Program Overview

The overall goal of the College of Nursing’s baccalaureate education is to prepare a generalist practitioner capable of providing professional nursing care to individuals and families with diverse health needs in a variety of settings. The program builds on a foundation of knowledge in the liberal arts, supportive sciences, and professional education. It provides a sound foundation for obtaining leadership skills, utilizing nursing research in clinical settings, and pursuing graduate education in nursing. The College of Nursing will be expanding to provide an Accelerated BSN program for students in the Austin and Round Rock areas. For more information, contact CONadmissions@tamhsc.edu.

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing offers an undergraduate program of study designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary to function effectively in all areas of professional nursing.

The curriculum, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, offers three tracks for study:

Generic BSN

• requires two years of prerequisite coursework (58 credit hours) to be completed at any accredited college or university
• followed by two years of upper division courses (65 credit hours) in the College of Nursing

Accelerated Option (or “fast track” program) for students with a previous bachelor’s degree

• requires completion of 25 hours of prerequisite coursework

• followed by 15 months of upper division courses (65 credit hours)

• must complete HSC core curriculum courses if these requirements were not met in the previous degree program

RN to BSN Option for registered nurses with an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing

• must complete prerequisite coursework
• must complete HSC core curriculum courses that were not met in the previous degree program

The RN to BSN program allows working nurses to balance your career and your education by offering:

• online courses
• traditional classroom experience 2 to 3 days each semester
• 31 hours of nursing coursework
• part-time study available
• individualized clinical experiences
• opportunity to apply learning experiences with real-life work setting

Admission Criteria

Admission to the College will be competitive. It is strongly recommended that applicants present an overall grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale).  A minimum grade of "C" in each of the prerequisite courses is required. At the time of application, students must be enrolled in or have completed all prerequisite course requirements. Exceptions to this may be made for RN to BSN applicants depending on the number of outstanding courses. For those enrolled in prerequisite courses, admission will be contingent on their successful completion (minimum grade of "C") of any outstanding coursework.  Preference is given to students completing more than 50% of coursework in either Brazos or Williamson Counties, State of Texas.

The College of Nursing requires applicants to complete the following seven (7) components of the Admissions Assessment (A2 HESI) exam: math, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, anatomy and physiology, personality profile, learning style, and critical thinking. A minimum score of 75% is required for math, reading comprehension, vocabulary/general knowledge, and anatomy/physiology. The personality profile, learning style, and critical thinking will not be used as admissions criteria but will provide insight into personal preferences and successful strategies to improve academic performance.

The curriculum leading to the BSN degree requires students to engage in diverse, complex, and specific experiences essential to the acquisition and practice of critical nursing skills and functions. Unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical and social abilities are required to satisfactorily perform these roles.  The Essential Competency Requirements of the Student Nurse are required for successful admission and completion of the program. 

Applicants will be evaluated based upon the following:

• GPA on all undergraduate coursework

• GPA on the following nursing prerequisite courses (25 semester credit hours):

Statistics, Nutrition, Lifespan Growth & Development, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology

• A grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses
• Admissions Assessment Test Scores (not required of RN to BSN applicants)
• Essay (s)
• Reference Form (s)
• Community service
• Leadership/involvement in extracurricular and/or professional activities
• Commitment to the ideology of nursing and service to others
• TOEFL score, required for international applicants only
• Evidence of li censure in good standing as a professional nurse, required only for RN to BSN applicants

• Supplemental application, if requested
• Interview, if requested

Notification of Admission Decisions

Applicants who apply for spring terms can expect to receive their admission decision by early December. Those applying for summer terms will be notified by early April. Official notification is provided only by mail to the permanent address given on the application. All applicants will receive a letter from the Office of Student Affairs as to their status whether admitted, denied or given the option of placement on a waiting list.

A select number of applicants who are not admitted in the initial round may be offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. If space becomes available, additional offers may be extended. It is the policy of the College of Nursing that information regarding placement on the waiting list will only be provided by appointment.