Bachelor of Science in Nursing

All students are required to take a standardized entrance exam to evaluate prospective students and their potential for successful program completion. Nursing and Health students admitted to UT Arlington as freshman or transfer students - are required to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam for their standardized admission exam to the BSN Prelicensure program. Scores must be submitted by the submission deadline for the application to be considered complete.

Deadline to Submit TEAS Scores

• Spring Applicants: June 1
• Fall Applicants: January 15

Test Information

• The TEAS exam is a four-hour, computer-administered exam required for application to UT Arlington’s BSN Prelicensure programs.
• The TEAS exam is an assessment of a student’s academic preparedness for health science-related programs. Higher scores indicate greater academic preparedness.
• There are four exam sections: Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage.
  • UT Arlington's BSN Prelicensure program requires student meet a proficiency score in each section to be eligible to apply. Proficient scores range from 58.7%-77.3%. Test may be repeated to achieve a higher score.
  • The TEAS exam can be taken every 30 days with a maximum of 3 times a year.
  • If the TEAS exam is repeated, all sections must be re-taken. Submitted scores must be from the same test administration.
  • Passing scores are valid for 2 years.

For more information about the three step registration process, score information, and test day procedures, please visit the UTA Testing Services webpage.

Information on immunization requirements can be found on this page.

Specific information about each vaccination can be found in the FAQs document here.

Make sure to use the most recent information available when applying to the BSN Prelicensure Program.

All students accepted to the upper division nursing program must complete their Board of Nursing (BON) criminal background check (CBC) and receive their results by the first week in March (fall applicants) or the first week in September (spring graduates). The BON CBC includes being fingerprinted through IdentoGo.

Texas Board of Nursing Process

All requests are submitted by completing a BON CBC Form in MyMav. Once received, the information is reviewed to determine if a prior request has been sent or if this is a new request. After this determination is made, your information will be submitted to the BON on a roster, or we will contact you for more information. It takes the BON 7 to 10 business days to process these requests. Thereafter, you will receive an email from IdentoGo a to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. Once the BON receives your criminal background check results, it takes at least 10 business days (sometimes longer) before you will receive the results in the form of a blue postcard or outcome letter. You will be instructed where to upload The CBC process takes at least 3 to 4 weeks from start to finish. It could be longer depending on the findings.

Keep your blue postcard or outcome letter in a safe place. Students are encouraged to take a picture of the letter or side of the card with your name and address to keep as a backup copy just in case it is misplaced. When you are accepted into the nursing program, you will be directed where to upload that card or letter.

• You will either receive a blue postcard or outcome letter not both.
• Blue postcard/blue card indicates no criminal activity (no further action required)
• Outcome Letter: Eligible to take NCLEX (no further action required)
• If you require a Declaratory order (must create Nurse Portal account and follow instructions provided by the BON: Texas Board of Nursing - Declaratory Order

Note: The BON communicates directly with students and does not relate personal student information to the College. Your results are not sent to UTA.

We have new process to initiate the Board of Nursing criminal background check. You are required to submit your request via MyMav. You will need a UTA email account to submit the request.

Please verify your information is correct in MyMav before proceeding. If your information is incorrect, click on this link for information on how to submit a records change. Your name must match the name on the government issued identification you will use for the fingerprinting appointment.

Learn more about the Texas Board of Nursing Criminal Background Check here.

Below is a link to a video on how to access the Board of Nursing Criminal Background Form. Please click on the link to view the instructions.

Texas Board of Nursing CBC - video

Questions: Please email conhiadmin@uta.edu.

GroupOne criminal background check: Online criminal background check

• Completed prior the JR I semester start. Program coordinators will communicate the instructions and deadline through JR I Orientation course in Canvas.
• Results are sent directly to the College of Nursing.
  • An eligibility letter from the BON, indicating the student is eligible to take NCLEX, is required for a student with a history of criminal activity.

View or download the BSN Campus-Based slide show [PDF] here.

Upon completion, we invite you to participate in a survey about this session here. Your feedback is appreciated.

1. Log in to your MyMav account using your NetID and password.
2. From the home screen, select “Admissions”
3. From the Admissions screen, select “NURS Upper-Division Application”
4. At the “Application Definition Code” drop down menu, select the program for which you are applying
5. The “Term” for which you can apply will default to the current application period
6. Select “Begin Application”

Students are required to:

• Complete the Transfer Nursing Student Application
• Complete the minimum required scores on the admission exam as stated on the admission brochure
• Provide a “good standing” letter from the outside institution’s nursing department
• Submit a course syllabus and a content outline of the course(s). If the course is a clinical course, a list of nursing skills learned in the course(s) must also be submitted.

All requirements must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment and Student Services Assistant Dean.

If accepted:

• a student must attend a mandatory in-person orientation.
• a student may select the campus-based program or the accelerated online program.  

Students who have not completed the required courses will be ranked with the incoming junior class.

If previously admitted to a nursing program at an institution outside of UT Arlington, the “Transfer Nursing Student Policy” must be adhered to.  

The UT Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation, in conjunction with the Honors College, offers the opportunity to earn an Honors Degree. To earn this degree, a student must have at least 24 hours of Honors coursework, including at least 12 hours of honors coursework in nursing at UTA. The 12 hours in nursing must include 3 hours in Research (a required course), and a 3-hour Senior Project (Thesis/Creative Activity, Service Learning, Study Abroad, or Internship). The remainder of the student’s Honors hours can be earned in any of the nursing courses in which a student contracts for an Honors project. Students may “transfer in” honors courses from another university or junior college (please contact the Honors College for eligibility of these courses).

The faculty of the College of Nursing is committed to assisting students in the pursuit of an Honors Degree, and many students have had the opportunity to enrich their education through a variety of creative projects, some of which have included working with faculty on specific research projects.

Consider the benefits available to Honors students:

• Scholarships
• Early Registration (provided clinical requirements are submitted by the deadline)
• Priority placement at a clinical site (site only, not specific unit at the site, and only for those demonstrating progress in the honors program).
• Internships/Research Assistantships
• Personalized attention/Academic Advising
• Faculty/Student interaction
• Independent Research
• Extended Library Privileges/Honors College Library/Study Lounge
• Computer Access in Honors College
• Honors College Council
• Informal Social Gatherings
• Graduate School Preparation
• Opportunities to attend Honors Symposia, Lecture Series & Artistic Presentations

Honors College admission is competitive. Honors candidates must fulfill at least one of the following criteria, as well as submit an essay:

• Entering Freshmen: a combined Critical Reading and Math SAT score of 1270; an ACT score of 27; the upper 10% of their high school graduating class
• Currently enrolled or transfer students: 3.35 G.P.A.

Though you must meet the above criteria, admission is not based solely on grades or scores. The Admissions Committee looks for evidence in the application of strong analytic and imaginative abilities. A strong essay is an important consideration in the admission process.

The online application for admission to Honors College can be accessed at the Honors College website. For additional information, please contact Dr. Deborah Behan, the College of Nursing Honors Coordinator.

• BSN Handbook
• Code of Ethics 
• Comprehensive Assessment and Preparation Program Procedure
• Criminal Background Check
• Dispute and Grievance Procedure
• Dress Code
• Drug Policy
• DUN Clinical Placement
• Immunizations
• Learning Professional Nursing and Life Skills Course Requirements
• Medication Administration Competency
• Program Testing Policy
• Religious Accommodations in Clinical Settings
• Seventy Percent Rule
• UG Honor Code (UEPC)

With the launching of the online program in 2010, the program was conceptualized to address the unique needs of online students. Year-round interventions include conference calls, one-on-one meetings, and test preparation and study webinars.

All pre-licensure nursing students can benefit from Student Success services. Beginning during JR I Orientation and continuing until graduation, the Student Success Coordinators assist students with the transition into nursing school, provide stress management strategies, and support students through classroom and online presentations that focus on clinical course content. Peer mentors are coordinated through Student Success. These current nursing students have excelled in the classroom and clinical setting; peer mentors provide guidance and support through their success tips.

Students may be referred to the Student Success Center by faculty or they may seek assistance directly with the coordinator and faculty. The most common areas of student need include: study skills, time management, test-taking strategies, math, HESI comprehensive exam and course preparation sessions. Referrals may be made to the Counseling and Psychological Services office and financial aid office.

A course, Learning Professional Nursing and Life Skills (NURS 2232), is offered to assist students who experience challenges with testing, time management, study habits, and/or professional behavior. This course is required for students who fail a nursing course and/or score below a preset standard on the course HESI tests. Refer to the course syllabi for more information related to the course.

The Center has relocated to the second floor of Pickard Hall, room 220. There are five computers housed in the area, a large open room for group studying or meetings, and resources that can be checked for current student use. The Center is open Monday through Friday throughout the year.

Top Five Tips from Students to be Successful in Nursing

1. You must manage your time well, stay organized, and use a calendar.
2. Limit the number of hours you work to 16 per week. This will allow you to complete the assignments and really learn the information.
3. Study EVERY  Plan to study a minimum of 20-30 minutes EACH day for EACH course. Daily studying will help you retain the information.
4. Use the resources available to you. This includes clinical faculty, lead teacher, peer mentors, student success, family, and friends. They can support and encourage you.
5. And, to be successful in nursing school and in nursing, stay positive, take care of yourself, and believe in yourself!

Test Taking Skills

To be the most successful on nursing school tests, you must know the material and understand how to apply the information on a test. Good test taking strategies DO NOT replace knowledge, but they can enhance your ability to do well on tests when you are well informed. Review some test taking tips you can use.

Success Coordinator information can be found here.