Admission Requirements

Application to Prelicensure Traditional On-Campus B.S.N. Program

Applications are reviewed for admission beginning two semesters prior to the anticipated start of nursing courses. For example, if you apply Nov. 1, 2025, during the fall application cycle, you are being considered for admissions in the term that begins with the fall 2026 semester.

The prelicensure program application for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is accepted between the following dates:

• Fall application period opens Nov. 1 and closes at 11:59 p.m. Central Feb. 15, 2026 (deadline extended for this cycle only)
  • Start Nursing following fall semester
• Spring application period opens May 1 and closes at 11:59 p.m. Central July 15
  • Start Nursing following spring semester

Application Updates for the Fall 2025 Cycle (Fall 2026 Start Date to Nursing)

• Admission deadline extended to Sunday, March 1, 2026
  Allows applicants to take the scheduled Jan. 13, Feb. 5 and Feb. 24 Casper testing dates
• TEAS requirement updated
  Applications now require valid TEAS test results (previous minimum score removed)
• Grade-point average requirement updated
  Applications will be reviewed using a total cumulative GPA, including all transfer credits

The fall 2026 online application opened Nov. 1, 2025. Thank you for your interest in professional nursing education. Please review the General Information section, complete all items on the checklist and submit your application.

General Information

To be considered for admission, applicants must have:

1. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will be considered, as verified through the official academic progress report
2. A TEAS composite exam score
3. A valid Casper assessment score
4. Sophomore standing or 29 credit hours or more

GPA

Applicants will now be evaluated using their total cumulative GPA, which includes all coursework taken at the University of Arkansas and any transfer courses that are officially accepted as equivalent and posted for credit in Workday.

Advanced Placement (AP) credit does not affect GPA, as it does not carry grade points.

This online calculator for grade-point averages is for estimation purposes only. GPAs calculated here do not in any way represent your official GPA or your final GPA for nursing admissions. Include any and all credits taken at the UofA and any transfer in as equivalent.

The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Grade Exclusion Policy is honored.

Required Courses

• ENGL 10103 — English Composition I
• ENGL 10203 — English Composition II
• MATH 11003 — College Algebra
• CHEM 12103/CHEM 12101 — Fundamentals of Chemistry with lab or higher-level Chemistry
• BIOL 24003/ BIOL 24001 — Human Anatomy with lab
• BIOL 24103/BIOL 24101 — Human Physiology with lab
• BIOL 20003/ BIOL 20001 — General Microbiology with lab
• U.S. History or Government — 3 credit hours
• Social Sciences — 9 credit hours
• Fine Arts — 3 credit hours
• Humanities — 3 credit hours
• Electives — 5 credit hours
  • Students must complete a total of 5 elective credit hours. These electives may be chosen from any area of study; however, most nursing applicants fulfill this requirement with:
    • BIOL 10103/10101— Principles of Biology with lab: While not a nursing prerequisite, this course is required before taking higher-level sciences such as Microbiology. Many students take it early to stay on track.
    • UNIV 10051 — University Perspectives: Required for first-time college students but waived for transfer students.

Checklist

• Apply for admission to the University of Arkansas.
• Review degree plan and audit with your pre-health advisor.
• Complete at least 29 credit hours of prerequisite coursework. You must have completed all but one of your science prerequisites, in addition to the 29 credit hours, by the application deadline. All remaining prerequisites must be complete by the end of your first semester in the nursing program.
  • All prerequisites coursework and nursing courses must be completed with a grade of C or above. The Catalog has details.
• Apply for admission to the Eleanor Mann of Nursing B.S.N. Program. Deadlines and application link listed by cycle above.
• You must use your official UARK email address (username@uark.edu) for your application.
• Official transcripts from universities other than the U of A must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by deadlines listed above.
  • Only summer I course transcripts will be accepted for spring admissions period.
  • For fall admissions period, you must notify your advisor if you are taking a winter intersession course after the application deadline.
• If transferring from another nursing program, you must provide the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing with a letter from your previous nursing program stating that you left in good standing. We reserve the right to request syllabi from any nursing courses you have completed.
• Complete a Casper assessment.
  • Students need to have a current test score per Casper cycle. Timing of the test depends on when students apply to EMSON.
  • Score valid for one Casper cycle which is determined by Altus Assessments.

• Complete TEAS exam by the application period deadline.
  • Choose Online exam with ATI Remote Proctor — Nursing.
  • Score valid one year prior to application deadline — maximum of four attempts in 12 months.
  • You must send your official TEAS transcript to our institution, the "U of AR Fayetteville." We will not accept TEAS transcripts sent to us by individual students.
  • More detailed instructions on sending TEAS transcript can be found at How to Send TEAS Transcript.
• Please carefully read the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s criminal background check information at ACA 17-3-102 (PDF) and ACA 17-87-312 (PDF).
  • It is extremely important that you disclose anything that might appear on your background check at the time of application. Positive background checks may impact your ability to become a licensed nurse. The Catalog has details.

If you have questions concerning the process, please call the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at 479-575-3904.

Please note communication about EMSON nursing applications is ongoing. It is the student's responsibility to check email outside of regular semesters to receive important application correspondence.

FAQs for Prospective Transfer Students