School of Nursing
Department website: https://nursing.utexas.edu/
Programs
Master of Science in Nursing
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Please note: The post-master's Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certificate programs have transitioned to the Doctor of Nursing (DNP) effective fall 2026.
Requirements and Policy
Legal Requirements
In the interest of public safety, there are legal restrictions on enrollment in some nursing courses and on eligibility for RN licensure. Factors that may make an individual ineligible for licensure in Texas include prior denial of a license by a licensing authority; disciplinary action by a licensing or certifying authority; conviction for a crime other than a minor traffic violation; diagnosis, treatment, or hospitalization in the past five years for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder; addiction or treatment for addiction to alcohol or any other drug during the previous five years; and having been issued a declaratory order concerning eligibility for NCLEX examination or licensure or having received a proposal of ineligibility by the Texas Board of Nursing.
To avoid delay in course enrollment, delay or denial of licensure, or possible disciplinary action and criminal prosecution for later discovery of falsified records, those with a history of any of the factors listed above are strongly urged to apply for a determination of eligibility for licensure. Request for a determination should be made as early as possible, prior to or upon enrolling in the nursing program. Such a determination, called a Declaratory Order, is issued by the Texas Board of Nursing. Issuance of a Declaratory Order takes a minimum of three to six months. More information is available on the Texas Board of Nursing website.
Compliance
Students must provide documentation confirming completion of compliance requirements prior to commencement of any degree program. Log in to the School of Nursing intranet site for more information.
- Medical clearance requirements—immunizations.
- Criminal background check—required of alternate entry students and registered nurses who received initial licensure prior to 2003. Students with concerns about eligibility are urged to seek an official determination from the Texas Board of Nursing six months in advance of beginning clinical courses to allow sufficient time for Texas Board of Nursing approval.
- Drug screen—a clear drug screen to be completed one month prior to the first day of class in the first semester of a student's program.
- CPR certification (Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers, offered by the American Heart Association).
- Basic first aid certification for alternate entry students only.
- Health Insurance
- Professional liability insurance (purchased each year through the School of Nursing).
- Completion of School of Nursing orientation training modules.
- Completion of School of Nursing scholastic dishonesty and professional integrity and honor code forms.
- Licensure as a registered nurse in Texas or holds a license that allows the student to practice as a registered nurse in Texas (except for alternate-entry students in foundation courses).
- Employment background check.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing degree and the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). All graduate degree programs, including the Doctor of Philosophy program, are reviewed periodically by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Graduate Studies Committees
The following faculty members served on the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) in the spring 2026 semester.
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Heather A Becker Angela P Clark Heather E Cuevas Alexandra A Garcia Shaoqing Ge Ashley M Henneghan Eun Ok Im Karen Johnson Melessa Kelley Shelli Kesler Linda Kim Jung Kwak Yang Li John Ronald Lowe Laura E Murphy |
Yaolin Pei Carolyn Phillips Kavita Radhakrishnan Donna L Rew Hyekyun Rhee Alexa M Stuifbergen Whitney A Thurman Gayle M Timmerman Lorraine O Walker Veronica G Walker Bo Xie Linda H Yoder Cara Young Julie A Zuniga |
Facilities
In addition to the extensive library and computer resources of the University, certain special resources within the School of Nursing provide support for graduate work.
The Cain Center for Nursing Research
The focus of this office is the promotion of funded research by nursing faculty members. The staff provides support and consultation services and compiles information about opportunities for research funding and presentations; including some for which graduate students are eligible. The computer laboratory is used for graduate courses and is available for graduate student research projects. The Cain Center also provides employment opportunities for graduate students interested in experience as research assistants.
Clinical Research and Practice Sites
The School of Nursing has access to a variety of private practice, community, and state facilities for field research and clinical placement. These include all major health care facilities in Austin and surrounding communities.