University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, Arkansas houses nursing in the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing within the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences. Prospective students typically choose among three main routes: an on-campus Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) that runs four semesters (65 credit hours), an on-campus BSN (120 credit hours) offered in a traditional daytime format or a weekend and evening scheduling option, and an Accelerated BSN for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree that can be completed in as little as 15 months. The ADN also includes an LPN to ADN pathway for applicants with an active, unencumbered Arkansas LPN license. Admission is competitive and requires items such as an ATI TEAS score of at least 58.6% for the ADN, plus background check and drug screening requirements tied to clinical placement.
Skills training is anchored by the Walter O. Caldwell Simulation Lab, a 5,800 square foot facility with hospital-style spaces including a labor and delivery suite, pediatric suite, emergency room, medical-surgical suite, and ICU. The BSN weekend and evening option typically schedules classes between 4 to 9 p.m., with clinicals often between 3:30 to 11:30 p.m., plus virtual simulation activities completed online.
Budgeting should include program fees and required out-of-pocket items beyond standard tuition and mandatory university fees. UAFS publishes estimated additional costs of about $5,918 for the ADN and about $11,175.50 for the BSN, including items such as uniforms, background check and drug screen, exam and assessment fees, and required NCLEX preparation resources.
On licensure outcomes, the program’s average weighted NCLEX-RN pass rate is 89.6%, compared with the 2024 Arkansas RN average of 91.1%. For practical nursing, the average weighted NCLEX-PN pass rate is 80.1%, compared with the 2024 Arkansas PN average of 92.4%.
Program Length & Format
- 15-month
- Total of 120 credit hours required
- On-campus coursework with theory, laboratory, and clinical practice scheduled mornings, afternoons, evenings, nights, and weekends
Admission Requirements
- Completed bachelor's or graduate degree in a non-nursing discipline required
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all college coursework (including transfer work)
- Minimum grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses before program entry
- No more than two attempts allowed per course for eligibility
- Science courses over five years old may require evaluation for eligibility
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended must be submitted
Deadlines
- Application deadline: March 1 annually
Application
- Complete university admission requirements
- Submit official transcripts
- Submit application by specified deadline for program admission
Selection Process
- Based on meeting admission criteria; competitive ranking often uses GPA
- Admission contingent on space availability
- Additional documentation required before fall entry:
- Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form
- Proof of immunizations
- CPR Certification: American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
- Criminal background check
- Drug screen
- Clinical facility requirements for criminal background check and drug screening can impact continuation in program
Prerequisites
- English Composition: 6 credit hours
- Speech: 3 credit hours
- Mathematics: 6 credit hours including MATH 1403 or equivalent and STAT 2503
- Lab Sciences: 16 credit hours including BIOL 2503/2501, BIOL 2203/2201, BIOL 2213/2211, CHEM 1303/1301
- Fine Arts: 3 credit hours
- Humanities: 3 credit hours
- History/Government: 3 credit hours
- Social Sciences: 6 credit hours including PSYC 1163 and SOCI 2753
- Health Sciences:
- HLTH 3103 Pathophysiology
- HLTH 4103 Research in Health Sciences
- NUTR 2523 Nutrition
- PHAR 3203 General Pharmacology
- PSYC 2963 Developmental Psychology: A Life Span
- Minimum grade of C in each prerequisite course
Progression & Graduation Requirements
- Must maintain minimum 75% average on competency performance assessments
- Satisfactory clinical performance required
- Minimum grade of C in all major courses
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in major and overall coursework
- Completion of at least 40 upper-level credit hours
- Students who discontinue nursing sequence must petition for readmission, which is not guaranteed
Cost & Financial Aid
- Estimated total additional costs beyond tuition and fees: $11,175.50
- Program-specific fees include:
- Registration: $264
- Lab and Clinic Fees: $500
- Distance Education Fees: $500
- Nursing Program Fee: $4,200
- Assessment Fees (including NCLEX prep): $776
- Nursing Skills Bag: $200
- Exam Soft: $182.50
- HURST Review: $410
- Trac Pac: $200
- Nursing Pin: $50
- Additional expenses include:
- Books: $2,990
- Stethoscope: $175
- National Board/Licensure/Certification Exams and Fees: $345
- Uniforms: $250
- Criminal Background Check/Drug Screen: $135
Clinical & Simulation Lab
- Clinical rotations and lab practice offered within local healthcare systems and approved clinical sites
- Clinical schedule includes mornings, afternoons, evenings, nights, and weekends
Credit Transfer
- Transfer credit policies follow Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS)
- Applicable credits guaranteed to transfer between Arkansas public colleges and universities, except courses labeled "No Comparable Courses"
- Science courses over five years old require evaluation for eligibility to transfer
Contacts
- Admissions Coordinator, College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences: (479) 788-7284
The University of Arkansas (Forth Smith) LPN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The program is a twelve month full time program which measures student achievement on the basis of predetermined minimum levels of achievement against a competency based criterion referenced system. The program will supplement classroom instruction with clinical experience.
Admissions Requirements:
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- ACT or COMPASS (taken within the last four years)
- Have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all college course work
- NLN PAX-PN score: 105
- Clean state and federal criminal background check. People convicted of crime will need to obtain permission from the Arkansas State of Board of Nursing before sitting for the licensure exam.
Students will be selected on the basis of quality points earned for courses on LPN degree plan and score earned on the NLN PAX-PN.
The application deadline for enrollment into the program in the fall semester is the 1st of June.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
Accreditations
Nursing Programs Accreditations
- Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Institutional Accreditations
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Nearby Nursing Schools
