Nursing
SHSU’s BSN combines clinical training and academics to launch skilled, compassionate nursing careers.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- The Woodlands Center
- Face to Face
4 Years
Caring and Collaboration: A Prescription for Success
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Sam Houston State University prepares students to become confident, compassionate registered nurses. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, leadership, and hands-on clinical training, graduates are equipped to pass the NCLEX-RN and excel in diverse healthcare settings. Upper-division nursing courses are held at SHSU–The Woodlands Center, located near leading hospitals, providing students with exceptional clinical experiences. Grounded in SHSU’s values—prepared for practice, partnered for success, and privileged to serve—this program empowers students to make a meaningful impact from day one of their nursing careers.
What’s the Difference Between Pre-Nursing and the Nursing Program?
The Pre-Nursing program is a lower-level specific track that students take in order to apply to the School of Nursing. Courses in Pre-Nursing include some of the Texas Core Curriculum plus Nursing Prerequisite Courses (1 1/2 years). The Pre-Nursing program resides in the College of Health Sciences and provides advisement for all students desiring to be a nurse.
The Nursing program is an upper-level track (2 1/2 years) that prepares students to take the NCLEX exam to become a bachelor-prepared Registered Nurse. Courses in Nursing include a multitude of varied clinical experiences as well as didactic courses. The Nursing program is in the School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences.
Where and How Is This Program Available?
The BSN and LVN – BSN programs are offered face-to-face at the SHSU – The Woodlands Center campus on Highway 242 in The Woodlands.
Clinical Experience
Courses are paired with lab and clinical practice opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and community-based settings—building real-world readiness through every stage of the program.
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Practice-Ready Graduates
SHSU’s BSN program equips students to lead safe, ethical, and evidence-based care in diverse clinical settings. Graduates are prepared to collaborate across teams, advocate for patients, and respond to real-world health challenges with confidence and compassion.
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Premier Clinical Access
With upper-division courses at SHSU–The Woodlands Center, students benefit from proximity to five major hospital systems—gaining hands-on experience in fast-paced, high-impact healthcare environments.
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Values-Driven Nursing
Rooted in values of caring, collaboration, and integrity, SHSU’s BSN program fosters leadership, lifelong learning, and cultural humility—preparing nurses to serve communities locally and globally with professionalism and purpose.
Application and Admissions
Traditional/Pre-Licensure BSN and LVN to BSN Application Dates:
- Fall Entry Term:
- NursingCAS opens on January 1st
- NursingCAS and TEAS deadline is April 1st at 10:59 pm
- (all application items (including ALL official transcripts) must be received at NursingCAS by deadline)
- Spring Entry Term:
- NursingCAS opens on June 1st
- NursingCAS and TEAS deadline is September 1st at 10:59 pm
- (all application items (including ALL official transcripts) must be received at NursingCAS by deadline)
BSN & LVN to BSN
Read ALL steps below; failure to follow instructions will lead to an incomplete application.
1. Apply to SHSU for the semester you wish to begin the program and be accepted. Current SHSU students only have to complete a NursingCAS application. Please note: Acceptance to SHSU can take up to 2 weeks once you pay the required application fee of $50 and submit official transcripts from all prior institutions attended. If you applied for a prior semester at SHSU and did not take courses at SHSU, you must reapply to the university for the semester you wish to begin the program. You can email SHSU Admissions at admissions@shsu.edu for more information.
2. After SHSU acceptance, apply to SHSU School of Nursing through NursingCAS. Applicants must meet admission requirements. Student will upload TEAS scores (Individual Performance Profile) in their NursingCAS application and send ALL official transcript(s) to NursingCAS. Please note: Nursing application will not open in NursingCAS until the beginning of the application period. Please add donotreply@webadmit.org to your safe senders list in your SHSU email and your preferred email in NursingCAS.
During the application period, all communication pertaining to your SHSU School of Nursing application will be sent to your preferred email address in NursingCAS.
Acceptance/Denial emails will be sent to your SHSU email account only. We will NOT contact you on your personal email about your acceptance/denial. For questions or additional information, please email prenursing@shsu.edu.
| SHSU Course | Course Name | Hours |
| BIOL 2401 or BIOL 2403 | HUMAN ANATOMY or HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I | 4 |
| BIOL 2402 or BIOL 2404 | HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY or HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II | 4 |
| BIOL 2420 | APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY | 4 |
| CHEM 1406 or CHEM 1411 | INORGANIC & ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | 4 |
| MATH 1314 or MATH 1324 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA or MATH FOR MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING | 3 |
| MATH 1369 or MATH 1342 | STATISTICS (MATH 1370/3379/PSYC 3402) | 3 |
| FSCN 2362 | NUTRITION | 3 |
| PSYC 1301 | INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| PSYC 3374 | DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| SHSU Course | Course Name | Hours |
| ENGL 1301 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | AMERICAN HISTORY I | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | AMERICAN HISTORY II | 3 |
| POLS 2305 | AMERICAN GOVERNMENT | 3 |
| POLS 2306 | TEXAS GOVERNMENT | 3 |
| KINE 2115 | FITNESS FOR LIVING | 1 |
| Creative Arts Requirement | 3 | |
| Language, Philosophy, and Cultural Requirement (PHIL 2306 and SOCI 2319 recommended) | 6 |
Find Your Future
Graduates qualify for roles such as Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Public Health Nurse, Patient Educator, Nurse Advocate, and Nurse Educator or pursue graduate study.
Expert Faculty. Supportive Mentor
Our dedicated nursing faculty bring real-world experience, academic expertise, and a passion for mentoring the next generation of compassionate, skilled, and practice-ready nurses.