University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston Nursing School Review

Established in 1971, the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston (UTHealth) is part of the University of Texas System. UTHealth owns a psychiatric hospital, as well as clinics across the area and is affiliated with several local teaching hospitals.

The School of Nursing at UTHealth offers undergraduate and graduate programs including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.

Undergraduate Degrees

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is for students who are new to the field of nursing, as well as nurses who already hold an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and want to obtain a bachelors degree. Upon graduation of this program, students can apply to write the NCLEX-RN exam, in order to become a Registered Nurse.

The BSN program has a basic stream, which takes four semesters to compete and is composed of a combination of in-class lectures and clinical practice. The BSN program also has an accelerated track, which is intended for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, who wish to change careers. The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is three semesters long and is for Registered Nurses who are interested in a bachelors degree.

Graduate Degrees

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree offers several streams including; Acute Care Nursing, Adult/Gerontology, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Education, and Nursing Leadership and Administration in Health Systems. The programs are flexible and include a combination of in-class lectures and clinical practice. The College of Nursing also offers a joint degree in MSN-Master of Public Health, between the University of Texas Health Sciences Center and the University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston.

There are two doctorate degrees at UTHealth, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a new program, and graduated its first class two years ago. The program currently accepts nurse practitioners, clinical nurses and nurse anesthetists. Eventually there are plans to admit clinical administrators. The degree can be completed both on a part-time and full-time basis and students can apply at any time throughout the year. Classes are primarily online, but students must attend one day of class every month at the Houston campus.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree is intended prepare graduates for a career in education, research and leadership roles in the healthcare profession. The program is 66 hours long and is made up of a combination of clinical practice and research. Courses include; Advanced Research Designs and Methods, Analysis of Healthcare, Biostatistics, and electives. A dissertation is required prior to graduation. The program can be taken full-time or part-time and a GPA of 3.5 or above is required for admission. Applicants must provide a CV and a statement of research interest, as well as a personal essay outlining career goals, and explanation of why the applicant wishes to pursue the degree.

Contact:
University of Texas Health Sciences Center – Houston
6410 Fannin Street,
Houston, TX
77030-1501, United States
(832) 325-7176