Please note that students admitted into the BSN program must personally reside in the state of Texas before the first day of class. In addition, we are unable to sponsor BSN students requiring F-1 visas.
Step 1: What you will need to apply:
Applications for the Pacesetter BSN program are processed through Nursing Centralized Application System (NCAS). The NCAS application fee of $80 is subject to change.
These items must be submitted through NCAS:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- If you have previous college coursework outside the U.S., you must submit official transcripts from all foreign institutions attended and course-by-course evaluations from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or Western Educational Services (WES). This information will be used to determine which courses can satisfy the prerequisites.
- If you completed all of your prerequisites at other institutions, you must submit official scores from the Health Education Systems, Inc., (HESI) A2 Entrance Exam or the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). These tests are not required for students who successfully complete all science prerequisites offered through Cizik School of Nursing’s Pre-Nursing pathway and meet requirements to apply for direct admission to the Pacesetter BSN program. Cizik School of Nursing’s Department ID is 198326 for the HESI. If taking the TEAS, select "Cizik School of Nursing: TEAS."
No exceptions are allowed regarding the minimum requirements or materials. The applications and all supporting materials must be received by the stated application deadline.
Once an application is received, you will be assigned a seven-digit application ID and granted access to applyUTH, where you can track the status of your application materials. If you have questions about whether transcripts or documents have been received, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 713-500-3361.
Minimum Admission Requirements:
- 3.00 GPA or higher in the required 60 hours of nursing prerequisites.
- 3.00 GPA or higher in the required science prerequisites.
- A score report from either the HESI A2 Entrance Exam or TEAS. Students who successfully complete all science prerequisites offered through the Cizik School of Nursing Pre-Nursing pathway and meet requirements to apply for direct admission to the Pacesetter BSN program do not have to take these exams.
Please note: Cizik School of Nursing’s Pacesetter BSN track is highly competitive, and the average GPA of accepted students exceeds the minimum requirements indicated above. Students who are denied admission are allowed to reapply without penalty (a new application and fee must be submitted).
Prerequisites:
You must complete at least 48 prerequisite hours, including 16 hours from the science prerequisites (Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology and General Chemistry), to be considered for admission. Learn more about specific requirements, and review the Texas Common Course Numbering System. We do not have counselors available to review your transcripts before you apply.
Beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston will offer up to 27 hours of nursing science prerequisites for students seeking a BSN. Students who earn a grade of “B” or better in each required science course in the Pre-Nursing pathway will be eligible to apply for direct admission to the accelerated Pacesetter BSN program without taking nursing school entrance exams. Learn more.
Transcripts:
Official transcripts received after the deadline will not be included in the admission review process. Students offered admission must provide final transcripts from all schools, showing successful completion of all prerequisite courses, before first day of class.
Before you take the entrance exam:
Applicants who completed all prerequisites at other institutions are encouraged to apply to the Cizik School of Nursing Pacesetter BSN track before applying to take the HESI A2 Exam or TEAS.
For the HESI, use the seven-digit application ID number you receive from the school when registering for the test to ensure that your test results are correctly associated with your application.
Be sure to use Cizik School of Nursing’s Department ID: 198326 for the HESI; "Cizik School of Nursing: TEAS" for the TEAS.
You must take one of the accepted entrance exams by the application deadline. You can take the standardize exam not more than twice. You can take either combination as long as it is no more than two attempts: a) two (2) HESI attempts; b) two (2) TEAS attempts; or c) one (1) HESI attempt and one (1) TEAS attempt. The last attempt will be used as the official exam.
Step 2: Admission Decisions
The Pacesetter BSN track enrolls approximately 130 students for each term, including fall, spring, and summer.
Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston's admission policy describes multiple factors taken into consideration in the admissions process. These admission factors are not assigned a specific weight or point value. Cizik School of Nursing considers the totality of each application and considers each of these factors.
Cizik School of Nursing’s Baccalaureate Council makes all admission decisions. Applicants are evaluated on overall academic, prerequisite, and science course performance in addition to the results from the HESI A2 Entrance Exam or TEAS (if required) and other admission factors. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Students who are denied admission are allowed to reapply without penalty by submitting a new application.
Notification:
Once a decision is made, ApplyUTH is updated with the application status. If you are admitted, you will receive an email and a letter in the mail. If you are denied, you will receive a letter in the mail.
Please see the applications deadline page for approximate notification dates.
Step 3: Pre-enrollment requirements for accepted students
Acceptance to Cizik School of Nursing is contingent upon successful completion of outstanding prerequisites (if any), immunizations screening, immigration status clearance, Health Care Provider Basic Life (BLS) Support CPR certification, clearance of the mandatory drug screening test, and mandatory criminal background checks required by UTHealth Houston and the Texas Board of Nursing.
You must complete the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA-BLS) for the Health Care Provider course before any clinical placement. You may choose to take the AHA-BLS through Cizik School of Nursing’s Simulation and Clinical Performance Laboratory.
Get all the details in our New Student Guide.
Essential Skills for Nursing:
Nurses must be able to demonstrate cognitive skills in critical thinking and logical/analytical thinking. Nurses must also have psychomotor skills, including fine motor dexterity, physical strength, coordination, and proper body mechanics. Observational skills are also required, such as the ability to hear within the normal decibel range, the ability to read English in regular to extra-fine print, and the ability to palpate/auscultate. Students must be able to demonstrate these skills, with or without reasonable accommodation. See HOOP 101, Disability Accommodation.
