Admissions Process

We understand it may be challenging to start a new chapter and go back to school — that’s why we’re here to help you every step of the way. If you’re looking for more information about CSPN, download our brochure and contact us if you have any questions.

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First steps to apply to CSPN’s PN Program:

1. Applicants will submit online application.
2. Upload Official High School Transcripts or Official GED **(college transcripts are optional, but strongly encouraged if you have not met the minimum 2.0 GPA required for high school transcripts)
3. Upload typed responses to essay questions.
4. Applicants will schedule an entrance exam online – click here to schedule.
   Entrance exams are in-person.
   Entrance Exam is waived for applicants meeting one of the following criteria:
   * Applicant with a minimum of a two or four-year degree from an accredited college (bachelor’s or associate degree)
   * HESI scores reflecting a minimum score of a 70% both in reading and math (up to 3 years)
   * ACT reflecting a minimum score of a 19 for math and a 20 for reading (up to 3 years)
   * WorkKeys reflecting a minimum score of a 3 (72-75 scale) in math and a minimum score of a 4 (76-77 scale) in reading
   Official test scores, and/or transcripts must be mailed or emailed to apply@cspnohio.edu 

Admissions Policy

Application Requirements

• Applicants must pass both sections of the entrance exam with a 68% or better on the math portion and a 70% or better on reading comprehension.
• Entrance Exam is waived for applicants meeting one of the following criteria:
  * Applicant with a minimum of a two or four-year degree from an accredited college (bachelor’s or associate degree)
  * HESI scores reflecting a minimum score of a 70% both in reading and math (up to 3 years)
  * ACT reflecting a minimum score of a 19 for math and a 20 for reading (up to 3 years)
  * WorkKeys reflecting a minimum score of a 3 (72-75 scale) in math and a minimum score of a 4 (76-77 scale) in reading
  Official test scores, and/or Transcripts must be mailed or emailed to apply@cspnohio.edu 
• Eligibility Criteria Form (ECF) found online is completed by the applicant.
• Applicant must be 18 years of age to apply to the program.
• Applicant must currently be an Ohio resident.
• If English is not applicant’s first language, applicant must have taken the TOEFL iBT within the past 2 years, and achieved a minimum score of:
  • • 18 listening
    • 18 reading
    • 26 speaking
    • 17 writing
• High school graduate with official transcript or official GED results.
  • High school GPA of 2.0 is required, unless college GPA meets or exceeds 2.0
  • GED results will be reviewed and considered according to test series.
  • If an applicant’s high school grades/GPA were achieved in another country, they must be translated to English prior to submission (translated at applicant’s expense). CSPN does not offer translation services.
• Prospective students with an online high school transcript/diploma must have a minimum of six academic college-level courses from an accredited college, completed after high school (or transcripts from an approved OSBCCS online high school). ESL courses will not be accepted as part of the six college courses.
• College transcript(s) – official, or a copy of the official transcript
• Applicants that have attended any other nursing school(s), transcript(s) must be submitted from all other attended programs.
• Student Nursing Perspective (writing sample)
• Proof of medical insurance
• Signed Statistical Data Form

To be considered for enrollment, the applicant must submit the information listed above by applying online and following all instructions. Each applicant is reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions and Promotions Committee. The Admissions and Promotions Committee does not guarantee enrollment, as CSPN is a private, non-profit school, and reserves the right to select the best candidates.

Enrollment Requirements (for accepted Students only)

• Accepted students are offered a seat in the program, contingent on a negative drug test and favorable BCI/FBI report(s)
• Background check (BCI/FBI) through Integrity Verifications
  • BCI report must not contain any convictions other than traffic violations, DUI/OVI and disorderly conduct (no weapon involvement).
  • Applicant that has not lived in Ohio for the past 5 years, will also have to complete a federal background check (FBI) at the same time as the State criminal background check (BCI screening).
  • Drug screening: Accepted students must submit a drug screening at CSPN.  CSPN has a zero-tolerance policy and drug test results must be negative.
• Advanced Placement will be considered for all enrolled applicants that have achieved a C grade or better (in the past 5 years at an accredited college) in the areas of Nutrition, Anatomy & Physiology I and II (must complete both AP I and II), and/or Growth and Development/Life Span. The accepted student should notify us in advance if this applies.
• Physical exam
• Immunization records or titers for Tdap, MMR, Varicella, and Hep B
• Two-step TB test, or bloodwork test
• BLS/CPR for Healthcare
• COVID vaccine and flu shot are required.
• Signed Enrollment Agreement
• Signed Ohio Disclosure Statement
• Signed Administrative Forms
• Working knowledge of computer(s)
• Access to laptop/WIFI/Smartphone

Statement on Non-Discrimination

CSPN is committed to diversity and inclusion and adheres to all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, and any other protected classifications under federal, state or local law. CSPN does not consider any applicant’s protected classification in making admission or other decisions relating to students.

The Title IX Coordinator, Maya Lyles, can be reached at (mlyles@cspnohio.edu).  She has been trained through NACUA’s online live session training course.

CSPN will not tolerate any form of hazing (harassment, abuse, and/or humiliation) of any faculty, administrator, student, or staff member. Student(s) will be subject to immediate dismissal should an event occur on campus, through social media, or any other means directly associated with CSPN.

Checking the Validity of a High School Diploma:

CSPN does not require students to provide a diploma. CSPN requires the elevated proof of graduation or GED passage by requesting the student provide their official high school transcript or GED results. However, if CSPN or the Secretary has reason to believe the documentation provided is not valid or was not obtained from an entity that provides secondary school education, CSPN will take the following steps to confirm the validity of that documentation:

• CSPN will obtain either the student’s official transcripts or other written descriptions of course requirements, or written and signed statements by principals or executive officers at the high school attesting to the rigor and quality of the coursework at the high school directly from the high school.

• CSPN will make sure the high school is approved and meets the state’s requirements by searching the website that oversees the institution from which the student graduated. For example, in Ohio, this information can be found searching for the school here: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/

A list of approved GED programs in Ohio can be found here: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/Ohio-Options-for-Adult-Diploma/HSE/GED-Testing-Centers

Prospective students with an online high school transcript/diploma must have a minimum of six academic college-level courses from an accredited college, completed after high school (or transcripts from an approved OSBCCS online high school). ESL courses will not be accepted as part of the six college courses. CSPN will take the actions listed above to approve the validity of the college transcripts if it has reason to believe they are not valid. If necessary, CSPN will search https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home to make sure the college is accredited.

• The Secretary does not maintain a list of high schools that issue invalid high school diplomas. However, if the school is not able to prove the validity of the provided graduation documentation or GED results, the school will treat that documentation as invalid.

The student should also be aware of the following information:

A high school diploma is not valid if it:

1. Did not meet the applicable requirements established by the appropriate state agency, Tribal Agency, or Bureau of Indian Education in the state where the high school is located;
2. Has been determined to be invalid by the Department, the appropriate state agency in the state where the high school was located, or through a court proceeding; or
3. Was obtained from an entity that requires little or no secondary instruction or coursework to obtain a high school diploma, including through a test that does not meet the requirements for a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma under 34 CFR 600.2.

Students who indicate on their FAFSA form that they graduated high school must give the name, city, and state of the high school. The FAFSA form on the Web will not allow students to skip these items, and it will have a drop-down list of both public and private high schools populated by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Inclusion on the list does not mean that a diploma from the school is valid, nor does exclusion from the list mean that the diploma is invalid. Acceptable documentation for checking the validity of a student’s

high school diploma is listed above.

A student’s self-certification is not sufficient to validate a high school diploma that is in question. If there is conflicting information between the student’s certification on the FAFSA form and other documentation or information obtained from the student, the institution must resolve this conflict. For an institution to be a Title IV eligible institution, it must admit as regular students only those with a high school diploma or the recognized equivalent, and/or those who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the state where the institution is located. As in other areas of FSA administration, schools have final authority in meeting this requirement. The Department does not plan to have an appeal process or to intervene in reasonable determinations made by school administrators, such as a decision to move a high school from a college’s acceptable to unacceptable list or a case where one school has different lists than another.

Reviewed 1/14, 1/15, 9/16, 1/17, 9/17, 8/18, 4/20, 10/23, 1/25

CSPN reserves the right to accept only the best applicants.