Frequently Asked Questions

Yes you may enroll as a part-time student. The program must be completed within 2 years. The RN-BSN program was designed for the full-time working nurse. Full-time students are only enrolled in 2-3 classes at any time because of the design of the curriculum and degree plans.

Your Instructors should be available throughout the length of your course. Please review your syllabus to find out which way they prefer to be contacted during the semester.

Only buy the books required for the course you are enrolled in during the semester. If the book is marked required, then you need to purchase it. Several books which are used during the first semester may also be used during the second semester.

If it is an issue with course work, please contact your instructor. Please contact a Student Affairs Coordinator for any other program-related issues.

Smart Thinking is available as a tool to assist with writing and is available in SAKAI. You may also use this link for additional assistance: http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/apa/

Prerequisite courses from other accredited institutions with equivalent course content are acceptable for transfer if a grade of "C" or higher were earned. A timeframe for when these prerequisite courses must be completed does not exist. Pass/Fail courses are not acceptable for transfer. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher must be achieved for admission consideration.

There is no date limit for acceptance of prerequisite courses completed in previous years.

Any regionally accredited community college or institution of higher education that provides comparable courses. Other options are TTU College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (806-742-3671) (www.depts.ttu.edu/testing/cleps.php) or TTU College Outreach and Distance Education (1-800-692-6877 or 806-742-7200), (www.dce.ttu.edu) or the University of Texas at Austin (1-800-252-3461). The RN-BSN Coordinators can help you with particular course questions.

We welcome your application, but beginning the RN to BSN Program is contingent upon you receiving your RN license and satisfactory completion of all prerequisites.

The RN to the World Education Services P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745 to have your transcript reviewed for general education requirements (this includes citizens from Canada and Mexico). There may be a requested fee for this review.

RN to international students, including those applicants from Canada and Mexico. International students not living in the United States at the time of application should apply one year in advance. Application fees will apply.

For additional information regarding admission as an international student, contact the Admissions Evaluator, Registrar’s Office at 806-743-2300 or Fax 806-743-2027.

Yes, we have had students who reside in areas outside of Texas. Please contact the RN to BSN Coordinators for additional information.

The RN-BSN program provides only upper division nursing courses for the baccalaureate nursing degree. The program is designed specifically for RNs who are seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The RN to BSN Coordinators will be happy to refer you to a school in your area that will help you accomplish your goal of basic nursing education, so you can continue with us toward your BSN.

Submit your application approximately three-five months in advance of the application deadline to assist in the processing of your information. During this time, you can still be taking the remaining courses of your pre-nursing requirements. The early submission will assist us in making the entry process smooth for you. See admission times here.

The RN to BSN Program is designed to be completed in two semesters; however we know that life circumstances happen, so we are happy to work with individual students to redesign the degree plan. The RN to BSN Coordinators will assist you.

No, you are not required to come to TTUHSC. However, you may want to travel to Lubbock to participate in graduation.

The program is delivered online using a Blackboard Platform. Instruction will be provided through modules in each course with instructional material which might include texts, articles, videotapes, audiotapes, and electronic library materials. Much of the student's interaction with the faculty and other students will be through discussion board and occasionally live chats or web conferencing. The latter two will be scheduled in advance to provide the student sufficient time to schedule to attend, or alternate hours to participate. All of these resources will encourage both individual work and group interaction.

You will have access to each of your Course Facilitators and any clinical faculty via all the methodologies that will be used to deliver the educational material during normal school hours.

TTUHSC Bookstore:
3601 4th Street on the HSC campus, (806) 743-4338, https://ttuhsc.ecampus.com/

TTU Bookstore:
15th & Akron on the TTU campus, (806) 742-3816, bookstore@ttu.edu

Or through any on-line commercial bookstores.

Yes, admittance to the School of Nursing must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/. The School of Nursing requires a FAFSA on file to be eligible for scholarships offered by the school.

Additional information can be found at the Financial Aid Office website. Lena Hooker, Senior Financial Aid Advisory can be reached at 806-743-3025 or Lena.Hooker@ttuhsc.edu.

As a general rule, for every hour of instruction you will need to plan to spend at least 2-3 hours in preparation and course assignment work. These assignments and projects are very applicable to your present or future nursing position yet are not designed to be accomplished in a short time, so this will require interaction with all the required resources of the course. Some courses have clinical expectations as part of the course.

Yes, you will need a computer with internet capabilities. Click here for minimum system recommendations.

Resources are available via computer and Internet access, such as electronic article reserves. Information about the TTUHSC library resources with web-based courses will be provided at orientation. Many assignments in the program will require web searches.

To determine if you have the necessary computer skills to be successful, you may take the Computer Skills Assessment.

The answer is no in the traditional sense. However, the program does have field experiences where a student will work with a mentor of the student's choosing, on certain projects required to complete course work. Often this is completed at your place of employment. Also, at times the student may visit a site outside the place of employment to interview personnel and observe the operations of the agency.

You must live no more than one hour away from our 7 clinical sites: Lubbock, Odessa/Midland, Abilene, Amarillo, Austin/Hill Country, Dallas or San Antonio. Although the classes are online, the clinical portion of our program is the hands on learning piece. We match you one on one with a BSN in a hospital setting approximately 20-24 hours a week though out the entire year. Nurse educators will visit the clinical site at least every other week to check on the student and coach. This is not a commute program. If you are interested in our El Paso site, please visit http://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/son/.

The clinical portion of our program will last all year long. Students complete approximately 20-24 hours a week though the whole year in a hospital setting in either: Lubbock, Odessa/Midland, Abilene, Amarillo, Austin/Hill Country, Dallas or San Antonio.

Due to the high volume of request, we have determined that prospective students are able to determine acceptable courses through our website. We have created a wonderful Self Evaluation page that contains resources and tools that will assist students in making those determinations. We highly recommend that you review our course requirements on our website and compare them to your transcripts. Please click the link below to access our website and click on the program you are interested in. If you have attended all Texas colleges/universities, you should not have any trouble determining which courses are transferable. http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/nursing/student-affairs/transcript_evaluation.php  

Prerequisite courses from other accredited institutions with equivalent course content are acceptable for transfer if a grade of "C" or higher were earned. There is no restriction on the age of the courses. Pass/Fail courses are not acceptable for transfer. An overall prerequisite grade point average (GPA) as well as a science prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or higher (3.0 or higher is preferred) must be achieved at application close date and program start date for admission consideration.

There is no age limit for acceptance of prerequisite courses completed in previous years.

The ABSN program does not require any entrance exams.

It is highly recommend that you do not seek employment while in the program. The ABSN program requires at least 75 hours of commitment each week between coursework, clinicals and studying.

The number varies based on clinical availability, faculty resources, etc. Generally there are 2-3 times more applicants than enrollment slots.

No, we do not transfer any other nursing courses towards our program.

Any regionally accredited community college or institution of higher education that provides comparable courses. Other options are TTU College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (806-742-3671) or TTU College Outreach and Distance Education (1-800-692-6877 or 806-742-7200), (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/elearning/programs/).

Applicants who have taken classes outside of the United States should contact a foreign credential services to have your transcript reviewed for general education requirements (this includes citizens from Canada and Mexico). There may be a requested fee for this review. For additional information regarding admission as an international student, contact the Admissions Evaluator in the Registrar's Office at 806-743-2300 or Fax 806-743-2027.

If your last degree is from a college outside of the United States, the School of Nursing requires a TOEFL.

The application opens  May 1st and closes July 15th,  for possible admittance in the Spring: You need to have 40 of the 55 required nursing prerequisites and 3 of the 5 required sciences complete PRIOR to the application close date. All other required courses must be complete by the start date if you are accepted.

No, students are not required to travel to Lubbock. However, students are welcome to come to Lubbock to participate in convocation and graduation, but this is not required.

The didactic portion of the Program is delivered online using a learning management system. Instruction will be provided through modules in each course with instructional material which might include texts, articles, video, podcasts, and electronic library materials. Much of the student's interaction with the faculty and other students will be through discussion board and occasionally live chats or web conferencing. All of these resources will encourage both individual work and group interaction.

This 12 month program has preceptor and nurse-educator oversight (clinical) in the student's own communities in Lubbock, Odessa/Midland, Abilene, Amarillo, Austin/Hill Country, Dallas or San Antonio.

Students are required to complete proctored exams, and simulations at the site they were chosen for, along with completing the clinical portion of the program

You will have access to each of your course facilitators and any clinical faculty via the methodologies that will be used to deliver the educational material during regular school hours. (TTUHSC email, learning management system, phone)

If accepted to the program you will be provided with information from the Enrollment Transitions team on where and how to purchase necessary items

Yes, all of the above mentioned assistance is available. Applicants interested in applying for financial aid upon admittance to the School of Nursing must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/. The School of Nursing requires a FAFSA on file to be eligible for scholarships offered by the school.

**Scholarship eligibility is only available once admitted into the program.

Additional information can be found at the Financial Aid Office website.

The Second Degree Program is 12 months in length and is divided into 3 semesters. Students enroll in approximately 18 to 22 credit hours per semester of online classes. In addition student complete approximately 20 to 24 clinical hours a week in a hospital setting. Students average around 75 hours a week between class, study, and clinical time per week. We ask you not to work.

Yes, you will need a computer with high speed internet capabilities. Click here for minimum system recommendations.

Resources are available via computer and internet access, such as electronic article reserves. Information about the TTUHSC library resources with web-based courses will be provided at orientation. Many assignments in the program will require library/internet searches.

To determine if you have the necessary computer skills to be successful, you may take the Computer Skills Assessment.

Yes, CLEP courses are acceptable for prerequisite courses. Maximum hours allowed for CLEP or correspondence course are 15 hours each. If any of the pre-requisites have been or will be CLEPPED you will not receive credit towards the GPA we calculate. CLEP credit must be on an official college transcript in order to be acceptable.

Yes.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and professional degrees. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

All applicants must have the following on file by the application deadline:

• Completed and submitted application including the following supplemental items:
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Three professional letters of recommendation
  • Essay – including personal statement and track-specific section
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Oath of residency
• Valid RN license and BLS certification

MSN applicants must have their BSN with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher as well as undergraduate research and statistics (C or higher in those two courses). Post-Master's applicants must have a MSN degree completed by the application deadline as well as a transcript evaluation completed prior to applying.

• Administration requires minimum one (1) year of RN experience prior to application submission
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) requires a minimum of one (1) year of acute care, intensive care, or emergency department setting experience within the past 5 years
• Education requires minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) requires minimum of one (1) year of RN experience prior to application submission
• Informatics requires minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience. Experience in nursing informatics or technology (minimum super user experience) is required
• Nurse Midwifery at least one (1) year of labor and delivery experience or comparable OB clinical experience within the last five (5) years is preferred
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC) requires two (2) years RN experience prior to admission plus acute care, critical care or ER experience in pediatrics
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC) requires two (2) years of RN pediatric experience prior to admission.
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) requires a passion to help individuals with mental health disorders and a telephone interview (interviews are conducted on an invitation only basis after a review of submitted application materials)

No

• Fall Entry - November 1st - February 15th
• Spring Entry:
  • APRN Tracks: May 1st - August 1st
  • Leadership Tracks: May 1st - August 31st
• Summer Entry (Post-Graduate Certificate ONLY) - November 1st - January 15th

All supplemental items (official transcripts, letters of recommendations, essay, CV, oath of residency and application fee) must be received by Admissions Coordinator prior to the application deadline

The MSN APRN tracks (Nurse Practitioner & Nurse Midwifery) take approximately two and a half to three years to complete and the MSN Leadership tracks (Education, Administration, & Informatics) is completed in approximately two years. A standard degree plan is created for each track. Deviation from the standard degree plan must be approved by the Program Director and is contingent on course availability and enrollment. The number of total credits required for the MSN program depends on track:

• MSN Administration - 36 credit hours
• MSN Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP – 48 credit hours
• MSN Education - 39 credit hours
• MSN Family Nurse Practitioner - 48 credit hours
• MSN Informatics – 38 credit hours
• MSN Nurse Midwifery - 51 credit hours
• MSN Pediatric Acute Care NP – 51 credit hours
• MSN Pediatric Primary Care NP – 49 credit hours
• MSN Psychiatric Mental Health NP – 49 credit hours
• MSN Acute Care PNP – 49 credit hours

The Post-Graduate program requires up to 39 credit hours, depending on track, (this may change in the future) and completion time will depend on how many, if any, credits transfer in (i.e., Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, etc.). Prospective post-graduate applicants should submit their unofficial MSN transcript to an admission coordinator or coach for evaluation.

The MSN Administration program is 100% online. The other tracks do require additional travel to Lubbock for OSCEs (objective structured clinical examination). The Nurse Practitioner (Family, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Pediatric, Psychiatric-Mental Health) and Nurse Midwifery tracks require students to be on campus for 7-8 days during the entire program and the MSN Education track requires students to be on campus for 2-3 days during the program. Dates for OSCEs are given to students a couple of months in advance to give time to make work and travel arrangements.

• RN – required for all students
• BLS - required for all students
• ACLS - required for all APRN students prior to beginning the population focused courses
• PALS - required for Pediatric NP students prior to beginning the population focused courses
• NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) - required for Nurse Midwifery students prior to beginning the population focused courses.
• Once a student is accepted into the program, he/she must maintain provide the SAO Office with current copies of certifications (applies to students whose certification expire during enrollment).

Students are responsible for obtaining their own preceptors based upon the requirements for each clinical course. A listing of preceptors used within the past two years is available for current graduate students to use as a guide. Clinical hours can be completed in a student's home area but both the preceptor AND the facility must be approved by SON staff and faculty. There is an electronic preceptor agreement process that students must complete for every preceptor they use each semester.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is similar in concept to practice doctorates in other professions such as pharmacy (PharmD) and physical therapy (DPT). DNP-prepared nurses are equipped for leadership roles in advanced nursing practice, business, administration, clinical research, and academia.

The DNP project incorporates evidence-based strategies for implementing and achieving health care outcomes such as a significant pilot study, a program evaluation project, a quality improvement project, or a practice change initiative derived from translational science and the DNP role. The DNP project serves as a foundation for future scholarly practice and is reviewed and evaluated by an academic community.

The TTUHSC School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice program specializes in Executive Leadership in Nursing. The Executive Leadership in Nursing specialization does NOT require an advanced practice nursing certification

Yes. Nurses with masters in a field outside of nursing may apply to the Executive Leadership track however leadership experience and additional graduate level nursing courses may be required.

Healthcare leadership experience is broadly defined as a formal position in some type of role well beyond an entry level nursing position such as nursing director, chief nursing officer, vice president of nursing, program director or coordinator, or community or government agency coordinator or director. We encourage applicants with a variety of experiences across the spectrum of healthcare including acute care systems, community settings, public agencies, and the healthcare insurance and product industry.

Individuals with practice doctorates are the most highly educated and qualified practitioners in their fields. Instead of focusing primarily on research and teaching, those with practice doctorates use their education and expertise in leadership roles on the front lines of their professions. They are also highly qualified to teach the next generation of clinicians and leaders.

Yes, a part-time study degree plan is available for those DNP students who determine the part-time plan is best suited for their particular situation.

Yes however it is important to be aware that the DNP program is very challenging and requires typically up to 30 or more hours per week of study time. It is important to have a supportive network including your supervisor during your time in the DNP program.

DNP classes begin each Summer semester.

Classes are both online and in executive sessions also known as intensives.  The intensives occur twice a semester for three days each, usually occurring on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Intensives are anchored on the Dallas campus, however students can expect to travel to the Lubbock campus 2-3 times a year.  Other Texas locations may also be used to facilitate specific student learning outcomes.  Students are provided specific dates and locations at least one semester in advance. 

If you are seeking doctoral preparation because your primary goal is to become faculty in a nursing program, the TTUHSC School of Nursing DNP curriculum may not be the best fit for you but we would encourage you to discuss your particular situation and goals with a program advisor.

• Goal-oriented with a passion for life-long learning
• The ability to think critically
• Well-developed writing skills
• Someone who is not satisfied with the status quo
• An individual who enjoys solving complex problems and desires to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families within their community and beyond

Four (4) years of full-time study with three (3) semesters per year for a total of twelve (12) semesters.  The program will start each summer semester

Students take an average of six to seven (6-7) semester credit hours (SCH) per semester for a total of 78 SCH.

There is a three (3) year (9 semester) accelerated plan of study available to students who receive approval of the program director upon admission to the program.  Consideration includes time commitment availability for average 9 to 12 semester credit hours per semester.

We strongly advise that the student work on a part-time basis only. In the clinical courses’ students will not only study course content but will be required to be in the clinical setting several days per week.

Yes, but faculty and the preceptor team will work closely to facilitate selecting and contracting with preceptors and facilities.

You will have a minimum of 1,080 hours in the clinical setting.

The program qualifies as an online program which means at least 51% of the program can be completed online. Students will be required to come to campus for orientation, OSCEs, final project presentations, and selected DNP sessions.

Students should plan on coming to campus at least once per semester. Some intensives will be in Austin and Dallas while the remainder will be in Lubbock.  On campus visits typically last 1-2 days per visit.

The PMHNP track does not require previous nursing experience. The FNP track requires a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a registered nurse. 

We are accepting a limited number of students into this program as it involves low student to faculty ratios.

There is not a “stop out” option offered to obtain a MSN degree after entering the DNP program. Students selected for this competitive program should be fully committed to obtaining their DNP degree.

The benefits of being a nurse practitioner prepared at the doctoral level are:

1. Additional clinical hour requirements, and the opportunity to focus clinical hours in an area of interest, to better prepare new APRN graduates.
2. Achieving the highest level of APRN practice education to facilitate delivery of high quality, evidence-based care to patients, families, and communities.
3. Provides leveling with other health care professionals with doctoral degrees.
4. Prepares nurse practitioners to become leaders in improving health care within their own practice and regional, state, and national levels
5. Improved opportunities for professional advancement

Yes, we are planning on offering additional APRN tracks in the future.

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
DNP – Doctor of Science in Nursing degree
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing degree
OSCE – Objective Structured Clinical Examination
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
M.D. – Medical Doctor/Doctor of Medicine
DPT – Doctor of Physical Therapy
PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy
PsyD – Doctor of Psychology