Admission Requirements for BSN Program

Applicants must complete a successful criminal background check and drug screen within 30 days of official acceptance to the BSN Program. Background checks and drug screens may be repeated during the student’s program of study.

There are four major areas considered in admissions decisions. Acceptances will be offered based on all the above criteria with no single criterion having more importance than another.

• Undergraduate or graduate academic preparation and achievement
  • The total academic performance is critically evaluated with attention given to the source, course load, and trends in performance, as well as, to the general commitment of scholarship. See table below for pre-requisite courses.
  • BSN applicants are required to have a cumulative grade point average of 2.6 or better for science pre-requisite courses: Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Microbiology (calculation is based on the highest grade achieved on the first or second attempt); Applicants must earn a C or better on all pre-requisite science coursework.
    • BSN applicants must have completed their science pre-requisites within 10 years of the application date.; RNs must have completed their pre-requisites within 10 years of application date if not currently practicing as an RN.
• Professional recommendations
  • Professional recommendations allow further insight into the values and motivation of the applicants. Three recommendations from academic and work related professionals are required to support the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the program and perform in the role.
• Personal statement included in the NursingCAS application
  • An applicant's interest in and motivation to obtain a BSN, in order to become a professional nurse, is an important factor in the admissions decision. 
• Standard Test Scores
  • BSN applicants must also present scores from (TEAS)Test of Essential Academic Skills™. Applicants must achieve the national median composite score; the median score for TEAS 5.0 is .
• Submit official test score results from:
  • TEAS V
    • Students who have begun the application process through NursingCAS and are interested in taking the TEAS assessment at UTHSC may contact Jamie Overton, CON Coordinator for availability at jgarre25@uthsc.edu.
    • TEAS will be offered for $35. to UTHSC applicants on the following dates:
      • Thursday, March 7th noon - 4 p.m.
      • Wednesday, March 27th 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
      • Thursday, March 28th noon-4 p.m.
    • Applicants can also find study materials and TEAS test sites in their area at ATI Testing.
      • Go to the ATI website (follow link below)
      • Click on “Register for TEAS” and search for a location in your area
      • Register an account
      • Go to: https://www.atitesting.com/Home.aspx
      • Click the “Register” button for the TEAS 5.0.

Students who were previously enrolled, but did not complete a nursing program, must submit a letter of good standing from the Director of the Nursing Program.

Admission Guidelines

Part One: The Application Process

Prospective students MUST apply to the BSN program through NursingCAS, a national nursing centralized application service endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Specific instructions are provided at the NursingCAS portal.

Part Two: Credit/Degree Requirements

Non-Nurses (Pre-licensure): Sixty (60) or more college credits in non-nursing courses or a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing field from a regionally accredited college or university (or approved international equivalent) upon entry to the program.

RNs: Associate's degree or diploma from an accredited school of nursing with 60 semester hours of general education (non-nursing) college credits.
Pre-requisite courses are listed in the following table:

Admission Criteria: Pre-requisites

Courses	Non-Nurses (pre-licensure) with 60 or More College Credits	Non-nurses (pre-licensure) with Bachelor’s Degree	RNs with Associate Degree or Nursing Diploma
*Human Anatomy & Physiology I/II(with lab)	8 credits (with lab)	8 credits (with lab)	8 credits (with lab)
*Microbiology (with lab)	3 credits (with lab)	3 credits (with lab)	3 credits (with lab)
Statistics	3 credits	3 credits	3 credits
English	6 credits	6 credits	6 credits
**History	6 credits	6 credits	6 credits
Minimum total semester credits completed prior to Enrollment	60***	120 (Bachelor’s Degree or higher)***	60 (Non-nursing courses)***
Required GPA	3.0	3.0	2.5

* There is a 10 year age limit on required prerequisite science courses for non-nurses. For practicing RNs, there is no age limit on prerequisite science courses.

** An American History requirement must be met. This can be met by completing a year of high school American (US) History or 6 college credits of US History.

*** Students must complete courses in that fulfill the Behavioral/Social Sciences and Humanities/Fine Arts general education requirements. Examples of courses that meet the Behavioral/Social Sciences requirements include (but are not limited to): Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Political Sciences, Anthropology, Women’s Studies, Global Studies. Examples that meet the Humanities/Fine Arts requirements include (but are not limited to): History, Foreign Languages, Anthropology, Western Civilizations, Art Appreciation, Theater, Dance, Art History, Literature, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.

^ The prerequisite semester credit requirement represents post-high school, non-nursing, collegiate academic studies with a grade of “C” or higher, from regionally accredited colleges and universities. The prerequisite courses in the tables are not offered by UTHSC College of Nursing.

Note: All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning studies at the UT Health Science Center (UTHSC), but do not need to be completed prior to application. Students who have been dismissed from another nursing program are not eligible for admission.

Part Three: Official Transcript

Official transcripts from every college/university you have attended will be needed to complete your on-line application through NursingCAS. In addition, you will need to request that a copy of your transcript also be sent to NursingCAS for verification.

Part Four: Standardized Test Score

Submit official test score results from TEAS

Students who have begun the application process through NursingCAS and are interested in taking the TEAS assessment at UTHSC may contact Jamie Overton, CON Coordinator for availability at jgarre25@uthsc.edu .

TEAS will be offered for $35. to UTHSC applicants on the following dates:

• Monday, January 14th 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

Applicants can also find study materials and TEAS test sites in their area at ATI Testing.

• Go to https://www.atitesting.com
• Click on “Register for TEAS” and search for a location in your area
• Register an account
• Click the “Register” button for the TEAS 5.0.

Part 5: Recommendation Forms

Applicants are required to provide NursingCAS with the names and addresses of three (3) persons who can address their ability to successfully complete the program -- of the three, two (2) are faculty members and one (1) is an employer.

Part 6: Other Important Criteria

• Individuals dismissed from other nursing programs are not eligible.
• Successful background check must be completed prior to enrollment. Individuals are required to disclose any misdemeanor or felony conviction. Applicants are advised that extensive background checks (including fingerprinting) is conducted as part of the nursing licensing application process. Individuals with criminal records may not be eligible to sit for the RN licensing exam.
• Applicants must complete a drug screen within 30 days of official acceptance to the BSN program. Drug screens may be repeated during the student’s program of study.

Part 7: Ability to meet Minimum Performance Standards for BSN applicants must be verified by the applicant's healthcare provider prior to enrollment to the program.

• Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment;
• Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, groups, and populations from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds;
• Communication abilities sufficient for verbal written interaction with others. Speak, write and comprehend the English language proficiently;
• Use computer to word process, email, and access the World Wide Web;
• Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, walk in hallways, maneuver in small spaces, and the strength necessary to lift and transfer patients, including the ability to exert up to 50 lbs. occasionally and 25 lbs. of force frequently. Physical activities include climbing, pushing, standing, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion;
• Gross and fine motor abilities with good balance and coordination sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.
• Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs;
• Visual ability, with close visual acuity including color, depth perception, and field of vision sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care;
• Tactile ability and manual dexterity sufficient for physical assessment and to provide nursing intervention including manipulating equipment necessary for providing nursing care.

Part 8: Certifications

• Current RN lisence (For RN applicants only)
• Current Basic Life Support (CPR Certification) prior to UTHSC enrollment and maintained throughout UTHSC enrollment

Part 9: Laptop Required & Essential Computer Skills

• Must own a web-connected laptop
• Computer/web-based literacy skills expected

Part 10: If Native Tongue not English or if there is reason to believe the applicant is not proficient in the English language. (minimum TOEFL scores required)

• Evidence of English proficiency is mandatory part of application process
• Official minimum TOEFL Score earned within two (2) years prior to application to College of Nursing
• Three versions of TOEFL: Paper-based Test (minimum score 550), Computer-based (minimum score 213), and Internet/web-based (minimum score 80).
• If Not a U.S. Citizen:
  • Applicant must provide photocopy of immigration documentation showing “legal immigration status” (e.g., “Green Card”).
  • Copy of Immigration Status Doc.

Part 11: Post Acceptance Fees and Charges

After acceptance, students are required to submit a $75 Admission Processing Fee and a $200 Guaranteed Enrollment Deposit (GED). The GED, a non-refundable fee due within 30 days of acceptance, is held in escrow and applied to the student’s first term of study.

11. ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR THE BSN PROGRAM MUST BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE THE APRIL 1 APPLICATION DEADLINE.

BSN/MSN Current Student
Contact Information

Toll Free: 800-733-2498