Accelerated BSN Programs in Texas

Program Length & Format

• 15-month accelerated program over four semesters
• 61 credit hours of nursing courses after completion of prerequisites
• Classes, simulation labs, and clinical experiences held at the Round Rock campus
• Combination of face-to-face instruction, simulation activities, clinical rotations, team teaching, and video-conferenced lectures

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field required
• Minimum 3.3 GPA in nursing science courses
• Minimum 3.3 GPA in prerequisite coursework
• Minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses
• Completion of at least 40 prerequisite credit hours, including 12 credit hours of designated nursing science courses by the application deadline
• Limited course repeats, withdrawals, or failures allowed (no more than two prerequisite course failures in the past five years)

Entrance Exams

• HESI A2 Admissions Assessment exam required
• Minimum score of 75% in each of five sections: Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar, Anatomy and Physiology
• Exam must have been taken within 12 months prior to application deadline
• Maximum of two attempts accepted in a 12-month period

Prerequisites

• Total of approximately 59 semester credit hours required (includes humanities, biological, physical, and behavioral sciences)
• Must include the following nursing science courses (with minimum grade C):
  • General Psychology (3 credit hours)
  • Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
  • Statistics (3 credit hours)
  • Chemistry with lab (4 credit hours)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab (8 credit hours total)
  • Microbiology (4 credit hours)
• Other required coursework includes communications, American history, government, creative arts, language/philosophy/culture, nutrition, zoology/biology/physics/chemistry, and math
• Foreign language proficiency required for graduation (two years of same language in high school or two semesters at university level)

Deadlines

• NursingCAS application and HESI A2 exam deadline:
  • Fall entry: January 15
  • Spring entry: August 1
• ApplyTexas transfer application (external transfer applicants only):
  • Fall entry deadline: March 1
  • Spring entry deadline: October 15
• NursingCAS opens:
  • Fall entry: November 1
  • Spring entry: June 1

Application

• Complete NursingCAS application including all academic history
• Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Submit HESI A2 exam scores sent directly from testing provider to College of Nursing
• Pay nonrefundable application fee through NursingCAS upon invitation
• Complete online verbal and written assessments through Kira Talent after initial review
• Upload unofficial HESI exam score reports to NursingCAS portal
• Complete ApplyTexas application (external transfer students only)
• Current Texas A&M students must also submit required applications if earning a degree prior to nursing program start

Selection Process

• Admission decisions based on GPA, HESI scores, academic history, and secondary assessments (verbal, written, leadership, volunteer work)
• Considerations also include community service, military experience, regional residency, and course repeat/withdrawal history

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations and simulation labs held exclusively at Round Rock campus
• Clinical courses integrated into nursing courses each semester
• Clinical rotations include adult care, mental health, maternal and child health, community health, and high-acuity patient care

Credit Transfer

• Texas public institution courses in core curriculum accepted via Texas Common Course Numbering System
• Applicants from other Texas public institutions may transfer equivalent courses
• Out-of-state and private university applicants must complete required coursework or approved equivalents
• Transfer courses subject to approval by College of Nursing

Contacts

• Office of Student Affairs at Texas A&M College of Nursing for application and program information (contact details not provided)

Program Length & Format

• 12-month full-time accelerated BSN program
• Hybrid format with online coursework, on-campus skills labs, and in-person clinical rotations
• Three start dates per year: January, May, and August
• In-person labs and clinicals held at campuses in Woodlands (Shenandoah), Sugar Land, and downtown Houston

Admission Requirements

• Non-nursing bachelor's degree or minimum 60 transfer credits from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate coursework
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 for all prerequisite science courses
• Completion or plan to complete all prerequisite courses with required grades prior to enrollment
• Passing score on entrance exam (see Entrance Exams)
• Completion of interview process

Entrance Exams

• Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) admission assessment required
  • Minimum overall score of 80%
  • Minimum 80% on Math, Grammar, Anatomy & Physiology, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge sections
• Or Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) required
  • Minimum score of 78% on all sections

Prerequisites

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (within last 5 years; lab recommended but not required), minimum grade B- or higher
• Microbiology (within last 5 years; lab recommended but not required), minimum grade B- or higher
• Algebra or Statistics (within last 5 years), minimum grade C or higher
• Nutrition recommended but not required
• All courses require minimum grade of C or higher except as noted above for anatomy/physiology and microbiology

Application

• Online application with $30 non-refundable fee (fee not explicitly stated but typical)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• Passing entrance exam scores (HESI or TEAS)
• Completion of interview process
• Medical clinical requirements before program start, including vaccinations, drug and health screenings, background check, and CPR certification

Deadlines

• Start dates available in January, May, and August each year

Selection Process

• Admission decisions based on GPA, prerequisite completion, entrance exam scores, and interview
• Interview required as part of application process

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations at healthcare facilities in Houston area
• Skills and simulation labs held at Woodlands (Shenandoah), Sugar Land, and downtown Houston campuses
• Hands-on learning includes risk-free simulated patient care scenarios

Contacts

• The Woodlands campus: 121 Vision Park Blvd, Suite 300, Shenandoah, TX 77384
• Sugar Land campus: 14090 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478
• Downtown Houston campus: 4200 Montrose Blvd, Suite 320, Houston, TX 77006