit to fulfill Butler University’s Core Curriculum may also be possible, provided the course is consistent with the learning objective of the specific Core area. For more information, visit the transfer credit website.
Filing the FAFSA is not a requirement of the program, but we highly encourage all students to file the FAFSA to explore all aid programs available. If applying Early Decision, we highly encourage you to file the FAFSA as early as possible, but no later than December 1.
Yes, homeschool students are welcome to apply to this program.
Non-US citizens are eligible to apply for the Nursing program. However, due to the need for experiential learning that may require work authorization as well as individual state requirements for licensure, documented or undocumented non-US citizens may find challenges completing or being allowed to practice in the nursing profession. International students intending to practice nursing outside of the US should refer to country specific requirements for licensure/work authorization. Please contact your admission counselor for additional information.
No. At this time, the Nursing program operates on a fall start only.
Admission to the Nursing program is very competitive. Your best chance of admission to the program is by applying Early Decision as a first-year student. While there are a small number of transfer spots available each year, the ability to transfer into the Nursing program is even more restrictive than being admitted as a first-year student. For more information about transfer student enrollment, visit our website.