BScN After Degree Program — University of Alberta

SpaceCat Fit Notes

CASPer: Yes — CASPer is required and used alongside GPA. The exact weighting is not published, but forum reports suggest GPA is primary with CASPer as a secondary/supplementary factor. SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score is an advantage, though the degree to which it can offset a lower GPA is unclear without published weights.
GPA window & upgrading strategy: The GPA calculation method (AGPA) is not explicitly detailed for the After Degree program. The official requirement states “an Admission GPA (AGPA) of at least 3.0” but does not specify whether this is cumulative, last X credits, or degree GPA. Forum reports suggest competitive AGPAs are around 3.5-3.7. Without clarity on the GPA window, it is hard to assess how much new coursework would help. SpaceCat should contact the Faculty of Nursing directly to clarify the AGPA calculation before investing in upgrading courses.
Experiential / written advantage: There is no personal statement, no interview, no references, and no written supplementary application. Admission is purely GPA + CASPer. SpaceCat’s shelter work and experiential profile cannot be showcased in this application process.
Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - No explicit residency restriction or out-of-province quota found. The program is described as being for students with “a recognized university degree” without provincial limitations. Neither the Faculty of Nursing admissions page nor the Univers…
Overall assessment: Moderate fit — The CASPer requirement helps, but the unclear GPA calculation and lack of any written or experiential component limit SpaceCat’s ability to leverage her strongest assets. The simple application process means admission hinges primarily on GPA, which is her weakest area. Worth pursuing only after clarifying the AGPA calculation with the Faculty of Nursing.

Quick Facts

Institution: University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing
Program name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) — After Degree
Degree granted: BScN (Honours route also available)
City, Province: Edmonton, Alberta
Program type: Accelerated / After Degree (second-entry)
Duration: 2 years (6 terms across 2 calendar years: Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer each year)
Delivery format: In-person
Maximum time to complete: 3 years
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
Language of instruction: English
Start date(s): September (Fall) — one intake per year. Next start: September 3, 2026
Intake frequency: Annual
Application deadline(s): Application form + fee by March 1; All documents (transcripts, etc.) by June 15
Application system: Apply directly through the University of Alberta (ApplyAlberta / UAlberta application portal)
Program URL: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/nursing/programs/undergraduate-programs-and-their-admissions-requirements/after-degree-program/index.html
Accredited: Yes — CASN (Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing) accredited. The BScN After Degree with Honours Route (North Campus) is listed as accredited on the CASN Accreditation Bureau registry (as of September 2025). Graduates are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN. Source

Admission Requirements

GPA

Minimum GPA: Admission GPA (AGPA) of at least 3.0 (on the University of Alberta 4.0 scale)
Competitive GPA: Forum reports (AllNurses, 2021-2022 threads) suggest the competitive AGPA is approximately 3.5+, with the average admitted AGPA around 3.5–3.7. “Competitive aGPA is around 3.5… you can get in with a 3.9 or you could get in with a 3.4, just depends on the year.” Meeting the minimum 3.0 does not guarantee admission.
GPA calculated on: The University of Alberta uses the “Admission GPA” (AGPA). The official calendar states “An Admission GPA (AGPA) of at least 3.0 or equivalent.” The exact calculation methodology for the After Degree program is not explicitly published in detail on the nursing pages; applicants with degrees from other institutions have their GPAs converted to the UAlberta 4.0 scale.
GPA scale used: University of Alberta 4-point scale

Source: UAlberta Calendar, Source: AllNurses 2021 Thread

Prerequisites

Six prerequisite courses are required (each 3 credits / ★3). Prerequisites can be completed at any accredited institution. Many are available online (e.g., through UAlberta Open Studies or other institutions such as Athabasca University). The University of Alberta’s official prerequisite page lists approved course equivalents.

Important rules: - Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Medical Microbiology require a minimum grade of C+ and must be completed within 5 years of the BScN program start date. - “Students must obtain a grade equivalent to C+ or higher as determined by the grading scale in the Faculty of Nursing.” - English, Psychology, and Statistics have no published minimum grade beyond the general requirement of a passing grade contributing to GPA (the overall AGPA minimum of 3.0 still applies). - All prerequisites and transcripts must be received by the document deadline (June 15).

Course	Credits	Min. Grade	Time Limit	Specific Topic Coverage / Notes
English	★3	Not specified (passing)	None stated	Any university-level English course (3 credits)
Human Anatomy	★3	C+	Within 5 years of program start	Human anatomy course. UAlberta equivalent: ANAT 200 or similar
Human Physiology	★3	C+	Within 5 years of program start	Human physiology course. UAlberta equivalent: PHYSL 210 or similar
Medical Microbiology	★3	C+	Within 5 years of program start	Medical microbiology course. UAlberta equivalent: MICRB 265 or similar
Psychology	★3	Not specified (passing)	None stated	Any university-level introductory psychology course (3 credits)
Statistics	★3	Not specified (passing)	None stated	Any university-level statistics course (3 credits)

“High school subject requirements do not apply” to After Degree applicants.

Prereq source URL: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/nursing/programs/undergraduate-programs-and-their-admissions-requirements/after-degree-program/prerequisites.html

NOTE: The official prerequisites page (ualberta.ca) was returning a 403 error at time of research, so prerequisite details are compiled from the University Calendar, search result excerpts, and the 2025 Tip Sheet references. Specific topic coverage requirements (e.g., which body systems must be covered in anatomy/physiology) are not published by UAlberta, unlike some other programs. Applicants should verify course equivalencies with the Faculty of Nursing directly.

Prior Degree Requirement

Minimum degree required: A baccalaureate degree from a recognized academic institution (any field)
Degree field restrictions: None — any discipline accepted
Specific undergraduate courses required beyond prereqs: No

Supplementary Requirements

CASPer: Required. “Submission of the Casper test is required to be evaluated for admission.” CASPer is a “100- to 120-minute online, open-response situational judgment test that assesses non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics and personal values and priorities that are important for successful students and graduates of the program.”
CASPer scores are valid for one year only — must be completed fresh each application cycle
Applicants may only write CASPer once per year
Must first submit UAlberta application, then register for CASPer through AcuityInsights.app
Source
GRE: Not required
Interview: Not required (no evidence of interview in any source)
Personal statement / written component: Not required. Unlike many other programs, UAlberta’s After Degree nursing program does not require essays, personal statements, or written supplementary applications. The primary evaluation criteria are GPA and CASPer.
Resume / CV: Not required
References: Not required
Volunteer / work experience: No stated minimum or requirement. There is no supplementary application component that asks about experience.
Language proficiency: Required if you have not completed a minimum of six full years of education in English in Canada (or equivalent in another English-speaking country). Accepted tests: IELTS 6.5 overall, TOEFL iBT 90. Source
Other: High school requirements do not apply.

How Applications Are Evaluated

No published evaluation rubric or explicit weighting. Based on available evidence, the evaluation process considers:

Admission GPA (AGPA) — appears to be the primary criterion for selection
CASPer score — used alongside GPA in the admissions decision

Forum discussions (AllNurses) suggest that GPA is the main selection criterion, with CASPer serving as a secondary/supplementary factor. The exact weighting between GPA and CASPer is not published. There are no essays, references, interviews, or other supplementary components — making this one of the more straightforward application processes among Canadian nursing programs.

“Although the program has minimum requirements, competition for places is high, and meeting the minimum standard does not guarantee admission.”

Out-of-Province Considerations

Residency restrictions or quotas: No explicit residency restriction or out-of-province quota found. The program is described as being for students with “a recognized university degree” without provincial limitations. Neither the Faculty of Nursing admissions page nor the University Calendar mentions province-based restrictions. Source
Out-of-province tuition differential: None. Alberta does not charge differential domestic tuition based on province of residence. All Canadian citizens and permanent residents pay the same rate. Source

Cost

Fee index value (2024-2025): $116.86 per fee index unit. A standard 3-credit course has a fee index of 6, costing approximately $701.16 per course. A 6-credit course has a fee index of 12, costing approximately $1,402.32.
Estimated annual tuition (domestic, full-time): Approximately $8,900–$9,000 per year based on a typical full-time course load (estimate based on fee index calculations; exact amount varies by term and course weight).
Estimated total program tuition (domestic): Approximately $18,000–$20,000 over two years (tuition only, before incidental/ancillary fees)
International tuition (2026): Approximately $32,644 CAD total (per IDP listing)
Additional mandatory fees per term: Student Health and Wellness ($65.84/term), Student Academic Support ($272.24/term), Nursing Faculty Association ($13.50 Fall term), plus other incidental fees
Other costs: Stethoscope, penlight, lab coat, uniform (required later in program), CPR certification, police information check, immunizations

Note: “Changes in fees for Fall 2025/Winter 2026 were not available at time of publication” (UAlberta Calendar). A 2% annual increase for domestic undergraduate students was approved for Fall 2025 and is expected to continue under provincial legislation.

Source: UAlberta Calendar Tuition, Source: UAlberta Registrar

Competitiveness

Cohort size: Not officially published. Unable to find a confirmed number from official sources. Forum reports and general program descriptions do not specify an exact cohort size.
Acceptance rate: GrantMe reports that “over 60% of applicants are accepted into the [nursing] program each year” — however, this figure likely refers to the overall Faculty of Nursing (including the 4-year collaborative program) rather than the After Degree program specifically. The After Degree program is described as competitive, with forum reports suggesting it is more selective than the 60% figure would imply.
Number of applicants: Not published

Source: GrantMe

Program Structure / Curriculum

The program spans 6 academic terms over 2 calendar years (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer each year):

Year 1

Fall Term: - NURS 311 — Evidence Informed Nursing Practice - NURS 316 — Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I - NURS 330 — Foundations for Success in Nursing - NURS 334 — Foundations of Nursing I - NURS 335 — Nursing Practice — Health Assessment

Winter Term: - INT D 222 — Indigenous Health in Canada - NURS 344 — Foundations of Nursing II - NURS 345 — Introductory Acute Care Nursing Practice - NURS 416 — Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II

Spring/Summer: - NURS 205 — Innovation, Leadership, Policy, and Health Care Organizations - NURS 431 — Advanced Acute Care Nursing Practice I - Students select either: (NURS 432 & 433) OR NURS 437

Year 2

Fall Term: - 2 units in Interprofessional Initiatives - NURS 435 — Advanced Acute Care Nursing Practice II - Remaining track courses (NURS 432/433 or NURS 437)

Winter/Spring-Summer: - NURS 485 — Nursing Practice in a Focused Area - INT D 420 — Perspectives on Inclusive and Global Health - NURS 422 — Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Ethics and Law - NURS 425 — Nursing Leadership in a Focus Area

Source: UAlberta Calendar Program Page

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

Placements guaranteed? Yes — clinical placements are built into the curriculum starting early in the program
Total required hours: Not published as a single number
Placement settings / locations: “Edmonton site students may be assigned to clinical placements anywhere in the greater Edmonton area or as far away as 150 kilometers.” Clinical practice includes hospitals, community settings, and specialty areas.
Clinical shifts: “Clinical practice may include shift and weekend rotations.”
Simulation: Students use the nursing faculty’s simulation lab in the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA), described as a “150,000 square meter building designed specifically to give students a place for interactive, high-tech collaboration and teamwork.” ECHA is adjacent to the University of Alberta Hospital.
Final practicum: NURS 485 (Nursing Practice in a Focused Area) serves as the senior integrative practicum
Can placements be done out of province? Not indicated; appears to be Edmonton/Alberta-based
Clinical performance: “Students must complete theory and practice components of nursing courses to receive credit. Students who have not received a pass in the clinical/laboratory portion of a nursing course are not given credit for the course and must repeat both the clinical and non-clinical portions.”
Foundational courses: “Students must achieve a grade of at least C+ in all foundational Nursing courses in order to progress.”

Health & Safety Requirements for Clinical

Accepted applicants must provide: - Standard First Aid certificate - CPR certification at Basic Life Support (BLS) level - Medical clearance and immunizations - Police Information Check (criminal record check)

Source: UAlberta Calendar Regulations

Licensing & Career Path

Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes — NCLEX-RN is accepted across Canada; graduates register with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) or equivalent in other provinces
Any known issues with credential recognition? None

Reputation & Notes

QS World Rankings: UAlberta Faculty of Nursing ranked #1 in Canada and #9 worldwide (2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject — Nursing)
Research reputation: Recognized as one of Canada’s top nursing schools with leaders in research and practice
Facilities: The Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the University of Alberta Hospital, offering modern simulation labs and interprofessional learning spaces
Program structure: Students “move right into hands-on practice in both labs and clinical at the beginning of the program”
Mixed student reviews: EDUopinions gives the nursing program 3.5/5 based on limited reviews. One 5-star review praised the program’s clinical emphasis and #1 Canadian ranking. A 2-star review criticized inconsistent professors and slow university response to student issues.
Forum sentiment (AllNurses, Premed101): Mixed. Some students report positive clinical instructor experiences; others have heard “horror stories about the program.” One student stated they “would NOT recommend” based on personal experience. A Quora comparison of UofA vs. MacEwan nursing suggests UofA has stronger research and prestige but MacEwan may offer a more supportive student experience.
Key advantage: The application process is relatively simple — GPA + CASPer only, no essays, references, or interviews. This makes it one of the most straightforward applications among Canadian accelerated nursing programs.
Key consideration: Clinical placements can be up to 150 km from Edmonton, which may require a vehicle and significant commuting.

Information Not Found

No specific gaps identified for this program.