College of Southern Maryland Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) delivers pre-licensure nursing at the Regional Hughesville Campus (Center for Health Sciences), with an ACEN-accredited Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN pathway), a Practical Nursing certificate, and an LPN-to-ADN transition option. Tuition varies by Southern Maryland vs. other Maryland vs. out-of-state residency; first-time NCLEX outcomes appear in Maryland Board of Nursing reports and in CSM’s cohort tables.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Nursing instruction is concentrated at the Hughesville health campus, with clinical partnerships across Southern Maryland. CSM publishes ATI TEAS minimums, GPA rules, and residency priority for its service counties, plus estimated nursing program costs (tuition, labs, books, CastleBranch, NCLEX fees). Use those disclosures alongside Maryland Board of Nursing pass-rate PDFs when comparing schools.
Overview & Why Students Choose College of Southern Maryland
Serving Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties and beyond, College of Southern Maryland (CSM) operates nursing at the Regional Hughesville Campus inside the Center for Health Sciences—a dedicated health-science footprint with simulation and skills labs supporting hospital and community clinicals. The college awards an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Nursing (we use ADN as the common pre-licensure label). Both the ADN and Practical Nursing programs are ACEN-accredited and Maryland Board of Nursing–approved, with a separate Nursing Transition Pathway for licensed LPNs who meet progression rules.
CSM publishes cohort-level NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN tables, completion statistics, and (for RN) self-reported employment surveys on its nursing program page. Those internal tables use graduating-class labels that may differ from Maryland Board of Nursing fiscal-year PDFs—compare both sources when evaluating trends.
Official first-time program-level rates below come from Maryland Board of Nursing FY 2023 PDFs (July 2022–June 2023). CSM also lists class-level pass rates by graduation date; newer Board fiscal years are on the NCLEX statistics hub—confirm the latest data with the Board and the college.
Reasons students choose CSM
Defined competitive admissions
The catalog specifies minimum GPA, placement levels, and ATI TEAS ≥ 59 (scores valid three years), then ranks petitioners by residency and cumulative GPA—with first consideration for CSM’s tri-county service area.
Stacked pathways
Students may pursue PN certification, a traditional ADN, or—if already an LPN—the Nursing Transition Pathway with advanced standing rather than repeating foundational nursing coursework.
Transparent nursing cost worksheet
CSM posts semester-by-semester estimates for nursing tuition, lab fees, ATI products, Exxat, uniforms, and licensure exams so students can budget beyond the per-credit schedule.
RN-to-BSN bridges after licensure
The college lists Associate-to-Bachelor’s and partner pathways (for example Towson, Frostburg, UMGC, APUS, UMSON dual admission) for graduates who pass NCLEX-RN and seek a BSN.
Southern Maryland workforce alignment
Clinical education is embedded in the Southern Maryland/Waldorf–Lexington Park corridor, exposing students to community hospitals, long-term care, and ambulatory partners serving the Chesapeake region.
Nursing Programs Offered
Listings below mirror CSM’s credit nursing offerings and department descriptions. Degree level (ADN vs. practical certificate), program type (pre-licensure), pathway (traditional, LPN-to-RN advanced placement), and delivery (on-site labs/clinicals with possible online general-education courses) should be kept distinct in your planning.
Pre-licensure (RN)
Nursing, A.S. (ADN pathway)
70 credits per the CSM catalog, with a sequence of pre-clinical prerequisites followed by four clinical semesters. Instruction blends lecture, lab, simulation, and off-site clinicals. Graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN. The program is ACEN-accredited and Maryland Board of Nursing–approved. CSM admits ADN cohorts for fall and spring starts.
Nursing Transition Pathway
Designed for licensed LPNs with an active Maryland or compact LPN license who seek advanced standing toward the A.S. in Nursing. CSM describes the sequence as part-time for working adults, with optional acceleration only after advisor and chair approval. Confirm course sequencing with the Nursing chair.
Pre-licensure (PN)
Practical Nursing Certificate
Prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN. CSM admits the PN program for fall only. The program is ACEN-accredited and Maryland Board of Nursing–approved. Delivery combines campus labs, simulation, and community clinical experiences.
After the ADN (RN-to-BSN)
CSM does not grant a BSN on campus. The nursing program page lists Associate-to-Bachelor’s partnerships and dual-admission options (for example Towson, Frostburg, Stevenson Online, APUS, UMSON/UMGC) for students who complete the ADN and obtain RN licensure. Requirements vary by partner—confirm GPA and course rules on CSM’s ATB page.
Catalog course numbers, seat timing, and clinical requirements change. Confirm the active plan for RN, PN, or LPN transition on the official CSM nursing program page and in the College of Southern Maryland catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN 1st Time Candidate Performance for Maryland Schools report for FY 2023 (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023), College of Southern Maryland had 125 first-time RN candidates and 102 passed, for an 81.60% first-time pass rate. In the same report, the aggregate first-time pass rate for all Maryland associate (ADN) programs was 85.86% (1,324 of 1,542). All Maryland RN programs combined in that report were 82.93% first-time (2,472 of 2,981).
CSM’s nursing program page also publishes graduating-class first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates (for example, 95% for the January 2024 class and 98% for the May 2023 class in the table shown there). Those cohort labels differ from Board fiscal-year windows—use both disclosures when interpreting trends. For newer Board fiscal years after FY 2023, download the FY PDFs from the Board’s statistics index below.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (CSM, MD BON) | 81.60% (102/125 first-time testers) |
| Reporting period | Maryland BON FY 2023 (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023) |
| MD associate programs (same report, aggregate) | 85.86% first-time (same document) |
| Source | Maryland BON NCLEX-RN FY 2023 PDF. Confirm current rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX hub and CSM. |
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-PN 1st Time Candidate Performance report for FY 2023, College of Southern Maryland had 10 first-time PN testers and 10 passed (shown as 100% in the official program row). Confirm subsequent fiscal years on the Board’s PN statistics PDFs. Confirm current rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing and the school.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (CSM, MD BON FY 2023) | 100% in official table (10 of 10 first-time testers) |
| Source | Maryland BON NCLEX-PN FY 2023 PDF. Confirm newer cohorts with the Board. |
NCLEX outcomes vary by cohort. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing and CSM’s published outcome tables.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants should follow CSM’s published international admissions steps, including any English-proficiency exams and foreign transcript evaluation requirements listed by the college. Clinical placement may require a Social Security number for some sites; limitations can affect rotation options—discuss early with admissions and the program.
- English proficiency: Follow CSM’s international-student TOEFL policy if applicable.
- Credential evaluation: Submit course-by-course evaluation per college requirements.
- Maryland Board of Nursing: For licensure eligibility and NCLEX paperwork, use current Board rules.
- Visa & clinical compliance: Confirm F-1 enrollment rules and any clinical-site restrictions with the college.
Policies change; this section is guidance only—not legal advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing at CSM uses competitive petition-based admission after you meet baseline criteria. The catalog states that first consideration goes to residents of CSM’s service area (Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties), and that all petitioners who meet minimum requirements are ranked by residency status and cumulative GPA (including transfer coursework applied to the program). Download the Nursing Programs Admission Booklet linked from the nursing program page for petition deadlines, documents, and any pathway-specific rules for PN versus ADN.
Application timeline (confirm each year)
| Program | Starts | Where to confirm deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Nursing (A.S.) | Fall and spring semesters | Nursing Programs Admission Booklet and petition materials on the nursing program page. |
| Practical Nursing Certificate | Fall only | Same booklet; PN admits once per year per CSM’s program overview. |
| Nursing Transition Pathway (LPN→ADN) | Aligned with ADN clinical entry | Discuss timing with a Health Sciences advisor; chair approval required for accelerated plans. |
RN academic requirements (catalog summary)
- Credential: High school diploma or GED.
- GPA: Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in high school or in college (with at least 12 earned college credits).
- Placement: College placement at ENG-1010 and MTH-1120 levels (or completion of college-prep courses to reach those levels).
- ATI TEAS: Score of 59 or above; scores are current for three years per the catalog.
- Grades: Admission and progression require a grade of C or better in all coursework; nursing courses use a minimum of 75% where letter grades apply.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage. |
| TEAS | Required for ADN petitioners (ATI TEAS ≥ 59 per catalog). |
| Selection | Competitive; ranked by residency and cumulative GPA after minimum criteria are met. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The 2025–2026 academic catalog lists credit tuition of $140 per credit for residents of Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties; $245 per credit for other Maryland residents; and $335 per credit for out-of-state students. All credit students also pay a combined fee equal to 25% of tuition covering registration, campus, technology, and student-activity components (see catalog for breakdown).
CSM’s nursing program page publishes a detailed estimated expense table for the ADN (nursing courses only at $140/credit in that example, plus lab fees, ATI/Exxat, books, uniforms, CastleBranch, and NCLEX fees). Treat those figures as planning estimates—actual bills depend on enrollment, vendor pricing, and policy changes.
| Metric | Value (2025–2026, CSM catalog) |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit | $140 tri-county · $245 other MD · $335 out-of-state |
| Combined fee | 25% of tuition amount (registration/campus/technology/activities) |
| Example (catalog) | Part-time 3 credits ≈ $791 total; full-time 12 credits ≈ $3,162 total (tuition + fees + estimated books per catalog table). |
| Source | CSM catalog — Tuition and Fees and CSM nursing estimated program costs. Confirm current amounts before registering. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCLEX: Official first-time rates appear in the Maryland Board PDFs cited in this guide (FY 2023 above). CSM also publishes graduating-class NCLEX-RN tables and survey-based employment percentages by class—methodology and response rates differ from Board reporting, so read footnotes on the nursing program page.
Employment (RN): CSM reports job-placement percentages from graduate surveys (for example, May 2023 and January 2023 rows on the program page). Because participation is voluntary, treat percentages as school-reported cohort snapshots, not guarantees. Confirm current outcomes with CSM and the Maryland Board of Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (MD BON) | 81.60% FY 2023 (102/125 first-time testers; see NCLEX section). |
| NCLEX-PN first-time (MD BON) | 100% in FY 2023 table (10/10 testers; PN section). |
| RN employment (school survey, examples on CSM page) | CSM lists survey-reported employment rates by graduating class (for example May 2023 and January 2023 rows). Confirm methodology on the program outcomes table. |
| Source | Maryland BON PDFs; CSM nursing program outcomes. |
Is College of Southern Maryland the Right Fit for You?
CSM fits students who want a public, community-college RN or PN pathway anchored in Southern Maryland, can meet TEAS, GPA, and health-clinical clearance requirements, and are prepared for competitive petition-based admission.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Live in (or can relocate to) the region for Hughesville coursework and Southern Maryland clinicals.
- Want ACEN-accredited ADN/PN programs with Maryland Board oversight and publicly posted outcomes tables.
- Plan to pursue an RN-to-BSN later through CSM’s listed university partnerships after NCLEX-RN.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure program (labs and clinicals are in person).
- Expect automatic admission without competitive GPA/TEAS performance.
- Cannot meet vaccination, background-check, or clinical-partner requirements.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Southern Maryland’s healthcare market blends community hospitals, ambulatory networks, long-term care, and public health services serving Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties—plus proximity to the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia corridors for broader job searches after licensure. Clinical rotations vary by term; CSM assigns experiences across acute, transitional, and community settings aligned with course objectives.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional anchors (examples) | Students may encounter systems such as University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, and CalvertHealth during rotations—partners rotate; confirm the current affiliation list with the nursing department. |
| Employer demand | Hospitals and outpatient networks across the Capital Region continue to recruit graduate nurses; verify openings, shift expectations, and residency programs directly with employers. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Pre-licensure nursing courses run at the Regional Hughesville Campus, including the Center for Health Sciences, where CSM highlights simulation labs, skills practice, and collaborative learning spaces. General education courses may be scheduled at La Plata, Leonardtown, or Prince Frederick sites depending on program planning—confirm your weekly schedule with advising. CSM also hosts Health Pathway Information Sessions for prospective students (not intended for current PN license-holders per the college).
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- La Plata, MD
- Address
- 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, MD 20646, US
- Phone
- 301-934-2251 (main)
- Nursing chair
- mfdahlstrom@csmd.edu (per School of Health Sciences directory)
- Website
- csmd.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the Nursing Programs Admission Booklet (or the current year’s booklet linked from the nursing page) and map prerequisites to your transcripts.
- Schedule the ATI TEAS so scores meet the ≥ 59 threshold and remain valid within CSM’s three-year window.
- Register for a Health Pathway Information Session if you are not already a licensed PN.
- Build a budget using the tuition & fees schedule plus the nursing program’s estimated cost table.
- Bookmark the Maryland BON NCLEX hub for fiscal-year pass-rate PDFs.
- Email the Nursing chair or School of Health Sciences contacts if you have LPN transition or clinical questions.
- Plan weekly travel to Hughesville and assigned Southern Maryland clinical sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryland Board of Nursing first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for College of Southern Maryland?
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN report for fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023), College of Southern Maryland had a first-time pass rate of 81.60% (102 of 125 first-time testers). The same report lists an 85.86% aggregate first-time rate for Maryland associate-degree programs. For newer fiscal years, see the Board’s NCLEX statistics index. Confirm current rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing and CSM.
Does College of Southern Maryland require the TEAS for the AS in Nursing?
Yes. The CSM catalog lists an ATI TEAS score of 59 or above, with scores considered current for three years. Competitive admission also considers residency within CSM’s service counties and cumulative GPA. Confirm any updates with Health Sciences advising.
How much is tuition at College of Southern Maryland for 2025–2026?
The academic catalog lists $140 per credit for Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s County residents; $245 for other Maryland residents; and $335 for out-of-state residents, plus a combined fee equal to 25% of tuition. Nursing students should add lab fees, books, ATI/Exxat, and clinical compliance costs outlined on the nursing program page.
Where does College of Southern Maryland hold nursing classes?
CSM delivers nursing at the Regional Hughesville Campus (Center for Health Sciences). Some general-education courses may meet at La Plata, Leonardtown, or Prince Frederick depending on your plan—confirm your schedule with advising.
What nursing programs does College of Southern Maryland offer?
CSM offers a 70-credit Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN pathway), a Practical Nursing certificate, and a Nursing Transition Pathway for licensed LPNs seeking advanced standing. RN-to-BSN degrees are completed through partner universities after licensure.
What NCLEX-PN data does Maryland publish for College of Southern Maryland?
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-PN report for fiscal year 2023, CSM had 10 first-time testers and 10 passed (100% in the official program row). Confirm newer fiscal years on the Board’s PN PDF index. Confirm current rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing and the school.
Is College of Southern Maryland nursing a good fit if I live outside Calvert, Charles, or St. Mary’s counties?
You may still enroll, but tuition is higher for other Maryland residents and for out-of-state students than for tri-county residents, and competitive admission prioritizes service-area residents. Review residency rules in the catalog and budget for travel to Hughesville and clinical sites.
Does College of Southern Maryland publish job-placement rates for nursing graduates?
Yes. The nursing program page lists survey-reported employment percentages by graduating class. Response rates and methodology differ from Maryland Board NCLEX statistics—confirm interpretations with the program and treat figures as school-reported snapshots.
Does College of Southern Maryland offer a fully online pre-licensure nursing program?
No. Pre-licensure ADN and PN pathways require in-person labs, simulation, and clinical experiences. Some general-education courses may be web-enhanced, but clinical clearance and site attendance are required.
References
- College of Southern Maryland — Nursing program pagecsmd.edu/programs-courses/program-finder/nursing/
- College of Southern Maryland — School of Health SciencesSchool of Health Sciences
- College of Southern Maryland — Catalog: Nursing, AS (admission criteria)catalog.csmd.edu — Nursing, AS
- College of Southern Maryland — Catalog: Tuition and Fees (2025–2026)Tuition and Fees
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX exam statistics indexhealth.maryland.gov/mbon/Pages/education-nclex-stats.aspx
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN FY 2023 PDFnclex-rn-stats-fy2023.pdf
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX-PN FY 2023 PDFnclex-pn-stats-fy2023.pdf
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX alignment with Maryland Board of Nursing FY 2023 PDFs, tuition alignment with the 2025–2026 CSM catalog, and program scope against CSM’s nursing and School of Health Sciences pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-24 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy