About
This pathway is intended for students who plan to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in the College of Nursing.
At USask, the four-year BSN program comprises a pre-professional year (Year 1) of prerequisite university-level courses, followed by three years (Year 2, 3 and 4) of concentrated nursing education and clinical practice opportunities.
Pre-professional year courses can be completed in the USask College of Arts and Science. By selecting 'Nursing Prep' on the application for admission, you can declare your intention to enrol in the pre-professional year of classes required to apply to the BSN.
- Complete the pre-professional year of classes required to apply to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- One year of full-time study or can be completed part-time over more than one academic year
- You can enter this pathway directly from high school
- You can study at the Saskatoon campus, the Prince Albert campus, or at off-campus locations
What you will learn
The pre-professional year of study at a post-secondary level provides a solid foundation in university education, preparation for upper-year nursing classes and transferable credits to other health science degrees.
If, after you complete your pre-professional year, you decide you do not want to pursue nursing, you can remain in the College of Arts and Science and continue to work toward another program of study.
See detailed course requirements for the 30 credit units of pre-professional year courses that are required for admission to the second year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. These course requirements are for the September 2024 intake and onward.
Courses in the pre-professional year require the following high school-level prerequisites:
- Grade 12-level biology (BIOL 90 or BIOL 107 or BIOL 108 at USask also fulfil this prerequisite.)
- Grade 12-level mathematics (Students can be admitted with a mathematics deficiency but should consult with an advisor upon admission to plan how to clear the deficiency. Without a mathematics prerequisite, statistics course options required for the pre-professional first year will be limited. Pre-calculus is strongly recommended for students pursuing science and health science programs.)
- Grade 12-level chemistry is also strongly recommended.
A first-year schedule sample
The pre-professional first year of courses is flexible and offers you the opportunity to choose electives in a number of different subject areas. Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Fall Term |
|
| BIOL 120 | The Nature of Life |
| NUTR 120 | Basic Nutrition |
| SOC 112 | Foundations in Sociology Social Construction of Everyday Life |
| ENG 114* | Literature and Composition Reading Culture |
| PHIL 133* | Introduction to Ethics and Values |
Winter Term |
|
| NURS 120 | Human Anatomy for Nursing |
| PSY 121* | Social Clinical Cultural and Developmental Bases of Psychology |
| HIST 195* | History Matters Indigenous Perspectives on Canadian History |
| STAT 244* | Elementary Statistical Concepts |
| GEOG 130* | Environment Health and Planning |
* These are restricted elective courses. You will have two or more options to choose between.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions.
NURS 120: Human Anatomy for Nursing
An introductory to human anatomy course that uses a combined regional and systemic approach to examine the relationships and organization of the major structures within the thorax, abdomen, head/neck, and back/limbs regions of the body. The gross anatomy course uses a systems approach to prepare students to understand relationships among structures that contribute to the functioning of organ systems.
BIOL 120: The Nature of Life
An introduction to the underlying fundamental aspects of living systems: covering cell biology, genetics and the evolutionary processes which lead to complex, multi-cellular life forms.
PSY 121: Social Clinical Cultural and Developmental Bases of Psychology
This course familiarizes students with scientific theories and research related to the major social, clinical, cultural and developmental areas of psychology. Particular emphases will be placed on the advances that have been made in the fields of intelligence, child/adolescent development, culture, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and treatment, and health, stress, and coping.
NUTR 120: Basic Nutrition
An introduction to nutrition and health. The concepts of recommended nutrient intakes and dietary guidelines are introduced. The major nutrients and their functions in the body are outlined. Nutrition issues facing the general public are presented.
Learning Communities
USask College of Arts and Science Learning Communities bring Saskatoon students together in popular first-year courses and weekly gatherings with upper-year peer mentors, while providing academic and social programming building confidence, knowledge, and skills.
- Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP) welcomes First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students and for those interested specifically in nursing, the ISAP Medicine Wheel's pre-nursing option can help students complete the nursing pre-professional year requirements. Sign-up for ISAP LCs for the upcoming fall term typically opens in April.
- First Year Learning Experience (FLEX) is open to all Arts and Science first-year students, and offers nursing learning communities focused on the pre-professional requirements. Sign-up for FLEX LCs for the upcoming fall term typically opens in May.
Tuition estimates
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,919 | $38,328 |
| Student fees | $1,121 | $1,121 |
| Books | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total | $10,540 | $40,949 |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.
Program options
Nursing Prep is a pathway offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science for students planning to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in the College of Nursing.
While the pathway does not itself directly lead to a degree, nor guarantee availability of courses nor admission to the nursing program, selecting this pathway allows you to declare your intention to enrol in the pre-professional year of classes required to apply to the BSN.
If, after you complete your pre-professional year, you decide you do not want to pursue nursing or do not qualify for admission to the nursing program, you can remain in the College of Arts and Science and continue to work toward another program of study.
Consult an academic advisor when you begin your studies to discuss your program options.
Admission requirements and deadlines
Deadlines
Ready to apply?
Create an admissions account and start your application today. When you are ready to submit your application, you will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD. Effective December 2, the application fee is increasing to $120 CAD.
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