Nursing Program
The School of Nursing and Human Services at Southwestern Michigan College provides you with the knowledge and skills required to provide individualized quality health care in your specialty area. The School of Nursing and Human Services offers certificates, short-length specialty certificates and a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing and Paramedic. All health programs in the school meet the guidelines for national or state licensing or certification.
All health programs in the school meet the guidelines for national or state licensing or certification. For additional information on licensing, prerequisites, core curriculum and course sequence please look at the individual curriculum guides which are linked on the left.
Application for admission to the School of Nursing and Human Services is a separate process in addition to being admitted to SMC.
Students are asked to contact the nursing counselor as soon as possible to establish a program of study and be knowledgeable of the program regulations.
Pre-Nursing
Please refer to the Becoming a Student area of the SMC Web site for information on the steps for applying for admission to SMC as a pre-nursing student.
Additional information on licensing, prerequisites, core curriculum and course sequence can be found on the individual curriculum guides which are linked below:
LPN to RN Practical Nursing (LPN) Registered Nursing (RN)Completion of the pre-nursing courses does not guarantee admission into the nursing program Once you have successfully completed approximately 3/4 of the required prerequisites, you should begin the process of applying for admission to the School of Nursing and Human Services outlined below.
Program Requirements
The Southwestern Michigan College nursing program has the following admission requirements:
- Completion of the mandatory prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Establish SMC GPA with a minimum of one 3-credit course. Beginning with admissions for Fall 2006, a minimum of 12 credit hours of prerequisite or program required courses will be required.
- Maintain an overall GPA of no less than 2.5 or better in all college courses.
- Three (3) appropriate references.
- Submit proof of a medical examination demonstrating that the applicant is in good health and that immunizations are up to date.
- Copy of current driver’s license.
- Copy of either birth certificate, proof of residency or current I-20 (for International students).
- Criminal background check in all states of employment and residency for the past seven years.
- Mandatory drug screening and FIT tests may be required depending on clinical site assignments.
- A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses in the nursing curriculum.
Students in the application pool are ranked based on a 10-point scale that is derived from three areas outlined below:
| Possible Points | |
|---|---|
2 |
1) Number of total credits (includes transfer credits
|
4 |
2) Prerequisite GPA (does include grades transferred in from other colleges for pre-requisite classes)
|
4 |
3) SMC GPA (only classes taken at SMC)
|
| 10 total available | |
The number of admissions to the nursing program per year is limited to 40 students with the highest points earned.
Admissions
After completion of the Nursing Program Requirements listed above, students are eligible for admission into the nursing program. Student should follow the Admission Process and submit the necessary Admission Forms as outlined on this page.
It is the student’s responsibility to verify with the nursing counselor the completeness of their file.
Required Documentation for Admission
- High school and college (if applicable) transcripts
- Three references* (use forms in packet)
- Health record form* (applicant & physician)
- Proof of current immunizations or immunity*
- School of Nursing application*
- Chicken Pox Verification form*
- Criminal Background form*
- Copy of Driver’s License
- Copy of birth certificate, current I-20 (for international students) or permanent residence card
* Designated forms are available online. See Related Links on the left.
Please keep copies for your own records of all of the above!
Deadlines
| Planned Admission in September |
Planned Admission in January |
|
|---|---|---|
| Deadline for paperwork to Records and Registration | May 1 | August 1 |
| Interviews | 2nd or 3rd week in May | 2nd or 3rd week in August |
| Letter of interview results | June 1 | September 1 |
| Acceptance cards must be turned in | July 1 | October 1 |
| Will receive CRN numbers and orientation information | August 1 | November 1 |
| In order to view any PDF documents linked on this page, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. |  |
Contact Information
School of Nursing and Human Services
Southwestern Michigan College
58900 Cherry Grove Road
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-1236
Admission Process to SMC
- You can apply online and it is free
- Call 269-782-1303 and set up an initial interview with a Nursing Specialty Advisor
- Have official transcripts sent to Records and Registration:
Southwestern Michigan College
Records and Registration Office
58900 Cherry Grove Road
Dowagiac, MI 49047 - Bring an unofficial copy of any college transcripts with you to your Nursing Specialty Advisor interview
- While completing your prerequisite classes or while completing your mandatory 12 credit hours at SMC, you are considered a pre-nursing student
Admission to the School of Nursing happens two times a year. Forty students are admitted each September (fall) and 40 students each January (winter). The 40 students with the highest points on the 10-point scale are admitted. [See Chart on Left]
School of Nursing Admission Process
You should begin your admission process to the School of Nursing when you are in your last semester of prerequisites or completing your mandatory 12 SMC credits. As a pre-nursing, LPN to RN, or paramedic to RN student, you will receive a letter from the School of Nursing advising you of interview dates. Students in their last semester of prerequisites should:
- Complete and submit the Nursing Admissions form to Records and Registration at SMC.
- Call the Nursing office at (269) 782-1236 to set up an interview with the Dean of the School of Nursing and Human Services after you receive the notification letter with interview dates.
- Submit Required Documentation to Records and Registration