Searching for what quality accelerated nursing programs in Texas to study in? We’ve listed all the schools for you here.
If you are aspiring to become a nurse quickly, then accelerated nursing programs are your best option.
Accelerated nursing programs are one of the best ways to earn your nursing degree in a fraction of time. By taking online courses, you can earn your bachelor’s degree and become a registered nurse (RN) in as little as two years.
The accelerated nursing programs in Texas colleges and universities will take you through courses like clinical, study skills, anatomy, physiology and more, all with an eye toward getting you ready for the job market sooner rather than later.
Overview of Accelerated Nursing Programs
An accelerated nursing program is one that requires students to complete the same coursework as a traditional BSN program in fewer semesters.
While these programs have the same number of credits, they do not typically include fieldwork or clinical practice.
These programs are designed for people who want to enter the nursing profession more quickly, but they may be limited in their ability to help students get a job upon graduation.
Accelerated programs are available at nearly every public university in Texas, along with several private universities.
Most of these programs require that students have already earned an associate’s degree before applying; however, some schools will allow applicants without an AA or AS to apply to their accelerated bachelor’s programs if they have enough prerequisites completed (such as biology) or coursework under their belt.
Before deciding on which accelerated nursing programs In Texas you want to attend, make sure they offer what you’re looking for: do they have a good reputation among students? What kind of support systems do they offer? Are there opportunities for internships or fieldwork? Do they have any scholarships available specifically geared toward nursing programs?
These are all very important questions when choosing between different schools so make sure you know what each one offers. The best way to find out is by asking current students.
This article will provide you with information about some of the most important considerations for choosing an accelerated nursing program:
- What are the benefits of an accelerated program?
- How much does one cost?
- How long does it take?
Typical Requirements of Accelerated Nursing Programs
- You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
- The GRE or MCAT scores must be at least the national average for that test.
- The TOEFL or IELTS scores should be at least the average score for that test, as well as show competence in English reading, writing, and speaking skills.
- Your work experience must be in health care for at least three years; if you don’t have this experience, you should consider a bridge program instead.
- If you’re applying for an accelerated BSN program, your work experience should have been in nursing specifically; if not, consider a bridge program instead (they’ll likely be easier to get into).
Typical Cost of Accelerated Nursing Programs
The cost of your accelerated nursing program will depend on the school. You can expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 to $60,000 or more for a typical accelerated nursing program. The amount you pay depends on a number of factors:
- The cost may be higher if you have to travel long distances to get to class, but some schools offer online courses that eliminate travel expenses altogether.
- Your costs may be lower if you’re receiving financial aid or other forms of scholarship assistance. Some accelerated nursing programs even offer scholarships exclusively for their students.
If it’s within your budget, an accelerated nursing degree is definitely worth the investment—and it might even save you money in the long run by helping get your career off the ground sooner than expected.
Typical Curriculum of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas
A typical curriculum for an accelerated nursing program in Texas will look a lot like a traditional program.
That is to say, students are required to take the same basic courses as all other RNs, but they will also be taking additional classes that are designed specifically for accelerated students.
For example, some accelerated programs may include coursework that meets the requirements for state licensure (such as Pharmacology), and other electives such as Legal Issues in Nursing or Gerontological Nursing Theory.
In addition to these core courses and electives, accelerated programs may offer clinical rotations or capstone projects during their final semester or summer session.
List of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas
To help you find the right accelerated program for your needs and budget, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite options here:
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private university in Waco, Texas. The university has a highly ranked nursing program and a good reputation for its nursing program.
They equally offer one of the best-accelerated nursing programs in Texas.
- The school was founded by the Baptist church and has been known as one of the best universities in Texas since then.
- Baylor University’s College of Nursing offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing, as well as several post-master’s certificate programs.
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated nursing program in Baylor University is $66, 834.
Concordia University
Concordia University is a private university that offers one of the best accelerated nursing programs in Texas. It is located in Austin, Texas.
The school is small, with just over 2,000 students enrolled each year.
Concordia University is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), which means that it offers religious services on campus and has a strong Christian mission statement.
One major advantage of Concordia University is its small class sizes which aids personalized learning.
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated nursing program in Concordia University is $60,000 to $62,000.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
Texas Christian University is a top private university that offers one of the elite accelerated nursing programs in Texas. At TCU, you can become a registered nurse in as little as 19 months!
It is a member of the Big 12 Conference, along with Baylor University and Texas Tech University. TCU’s main campus is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and its nursing program has been ranked as one of the best by U.S. News & World Report for nearly three decades running.
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated nursing program in Texas Christian University’s Harris College of Nursing is $1,790 per credit hour.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is located in Lubbock, Texas. The school is considered a four-year college and offers baccalaureate degrees.
The college was established as the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, but it has since been renamed Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
The school has an enrollment of over 1,000 students who study nursing and allied health professions at the graduate level.
There are two programs available: Master’s in Nursing program and the Accelerated BSN program. Students can choose between full-time, part-time and accelerated options for both programs to best fit their needs and schedules.
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated BSN nursing program at TTUHSC is $207 per credit hour.
University of Texas Health Science Center
This school offers accelerated nursing programs in Austin, Dallas and Houston, Texas. The BSN program is typically completed within two years (15 months) and the DNP program is three years. It’s important to note that you must complete all prerequisite courses before applying to their accelerated program.
If you have already completed your prerequisites, then there’s a $20 application fee and an admission test. There are no minimum GPA requirements for either type of admissions test but they do require that you have taken or will take the GRE exam if it applies to you.
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated BSN nursing program at the University of Texas Health Science Center is about $28,044.
Texas A & M University College of Nursing
Located in Bryan, Texas, TAMU is another top school that offers one of the top accelerated nursing programs in Texas.
The Texas A & M University College of Nursing offers an accelerated BSN program for students who already have an associate’s degree in nursing.
This 15-month program allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing in a shorter time, without having to take general education classes that are not relevant to your major. This program also gives you the opportunity to complete clinical requirements at the same time as your coursework.
Students who are interested in this accelerated program should have completed at least one semester of college-level math, science and English courses including biology and chemistry with a grade of “C” or better. The program is designed for students who can demonstrate a strong academic background and motivation for pursuing a BSN degree.
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated BSN nursing program in Texas A&M University’s College of Nursing is about $12,340 for domestic students and $39,750 for international students.
Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s accelerated BSN program welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The campus is located in Corpus Christi, Texas, which offers plenty of opportunities for students to engage with the community and make lasting connections.
As an accelerated program, it is important to know that this program does not offer a summer session for students who are unable to complete the coursework during the fall or spring semesters.
To be eligible for admission into this program, you must hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 from your previous college courses, as well as pass either the TEAS or COMPASS exams.
The curriculum at TAMUCC consists of 16 classes spread over 11 quarters (or 2 years). During these two years, you will study nursing theory alongside hands-on clinical experience in various rotations including intensive care units (ICUs), emergency rooms (ERs), operating rooms (ORs), and more.
University of Texas – Tyler
The University of Texas – Tyler is a public institution located in the city of Tyler, Texas. It was founded as East Texas State College, and it’s situated on a beautiful campus that covers over 700 acres. The university offers a variety of academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
The nursing program at UT Tyler was established with an initial cohort size of 40 students per semester. Today, enrollment has increased to approximately 200 students per semester and includes both traditional day classes as well as online options. The BSN degree program requires 120 credit hours in total; however, it can be completed either full-time or part-time over four semesters.
Accreditation: University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler’s school of nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated BSN nursing program at the University of Texas at Tyler is $43,047.
University of Texas – Austin
If you’re looking for accelerated nursing programs in Texas with a great reputation, The University of Texas at Austin is one school to consider. It offers multiple accelerated options that can help you earn your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing within five years.
The university has a lot to offer—it’s ranked as one of the top 25 public universities by U.S News & World Report, and was recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the best values in higher education for 2016-17. It also has more than 100 undergraduate majors and over 70 graduate programs, so you’ll find everything you need here.
UT Austin has an accelerated BSN program where students can complete their coursework on campus or online during three summers and two academic years.
This allows them unlimited opportunities for professional development experiences while earning their bachelor’s degree faster than traditional students would take classes through a traditional program route alone.
The full tuition fee to study an accelerated BSN nursing program at the University of Texas at Austin is $16,700 per semester,
Final Thoughts
There are lots of great options for accelerated nursing programs in Texas. The programs are very competitive, demanding and rewarding. These programs will prepare you for a career in nursing and they’re also affordable and flexible.
There are many advantages to taking an accelerated option over traditional school-based learning. A few examples include:
- You can complete your degree more quickly than if you took the standard program.
- You’ll be able to start working sooner because you’ll graduate with more practical experience under your belt.
- You may be able to save money by not having to pay rent while going to school during the day.
Wrapping It Up
Thanks for reading about accelerated nursing programs in Texas. There are many great options to choose from, but we hope our list has given you some ideas on how to find the right one for you.
Remember that this is just a guide and there may be other accelerated nursing programs in Texas not covered here. We wish you luck on your journey.