UNI Nursing Admissions
Thank you for your interest in the University of Northern Iowa's Nursing programs! Please see details on the UNI Nursing Admissions process below, which will differ if you're a current UNI student or incoming freshman or transfer. Applications are now available for both the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN).
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to admissions@uni.edu or the Department of Nursing & Public Health at nursing@uni.edu.
We are still accepting applications for Fall 2026! Contact us at nursing@uni.edu with any questions.
UNI's Nursing program offers two pathways for students pursuing a career in nursing:
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to admissions@uni.edu or the Department of Nursing & Public Health at nursing@uni.edu.
Traditional
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
(BSN)
Designed for students beginning their nursing education as part of their undergraduate degree program.
Accelerated
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
(ABSN)
A full-time, 12-month accelerated pathway designed for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree or completed at least 70 undergraduate credit hours and are seeking a faster route to a nursing degree.
How to Apply
- Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Nursing Program
1
New incoming students to UNI must first apply and be admitted to the university. If you have not already done so, you can submit your application: at apply.uni.edu.
Note: Incoming freshmen and transfer students are admitted to UNI as Pre-Nursing majors. As Pre-Nursing students, they can complete their nursing prerequisite coursework and general education (UNIFI) requirements before applying to the Nursing program.
2
After completing the required prerequisite courses, current UNI students or new incoming students who have completed prerequisites may formally apply for admission to the Nursing program.
3
Students are admitted twice each year, with cohorts beginning in both the fall and spring semesters. Nursing admissions decisions are made by the Department of Nursing & Public Health.
Fall Cohort Deadlines
- January 5 – Early consideration application deadline (decisions released around Feb. 5)
- February 15 – Standard consideration application deadline (decisions released around March 15)
Spring Cohort Deadlines
- September 16 – Application deadline (decisions released around Oct. 7)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Nursing Program
1
New incoming students to UNI must first apply and be admitted to the university. If you have not already done so, you can submit your application at apply.uni.edu.
Important: Applications to the ABSN program will not be reviewed until the student has been admitted to the University.
2
Students must have completed all prerequisite coursework, completed a minimum of 70 credits, and completed all UNI general education (UNIFI) requirements prior to applying to UNI’s ABSN program.
3
Students are admitted once a year, starting in the fall. Nursing admissions decisions are made by the Department of Nursing & Public Health.
Fall Cohort Deadline
- May 15 - Application deadline (decisions released around June 1)
We are still accepting applications for Fall 2026! Contact us at nursing@uni.edu with any questions.
NOTE: prerequisite coursework is the same for the ABSN as the traditional BSN with the following exceptions:
- ABSN students will need a minimum of 70 credits prior to admission.
- Courses noted below (**) may be completed in the first semester of the traditional BSN, but must be completed before beginning the ABSN.
Must be completed before beginning the Nursing program.
A 3.0 or higher extracted GPA (average on a 4.0 scale) is required in the following classes:
- CHEM 1010: Principles of Chemistry
- BIOL 1101: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I *
- BIOL 1102: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II *
- STAT 1772: Intro to Statistical Methods - OR - SOC SCI 2020: Social Science Statistics
- PH 2160: Medical Terminology
- PSYCH 2202: Developmental Psychology - OR - FAM SERV 1055 Lifespan Development
A grade of C or better is required in the following classes:
- BIOL 1033: Principles of Microbiology
- PH 1410 Basic Nutrition
- BIOL1103 Pathophysiology **
* Students transferring in BIOL 1101 and BIOL 1102 should take both course equivalents at the same institution. Click the transfer equivalency button below for more info.
** For Fall 2026 entry only, this course may be completed in the first semester of the traditional BSN, but must be completed before beginning the ABSN.
FAQ’s
Do I need to reapply to the nursing program if I’ve not been admitted?
If you weren’t admitted to the term you applied for, you will need to reapply to the nursing program. Please submit a new application for the upcoming term using the "Apply to UNI Nursing" link above.
Will everyone who is eligible be admitted?
Admissions is competitive. Cohort sizes may vary based on available clinical facilities and staffing.
Is there additional tuition costs for nursing?
Yes, nursing students are charged a supplemental tuition rate. Supplemental tuition will be charged beginning in a student’s first semester admitted to the nursing program. Students are not charged supplemental tuition as pre-nursing students who have not yet been admitted and are still completing prerequisite coursework. Tuition rates.
English Proficiency
Undergraduate international students who are not native speakers of English must provide evidence of English language proficiency per University standards. For more information, visit admissions.uni.edu/international/english-proficiency.