Arkansas State University

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

The Arkansas State University, Masters of Science in Nursing is designed to prepare students with the complex practical and theoretical skills required for advanced nursing and leadership roles. The MSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

The University offers specialties in Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Clinical Specialist, Educator, Administration and Family Nurse Practitioner.

The Adult Health Nursing track consists of core and support courses including 540 hours of clinical course work (420 hours for nurse educators) to prepare students for advance practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Educator. Students can enroll on a full time and part time basis with most courses offered online and through interactive video network.

The Family Nurse Practitioner program is a 45 credit hours program consisting of theoretical and clinical courses to prepare for advanced practice. A majority of core and support courses are offered online and students can enroll full time or part time. The Nurse Anesthesia track is an 85 credit program that can be completed in 28 months of full time study.

Graduates from all tracks are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board on Certification and Rece-rtification of Nurse Anesthetists.

Admissions Requirements

• A Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited college or university
• Meet admission requirements for the graduate school
• Current and unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse
• Meet requirements for standardized tests and grade point average

The deadline for application for admission for the fall is the 1st of February for FNP program spring admission for the Adult Health Nursing track is the 15th of October and April 15th for admission in the fall for the same program.

General admission deadlines fall on the 15th of April for Spring admission and the 15th of September for admission unless otherwise specified.