ADN & BSN Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the program, students must meet the following criteria.

Admission Criteria:

• University Admission Requirements
  • Complete the university's admission requirements, including the submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
• Academic Performance
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all college work (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses) and be in good academic standing.
  • You may not have more than two (2) attempts on math or science classes.
• ATI TEAS Exam
  • Score a minimum of 60% on the TEAS exam. 
• LPN-ADN Track
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) must provide proof of an active, unencumbered LPN license to practice in Arkansas to be eligible for the LPN-ADN track. 

Additional Information:

• Science Course Evaluation
  • Science courses taken more than five (5) years prior to entering the program will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Program Director. See the CHEHS Nursing Advising Coordinator for more information and to request a science course evaluation.
• Criminal Background Check
  • The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires criminal background checks in accordance with the NURSE PRACTICE ACT to be performed for students in nursing programs.
    
    The UAFS College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences ADN Nursing Program has a third-party vendor conduct the background checks. The student will be responsible for all fees associated with any components of the background check process.
    
    Each clinical agency will independently determine if an adverse or negative outcome on the criminal background check will prohibit a student's practice in their agency.
    
    Students unable to practice in any of the clinical agencies because of an adverse or negative background check will be unable to complete program objectives, halting continued progression in the student's normal program of study.
    
    Failure to complete the background check process prior to the deadline noted on the admission letter will result in the student's inability to complete the program objectives and will therefore, halt progression in the student's program of study.
    
    Frequently asked questions regarding criminal background checks can be found by visiting the Arkansas Department of Health website. 

Admission to the ADN program is competitive. Students who meet the minimum criteria identified above are eligible to submit an application for admission. Further application information is below. 

• ADN applicants must be admitted to the University before applying to the ADN program.
  
• Eligible students must submit an application for admission to the ADN Nursing Program prior to the application deadline for the fall or spring semester.
• Students must complete the TEAS exam prior to the application deadline. (The TEAS deadline is one week prior to the ADN application deadline.)
• Students will be required to submit an application essay, recommendation letter, or letter of standing depending on status at time of application

Apply to ADN Program

For applications with an unencumbered LPN license:

• Please provide two (2) sources for Letters of Recommendation
• Applicants may select sources from any of the options listed or any combination of the following:
  • Your current employer/supervisor
  • Your LPN program director
  • A past LPN program faculty member

Apply to LPN-ADN Program

Selection is based on successful completion of the admission criteria. Due to program size limitations, selection is a highly competitive process. Those with a higher GPA and higher TEAS score may rank higher in selection. Only the strongest candidates will be selected to the program.

Note: Meeting minimum criteria for admission or taking courses on the degree plan does not guarantee admission into the program.

Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students identified as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.

• Health Care Provider Statement/Medical Release Form
• Proof of immunizations
• CPR Certification: American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)
• Criminal background check
• Drug screen

Once admitted into the ADN program, all nursing courses (with NURS prefix) on the program’s degree plan must be completed in residence. 

The ADN program is competency-based in skills and theory. A student must demonstrate satisfactory clinical performance, 100-percent mastery on all Competency Performance Evaluations (CPE), and maintain a minimum average cumulative score of 75 percent on Competency Performance Assessments (CPA) including the final CPA for each course. 

A grade of "C" or better is required in ALL courses applicable to the ADN degree. 

Students are allowed up to two (2) attempts on all nursing-specific courses on the degree plan (NURS prefix). A course withdrawal or failure will count as an attempt. For example, if a student withdraws from a NURS course and then fails the next attempt, the student will be ineligible to progress in the program. 

Students may not attempt any math or science course on the degree plan more than twice and still be eligible to progress in the ADN nursing program. 

NOTE: RN licensure requires a state and federal criminal background check. Students who have been convicted of a crime, including those that are sealed or expunged, must seek permission from the ASBN to take the licensure exam to become a registered nurse. 

To be considered for admission to the BSN program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Complete university admission requirements to include submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. 
• Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA for all college coursework (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses) and be in good academic standing. 
• Complete required prerequisite courses for the program with a minimum grade of C or higher in each course before fall or spring entry. Prerequisite courses are the first four semesters as listed on the degree plan for a total of 62 hours. 
• Students may not attempt any course more than twice and be eligible for admission into the nursing program.

Students who meet the BSN minimum requirements are eligible to submit an application for admission.

Application deadline is March 1 for Fall entry and October 1 for Spring.

Apply to BSN Program

For application questions, please contact Nicki Gilbert, admission coordinator, at Nicki.Gilbert@cellphonejoys.com or 479-788-7861.

Click here to view the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree plan.

NOTE: Meeting the minimum criteria for admission or taking courses on the B.S.N. degree plan does not guarantee admission into the program. Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students identified as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.

• CHEHS Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form
• Proof of immunizations
• CPR Certification: American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)
• Criminal background check
• Drug screen

Note: Many clinical facilities require a criminal background check and/or drug screen on students and have the authority to deny clinical training in their facility, secondary to the outcome of either screening. Students unable to practice in any clinical agency because of an adverse or negative background check will be unable to complete the program objectives, thereby revoking admission into a program or halting continued progression in the student's program of study.

NOTE: RN licensure requires a state and federal criminal background check. Students who have been convicted of a crime, including those that are sealed or expunged, must seek permission from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to write the licensure exam to become a registered nurse. (See Restrictions.)