Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences

Academic Administration

Mission

Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University is an educational leader serving exceptional students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing and in additional health professions. As an independent institution of higher education closely affiliated with Saint Luke’s Hospital, the College seeks to prepare health profession leaders to effectively meet the health care needs of diverse populations in complex organizations and in a variety of settings. A broad base of knowledge derived from general education studies is integrated into each program as a foundation for personal growth, professional education and practice. A stimulating academic environment focuses on discovery, scholarship and practice to address societal needs for nursing and other health care services.

Vision

Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University aspires to be a leading educational institution for preparing professionals in the healing arts. Further, we seek to continue our collaborative relationship with the region’s quality leader, Saint Luke’s Hospital and the Saint Luke’s Health System, thus affording our students leading-edge clinical educational opportunities. We envision growing to become a comprehensive college of health professions with students pursuing educational programs in multiple disciplines.

Values

Accountability is being responsible for consistency and fairness in our thoughts and actions. Integrity is individual responsibility and equality through a mutual commitment to each other and to the College. Knowledge is the preparation of intelligent, humble and passionate caregivers for service to others. Professionalism is responsibly and efficiently demonstrating excellence to every population we serve. Excellence is the consistent dedication to being the best. Respect is positive regard for each other through our actions and open and honest dialogue. Leadership is providing results through an efficient and ethical approach to our work.

Accreditation

Rockhurst University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC): 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411 info@hlcommission.org.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree programs in nursing at Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Approvals

The BSN degree program at Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Completion of the Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences BSN degree may not guarantee issue of licensure. In compliance with the Missouri Nurse Practice Act (Chapter 335 of the Missouri Statutes, section 335.066), nursing program applicants should be aware that the Missouri State Board of Nursing may refuse to issue a license for specific reasons related to moral turpitude, intemperate use of alcohol or drugs, or conviction of a crime. Admission to and graduation from the BSN program does not guarantee eligibility for state licensure. Any candidate for licensure who has been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony will be required to submit documentation of the court proceedings for that charge or conviction to the State Board of Nursing of the state in which licensure is sought. The Missouri State Board of Nursing determines who is eligible to take the licensing examination. Questions may be directed to:

Missouri State Board of Nursing
3605 Missouri Blvd Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-0681 | www.pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp

Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University is a school partner of the American Medical Technologists (AMT) School Recognition Program (SRP) for the Medical Assisting degree program. Students who complete the Medical Assisting program are eligible to sit for the examination to become Registered Medical Assistants (RMA). Questions may be directed to: American Medical Technologists 10700 W Higgins Road, Suite 150 Rosemont, IL 60018 - (847) 823-5169 x390 | www.americanmedtech.org.

Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University must comply with a state’s regulations before any educational activity can occur within that state. Those regulations determine whether the College may offer you a place in a course or program.

All BSN students must contact the Board of Nursing in the state where they are completing their clinical rotations to learn requirements. Students desiring the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in a state other than Missouri or Kansas, must obtain special permission, and not all requests can be granted. Additional fees may apply.

Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University participates in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC- SARA). Missouri became a SARA state in December 2014. Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences became a SARA institution in July 2015. This allows students from NC-SARA approved states to enroll in:

• Online degree programs, certificates and endorsements that include internships, externships, co-ops, field experiences, student teaching, and clinical placements; and
• Campus-based courses with out-of-state internships, externships, co-ops, field experiences, student teaching and clinical placements.

General Requirements for a Degree

Responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements rest with the student. Through faculty, advisors and administration, Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University makes every effort to advise students well.

All candidates for a degree must meet the total credit hours requirement for their degree. Undergraduate students require a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and graduate students are required to have a 3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average in order to graduate.

Depending on the track, the associate in arts and associate of science students are required to complete 60-63 total credit hours. Each track has specific requirements that need to be met for graduation.

The BSN degree requires students to complete 121 total credit hours, including 60 general education/support course hours, plus 61 nursing credit hours taken exclusively through Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University.

The RN-BSN requires students to complete 120 total credit hours including 54-60 general education/support course hours, a limit of 36 nursing credit hours transferred from previous diploma/associate degree programs, and 30 nursing credit hours taken exclusively through Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University for a total of 120 credit hours.

The total hours for the MSN degree are 45 credit hours for the Nurse Educator (NE) and 49 total credit hours for both the Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) and the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). For additional information on Saint Luke’s MSN program see the Rockhurst Graduate catalog.

The transfer credit policy for Rockhurst Associate degree programs is distinct from the transfer policy for bachelor programs. The following certificate/diploma programs are eligible to receive college credit for the Rockhurst University Associate degree programs:

• Medical Assistant (CMA, RMA or CCMA only) - Current Certification card or certificate (15 or 28 depending on the degree)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – State license (15 hours)
• Radiologic Technologist (AART) – Current Certification card or certificate (15 hours)
• Emergency Medical Technician -Basic (NREMT) - Current Certification card or certificate and state licensure (earn 6 hours)
• Paramedic (NREMTP) - Current Certification card or certificate and state licensure (15 hours)
• Surgical Technologist (CST) - Current Certification card or certificate (15 hours)
• Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) – state license (15 hours)
• Other professions health care certifications MAY be considered on a case by case basis.

This transfer credit review process and the resulting credit awards are specific to the Associate degrees. The credit awards may not be transferrable to other organizations or other RU bachelor’s degree programs depending upon the institution’s transfer credit policies or degree requirements.

Course Grading System

Grading Scale Numerical Equivalents for Associate Courses:

• All course work resulting in 90-100% recorded as A
• All course work resulting in 80-89% recorded as B
• All course work resulting in 70-79% recorded as C
• All course work resulting in 60-69% recorded as D
• All course work resulting in 0-59% recorded as F

Grading Scale Numerical Equivalents for Nursing Courses:

• All course work resulting in 90-100% recorded as A
• All course work resulting in 80-89.99% recorded as B
• All course work resulting in 75-79.99% recorded as C
• All course work resulting in 67-74.99% recorded as D (BSN and RN-BSN programs do not have a D)
• All course work resulting in 0-66.99% recorded as F

Math and English Placement Criteria and Guidelines

All incoming undergraduate students must demonstrate college readiness in english and mathematics. Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University has defined college readiness utilizing multiple measures to include high school grade point average, ACT scores, previously completed college coursework in composition and mathematics or Next Generation Accuplacer Placement examination. If you do not meet college readiness requirements in one or more areas, you will be required to register for specific composition and or mathematics courses supporting minimal college readiness requirements to be prepared for college level coursework.

Placement Options — English

Must meet one of the following

• High School GPA 2.75/4.00 and 11th or 12th-grade english with a C+ or better
• ACT > 19
• Next Generation Accuplacer QRAS of 251 or higher
• Evidence of successful completion of developmental reading/writing college transfer credit
• Successful completion of ENG 1300 or equivalent (3 credit hours) at a regionally/nationally-Accredited college or university

If none of the above criteria are met, then:

• Just-in-time corequisite taken with face-to-face section of ENGL 1300

Placement Options - Math

Must meet one of the following:

• High School GPA 2.75/4.0 and Algebra II or higher with a C+ or better
• ACT > 19
• Next Generation Accuplacer QRAS of 251 or higher
• Evidence of successful completion (C or better) of college level mathematics course 

If none of the above criteria are met, then Next Generation Accuplacer QRAS score determines mathematics placement:

• 240-250 places into MATH 1650 (with Just-in-Time corequisite)
• 239 and below places into MATH 1100

Admissions

Completed application packets will be reviewed on a schedule as determined by the College. Fulfillment of minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission to the College.

The following minimum admission criteria are considered by the admissions committee in the selection of students for each program:

Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Admissions Process:

Step One

You may start an application if you are:

• 18 years of age.
• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Graduated from an accredited high school with a 2.0 GPA or better.
• Have the $35 Saint Luke’s College application fee required to complete the application.

Step Two

Before your start date, you must provide the following to the admissions office:

• Send back your signed acceptance letter.
• Send your official transcripts to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University, Office of Admissions, 624 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111 OR have the issuing institution send transcripts via a secure email to saintlukesadmissions@rockhurst.edu.
• Home-schooled students must provide proof of GED or HiSET exam.
• Transferring college students must send official transcripts from an accredited university/college to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences, Office of Admissions, 624 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111 OR have the issuing institution send transcripts via a secure email to saintlukesadmissions@rockhurst.edu.
• If you have a transcript from outside the United States and have fewer than 60 college credits completed in the U.S., your transcript must be evaluated by the World Education Service: www.wes.org or from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE): www.ece.org.
• Schedule an on-site computer proficiency examination or have successfully completed a high school or college-level computer applications class.

Associate of Arts in Allied Health Admissions Process

Step One

You may start an application if you:

• Graduated from an accredited high school with a 2.0 GPA or better.
• Have the $35 Saint Luke’s College application fee required to complete the application.

Students not meeting requirements may be admitted as a non-degree seeking student until the student successfully completes 12 credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA; at which point the student will be fully admitted into the program.

Step Two

Before the first day of classes you must provide the following to the Admissions office:

• Send back your signed acceptance letter.
• Send your official transcripts to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences, Office of Admissions,  624 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 641111 OR have the issuing institution send transcripts via a secure email to saintlukesadmissions@rockhurst.edu.
• Home-schooled students must provide proof of a GED or HiSET exam.
• Transferring college students must send official transcripts from an accredited university/college to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University, Office of Admission,624 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111 OR have the issuing institution send transcripts via a secure email to saintlukesadmissions@rockhurst.edu.
• If you have a transcript from outside the United States and have fewer than 60 college credits completed in the U.S. your transcript must be evaluated by the World Education Service: www.wes.org or from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) www.ece.org.
• Schedule an on-site computer proficiency examination or have successfully completed a high school or college-level computer applications class.

Associate of Science in Allied Health Admissions Process

Step One

You may start an application if you:

• Graduated from an accredited high school with a 2.0 GPA or better.
• Have the $35 Saint Luke’s College application fee required to complete the application.

Students not meeting requirements may be admitted as a non-degree seeking student until the student successfully completes 12 credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA; at which point the student will be fully admitted into the program.

Step Two

• Before the first day of classes you must provide the following to the Admissions office:
• Send back your signed acceptance letter.
• Send your official transcripts to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University, Office of Admissions,  624 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 641111 OR have the issuing institution send transcripts via a secure email to saintlukesadmissions@rockhurst.edu.
• Home-schooled students must provide proof of a GED or HiSET exam.
• Transferring college students must send official transcripts from an accredited university/college to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University, Office of Admission,624 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111 OR have the issuing institution send transcripts via a secure email to saintlukesadmissions@rockhurst.edu.
• If you have a transcript from outside the United States and have fewer than 60 college credits completed in the U.S. your transcript must be evaluated by the World Education Service: www.wes.org or from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) www.ece.org.
• Schedule an on-site computer proficiency examination or have successfully completed a high school or college-level computer applications class.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Admissions Process

Completed applications will be reviewed on a schedule as determined by the College. Fulfillment of minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission to the College.

Step 1

You may start an application if you:

• Have at least 50 of the 60 prerequisite credit hours.
• Have completed two out of the four required natural science courses. (Anatomy with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, Physiology with Lab).
• Have the required science courses that are no older than five years old.
• Have not repeated required natural science courses more than one time.
• Have a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite coursework.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in all prerequisite coursework.
• Have graduated from an accredited high school (GED and HiSET also accepted).
• Are a U.S. citizen or a U.S. Permanent Resident.

Step Two

Apply at nursingcas.org

Visit nursingcas.org to complete your application. The following items are required to complete the application:

• Both a $50 NursingCAS and a $35 Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University application fee are required to complete application.
• Up-to-date transcripts should include Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits.
• Home-schooled students must provide proof of a GED or HiSET exam.
• A resume reflecting qualifications, work and volunteer experience.
• If you have been enrolled in another nursing program, you must provide a letter from the dean/nursing program director on official college letterhead verifying reasons for withdrawal/dismissal and eligibility for readmission.

Step Three

If you are accepted, you must provide the following to the admissions office prior to your orientation date. Some requirements will be ongoing and monitored through CastleBranch. See the Clinical Readiness Admissions and Progression Requirements catalog section for complete details. You must pass both the background check and drug screen in order to continue in the program.

• Immunizations
• Alcohol and Drug Testing
• CNE/KCANE Confidentiality Statement
• CNE Clinical Examination
• Color Blindness Screening
• CPR Certification
• Criminal Background Check
• Health Insurance
• Latex Allergy Form
• Saint Luke’s Health System Confidentiality Statement
• Student Clinical Site Consent Form

Step Four

• Once you have been accepted, you will be required to complete all other onboarding requests as outlined in your acceptance packets.

BSN Admissions Selection Process

Following the review of the application by the College, one of the following decisions are made:

• The applicant is accepted for conditional admission. Any acceptance is contingent upon completion of all requirements.
• The applicant is placed numerically on a stand-by list.
• The applicant is denied for admission.
• The admissions office notifies applicants of acceptance into the program. As spaces become available, applicants from the standby list are accepted according to their placement on the list.
• Applicants selected for admission to the BSN degree must:

»    Notify program of acceptance or refusal of the admission offer.

»    Submit a $400, non-refundable deposit to guarantee their placement. This deposit will be applied toward tuition.

»    Comply with all of CastleBranch requirements.

Licensure

Each State Board of Nursing requires licensure in order to practice as a registered nurse. PLEASE NOTE: A misdemeanor and/or felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NCLEX-RN® or attain state licensure. It is the student’s responsibility to contact and verify with the State Board of Nursing whether or not he or she will be able to apply for licensure and take the NCLEX-RN®. The College does not control whether or not a student receives Registered Nurse licensing upon completion of the BSN program.

General Education Course Requirements for BSN Program

All general education credits must be completed prior to enrollment in the College’s nursing program. This can be achieved by completing all required prerequisites at another college or university or by completing all prerequisites through Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University.

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Admissions Process

Step One

You may start an application if you:

• Have an active unencumbered nursing license in the state of Kansas or Missouri where you practice.
• Are a U.S. citizen or a U.S. Permanent Resident.
• Have Completed a maximum of 35 nursing credit hours transferred from an associate or diploma program.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 with no grade below C counting towards graduation.

Step Two

Apply at https://www.rockhurst.edu/apply.

The following items are required to complete the application:

• Contact your prior colleges to send up-to-date transcripts, to include Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits.
• If you have a transcript from outside the United States, it must be evaluated by the World Education Service www.wes.org or from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) www.ece.org.
• Download your active, unencumbered nursing license in the state where you practice, from Nursys.com and send it to the admissions department at saintlukesadmissions@rockhurst.edu.

RN-BSN Admissions Selection Process

• Application packets will be reviewed by the College as soon as the application is complete. Fulfillment of minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission to the College.
• Following the review of the application, the admissions office will make one of the following decisions:

»    The applicant is accepted for admission. Any acceptance is contingent upon completion of all requirements.

»    The applicant is denied for admission.

• The admissions office notifies applicants of acceptance/denial into the RN-BSN program.

RN-BSN to MSN Bridge Program

RN-BSN students have an opportunity to complete graduate courses that satisfy RN-BSN curriculum requirements while also making progress toward their MSN degree.

1. Eligibility criteria for acceptance into this bridge program includes:

• Students must have had a 3.2 cumulative GPA when enrolled in the RN-BSN Program.
• Students must have completed at least four RN-BSN courses, including NUR 3930 , and earned at least a B grade in all RN-BSN courses taken through Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences at Rockhurst University.

2. Approval of enrollment into the RN-BSN to MSN bridge program falls under the purview of the MSN program director.

3. Once the MSN director has approved enrollment into the bridge program, students must:

• Earn at least a grade of B in each graduate course. Grades of less than B will be recorded on the transcript but will not earn graduate credit.
• Earn at least a grade of B in all RN-BSN courses taken subsequently to enrolling in the bridge program.
• Take no more than a total of 12 graduate credit hours selected from those that are eligible for the bridge program.

4. Enrollment in the bridge program does not guarantee acceptance into the MSN program. Students must meet all admission criteria for acceptance into the MSN program following their BSN graduation.

For a list of eligible RN-BSN to MSN Bridge courses, go to RN-BSN to MSN Bridge Program .

Programs

• Allied Health, A.A.
• Allied Health, A.S.
• Medical Assisting, A.S.
• Nursing, BSN - Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences
• Pre-Nursing Criteria Requirements
• Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
• RN-BSN to MSN Bridge Program