Written By
Blake Huggins
- Bio
last updated
As the need for nurses in Texas continues to grow, people are looking for ways to enter the profession in the fastest way possible. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a common way to become a registered nurse, and online accelerated BSN programs in Texas can make the process faster than traditional RN programs.
Nursing students attending accelerated online BSN programs in Texas receive the same rigorous training and education as students in traditional programs. They are required to complete the same number of clinical, lab, and credit hours, provided they choose an accredited program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
Explore online accelerated BSN programs in Texas, including this year’s top programs, learn the difference between available programs, and get your questions answered regarding cost and average time frames for completion.
Best Accelerated Online BSN Programs in Texas for 2022
The following schools offer high-quality online BSN programs in accelerated formats. These programs are being highlighted because of their affordability, flexibility in delivery, accreditation, approval by the Texas Board of Nursing, NCLEX-RN pass rates, and robust student support systems. Find out which schools rise to the top in 2022.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech’s School of Nursing offers an accelerated second-degree in nursing program designed for completion in as few as 12 months. The fully-accredited course of study leads to a BSN degree that prepares students to meet the unique challenges nurses face in the healthcare field. It requires completion of 61 credit hours spread across three semesters. Potential course topics include basic nursing skills, clinical foundations, evidence-based practice, and pharmacology. The program boasts an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 96.72%.
The program delivers academic courses using flexible online technologies for maximum expediency and accommodation. Clinical rotations and other hands-on components take place at approved sites across the state. Texas Tech’s team of experienced clinical coaches and mentors remain available to all students for the duration of the program. Qualified applicants need an accredited bachelor’s degree and recent Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) results. They must also satisfy course prerequisites and complete American Heart Association BLS certification before entering the program. An in-person interview is also required.
Baylor University
Working professionals with a relevant bachelor’s degree can earnan accelerated BSN online at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing. The 62-credit program offers intensive, full-time training that uses a blend of online instruction, clinical experiences, and interactive hybrid learning modules. Most classes vary in length from three to 10 weeks and cover vital subjects like healthcare policy and contemporary issues, foundations for nursing practice, and therapeutic communication.
Once online coursework is complete, students participate in a two-week visit to Baylor’s main campus in Waco. This experience supports in-person learning and prepares candidates for clinical placements in the field. The practicum requirement involves 720 hours of clinical contact at an approved site with supervision from expert practitioners and faculty. Prerequisites for Baylor’s program include courses in nutrition, developmental psychology, and microbiology. Prospective applicants need a competitive GPA and must successfully complete the Health Education Systems Incorporated exam, a precursor to the NCLEX-RN test required for licensure. The NCLEX-RN pass rate for Baylor nursing students is 93.44%.
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) extends a convenient BSN pathway to students who haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree. Itsonline accelerated program involves the completion of 51 credits that most candidates complete in 15 months or less. Applicants must have already earned 70 credits in specific prerequisite courses to be considered for admission. The program involves 14 total courses that range in length from 5-14 weeks. Each course builds on previous knowledge, so students must complete each in sequence, studying pathophysiology, holistic health assessment, pediatrics, and leadership management. The course of study culminates with an integrative capstone component with required clinical placement hours.
UTA administers all classes using flexible online tools that combine structured instruction with interactive simulations and skills labs. Following coursework, students receive a supervised clinical placement at an approved site in a major Texas metro area. Graduates leave the program fully qualified for licensure and professional work in a broad array of clinical contexts. UTA boasts a 90% NCLEX pass rate as well as one of the highest graduation and licensure rates in Texas.
Types of Accelerated Online BSN Programs in Texas
Colleges and universities in Texas typically offer two different types of online accelerated BSN options: the standard, or first-earned bachelor’s degree and the second-earned bachelor’s degree. Both types support the same learning outcomes but cater to different students with varying levels of background and education.
Standard Accelerated BSN
The standard accelerated BSN program is designed for students who haven’t previously earned an associate or diploma program in nursing but may have earned previous college credits. As a result, some programs require a significant number of undergraduate transfer credits prior to admission. For example, the University of Texas at Arlington requires at least 70 transferable credits in general education areas in order to apply. Alternatively, other programs like the one at Texas A&M Corpus Christi admit transfer students as well as new students without previous credit. Students in the latter category enroll as pre-nursing majors on a four-year plan and begin BSN instruction once they complete the school’s core curriculum.
Second-Degree BSN for Non-Nurses
These programs admit aspiring nursing professionals with previous academic experience, typically a bachelor’s degree earned at an accredited institution. Previous degrees can be in any non-nursing discipline, making this an ideal option for those looking to make a career change. Texas Tech and Baylor University both offer this program and admit students with any degree that satisfies course prerequisites. These programs can be completed faster than the standard option because most students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree do not need to complete core courses in general education. Instead, they can focus on intensive nursing instruction in targeted nursing areas.
FAQs About Online BSN Programs in Texas
Can I earn my accelerated BSN degree completely online from a Texas university?
Most online accelerated BSN programs in Texas use a hybrid format. In this case, all coursework is delivered completely online through interactive tools with some elements reserved for in-person learning. Because nursing is such a practice-oriented field, many schools strive to prepare their students for the rigors of hands-on work by requiring components that cannot be replicated online.
These components often include fieldwork experiences like clinical rotations and skills labs. Some programs may offer online simulations for lab experiences, but virtually all accelerated BSN programs administer a practicum that involves in-person requirements. If you already work in a clinical environment, you may be able to integrate those requirements in your current setting depending on the school. If not, most programs maintain approved placement sites throughout Texas.
How much do online BSN programs in Texas cost?
Tuition rates for online BSN programs in Texas vary widely and depend on several key factors like school type, residency and enrollment status, and time to completion. Public colleges and universities generally offer the cheapest options, but many charge higher rates for out-of-state residents even for online programs. Private, nonprofit institutions sometimes offer flat rate options regardless of where you live but tend to be more expensive on average. We’ve listed a few examples below to give you a clear picture of what to expect in terms of cost.
Texas A&M University
at Corpus Christi
Total Credits: 50
$354.34/credit (in-state); $771.35/credit (out-of-state)
University of St.
Thomas Houston
Total Credits: 58
$1,100/credit (all students)
How long does it take to earn a BSN online in Texas?
Time frames for completion vary widely and largely depend on whether you enroll in a traditional accelerated BSN program or the second-degree BSN option. Students who take the traditional route and do not have any transfer credits usually take the longest, up to four years of full-time study. Those with eligible transfer credits fall somewhere in the middle and may finish in two years or less, depending on their enrollment status. Second-degree programs offer the quickest path to completion. For example, students at the University of St. Thomas Houston can earn their BSN in as few as 12 months.
What’s required to get into an online BSN program in Texas?
While admission criteria can fluctuate in these highly competitive programs, most schools in Texas follow a similar process. Prospective applicants to online BSN programs in Texas should expect to provide the following materials.
- Official transcripts for any previous academic study indicating a competitive GPA.
- A professional resume outlining relevant work experience.
- Recent Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) results.
- Recent Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results, if necessary.
- Proof of completion of any course prerequisites required by the program.
- Written responses to any required essays and letters of recommendation.
In addition, applicants to a second-degree accelerated BSN program must demonstrate successful completion of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution. Some programs may also require certified nursing assistant training (CNA) as well.
How do I know if an accelerated online Texas BSN program is of high quality?
Proper accreditation and state approval are the best indicators of a solid, high-quality online BSN program in Texas. Interested students should first make sure that the school administering the program maintains accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Well-regarded nursing programs in Texas typically hold programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verify that your program is approved by the Texas State Board of Nursing (BON). The board is responsible for nurse licensure in the state. The BON publishes a list of formal education requirements and a directory of approved programs.