College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Welcome to the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, a center of excellence in healthcare education and research.
About CONHI
The UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) is a triple-designated National League of Nursing Center of Excellence recognized for excellence in enhancing student learning and professional development; promoting the pedagogical expertise of faculty; and advancing the science of nursing education. We are a college of faculty, staff and students who strive to achieve better health and improve the human condition through training and working as healthcare professionals, through research in basic and applied health science, and through service to our North Texas community and beyond.
The baccalaureate, master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs and the post-graduate APRN certificate program in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at The University of Texas at Arlington are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Undergraduate Programs
The demand for qualified nurses and healthcare professionals remains high as the healthcare industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. The right degree gives you the clinical skills and academic credentials that allow you to impact patient outcomes, influence the industry in a positive way and make a real difference in your community. Join the force of healthcare workers who are changing lives with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UTA. UTA nursing graduates enjoy the reputation of excellence in healthcare delivery among employers and nursing leaders.
Additional Admission Information
After admission to the University, a College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) Undergraduate Academic Advisor will review the application file for nursing-specific requirements. Students should review the CONHI undergraduate program-specific requirements. Specific program requirements can be found in the University Catalog – Nursing, Undergraduate Programs.
- Applicants must have proof of an active and unencumbered RN License verifiable via Nursys or State Board of Nursing (BON).
- If the license is unable to be verified, the student must send in verification. Acceptance will be on hold until the license is verified.
- Applicants to the University and students who have already been admitted to UTA, but not enrolled, who want to switch to the RN-MSN program must complete the supplemental questions form (click or tap here).
- Applicants requesting to change their major should submit the Undergraduate Change of Major form.
- Applicants with transfer coursework from non-regionally accredited institutions are encouraged to submit their courses early to prevent delays in registration. Course materials can be submitted through the Non-Regionally Accredited Transfer Credit Request portal.
Online Orientation
Once you’ve been accepted, you are encouraged to attend an online orientation session before beginning the program. The orientation session is held daily at 4pm. In this session, students will meet their advisors and obtain more information about the program. Students should check their student emails for instructions on how to join a session.
Student Success
Students who’ve been accepted into an accelerated online program are assigned a Student Success Coordinator for support from enrollment in your first course to graduation.
Undergraduate education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying, completing assignments, preparing for, and completing clinicals and other coursework. Students are encouraged to consider their work schedules and commitments considering the demands of the nursing program and adjust accordingly. Commitments which compete with undergraduate study may result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy.
Study time: In general, for every one semester credit hour of enrollment a student should allocate 3 hours of study time outside of class. For example, a 3 semester credit hours course, may reasonably require 9 hours of study time, outside of class, plus anytime needed to complete clinicals.
Test-taking skills: To be the most successful on nursing school tests, you must know the material and understand how to apply the information on a test. Good test-taking strategies do not replace knowledge, but they can enhance your ability to do well on tests when you are well informed. Review some test-taking tips you can use.
Employment recommendations: It is recommended that a student’s employment not exceed 16-20 hours per week in either regular or summer semesters. Students are encouraged to evaluate their energy level, familial and personal obligations, and school commitments before starting their degree program.
Success tips
- You must manage your time well, stay organized and use a calendar
- Limit the number of hours you work to 16 per week. This will allow you to complete the assignments and really learn the information.
- Study every day. Plan to study a minimum of 20-30 minutes each day for each course. Daily studying will help you retain the information.
- Use the resources available to you. This includes clinical faculty, lead teacher, peer mentors, student success coordinators, family and friends. They can support and encourage you.
- And, to be successful in nursing school and in nursing, stay positive, take care of yourself, and believe in yourself!
Undergraduate Handbook & Policy
In addition to UT Arlington academic policies, the College of Nursing requires all RN to BSN students understand and adhere to the College of Nursing RN to BSN program policies and BSN student handbook.
Graduate Programs
Our master’s specialty degrees prepare students for advanced practice, management and research endeavors to address a changing healthcare landscape. Both full-time and part-time study options are available as well as online and classroom-based programs. Our innovative online doctoral program, the DNP, prepares clinical leaders to advance nursing and improve healthcare in our local community and around the world.
Additional Admission Information
Basic admission requirements must be met before a student can be accepted*. Prospective students must apply to the university through the Office of Admissions, pay the application fee and submit official transcripts to the UT Arlington’s Graduate Admissions Office.
The graduate admissions office is also responsible for calculating the admission GPA. All steps necessary to complete an application must be completed prior to progressing in the application process.
- Prospective students should review the CONHI graduate program-specific requirements. A CONHI Graduate Academic Advisor will review the application file for nursing-specific requirements. Specific program requirements can be found in the University Catalog – Nursing, Graduate Programs.
- If accepted, applicants will receive an acceptance form that must be signed and returned. If an applicant is denied, the option to appeal the decision is available.
- Once the acceptance form has been completed and returned, an official email notification will be sent from the University to the student’s personal email. Accepted students with transfer credit should submit the transfer request form to the CONHI Academic Advisor during this time.
- An additional welcome email will be sent with more information about the program orientation and next steps.
Graduate Handbook & Policy
While University faculty and staff members give students’ academic advice and assistance, each student is expected to take responsibility for his or her education and personal development. The student must know and abide by the academic and disciplinary policies given in the catalog and MSN handbook, including rules governing quantity of work, the standard of work required to continue in the University, scholastic probation and dismissal, and enforced withdrawal.
Students will not be relieved of their responsibility to know the policies, deadlines and rules of the University on the grounds that they were not told. If students have questions regarding policies, it is the University’s expectation that the student will consult his/her academic advisor for guidance and resolution.
All students are expected to be familiar with the following sources of information:
Graduate nursing student complaint and grievance procedures
Graduate nursing clinical clearance requirements
Student Success
Students who’ve been accepted into an accelerated online program are assigned a Student Success Coordinator for support from enrollment in your first course to graduation.
Graduate nursing education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying, completing assignments, preparing for, and completing clinicals and other coursework. Students are encouraged to consider their work schedules and commitments considering the demands of the MSN/PMC program and adjust accordingly. Commitments which compete with graduate study may result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy.
Study time: It is recommended that a student’s employment not exceed 16-20 hours per week in either regular or summer semesters. Students are encouraged to evaluate their energy level, familial and personal obligations, and school commitments before starting their degree program.
Advising: Students in the MSN program are welcome to meet with an advisor. Once admitted to UT Arlington, students may enroll in their coursework using the degree plan provided by the academic advisor and proceed to registration. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor with any questions. Learn more about graduate nursing advising.
UTA’s Department of Graduate Nursing is unique among many comparable universities for the remarkable amount of resources dedicated to student success. Learn more about our offerings on help with courses and writing/speaking.
Clinical Requirement
- The clinical requirements included in the MSN Nursing Education and MSN and certification nurse practitioner programs at UTA are intended to provide students with experiential learning opportunities to enable them to transition successfully into the role of the nurse educator or nurse practitioner. An essential part of each clinical experience is active, hands-on practice, guided by a licensed preceptor with expertise in their advanced nursing practice specialty.
- Clinical placement at The University of Texas at Arlington in the Department of Graduate Nursing is a collaborative process with each student. Students are asked to locate a preceptor which is aligned with their program requirements; however, the Department of Graduate Nursing will provide assistance with clinical placement when a student is experiencing difficulty. Clinical placement policies are available in the graduate nursing clinical management system, InPlace, and are available to all students upon admission.
- Applicants should be aware of expectations concerning graduate nursing clinical clearance requirements.
Doctoral Program
Practice Hours
- A minimum of 1000 clinical/practice hours are required for the UTA Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Up to 500 clinical/practice hours obtained during the student’s master’s program may be applied to the 1000 post-bachelor’s practice hours.
- Board-certified APRNs may count a maximum of 500 clinical hours achieved in their APRN master’s program toward the 1000 post-bachelor’s practice hours. Students will need to submit a copy of active certification during admission as evidence of clinical hours.
- If not an APRN, then students must submit a completed and signed practice/clinical hour verification form with school seal verifying the number of master’s clinical/practice hours completed during the program of study. Students must submit the verification form to or obtain a certified letter on university letterhead from the master’s program at which they completed their master’s program and practice hours.
- The clinical verification form can be found here.
DNP Handbook & Policy
Students will not be relieved of their responsibility to know the policies, deadlines and rules of the University on the grounds that they were not told. If students have questions regarding policies, it is the University’s expectation that the student will consult his/her academic advisor for guidance and resolution.
All students are expected to be familiar with the following sources of information.
Graduate nursing student complaint and grievance procedures
Graduate nursing clinical clearance requirements
Student Success
Students who’ve been accepted into an accelerated online program are assigned a Student Success Coordinator for support from enrollment in your first course to graduation.
Course load: Graduate nursing education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying, completing assignments, preparing for, and completing clinicals and other coursework. Students are encouraged to consider their work schedules and commitments considering the demands of the DNP program and adjust accordingly. Commitments which compete with graduate study may result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy.
Study time: In general, for every-one graduate nursing semester credit hour of enrollment a student should allocate 5 hours of study time outside of class. For example, a 3 semester credit hours course, may reasonably require 15 hours of work, outside of class, plus any time needed to complete clinicals.
Employment recommendations: Students are encouraged to evaluate their energy level, familial and personal obligations, and school commitments before starting their degree program.
FAQs: If you have more questions regarding our DNP program, please check out our frequently asked questions to see if your question has already been answered here. If not, don’t hesitate to call or email us.
Residents of certain states may not be eligible to enroll in all UTA accelerated online programs. See our state authorization page for details. Currently enrolled students who reside in ineligible states will need approval to continue uninterrupted in their programs in accordance with applicable state laws. Approval is not guaranteed.
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