 rotate(10)'/%3E%3Cpath d='M.038.113v.15l.15.088.15-.088v-.15L.188.025l-.15.088Z' stroke='%23c44900' stroke-width='.0375' transform='rotate(10)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Applying FAQs
Follow the instructions under “How and When to Apply”
Applying to the UTRGV School of Nursing requires two applications.
- Apply and get accepted to UTRGV via ApplyTexas.org
- Apply to the School of Nursing:
- TK 20 application system for Generic and RN to BSN program; or
- NursingCAS application system for the 2nd Degree BSN program.
Academic Advising resources and services are available to prospective and current students.
Follow the steps under Academic Advising and Course Substitution Assistance and learn more about the BSN Information Session that can be attended by any prospective or current student (registration not required).
All currently enrolled students seeking their first bachelor’s degree or prospective first-degree-seeking students who have been accepted to UTRGV:
Make an appointment for academic advising at the Academic Advisement Center.
Important: The Academic Advisement Center does not advise prospective students who have not been accepted to UTRGV or students seeking a second degree. See below for advising services and resources available to you.
Second-Degree BSN or RN to BSN students or prospective students:
- Second-degree BSN students are advised by Dr. Jennifer Brewster, 2nd degree BSN Program Coordinator Jennifer.brewster01@utrgv.edu If you are completing your first degree at UTRGV and plan to apply to the 2nd-degree program, seek advising at the Academic Advisement Center. Once you are accepted to the 2nd Degree BSN program you may obtain advising from the Academic Advisement Center.
- RN to BSN students are advised by Ms. Luz Silva, RN to BSN Program Coordinator, luzmaria.silva@utrgv.edu. Once you apply to UTRGV and are accepted, you can also be advised by the Academic Advising Center.
Important: All prospective 2nd degree and RN to BSN students must apply to UTRGV and submit their Official Transcripts to UTRGV Undergraduate Admissions for official evaluation.
Generic BSN students and prospective students:
- Prospective Generic BSN students who do not have their first degree are advised by the Academic Advisement Center only after acceptance to UTRGV.
Important: Prospective Generic BSN students must be accepted to UTRGV, including submitting Official Transcripts to UTRGV Undergraduate Admissions before they can be advised by the Academic Advisement Center.
After acceptance to any BSN Program:
Students are advised by the appropriate Program Coordinator at the School of Nursing and/or they may be advised at the Academic Advisement Center.
Each program has admissions criteria that explains the minimum GPA and/or grade requirements you need to apply to each nursing program. See the link below for the program you are interested in.
Undergraduate programs:
-Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Generic (BSN)
-Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
-RN to BSN Accelerated Online
Graduate programs:
-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Programs:
-Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health
-Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Doctorate program:
-Doctorate of Nursing Practice
Prerequisites must be taken at UTRGV or another accredited college or university and can be taken either in person or online. For information related to transferring credits and accreditation, see Transfer Admissions and contact Undergraduate Admissions if you have any questions.
The School of Nursing is unable to provide unofficial transcript evaluations. The UTRGV’s Registrar’s Office conducts official evaluations upon submitting your Official Transcripts when you apply to UTRGV and submit your Official Transcripts.
If you have a question about a specific prerequisite course you would like to transfer to UTRGV, please review Transfer Admissions Information and contact Undergraduate Admissions if you have any questions. Please review the Transfer Equivalency Guide to help you evaluate if the course you took may be equivalent to the required prerequisite course.
If a course substitution review is needed by the School of Nursing, review the steps for obtaining Academic Advising and Course Substitution Assistance.
Applicants must complete at least 45 hours out of 63 hours of prerequisite courses with a C grade or higher as per the Application Eligibility in the course catalog. The application eligibility courses identified below must be completed before applying. The remaining 18 hours of prerequisite courses must be completed before enrollment (first class day) to be officially admitted into the program after all conditions of acceptance are met.
The 45 semester credit hours must include the following courses and must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better:
- BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II
- CLSC 2429 Clinical Microbiology in Health Care
- CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I Lab
- PSYC 2301 General Psychology
- PSYC 2314 Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
There may be an opportunity for these credits to be evaluated before the Undergraduate Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee (UAPG) meets to make an admission decision if they are in progress at the time you apply. This courtesy secondary review is not guaranteed.
For more information, see How Applicants are Ranked.
As per the admissions requirements, all courses must be completed before being officially admitted into the program on the first class day and meeting all conditions of acceptance.
If an applicant is selected for admission to the program, the committee, at their discretion, may admit a student with a pending course, but this is not guaranteed.
The Texas Board of Nursing (Texas BON) may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examination, OR may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration to any individual with lack of fitness to practice by reason of mental or physical health or intemperate use of alcohol or drugs that could potentially result in injury to patients or the public. The Board may also refuse to grant licensure to any individual with a history of conviction. An individual enrolled or planning to enroll in a nursing program who has reason to believe that he/she may be ineligible may petition the Texas BON for a declaratory order for eligibility.
Contact the Texas Board of Nursing for additional information. The Declaratory process may take six (6) months to one (1) year to complete.
All accepted and alternate candidates/students will undergo a DPS and FBI background check via the BON before their admission to the nursing program is finalized.
A person who feels that he/she might have a background issue is strongly advised to begin the Declaratory Process with the Texas BON as soon as possible. A person does not have to be a current nursing student or an applicant to the nursing program to begin the Declaratory process.