Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

High school students apply for direct admission to the nursing major as freshman through the Undergraduate Office of Admissions. Freshman direct admission to the nursing major is a highly competitive application process.

The College of Nursing takes into consideration a wide range of factors when making admission decisions. Beginning with the fall 2024 freshmen direct admit pathway, we require students to complete the Holistic Admissions Questionnaire to be considered for admission into our Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

The final deadline for high school students applying as a freshman to the nursing major is December 15 of the applicant’s senior year. Space for the nursing major is limited; high school students are encouraged to apply as early as August. Freshman applicants must indicate the major code of Nursing when applying through the UT Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Applications received after December 15 will not be considered for admission to the nursing major.

Applicants may apply online through Undergraduate  Admissions.

Applicants must meet the statewide US history requirement for a bachelor’s degree (either one unit at the high school level or 6 credit hours at the college level).

Note: Freshman applicants who anticipate earning more than 45 hours of dual enrollment credits or earning an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree upon high school graduation must contact the College of Nursing, Office of Student Services once they have submitted a freshman application to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

The baccalaureate nursing curriculum is guided by the following assumptions:

• Persons and their health and well-being are the focus of nursing.
• Nursing is a caring practice profession, an art, and a scientific discipline.
• Persons are influenced by a complex environment (both internal and external) that affects their health and well-being.
• A goal for nursing is to modify environmental factors to promote, maintain and restore health.

The curriculum integrates the themes of holism, diversity, and caring and emphasizes critical thinking, communication and leadership, and management principles and skills.

A broad base of general education, a thorough study of human behavior; an emphasis on health maintenance, promotion, and restoration; and a strong family and community orientation are all essential components of baccalaureate nursing education.

Maintaining a high-quality relevant program responsive to the increasing complexity of health care delivery, the changing health needs of society, and the changing and expanding role of the nurse enables graduates of the program to:

• Assume beginning leadership positions in a variety of settings
• Work collaboratively with other health professionals
• Function as socially conscious and contributing citizens
• Pursue advanced education on either a formal or informal basis

Undergraduate Catalog

• Direct freshman admission to the nursing major
• Freshman Nursing Living and Learning Community on campus
• Active Student Nurses Association within the college
• Excellent clinical experiences at major hospitals, community clinics, health departments, schools, and other health care facilities in the region
• Highly qualified faculty who are experienced teachers, researchers, and leaders in nursing and health care
• Technology-enhanced classrooms and accredited simulation laboratory facilities
• Outstanding preparation for the NCLEX, the national licensing exam for RNs—UT College of Nursing graduates consistently exceed both the state and national pass rates

FAQs

Due to the high volume of individual visit requests for prospective incoming freshman students, the College of Nursing holds High School Information Sessions for high school junior and senior students and their families to provide information about the program. High school students have the opportunity to meet current nursing student ambassadors and nursing advisors. High School Information Sessions include information about the freshman direct admissions process as well as nursing curriculum information and highlights of the College of Nursing. Most sessions last approximately one hour. These meetings are for informational purposes only and students will not be advised during this session. Participation in group sessions in no way influences admissions decisions. To reserve a spot in one of our upcoming High School Information Sessions, sign up online.

The College of Nursing partners with Army and Air Force ROTC programs to provide multiple pathways for nursing admission into the BSN program.

• Admission into the College of Nursing as a direct freshman entry, a student must have met all competitive criteria used by the faculty of the College of Nursing to earn one of the allocated seats for the freshman class.
• Admission into the College of Nursing through the Change of Major process a student must have met all competitive criteria used by the faculty of the College of Nursing to earn one of the allocated seats for the freshman class.
• If not accepted into the College of Nursing as a direct entry freshman, an ROTC scholar will have a second opportunity for review of admission prior to the start of freshman year. (Preference will be given towards two prospective students who were denied admission at time of review for the direct entry process). Admission into the College of Nursing as a freshman through this process must be selected jointly by the College of Nursing and ROTC. There is a two seat maximum for this pathway.

BSN Handbook