Program Overview
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers its accelerated second-degree BSN as a fast-track option for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The program is structured for completion in four consecutive semesters, which the school also describes as an accelerated 15-month pathway.
Students complete face-to-face coursework, campus lab training, and hospital-based clinical learning rather than a fully online format.
Admission is clearly competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a seat.
Applicants are rank-ordered by the School of Nursing’s Undergraduate Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee based on eligibility and space availability.
ABSN Admission Summary
UTRGV’s accelerated BSN admission process is built for second-degree students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want a fast route into registered nursing. Applicants must first gain admission to UTRGV and then submit a separate School of Nursing application through NursingCAS.
Key admission points include:
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing
- Applicants must be admitted to UTRGV as a Second Degree Student
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for the prerequisites and required admission-support courses
- Each prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of C or better
- Applicants must earn 75% or higher on required HESI A2 sections and a 750 or higher in Critical Thinking
- Required HESI areas include Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Math, Anatomy and Physiology, and Critical Thinking
- Applicants must pass the required math quiz with a score of 100
- Applicants must provide proof of current CPR certification for health care providers
- Applicants must complete a Texas Board of Nursing criminal background check
- Applicants must meet the School of Nursing’s Technical Standards
- Applicants must provide documentation for immunizations, immunity status, and absence of active pulmonary disease
- All official transcripts must be sent to UTRGV Undergraduate Admissions and to NursingCAS
- NursingCAS applications must be in Verified status by the closing deadline for review
UTRGV also explains that some students may apply with limited coursework still in progress, but admission remains highly competitive and incomplete files are a disadvantage.
Prerequisite Courses
Applicants need a solid science and general education foundation before entering the accelerated nursing sequence. UTRGV allows some prerequisite and core work to be satisfied through the student’s first bachelor’s degree if those courses already appear on the academic record.
Required prerequisites include:
- BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II
- MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods or MATH 1343 Introduction to Biostatistics
- ANTH 2351 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology
- CLSC 2429 Clinical Microbiology in Health Care
- CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1111 General Chemistry Lab I
- PSYC 2301 General Psychology
- PSYC 2314 Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
UTRGV also identifies admission-support courses that must be completed for official admission:
- HRPT 2303 Medical Terminology
- PSYC 2301 General Psychology
- NUTR 2351 Introduction to Clinical Nutrition
Out-of-state applicants may also need to complete U.S. Federal Government & Politics and Texas Government & Politics if those requirements were not met in the first degree. The school also requires U.S. history and government coursework that covers both the U.S. and Texas constitutions.
Curriculum
Topics covered include pharmacology, adult health, mental health, community health, leadership, and nursing research. Students must follow a structured course sequence and earn a ‘C’ or higher in all required courses to progress.
NURS 3101 Essentials of Nursing Profession
Introduces professional nursing roles and foundational concepts, including QSEN competencies like patient-centered care, safety, evidence-based practice, and teamwork.
NURS 3202 Wellness and Health Promotion
Covers wellness and health promotion across the lifespan, emphasizing self-care, disease prevention, and the use of the nursing process in diverse populations.
NURS 3303 Fundamentals of Nursing
Explores basic nursing principles and the nursing process, laying the groundwork for safe and effective patient care.
NURS 3304 Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical/Lab
Applies foundational nursing concepts and the nursing process in lab and clinical settings through hands-on experiences.
NURS 3305 Client Assessment
Teaches physical and psychosocial assessment skills with cultural, ethical, and developmental considerations in simulated environments.
NURS 3105 Client Assessment Lab/Skills
Provides laboratory practice in systematic client assessment using anatomical and psychosocial frameworks.
NURS 3203 Pharmacology I
Introduces pharmacologic principles, safe drug administration, dosage calculations, and the integration of the nursing process in medication management.
NURS 3411 Adult Health I
Focuses on nursing care for adults with common health alterations, using the nursing process to address changes in body system functions.
NURS 3311 Adult Health I Clinical
Applies nursing concepts in clinical settings to care for adults with health issues affecting body systems.
NURS 3312 Mental Health
Covers nursing care for clients with mental health challenges, focusing on psychosocial integrity and therapeutic communication.
NURS 4101 Nursing Concepts I
Prepares students for NCLEX-RN success through a comprehensive review of core nursing concepts and licensure strategies.
NURS 4401 Adult Health II
Addresses complex and acute health conditions in adults, reinforcing the use of nursing judgment and clinical decision-making.
NURS 4301 Adult Health II Clinical
Provides clinical application of care for adults facing crises or complex health issues using advanced nursing concepts.
NURS 4203 Pharmacology II
Builds on foundational pharmacology with emphasis on safe medication practices and advanced therapeutic management.
NURS 4304 Family Health
Examines family-centered care across the lifespan, including maternal, child, and adolescent health in both normal and high-risk contexts.
NURS 4305 Family Health Clinical
Applies nursing care to families through hands-on clinical experience, covering wellness and illness from birth to adolescence.
NURS 4102 Nursing Concepts II
Continues NCLEX-RN preparation with a focus on comprehensive content review and test readiness.
NURS 4201 Community Health
Explores nursing roles in public and community health, focusing on population-based interventions and chronic disease management.
NURS 4202 Community Health Clinical
Provides field experience in community settings, implementing and evaluating health promotion and disease prevention efforts.
NURS 4302 Research
Introduces research principles and methods, enabling students to critically assess and apply evidence to nursing practice.
NURS 4306 Leadership in Nursing
Covers leadership theories, healthcare systems, and the transition to professional practice, with emphasis on clinical leadership.
NURS 4307 Leadership in Nursing Clinical
Applies leadership and management skills in healthcare settings, focusing on team coordination, quality care, and professional role transition.
More curriculum details available here
Clinicals and Hands-On Training
Clinical learning is a central part of the UTRGV accelerated BSN. The school states that the 15-month program includes in-hospital clinical labs, campus labs, and face-to-face instruction led by expert nursing faculty in collaboration with local hospitals. Several nursing courses also include separate clinical or lab components, which shows that practical training is woven through the curriculum instead of being saved for the end.
Students must maintain compliance with clinical participation requirements throughout the program. These include annual proof of CPR certification, immunization compliance, absence of active pulmonary disease, and at least $1 million in professional liability insurance.
Some clinical sites may also require platforms such as CB Bridges or My Clinical Exchange. Students may be asked to complete a 10-panel drug screening and other onboarding steps through DISHA Healthcare Technology before beginning clinical placements.
Tuition
The estimated tuition for the UTRGV accelerated second-degree BSN is about $19,833 for Texas residents, based on the 57-credit nursing core completed across four consecutive semesters with a typical accelerated mix of three fall/spring terms and one summer term.
For non-residents, the same 57-credit sequence is approximately $42,918. This estimate does not include books, health insurance, liability insurance, immunizations, or other variable program expenses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation and Licensure Outcomes
The program is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and meets all state requirements for licensure. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for licensure as registered nurses in Texas.
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