Accelerated BSN Programs in Arkansas

Program Length & Format

• 15 months, 67 credit hours, 23 core courses; coursework 100% online with in-person clinical rotations in Jonesboro and surrounding area
• clinicals on predetermined weekends (Friday through Sunday); per credit hour clinical requirement = 30 hours

Admission Requirements

• bachelor’s degree from an accredited university; overall minimum GPA 2.5; prerequisite GPA minimum 3.0; all prerequisites must be completed before application
• early admission eligibility: completed bachelor’s and all prerequisites with cumulative prerequisite GPA ≥ 3.6 and overall undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.6

Prerequisites

• required courses (must be completed prior to application): Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health with lab; Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab; Human Anatomy & Physiology II with lab; Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry I with lab OR General Chemistry I with lab; Composition I; Composition II; Introduction to Psychology; Introduction to Sociology; Statistics; U.S. History to 1876 OR U.S. History since 1876 OR Introduction to U.S. Government; College Algebra
• all course attempts are included in prerequisite GPA calculation

Deadlines

• Spring 2 term (2026): application deadline 1/10/26, document deadline 1/10/26, payment due 3/6/26, program start 3/9/26, last class day 5/1/26
• nursing cohorts start in Fall 2 and Spring 2 only

Application

• online application steps: select 100% online student on application, pay $30 non-refundable application fee, submit official college transcripts
• additional required items prior to program start: criminal background check through Verified Credentials, proof of Health Care Provider CPR (adult, infant, child with AED), proof of Hepatitis B series and TB test (these are required before starting, not needed to render initial admission decision)

Selection Process

• prerequisite GPA and overall GPA used in review; early admission available for applicants meeting specified GPA thresholds; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• all course attempts are considered in prerequisite GPA calculation

Cost & Financial Aid

• total tuition for nursing core listed as $19,564; per credit hour $292 (tuition subject to change; additional program costs may apply)
• additional expected costs: Kaplan standardized testing and NCLEX resources, clinical requirement costs (uniform, badges, CPR, immunizations, liability insurance), course books, NCLEX exam and licensure application fees

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• clinical hours: total program includes 750 lab, clinical, and field hours; clinical rotations occur on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; some clinical rotations may be 12 hours per day beginning term 2
• clinical placement: clinicals completed at approved sites in Jonesboro and surrounding areas; placements supervised by program staff; possible clinical option in Memphis, TN midway through program
• site-based project hours and practicum/clinical hours must be completed in Jonesboro or surrounding area

Credit Transfer

• number of credit hours required may vary based on university evaluation of transfer credits

International Students

• English proficiency requirements for applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds: TOEFL iBT 83 (paper 570, CBT 213 alternative scores), IELTS overall 6.5 with spoken band 7, PTE Academic score 56
• students from states outside Arkansas must plan to commute or relocate to Jonesboro for in-person clinical requirements

Contacts

• Accelerated BSN general phone: 866-621-8096
• School of Nursing phone: 870-972-3074