Arkansas State University

Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Arkansas State University (A-State) is a leading institution in healthcare education. Established in 1909, A-State is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System. The College of Nursing and Health Professions at A-State is renowned for its innovative approach to preparing students for diverse healthcare careers. Emphasizing practical experience and modern teaching methods, the college fosters a nurturing academic environment. A commitment to excellence and community involvement distinguishes A-State as a preferred destination for individuals aspiring to thrive in the healthcare industry.

Discover Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, Arkansas

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School Ranking: B
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Arkansas State University is a public and non-profit State Institution. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including Accelerated BSN, BSN, CNS, CRNA, DNP, Entry Level BSN, LPN to BSN, MSN, NP, Other, Post Grad Certificate, Post Grad Certificate, and RN to BSN degrees. Programs are accredited by the ACEN and CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Student Demographics

  • 23 Average Age
  • 38% Men
  • 62% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 83% White
  • 2% Hispanic
  • 14% Black
  • 0% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • $21,598 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $13,306 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

Arkansas State University (A-State), located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a public research university and the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System. It was founded on April 1, 1909.

Campus locations include: ASU Jonesboro, ASU Mountain Home, ASU Beebe, ASU MidSouth in West Memphis

Undergraduate

Traditional Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN)

The core nursing portion of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) curriculum is four (4) semesters in length. It always begins in the Spring semester and offered at Mountain Home, Beebe and MidSouth in West Memphis.

LPN to AASN

The LPN-AASN option is offered to Licensed Practical Nurses.

LPN - AASN (Online)

The courses begin in the fall semester and end with the second Summer term in August. The terms are seven weeks in length. Courses are delivered online for the didactic portion and clinicals in different healthcare facilities throughout the region. Clinicals are held on weekends in the Jonesboro area health care facilities. This LPN online option is only available on the Jonesboro Campus.

RN to BSN (Online)

Students must have worked as an RN for at least 1,000 hours in order to qualify for the degree. The degree can be completed in as little as 12 months depending on how much work was previously done.

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

  • Current unencumbered RN license
  • Current malpractice insurance policy
  • Overall 2.5 GPA
  • Grade of "C" or better in English, Math and Science courses
  • Current immunization status: MMR, HepB, Tetanus, TB (PPD or CXR)
  • CPR including adult, child, and infant

2nd Degree Accelerated, BSN

The program is designed for students that already hold a Bachelor's degree in another field and have a desire to complete the BSN degree. The program is completed within 13 months. After successful completion, students are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

  • HESI A2 admission exam
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Cumulative GPA 3.0 or better
  • Prerequisite courses must be completed with a "C" or higher
  • State and national criminal background check

Traditional BSN

The traditional BSN is designed for the novice student that has had no other prior nursing experience. After completing the BSN program, students are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN and be eligible for state RN licensure.

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

  • HESI A2 admission exam
  • Current CPR certification
  • Hepatitis B immunizations, TB skin test or chest x-ray, Tetanus and MMR
  • Background check
  • Drug screen

LPN to BSN

If grade requirements and prerequisites are completed with success, the LPN can apply for admission to junior level nursing courses. The program can be completed in two years. Upon completion of the BSN program, graduates are eligible to sit for the RN-NCLEX and become eligible for state RN licensure.

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

  • Required admission exam
  • Official (sealed) transcripts of ALL college work
  • Applicants who complete their LPN/LPTN program less than 12 months prior to application are not required to have work experience; if greater than 12 months since graduation, must provide proof of work experience reflecting a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing employment during the past 12-24 months
  • State and national criminal background check
  • Drug screen

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nurse Anesthesia

The MSN in Nurse Anesthesia program is 28-months in length. It is conducted as a full-time program, accumulating 88 credit hours.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists. The most recent class graduated in May of 2017; the first time pass rate was 89% with 100% on the second attempt.

Nurse Anesthesia Practice Doctorate (update)

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a Nurse Anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The program plans to submit its application to the COA for approval to award the DNP degree in January 2019. The program is now accepting applications for the 2020 cohort. Application deadline for 2020 is July 1, 2019.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is designed to prepare nurses with advanced knowledge for nursing and leadership in the contemporary health care system.

Admission (not all inclusive)

  • One-year experience as an RN
  • CPR Certification
  • TB Skin Test, Hepatitis B Immunization
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Valid, Unencumbered RN License in the State of practice

Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

The program requires 540 hours of clinical practicum and is offered in a full-time and part-time status. Most of the curriculum is offered in an online format and speciality courses are offered in a web-enhanced manner. The classroom environment may be offered by using the interactive video network.

Admission (see FNP)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The DNP is an online program that has an on-campus experience prior to the beginning of each semester and is a post-master's degree. Applicants are required to have a current Advanced Practice Nursing license (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist).

The program is offered in a full-time study. The curriculum requires 41 credit hours in a program of study of 2.5 years in length. Students admitted with master's preparation and APN/APRN licensure have completed a minimum of 500 clinical hours at the graduate level. These clinical hours meet the 1000 clinical clock hours required of a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

NCLEX 2018 Pass Rates

  • Associate (Jonesboro) - 81.1%
  • Baccalaureate (Jonesboro) - 95.7%

Approval and Accreditation

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved the School of Nursing at Arkansas State University.

The AASN, BSN, and MSN programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

The Higher Learning Commission North Central Association accredited Arkansas State University.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited the Master's Nurse Anesthesia program.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019-2020)

  • #95 (tie) in Regional Universities South
  • #38 (tie) in Top Public Schools
  • #114 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs

NICHE (2019)

  • Most Conservative Colleges in America #115 of 725
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in America #163 of 599
  • Top Public Universities in America #214 of 672
  • Best College Campuses in America #271 of 1,408
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in America #473 of 1,591
  • Most Diverse Colleges in America #514 of 1,592
  • Best Colleges in America #556 of 1,647
  • Best Value Colleges in America #1,106 of 1,590
  • Top Public Universities in Arkansas #2 of 10
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in Arkansas #2 of 4
  • Most Diverse Colleges in Arkansas #3 of 19
  • Most Conservative Colleges in Arkansas #3 of 12
  • Best Colleges in Arkansas #6 of 19
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in Arkansas #7 of 19
  • Best Value Colleges in Arkansas #8 of 19
  • Best College Campuses in Arkansas #9 of 18

Princeton Review listed A-State in their Best Southeastern category (2018-2019).

College Factual ranked A-State #7 Best Colleges for the Money in Arkansas (2018-2019).

Arkansas State University's online nursing program earned a #16 ranking among the nation's best programs, according to NurseJournal.org.

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