The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is a public institution with both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is part of the University of Texas System and located in Galveston, Texas. It is about 50 miles from Houston. UTMB is a major academic health center and home to the oldest medical school in Texas. It was established in 1891 as the medical department for the University of Texas. It now includes over 70 buildings, employs over 1,000 faculty members, and enrolls over 2,500 students. UTMB manages four schools, three institutes offering advanced study, and four hospitals, providing students with plenty of opportunities for clinical training.

Undergraduate nursing degree programs include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs. The traditional BSN track and the accelerated program feature clinical experiences in the Houston and Galveston areas, including clinical rotations at the Texas Medical Center. The RN to BSN program is offered entirely online with a visit to campus for orientation. Other nursing program options include MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, Ph.D., and BSN to Ph.D. The MSN program is also offered online and was ranked as one of the top online programs in the nation. These programs are accredited by the CCNE and approved by the State Board of Nursing.

Updated on: 16 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

16 months completed in four consecutive semesters
Cohort start terms: fall, spring, summer
Delivery: on-campus coursework with in-person clinical rotations
Clinical rotation regions: Galveston and Greater Houston, including the Texas Medical Center

Admission Requirements

Minimum overall, science, and prerequisite GPA: 2.75
Grades of C or better required in all prerequisite courses
60 prerequisite credit hours required; at least 40 hours (including Anatomy & Phys I, Anatomy & Phys II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition) must be completed prior to applying
Applicants must complete all prerequisites by program enrollment
UTMB is an upper-division nursing school; prerequisites must be completed at another college or university

Entrance Exams

ATI TEAS test required
Minimum overall TEAS score: 60
Program guidance: scores of 70 in each TEAS category noted as competitive

Prerequisites

Total prerequisite hours: minimum 60 credit hours
Required life and physical sciences (with labs): Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition
Required lower-division courses include statistics, introductory psychology, introductory sociology, lifespan growth and development, U.S. history/government, English composition, creative arts, language/philosophy/culture, free electives (see advisor for Texas Core Curriculum alignment)
Science lab requirement: science theory online accepted but science labs must be in-person; CLEP accepted if posted on official transcript

Deadlines

Summer 2026: application opens August 15, 2025; deadline November 01, 2025
Fall 2026: application opens November 15, 2025; deadline February 01, 2026
Spring 2027: application opens March 15, 2026; deadline June 01, 2026
NursingCAS deadline cutoff time: 10:59 PM CST on published deadline date

Application

Required documents: official college transcripts submitted by institution, TEAS Individual Performance Profile, personal statement
Personal statement guideline: include full name at top; limit ~750 words; address health-related experience, work/volunteer experience, interruptions in education, strengths/weaknesses, reason for choosing nursing, long-term goals
Recommended document: resume
Transcripts and application submitted via NursingCAS

Selection Process

Admissions review by Baccalaureate Admissions Committee after application closing
Review factors: prerequisite coursework and GPA, TEAS scores, personal statement, public/community service, extracurricular activities, awards/honors, leadership, communication skills, cultural experiences
Reported applicant volumes and admits per term: fall ~858 applications / 130 admits; spring ~513 applications / 130 admits; summer ~531 applications / 90 admits

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition and fee rates: refer to UTMB tuition page for current rates
Financial aid options: scholarships, loans, grants via university and external sources
UTMB FAFSA school code: 013976
UTMB sends institutional financial aid application after program acceptance

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Clinical sites: UTMB Medical Center and clinical sites in the Houston-Galveston area, including the Texas Medical Center
Clinical placements: student rotations across different hospitals and approved sites
Optional clinical immersion experiences available for acute and primary care settings
Simulation laboratory facilities available for skills and scenario practice

Credit Transfer

CLEP scores accepted if posted on official transcript
Online theory-only courses accepted from accredited institutions; online science labs not accepted
International credits require an official course-by-course credentialing report submitted to NursingCAS
All official transcripts must be sent from the issuing institution to NursingCAS

International Students

Applicants with international coursework must submit an official course-by-course credential evaluation to NursingCAS

Contacts

Troncozo, Laura MS — Sr. Business Coordinator, BSN Traditional Program
Homan, Lauren — Recruiter
Theis-Damian, Samantha — Sr. Business Coordinator, BSN Pre-Admissions Advisor & RN-BSN Program
Lea, Patricia DNP, MSEd, RN, CCRN — Baccalaureate and RN-BSN Program Director
Jansen, Elizabeth — Program Manager, Clinical Placement