BSN Traditional Program

Already a Registered Nurse? Learn about our RN to BSN Program.

Program Requirements

Prerequisite Requirements

• 60 hours of prerequisite courses – completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
• 40 of the 60 prerequisite hours must be completed prior to applying for admission including all five (5) life and physical sciences (Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Nutrition).

All prerequisites must be completed at the time of enrollment. See prerequisite courses.

Exam Requirements

• Minimum score of 60 on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
• Scores of 70 in each category are considered competitive.

Information on the TEAS exam can be found on the TEAS Exam Information website.

GPA Requirements

• A minimum overall, science, and prerequisite GPA of 2.75 is required.
• Grades of "C" or better are required in ALL prerequisite courses.

Required Application Documents

• Required: all official college transcripts, TEAS Individual Performance Profile, and a personal statement (see personal statement guidelines).
• Highly recommended: resume.

For an unofficial review of prerequisites, please email all unofficial college transcripts to son.studentaffairs@utmb.edu or fax (409) 772-8211. Please include semester you are interested in applying for.

BSN Traditional Program Curriculum

BSN Traditional Program Highlights

 Frequently Asked Questions

Before you Apply

• Do all the prerequisite courses need to be completed in order to apply for the Nursing Program?

  No. At least 40 of the 60 prerequisite hours, which must include all five life and physical science prerequisites, must be completed in order to apply. You will need to complete remaining hours before the program begins.

• What is considered a competitive applicant for the School of Nursing?

  A competitive applicant is dependent on the applicant pool and, consequently, varies each application period. On average, a competitive applicant has a 3.0 or greater GPA and a 70% or higher TEAS scores in all sections.

• What information will the School of Nursing consider when reviewing files for admission?

  The Baccalaureate Admissions Committee consider several factors when reviewing applicant files. In addition to the prerequisite courses required, we also consider academic histories and GPA, TEAS test scores, personal statement, public/community service, extracurricular activities, awards and honors for academic achievement, leadership, communication skills, and cultural experiences.

• Am I required to take any standardized tests before entering the Baccalaureate Nursing Program?

  All applicants for the BSN programs are required to take the ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) test. The results of this assessment are included in the overall evaluation of your application for admission. This test can be scheduled through the ATI Testing website .

• Can I take prerequisite courses at UTMB School of Nursing?

  No. UTMB School of Nursing is an upper division nursing school. You will need to attend a community college or another university to complete the prerequisite courses.

• Does UTMB accept CLEP scores?

  Yes. We accept CLEP scores, which must be posted on your official college transcript.

• What is the cost to attend UTMB School of Nursing?

  Please visit the Office of Enrollment Services tuition and fees  for the most current tuition and fee rates.

• What will my schedule be like once I start the nursing program?

  The curriculum sequence for the nursing programs vary. Detailed schedules with classroom times will be available during orientation.

• Where do students complete their clinical component?

  UTMB School of Nursing offers clinical sites within the UTMB Medical Center as well as the Houston-Galveston area. Students rotate within different hospitals to gain significant experience in different facilities.

• Can I transfer to the UTMB Health School of Nursing if I have a degree from another country?

  Applicants with international credits must submit an official course-by-course credentialing report to the Nursing Centralized Application Service.

Program Information

• Is the Basic Life Support Health Care Provider Course covering the adult, infant, child, and two-man CPR (two-year Hospital Level Provider coverage) required?

  Yes. The Basic Life Support Health Care Provider Course covering the adult, infant, child, and two-man CPR (two-year Hospital Level Provider coverage) is required.

  All new BSN students must complete CPR classes prior to enrollment. Documentation (a copy of CPR card) must be presented prior to enrollment. Classes must be taken through the American Heart Association. Please visit their web site at American Heart Association  for course offerings. Online courses are not acceptable.

• How many applications does the School of Nursing receive and how many students does the school accept?

  The number of applications and the number of openings available varies each enrollment period. On average, in the fall we receive around 858 applications and we accept 130 students, in spring, we receive around 513 applications and we accept 130 students, and in summer, we receive around 531 applications and we accept 90 students.

• Does UTMB School of Nursing offer an accredited program?

  Yes. The undergraduate and graduate programs are approved by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The University of Texas Medical Branch is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, an institutional accrediting body.

• How long is the program?

  Our program is 16 months (4 consecutive semesters) long, that includes fall, spring, and summer. We have 3 application periods per year, in the fall, spring, and summer.

• Are scholarships available at UTMB School of Nursing?

  Yes. UTMB School of Nursing offers scholarships  to students in the nursing program. These are competitive scholarships and are based on how well the student performs in the nursing program. Assistance is also available through Financial Aid , which includes scholarships, loans, and grants outside of UTMB.

• How do I apply for financial aid?

  You can complete a financial aid application online at https://studentaid.gov/ . The code to enter for UTMB School of Nursing is 013976. Once you are accepted into the program, UTMB will send you a UTMB financial aid application. For more information on financial aid, please call 409-772-1215.

• What is the environment like at UTMB School of Nursing?

  There are four other schools on the UTMB campus: The School of Health Professions, the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Public and Population Health. The School of Nursing shares a building with the School of Health Professions. We offer an excellent learning facility for students entering health care and are surrounded by several hospitals and clinics on campus. To take a virtual tour of the UTMB Medical Center, please go to https://www.utmb.edu/tour/ or, to visit the campus, contact the Office of Educational Outreach at 409-772-7972.

• Does UTMB offer student organizations/sports?

  We offer over 60 different student organizations and intramural sports which are available for all new and current students. One specific organization supported by the School of Nursing is the Student Nurses' Association. Please contact Student Life at 409-772-8271 for more details.

Post Admissions Preparation Materials

Already admitted to the program?
Check out our collection of online preparation resources to help prepare you for your classes!