Texas Nursing Schools And Programs

Texas has hundreds of nursing programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. This guide breaks down how to choose a program, why accreditation matters, the steps to licensure, and what nurses earn in the state.

The Best Nursing Schools in Texas

University of Texas at Austin offers an onsite BSN for full-time students, with coursework in public health nursing, nursing research, and complex nursing care. Graduates may move on to master's or doctoral programs, and the school also runs continuing education, certificates, and graduate programs.

Texas Christian University offers a postgraduate certificate for nurses who already hold a master's or DNP and want to practice as advanced practice registered nurses. Coursework runs online, practicums happen in the student's community, and the program requires 12-22 credits.

Texas A&M International University (Laredo) offers a four-year BSN covering pharmacology, community nursing, and nursing leadership, ending with a capstone. TAMIU also offers master's degrees in nursing administration and as a family nurse practitioner.

Baylor University is a Baptist-affiliated school with six online DNP programs, including family nurse practitioner and nurse midwifery. Post-master's students complete 75 credits and 1,000 clinical hours, and Baylor accepts up to 37 transfer credits.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers an 18-credit post-master's nurse practitioner certificate in psychiatric mental health, combining didactic courses with a clinical therapeutics preceptorship to prepare nurses to care for patients across the lifespan.

University of Houston offers three MSN programs built on the BSN, including a family nurse practitioner track and a nurse education track for research, teaching, or leadership roles. Online students attend a two-day onsite program at commencement.

Texas Lutheran University (Seguin) offers a BSN requiring 60 nursing credits after prerequisites. Enrollees complete 945 hours of simulation, hands-on training, and clinicals, with clinical groups of 6-10 learners at nearby hospitals.

University of St. Thomas (Houston) offers a 120-credit BSN for students who have finished two years of prerequisite coursework at UST or another school. The curriculum centers on patient-centered care, and graduates can apply for RN licensure.

LeTourneau University (Longview) is a Christian school focused on technical and scientific education, with a 122-credit BSN that requires 67 prerequisite credits and 55 nursing credits. Graduates may work as clinical consultants, occupational health nurses, or nurse managers.

Laredo College offers an affordable ADN. Traditional students follow the two-year track, and licensed vocational nurses can enter through a transition program. Classes cover nursing skills and the transition to the professional nurse role.

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Texas

Start with program structure. Prospective RNs complete an ADN (about two years) or a BSN (about four years). Licensed RNs can pursue a master's or doctoral program to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

Each degree carries different timeframes and clinical and coursework requirements. Courses typically include anatomy, pharmacology, patient care, and hands-on clinical training. Some programs run flexible formats, others a fast-paced full-time schedule, so weigh the curriculum against your career goals and your calendar.

To judge quality, review NCLEX pass rates, available on school websites or through the Texas Board of Nursing. Accreditation status, faculty experience, and clinical partnerships also matter.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Texas

Becoming a nurse in Texas means completing an approved program, clearing a background check, and passing exams that include a state-specific jurisprudence test.

RN Requirements

Graduate from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply to the Texas Board of Nursing. You also complete an FBI fingerprint-based background check and pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam, which tests state laws and professional responsibilities.

Graduates of out-of-state programs in compact states can apply for Texas licensure by endorsement. That means an online application, the jurisprudence exam, and applicable fees.

APRN Requirements

APRNs hold at least an MSN, with a DNP required for some roles. Applicants graduate from an accredited program, pass national board certification exams, clear a background check, and take the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. The Texas Board of Nursing publishes APRN guidelines on scope of practice, prescriptive authority, and continuing education.

Why Accreditation Matters in Texas

Accreditation confirms that a program meets standards for academic quality, clinical training, and faculty qualifications. Programs are typically accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Accreditation is required for licensure eligibility, federal financial aid, and credit transfer. Every program in this guide is accredited and meets Texas Board of Nursing requirements for practice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Nursing Schools and Programs

Which Texas school ranks highest for nursing?

The University of Texas at Austin.

How long does it take to become a nurse in Texas?

Usually two to four years. An ADN takes about two years, a BSN about four. With a bachelor's in another field, an accelerated BSN runs 16 to 18 months.

Which Texas programs are easier to get into?

Several programs have higher acceptance rates, though they still require prerequisites like anatomy, microbiology, and chemistry. The University of Texas at El Paso reports a 100% acceptance rate for its nursing program, with NCLEX-RN pass rates above the national average.

What is the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam?

A mandatory online assessment for nurses applying for an initial license or license by endorsement. It runs 50 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 75% correctly to pass. It tests the legal and ethical standards that govern nursing practice in the state.