Apply Now
Applications open October 1 for Fall 2027 admission to the UAMS College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs! This includes both the Traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN pathways.
Whether you’re beginning your journey toward becoming a nurse or already have a bachelor’s degree and are ready for a career change, your path to nursing starts at UAMS!
For prospective students, I’d make the benefits of applying early very easy to spot while still clarifying that March 1 is the regular deadline:
Apply Early. Get Ahead. Priority Deadline: January 15
Planning to start your nursing journey at UAMS in Fall 2027? Apply early and take advantage of the benefits of priority consideration!
The priority application deadline for both the Traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN programs is January 15.
Students who complete their application by the priority deadline may:
- Be considered for the UAMS Chancellor’s Scholarship
- Receive an earlier admission decision and offer
- Have more time to prepare for the transition to nursing school
- Get a head start on important next steps before beginning the program
To receive priority consideration, applicants should submit their application, required materials, and official transcripts by January 15.
Missed the Priority Deadline? You Can Still Apply!
The regular application deadline is March 1. Applications received after January 15 and by March 1 will continue to be considered for Fall 2027 admission.
Don’t wait—apply early, maximize your opportunities, and take the next step toward becoming a UAMS nurse!
I kept “may receive an earlier admission decision” rather than guaranteeing an early offer, which gives you stronger recruitment language without promising a specific admissions outcome.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program applicants are required to have obtained a bachelor’s or baccalaureate degree (or higher).
Prerequisites
Applicants both to the traditional BSN program and to the accelerated BSN program must complete 58 semester hours of general prerequisite education courses prior to admission. Accelerated BSN applicants must also have a completed baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree; the 58 hours of pre-requisite courses may come from your previous degree. See the Prerequisites page for more information. All general education prerequisites must be completed prior to the entry date each year and may be completed at any regionally accredited higher education institution.
GPA
- All applicants, including those with a previous baccalaureate or higher degree, must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale with a grade of “C” or better in all College of Nursing general education prerequisite courses AND a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale, including those with a previous baccalaureate or higher degree, on all completed college/university coursework.
- Entering prerequisite GPA is calculated using every general education prerequisite course grade.
- Grade replacement policy is in effect for entering prerequisite GPA calculation only. To replace a grade, the number of hours must be equal, and the course content must be equal. (In the case of repeated courses, only the last grade will be used to calculate the GPA.)
Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essentials Academic Skills (TEAS)
- Applicants with a conferred bachelor’s or baccalaureate degree are exempt from having to take the ATI TEAS exam. The degree must be conferred prior to enrollment in the College of Nursing.
- Applicants who have a cumulative GPA and a prerequisite GPA of 3.4 or higher (based on grades posted by the Fall semester) are also exempt. To determine eligibility, applicants must submit their official transcripts for review, along with their complete application to the College.
- Licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) returning for a BSN or MNSc degree are also exempt from this test.
- For applicants who do not meet any of these three exemption criteria, the minimum required ATI TEAS score is 60%. This exam must be completed at the applicant’s personal expense prior to March 1 of the year of application and an official score report from www.ATITesting.com must be submitted by the application deadline.
- Students must have completed the exam within two (2) years prior to the application date with the highest exam score considered for application purposes. Scores older than two (2) years will not be considered.
Interview
- Students who meet the minimum GPA and TEAS requirements may be invited to an interview and/or an emotional intelligence assessment.
TOEFL
- If you were not born in the U.S. or in a country where English is the official language, then an official TOEFL score of a minimum score of 20 in each section of the iBT, is required.
- The test must have been taken within the last two (2) calendar years of admission.
- Official TOEFL exam score report reflecting successful completion must be received no later than one (1) month after the application deadline date. Only TOEFL test scores received directly from ETS will be accepted as valid.
- Testing information is available at https://www.ets.org/toefl.
- If the applicant’s entire educational experience has been in the United States, the applicant does not have to take the TOEFL. To document this, the applicant must provide records/transcripts from the time that the applicant entered school in the seventh grade through high school and college. If the applicant cannot provide this documentation, the applicant may appeal first to the College of Nursing Admissions and Progression Committee and then to the College of Nursing Dean.
Transcripts
Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) of course work from ALL institutions attended should be forwarded to the College of Nursing, Director of Student Services, for review. Upon request, an accompanying catalog for the years covered by the transcript may be requested before evaluation can take place. Transcripts can be mailed, sent electronically, or hand-delivered.
Mail all transcripts to:
UAMS College of Nursing
Student Service Office
4301 W. Markham, Slot 529
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Electronic transcripts sent directly to the College of Nursing (at conadmissions@uams.edu) are considered official. Transcripts can be delivered from Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse. If you have questions, contact us.
Evaluation of Foreign Transcripts – If the degree was earned outside of the United States, the applicant must have all international transcripts evaluated by a credentialing entity that is a member of NACES (The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) naces.org (e.g., www.wes.org or www.ece.org). The evaluation must include proof of the equivalency of a United States degree and an equivalent GPA that is based on a 4.0 grading system.
Applicants who have previously attended a nursing school or another school of a health profession must have a letter submitted from that school that includes a statement regarding the student’s standing at the previous school or provide an official transcript reflecting successful completion.
An applicant who has been dismissed previously from a program or is not in good standing will not be considered for admission. Admission will not be considered for anyone who earned an “NC”, “D”, “F” or a “WF” in any two nursing courses, unless they are currently a licensed registered nurse.
Online Application
All prospective students must complete the online application. It is highly recommended that you read the application FAQs before starting the online application.
Note: Students must have evidence of TB skin test, completed Hepatitis B series, and current CPR certification on file with the College of Nursing. You must file this evidence with the College of Nursing after you have been accepted into your program, but before registering for any course.
Request to Transfer From Another Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Students who want to request a transfer from another BSN program have a special process to follow. Please see the admission requirements for more information.
RN-to-MNSc
If you are already a registered nurse (RN), please navigate to our RN-to-MNSc program below for more information. Note that we no longer offer a standalone RN-to-BSN program; the RN-to-MNSc program allows students to get both their BSN and their MNSc.
Request for Re-Entry
The Returning Student Application is required for students who have previously withdrawn from a degree-seeking program and are seeking approval to return to a UAMS College of Nursing program to complete the degree. (MNSc students who have not enrolled in College of Nursing courses for two or more semesters are required to submit this request.)
Additional UAMS Services
Students have the responsibility to self-identify as a person with a disability with a need for accommodation(s).
- Students should submit all requests for adjustments, including auxiliary aids, to the ADA / Disability Services Coordinator. It is recommended that students thoroughly review technical standards, course descriptions, and the applicable syllabus to determine if accommodations may be needed
- Students should review the Disability Services webpage for specific guidance related to the accommodation process and for the link to apply for accommodations.
- Upon receipt of the request and any associated documentation, the ADA Coordinator will contact the student to schedule an interview.
UAMS supports veterans, guardsmen, reservists, spouses, and dependents as they transition to university life and pursue academic success.
- The Office of the University Registrar collaborates with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies to support military education benefits.
- For questions about VA benefits, contact David E. Williams, an experienced VA/Military Education Benefits specialist, at vaservices@uams.edu or dewilliams@uams.edu, or visit the Registrar’s Office in CHP Building 2, Suite 100.
- Website: https://registrar.uams.edu/veteran-services/