• We plan to admit 168 students to the College of Nursing through direct admission.   
• Of those students, 84 will begin the nursing curriculum in the fall semester of their third year and follow the 4-year track, and 84 students will begin the nursing curriculum in the spring semester of their third year and follow the 4.5-year track. 
• Both tracks provide students with the same nursing education, with the same required classes, and lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

When you sign up for an interview in December, we will ask you to select your preference for either the 4- or 4.5-year track. While we will do our best to honor your choice, it is possible that chosen preferences for either track could exceed the capacity of that track. In that instance, students will be assigned through a random selection process.  

The admissions process is highly competitive and comprehensive. Grades, application essays, and interviews all play a part in admissions decisions.

Direct admission applicants may submit an updated transcript until the deadline. No other updates are accepted.  

No. The College of Nursing does not accept letters of recommendation for applicants to the BSN prelicensure program. 

College of Nursing advisors will work with admitted students throughout their time at UI. 

Yes. All prerequisites, general education requirements, and elective course work must be completed prior to starting the nursing major. This includes the high school world language and physics requirements. 

Visit the scholarships page for more information. 

The University of Iowa College of Nursing does not require CNA certification. Having CNA certification will broaden your options for employment in the Iowa City area as well as increase your exposure to nursing. 

No. The BSN pre-licensure program requires a full-time commitment on campus.

No. The nursing interest designation will no longer be an option for students applying in fall 2027 or after. 

Apply to an alternative Iowa Board of Nursing approved program. Click here to learn more: Iowa Nursing Education Programs 

The College of Nursing accepts AP credit meeting the same standards as our College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with the exception of Biology and Chemistry, where a score of 5 is required. View the university scores and evaluations for AP credit here.

A maximum of 64 s.h. of community college credit is accepted toward the BSN at the University of Iowa. Most courses from an accredited four-year institution will transfer to the University of Iowa. Students can access our Transfer Equivalency Database to identify if and how a course will transfer. Visit myui.uiowa.edu , select Courses, then select Transfer Courses on the right side of the screen. 

No, all nursing coursework must be completed at the College of Nursing.  

Yes. All prerequisites, general education requirements, and elective course work must be completed prior to starting the nursing major. This includes the high school world language and Physics requirements. 

This change creates a fairer and more transparent admissions process for students interested in the College of Nursing. Under the previous standard admission model,  hundreds of UI nursing interest students applied for 84 available seats each year. Students who were not admitted had to rethink their academic and career plans midway through their college experience.

By moving to a fully direct admission model, prospective students receive a clear admissions decision from the start. Those who are admitted can begin their college journey with confidence, while those who are not admitted can explore alternative academic pathways and make informed decisions.  

For students with a high school diploma planning to enroll at the University of Iowa as a first-year student in fall 2027 and beyond, direct admission is the only option to earn a prelicensure BSN from the UI College of Nursing. This includes high school students graduating in spring 2027 or after.