The University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers a fully online RN to BSN program that can be completed in as few as 12 months. Students can choose between a 12-month accelerated track or an 18-month extended track to best fit their professional needs.
The program accepts students for fall, spring, and summer semesters. UA Little Rock’s nursing courses are delivered in five-week terms, allowing for flexible scheduling. The curriculum builds on foundational nursing knowledge while covering advanced topics in health assessment, research, leadership, and advocacy.
RN-to-BSN Admission Requirements
Basic Qualifications
- Current, unencumbered RN license OR
- Recent associate degree or diploma graduate OR
- Graduate from basic RN program outside the U.S. with current unencumbered USA RN license OR
- Currently enrolled in final semester of associate degree or diploma RN program
- Currently admitted to UA Little Rock or enrolled within last two years with 2.0 GPA minimum
Academic Requirements
- Completed at least 12 hours of RN-to-BSN required general education courses beyond AAS or diploma RN program with grade of C or better
- Exception: Nursing Health Assessment courses may be completed during final semester of associate/diploma program
- Submit all college and nursing transcripts to UA Little Rock Admission Office
- Maintain minimum UA Little Rock cumulative GPA of 2.0
Application Process
- Transfer students currently enrolled elsewhere must apply and be admitted to UA Little Rock before applying to RN to BSN program
- Submit completed School of Nursing RN to BSN application
- Submit copy of current photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or school ID)
- University admission takes minimum 10 business days after all documents submitted
License Requirements
- Recent graduates may begin program prior to taking NCLEX-RN exam
- Students without RN license may only take NURS 3220, NURS 3230, NURS 3310, and NURS 3420
- Active, unencumbered RN license required to continue beyond first semester
- Failure to obtain/maintain unencumbered RN license may result in administrative withdrawal
Transfer Credits
- 33 credit hours of lower-level nursing courses waived for valid RN license
- Transfer students must have transcripts reviewed and articulated before registering
Technology Requirements
- Working computer (laptop or desktop) with specifications meeting course requirements
- Chromebooks, iPads, and tablets will NOT meet requirements
- Stable internet connection with up-to-date software (Windows 10 or MacOS 10.13 minimum)
- Internal or external microphone and webcam required
- Compatible browsers: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Windows), Chrome or Safari (Mac)
Curriculum
The BSN is a 120-credit-hour degree requiring 35 hours of core curriculum, 33 hours of waived nursing courses (for RN license holders), and 34 hours of upper-level nursing courses. Students complete 8 additional upper-level elective credits.
Required Core Curriculum (35 Credits)
Students must complete university core requirements including general education courses in composition, mathematics, social sciences, fine arts, humanities, and sciences.
Waived Lower-Level Nursing Courses (33 Credits)
These courses are waived for students with valid RN licenses: Introduction to Nursing Concepts I & II, Adult Nursing I-III, Mental Health Nursing, OB/Reproductive Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Competency for Entry into Practice.
NURS 10082 – (was 1200) Introduction to Nursing: Concepts I (2 cr.)
Launches foundational nursing knowledge and skills, linking the nursing process, safety, and clinical judgment to hands-on skills lab practice. Introduces professional role expectations and patient-centered, evidence-based care.
NURS 10282 – (was 1202) Nursing: Concepts II (2 cr.)
Builds on Concepts I with deeper application of assessment, safety, and teamwork from lab into SimCare scenarios. Strengthens clinical judgment and the nursing process for beginner practice. Prereq/Concurrent: NURS 10082.
NURS 11083 – (was 1310) Adult Nursing I: Acute Care (3 cr.)
Introduces acute care nursing for adults—especially older adults—through focused assessment, comfort measures, and safety. Applies pharmacology, ethics, culture, informatics, and EBP in simulation, hospital, and community settings.
NURS 12083 – (was 1320) Adult Nursing I: Chronic Care (3 cr.)
Centers on long-term and chronic conditions affecting adult function and quality of life. Integrates assessment, patient education, safety, and interprofessional collaboration across simulation, long-term care, and community environments.
NURS 11094 – (was 1410) Adult Nursing II (4 cr.)
Advances coordination of care for adults with common acute and chronic problems seen in middle adulthood. Emphasizes priority setting, teamwork, quality improvement, and informatics through structured clinical and service-learning experiences.
NURS 12094 – (was 1420) Mental Health Nursing (4 cr.)
Explores mental health and illness across the lifespan with emphasis on therapeutic communication, conflict management, and advocacy. Clinical learning spans acute and community mental health settings with a safety and quality focus.
NURS 21084 – (was 2410) OB/Reproductive Health Nursing (4 cr.)
Covers evidence-based, patient-centered care during the reproductive years, emphasizing normal childbearing and common variations. Students practice priority decision-making, discharge teaching, and community education across sim, acute, and community sites.
NURS 22084 – (was 2420) Pediatric Nursing (4 cr.)
Examines growth and development from infancy through adolescence within the family context. Uses common pediatric exemplars to apply EBP, safety, and informatics in simulation, hospital, and community care.
NURS 25073 – (was 2350) Competency for Entry into Practice (3 cr.)
Capstone transition course that synthesizes program competencies through preceptor-guided clinical, management experiences, and/or interdisciplinary simulation. Includes comprehensive NCLEX-RN review to support licensure readiness.
NURS 25095 – (was 2550) Adult Nursing III (5 cr.)
Focuses on complex adult conditions requiring advanced prioritization, leadership within nursing teams, and care of multiple patients. Clinical and simulation experiences reinforce evidence-based, safe, patient-centered practice in acute settings.
Required Upper-Level Nursing Courses (34 Credits)
All courses require minimum grade of C:
NURS 32082 – (was 3220) Nursing Health Assessment I (2 cr.)
Introduces comprehensive health history and physical/psychosocial assessment techniques for professional nurses. Stresses accurate data collection and documentation for clear team communication.
NURS 32982 – (was 3230) Nursing Health Assessment II (2 cr.)
Continues and refines head-to-toe and focused assessments using varied tools and frameworks. Emphasizes clinical synthesis and precise reporting of findings to inform care plans. Prereq: NURS 32082 (C or better).
NURS 31083 – (was 3310) Professional Nursing Role Development (3 cr.)
Examines the evolution of professional nursing and BSN role socialization through QSEN competencies and nursing theory. Guides students in articulating a personal philosophy of nursing.
NURS 32184 – (was 3420) Wellness Promotion (4 cr.; 3 theory/1 lab)
Prepares nurses as educators by applying teaching–learning principles with diverse populations. Culminates in an integrated practice project aimed at improving health outcomes.
NURS 32994 – (was 3430) Healthcare Economics (4 cr.; 3 theory/1 lab)
Explores cost drivers, value, and policy impacts in healthcare delivery. Students analyze cost/benefit and quality outcomes and complete the integrated practice project from a nursing perspective.
NURS 34084 – (was 3440) Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (4 cr.; 3 theory/1 lab)
Covers research design, appraisal, and translation of best evidence to practice. Emphasizes evaluating and disseminating findings through an integrated practice project.
NURS 35083 – (was 3350) Ethics, Legalities, and Advocacy (3 cr.)
Applies ethical frameworks and legal standards—including the ANA Code of Ethics—to real practice scenarios. Develops advocacy skills for patient-centered decisions within interprofessional teams.
NURS 41584 – (was 4415) Community Health Needs (4 cr.; 3 lecture/1 lab)
Introduces population health, public health principles, and basic epidemiology. Students conduct community assessment and design an intervention via the integrated practice project.
NURS 42084 – (was 4420) Leadership and Management (4 cr.; 3 lecture/1 lab)
Develops leadership competencies in change management, conflict resolution, quality, and resource stewardship. Practice experiences expand application of management strategies in clinical settings.
NURS 43084 – (was 4430) Integration of Concepts (4 cr.; 3 lecture/1 lab)
Final synthesis of RN-BSN essentials—QI, teamwork, PCC, EBP, informatics, and safety—to support transition to the BSN role. The integrated practice project demonstrates comprehensive analysis and application of competencies.
Additional Required Courses
- Statistics (3 credits): Choose from Introduction to Statistical Methods, Statistics and Methods I, Social Statistics, or Statistics for Practitioners (required before Research course)
- Writing (3 credits): Writing for the Workplace or Technical Writing
Upper-Level Electives (8 Credits)
Options include Informatics in Nursing, Special Topics in Nursing, or Standardized Participant in Simulation.
Additional Science (4 Credits)
Must complete 12 total science hours, with 8 counting toward University Core.
Program Tracks
12-Month Accelerated Track:
- Designed for students who have met all additional BSN requirements
- Completes program across three terms with multiple five-week sessions per term
18-Month Extended Track:
- Suitable for students completing remaining BSN requirements
- Spreads coursework across five terms for reduced course load
More curriculum details available here.
Clinical Requirements
The program includes integrated practice projects (IPP) in select courses. Courses with integrated practice components include three credit hours of theory and one credit hour of lab. Community Health Needs, Leadership and Management, and Integration of Concepts courses incorporate practical application experiences. Students must maintain required nursing program documents, forms, and demonstrate professional conduct throughout clinical experiences.
Tuition
UA Little Rock charges a flat rate of $280 per credit hour for online RN to BSN students. The 34 required upper-level nursing credits cost $9,520 (tuition only). This rate applies regardless of residency status for students in approved online degree programs.
Additional estimated costs include:
- Nursing books: approximately $950 for total program
- Integrated Practice Fee: $30 per credit hour for four-credit BSN courses only
- University Core and prerequisite courses charged separately at standard undergraduate rates
- Technology, supplies, and other educational expenses
Students in UA Little Rock Online programs benefit from fewer fees compared to on-campus students. Payment plans are available, including four-installment and seven-installment options for fall and spring semesters.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Related Programs
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Nursing also offers:
- Traditional BSN Program: Pre-licensure program for students pursuing initial nursing education
- AAS in Nursing: Associate degree program leading to RN licensure
- Graduate Nursing Programs: Advanced degree options for BSN-prepared nurses
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Willard and Pat Walker Foundation Scholarship
Available to RN to BSN students (current and new) for fall semester. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $8,000. This scholarship supports both accelerated and extended track students.
Additional Financial Support
UA Little Rock offers grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs through the Office of Financial Aid. Students should explore general university scholarships and veterans benefits. Financial aid specialists assist students in bridging the gap between tuition costs and affordable contribution amounts.
Program Progression Requirements
- Minimum grade of C required in all upper-level nursing courses and general education courses
- Students must pass Professional Nursing Role Development before enrolling in additional upper-level nursing courses
- Statistics must be completed before taking Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Program must be completed within three years from initial enrollment in Professional Nursing Role course
- Students earning two Fs in required BSN nursing courses must exit the program
- Minimum UA Little Rock cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be maintained throughout program
More RN to BSN Schools in Arkansas
- Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
- Arkansas Tech University - Russellville
- Henderson State University - Arkadelphia
- University of Arkansas Monticello - Monticello
- University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
- University of Central Arkansas - Conway