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 Spring 2027! 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.
- Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Nursing Program
1
If you are new to UNI, you must first apply and be admitted to the university.
Note: Incoming freshmen and transfer students enter UNI as Pre-Nursing majors and may complete nursing prerequisites and UNI general education (UNIFI) requirements before applying to the nursing program.
2
Once you have completed or are in your final semester of completing the required prerequisite coursework, you may apply for admission to the Nursing program. Current UNI students and incoming students who have completed the prerequisites are eligible to apply.
Students are admitted to the BSN program twice each year, with cohorts beginning in the fall and spring. Admission decisions are made by the Department of Nursing & Public Health.
Fall Cohort Deadlines
- Application opens: Dec. 1
- Early consideration deadline: Jan. 5
(Early consideration decisions released: around Feb. 5) - Standard consideration deadline: Feb. 15
(Standard consideration decisions released: around March 15)
Spring Cohort Deadlines
- Application opens: Aug. 1
- Application deadline: Sept. 16
(Decisions released: around Oct. 7)
We are still accepting applications for Spring 2027! Contact us at nursing@uni.edu with any questions.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Nursing Program
1
If you are not already a UNI student, you must first apply and be admitted to the university.
Important: Your ABSN application will not be reviewed until you have been admitted to UNI.
2
Before applying, you must have completed:
- All required nursing prerequisite coursework
- A minimum of 70 college credits
- UNI general education (UNIFI) requirements
(Fall 2027 ABSN Application will open Dec. 1, 2026)
Students are admitted to the ABSN program once each year, with the cohort beginning in the fall. Admission decisions are made by the Department of Nursing & Public Health.
Fall Cohort Deadline
- Application opens: Dec. 1
- Application deadline: May 15
(Decisions released: around June 1)
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: Introduction 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.
NOTE: Prerequisite coursework is the same for the ABSN & BSN with the following exception:
Prior to entry into the ABSN program, students must have completed a minimum of 70 college credits that meet applicable UNI requirements, including UNI’s General Education (UNIFI) requirements, electives and nursing program prerequisite coursework.
- 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 (BSN/ABSN)?
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.
- Do I need to send transcripts to UNI to be admitted to nursing?
For both the BSN and ABSN programs, students are required to send unofficial transcripts showing completed or in progress prerequisite transfer coursework to the application deadline for nursing.
Nursing students must send official transcripts by July 1 prior to formal enrollment at UNI.
- I have numerous transfer credits, how can I get a plan of study prior to applying/committing to UNI?
Once students have been admitted to UNI, a degree audit is sent that shows how courses transfer into the University. If desired, prior to applying, students can determine their own transfer plan by viewing the traditional BSN nursing plan of study or the accelerated nursing (ABSN) plan of study and review transfer course equivalencies here.
- If I have applied to nursing and not heard yet about my status, who do I contact?
- Are there any online courses offered in BSN or ABSN?
UNI’s nursing program is an in-person program. Most courses are taught face-to-face.
- Where are clinicals located?
Clinicals are located in Iowa, with the majority being in the Cedar Valley area. Students work with the Clinical Coordinator in their final year to determine placement for their preceptorship/residency in Iowa.
- Are there bachelor’s degrees in certain majors that would waive the pre-req requirements for the ABSN program?
Cognate and prerequisite requirements for the ABSN and the traditional BSN programs will be waived for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the following disciplines:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Pharmacy
Exercise Physiology
Kinesiology
Athletic Training
Human Physiology
Human Anatomy
Exercise Science
Respiratory Therapy
Medical Laboratory Science
Radiologic Technology/Radiologic Sciences
Human Biology
- Is a CNA required for admission to UNI's BSN program?
No. A CNA is not required for admission.
- Is UNI’s program an RN-BSN program?
No. UNI’s program is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
- Will students who have a degree in Midwifery have their prerequisites waived?
No. Students with a degree in Midwifery must still complete all nursing prerequisites as noted above.