How to Apply

Sentara College of Health Sciences at Batten University

Sentara College of Health Sciences at Batten University offers degree and certificate programs in nursing, cardiovascular technology, surgical technology, and more. Admission requirements vary by program — use this page to understand the process and what you'll need before you apply.

Live Virtual Info Sessions — Every other Wednesday at 5:00 p.m., exclusively for prospective Sentara College students. Register for a session →

Fall 2026 Application Update

Applications Closed

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • Master of Science in Nursing — Entry to Practice (MENP)
  • Associate of Applied Science — Adult Echocardiography

Please do not apply to a different program if your intended program is full or closed. Applications are reviewed only for the specific program selected. Applying to another program will not result in consideration for your intended program and will not carry over for future admission cycles.

Applications Currently Being Accepted

Through July 17, 2026:

  • Patient Care Technician Certificate Program

Through July 31, 2026:

  • Associate of Applied Science — Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Associate of Applied Science — Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
  • Associate of Applied Science — Non-Invasive Vascular Sonography
  • Associate of Applied Science — Surgical Technology
  • Certificate — Medical Assistant
  • Certificate — Monitor Surveillance
  • Certificate — Cardiac Electrophysiology

Please check back in the coming weeks for Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 application availability.

Programs at Sentara College

Allied Health

Hands-on programs preparing students for specialized careers in diagnostic and surgical technologies.

AAS in Surgical Technology

Nursing

Building on more than 130 years of nursing education, these programs prepare compassionate leaders in patient care.

BSN — Bachelor of Science in Nursing Enrolling Fall 2026 →

  • Traditional BSN
  • RN to BSN

MSN — Master of Science in Nursing Enrolling Fall 2026 →

  • Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP)
  • Clinical Nurse Leader

Certificate Programs

Flexible certificate programs providing targeted training for entry-level healthcare careers and professional advancement.

Additional program details will be published following final accreditation approvals.

Admission Requirements at a Glance

← Scroll horizontally to view all programs →
Requirement CVT Trad BSN RN–BSN MENP CNL ST PCT MA MS CEP
Application + $85 fee
Official college transcripts ***
Preadmission test ATI TEASATI TEASATI TEAS
BLS certification
Criminal background check
Drug screening
Health screening / immunizations

* Summer Accelerated PCT only. ** High school transcripts may also satisfy this requirement. See program overview for details.
CVT Cardiovascular Technology · Trad BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing · RN–BSN RN to BSN · MENP Master's Entry to Nursing Practice · CNL Clinical Nurse Leader · ST Surgical Technology · PCT Patient Care Technician · MA Medical Assistant · MS Monitor Surveillance · CEP Cardiac Electrophysiology

Steps to Apply

Submit Your Application

Complete the application at sentara.edu.

Certificate programs are reviewed first-come, first-served. Degree programs must meet program-specific deadlines.

Submit Transcripts & Documentation

Send official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of application; official transcripts must be received before the end of the add/drop period. Foreign transcripts require evaluation by a NACES-approved agency.

Master's applicants: submit an academic transcript evidencing your bachelor's degree or higher at time of application.

Complete Preadmission Testing (If Required)

The ATI TEAS exam is required for CVT, Traditional BSN, and Surgical Technology applicants. The timed 3.5-hour test covers math, reading comprehension, English, and science. Study materials are available at atitesting.com.

The ATI TEAS may be taken twice per admission cycle. Tests are administered at PSI Exam Centers.

Receive Your Admission Decision

Decisions are based on prerequisite grades, preadmission test results (if applicable), and space availability. You'll receive a submission receipt confirming your materials were received — this does not guarantee admission.

Complete Contingency Requirements

Accepted students must complete additional requirements within specified deadlines. See the "After Acceptance" section below for details.

After Acceptance

Enrollment is contingent upon completing the following within specified deadlines. The non-refundable fee covers drug screening, background check, health screening, and fingerprinting (program dependent).

Non-Refundable Fee & Paperwork

Due two weeks after acceptance. Includes enrollment agreement and student portal setup. Failure to pay on time may forfeit your seat.

BLS Certification

Current AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification. Upload documentation three weeks before your clinical experience.

Exempt: RN–BSN, CNL, CEP, MA

Criminal Background Check

Nationwide healthcare fraud scan, sex offender check, and criminal history. Candidates with records (other than traffic violations) should contact Enrollment Services before applying.

Exempt: CEP

Drug Screening

Urine drug screening via CastleBranch. Results must be returned by the end of the add/drop period. A positive result requires a one-year waiting period before reapplying.

Exempt: RN–BSN, CNL, CEP

Health Screening & Immunizations

Required immunizations include TB test, Hepatitis B series, Tdap, MMR, Varicella, and current flu vaccine. Upload three weeks before clinical. Medical and religious exemptions available.

Exempt: RN–BSN, CNL, CEP

Orientation & Registration

Complete New Student Online Orientation and attend a Program-Specific Orientation on campus. First-semester registration is handled by your admissions advisor or the Registrar's Office.

On-campus orientation strongly encouraged for RN–BSN, CNL, CEP

Additional Policies

Official transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted for credits to be considered. Transfer credits are evaluated on a course-by-course basis for content, level, and accreditation. Credits are recorded with a grade of "TR" and do not factor into GPA.

Undergraduate transfer courses require a minimum grade of C−. Graduate transfer courses require a minimum grade of B− (exception: C− or better in statistics for the CNL program). Students must complete at least 30% of coursework at Sentara College to be awarded a degree. The RN to BSN program requires all 30 credit hours be completed at Sentara College.

Credit is also awarded for IB, AP (score of 3+), CLEP (score of 50+), DANTES, SMART/AARTS (military), and Excelsior College Examinations. Foreign transcripts require evaluation by a NACES-approved agency.

Sentara College of Health Sciences is not approved for enrollment of non-immigrants. Applicants must have a valid (non-expired) green card to attend.

Applicants whose first language is not English must take the TOEFL (minimum score: 79 iBT / 213 CBT / 550 PBT). The institutional code for Sentara College is 5504.

The TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has lived in the U.S. for at least 24 months AND has either graduated from an accredited U.S. high school or completed 24+ semester hours at an accredited U.S. institution.

All degree-seeking students attending on campus must have a laptop (no more than 3 years old) meeting these minimum specifications:

  • CPU: Intel Quad-core 1.8GHz / AMD Quad-core 2.0GHz or better (i5 or i7 recommended)
  • RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB recommended)
  • Storage: At least 25GB free space
  • OS: Windows 10/11 or macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later
  • Browser: Google Chrome (recommended)

An external webcam is recommended for proctored assessments. Internet connection of at least 8 Mbps download/upload with latency under 50ms is required. The college uses Brightspace as its learning management system.

Students who withdrew voluntarily, completed a leave of absence, or were academically dismissed may apply for readmission if they left in good standing with the Professional Code of Conduct, have paid all account balances, and can meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.

Students dismissed for critical Code of Conduct violations or with a pattern of formal counseling sessions are ineligible for readmission. All degree program applicants must reapply by the designated deadline.

Admitted students who cannot start may roll their application one time to the next admission cycle by paying a non-refundable roll fee. Enrollment Services must be notified before the first day of class. Drug screenings and background checks are valid for one calendar year from the initial screening date.

Students may transfer to a different program by paying a non-refundable transfer fee — this counts as the one roll. Applicants who were considered but not admitted must reapply.

Accreditation

Batten University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Batten University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

Sentara College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Sentara College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

The integration has been approved by SACSCOC and ABHES and is awaiting final approval by the U.S. Department of Education.

CAAHEP logo

Cardiovascular Technology Program accredited by CAAHEP upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.

CAAHEP logo

Surgical Technology Program accredited by CAAHEP upon recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology.

AST logo

Surgical Technology Program meets the Association of Surgical Technologists Core Curriculum, 7th Edition.

NCCT logo

Patient Care Technician Program approved by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

National Healthcareer Association logo

Approved by the National Healthcareer Association to administer Medical Assistant certification exams.

Ready to Begin Your Healthcare Career?

Apply today, or reach out to Enrollment Services with any questions about programs, requirements, or the admission process.

Sentara College of Health Sciences — Office of Enrollment Services