The curriculum for the BSN Track focuses on nursing skills and theory, taught online, in the classroom, in laboratories, and in clinical practice. Courses cover provision of nursing care across the life span and address individuals and their health care needs in the context of the family and the community. In addition, the upper-division course work emphasizes theories and fundamentals of nursing leadership, management, and research.

Typically, a full-time student will spend 16 to 18 hours a week in clinical settings with patients and 10 to 12 hours in classroom and laboratories at the School of Nursing. Required upper-division courses can be completed in four semesters of full-time study.

Admission Requirements

In addition to general university admission requirements, applicants for the full-time and part-time prelicensure BSN program must satisfy the following, based on a 4.0 grading scale:

• Overall cummulative GPA of 2.75.
• Complete 61 hours of prerequisites with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
• Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 on life and physical science prerequisites.
• Achieve a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses.
• Complete a minimum of two required life and physical science prerequisite courses prior to application submission (Chemistry, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology I or II)
• Submit an application for admission and application fee. Students must submit application via the Web on the Office of Enrollment Services web site.
• Arrange for an official transcript to be sent from each academic institution attended.
• A minimum of 40 of the 61 hours of prerequisites must be completed in order to apply for admission to the program. All 61 hours of prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning the Baccalaureate program.

• Submit documentation of a completed background check for security clearance. For information regarding this process, please see the Security Screening Information Page on this site.

Transcripts and all other application documents should be sent directly to:

Office of Enrollment Services

University Admissions – 1.212 Ashbel Smith Building
The University of Texas Medical Branch
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77555-1305
(409) 772-1215

Policy for Criminal Background Checks

As indicated above, applicants are required to undergo and pass a criminal background check as part of the application process. For more information, please visit the Student Security Screening Information page.

Immunizations Requirements

Evidence of immunizations required by UTMB must be submitted to Student Wellness for verification and processing, including documentation for COMPLETED three dose series of Hepatitis B vaccine and a positive Hepatitis B antibody titer. All immunization requirements must be met to proceed in a clinical course. Students who are not in compliance with the above policy will not be permitted to participate in clinical activities.

Clinical Facilities

The students’ experiences in clinical practice areas are designed to prepare them to function effectively in the current health care system. A large variety of clinical facilities are used, including the inpatient, ambulatory and home care services provided by UTMB at Galveston. In addition, other hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, and other community-based agencies in the Houston-Galveston area are used to provide students with opportunities to build a strong foundation in clinical practice.

Graduation Requirements

Eligibility for graduation:

• Completion of the curriculum within 6 years from the date of first enrollment with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all 60 semester hours of required courses in the School of Nursing and cumulative overall GPA of 2.0 for all work undertaken at UTMB.
• Completion of a minimum of 30 of the final 35 upper-division hours in residence at the School of Nursing and an official transcript of any courses taken outside the UTMB School of Nursing.
• Successful completion of all NURS 4100 requirements (see NCLEX-RN© preparation policy).

For more information regarding graduation activities visit the commencement home page.

Texas Core Curriculum Requirements

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requires that all students successfully complete the Texas Core Curriculum requirements prior to graduation. Consequently, students receiving their first baccalaureate degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing must successfully complete the Texas Core Curriculum requirements prior to graduation.

To view a list of the Texas Core Curriculum requirements or obtain additional information please vist the following: http://statecore.its.txstate.edu or http://www.utmb.edu/enrollmentservices/prospect/admissions/corecurriculumpolicy.htm