Baylor University

Baylor University, a historic private Baptist institution established in 1845, stands as the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. Its nursing schools, including the renowned Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) situated on the Baylor University Medical Center campus near downtown Dallas, boast a rich legacy of academic excellence and hands-on training. The LHSON's mission uniquely guides baccalaureate and graduate-level nurses towards embracing Christian values, professional practice, healthcare leadership, and global service.

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Dallas, Texas

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School Ranking: B+
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Baylor University is a public and non-profit National University. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, Entry Level BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, MSN to DNP, CNM, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Student Demographics

  • 20 Average Age
  • 40% Men
  • 60% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 77% White
  • 19% Hispanic
  • 10% Black
  • 4% 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

  • $68,076 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $77,913 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

Founded in 1845, Baylor University (BU) is a private Baptist university. It is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. The Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) is located on the Baylor University Medical Center campus near downtown Dallas.

The mission of the LHSON of BU serves as a unique guide for baccalaureate and graduate level nurses. It focuses on Christian values, professional practice, healthcare leadership, and worldwide service. Theory and practice are taught with a Christian mindset. The belief is that nurses have a calling to make a difference and with the faith-based approach, students will embrace the commitment for a lifetime of caring.

Undergraduate

Upper-division professional courses (two years for BSN Traditional or 12 months for BSN FastBacc) are taken on campus in Dallas at the Baylor University Medical Center, an internationally known teaching and research center.

BSN Traditional

The traditional BSN program is a full-time, two-year program that is designed for students who desire to become registered nurses. Prerequisite courses may be completed at Baylor University campus in Waco or at another accredited college or university. The program requirements are 60 credits for prerequisite classes.

What do I need to know about the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (A2)?

The exam is required for all applicants before being considered for the nursing program. Scores must be a minimum score of 80 or higher on the English Composite and Math portions.

FastBacc BSN

Program Overview

This program is designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and would like to start a second career in nursing. The 12-month accelerated post-baccalaureate program's nursing coursework is 62 hours on the Dallas campus. The program begins in the Summer and utilizes a hybrid model of learning in the classroom and online as well as clinical and laboratory experiences.

Graduate

  • MSN Leadership and Innovation Online
  • Family Nurse Practitioner DNP
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Online DNP
  • Nurse Midwifery DNP

MSN in Leadership and Innovation (Online)

Overview

  • 15-16 months in length
  • Five week courses (four courses per semester, two per Summer)
  • Courses developed in collaboration with the Baylor Health Care System
  • Graduates prepared for National certification - Nurse Executive-BC or Nursing Executive Advanced-BC

DNP with Family Nurse Practitioner Major

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a Family Nurse Practitioner track is a 75-semester hour curriculum. This program is designed for Nurses who are interested in becoming future missionary nurses and/or interested in underserved populations and global health. An international site with faculty supervision is an option for clinical hours as well.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Unencumbered, current RN license
  • Baccalaureate degree with major in nursing
  • 3.0 Cumulative GPA or higher
  • Graduate level Statistics
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Interview
  • One year RN experience

Students who complete the program successfully are eligible to sit for the national Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Online DNP

This online DNP NNP track focuses on care from birth through the first two years of life.

Two online program options are available: the BSN to DNP with a major as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or the Post Master's DNP degree for the NNP.

There are also opportunities to travel abroad for the DNP project and mission opportunities.

Graduates that successfully complete the program will be eligible to sit for national Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification examination offered by the National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties (NCC).

Nurse Midwifery DNP

The DNP nurse midwifery program consists of 75 credits completed in 9 semesters at a full-time study. Students in the midwifery program focus on service and clinical experiences caring for vulnerable populations.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Unencumbered RN license
  • Baccalaureate degree w/major in nursing
  • Cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher
  • Graduate level Statistics
  • Letters of recommendation (3)
  • Interview
  • One year RN experience preferred - ideally in Labor & Delivery

BSN to DNP

Application/Admission/Acceptance Process (not all inclusive)

  • Baccalaureate degree w/major in nursing
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • GRE or MAT scores (optional)
  • Texas RN license
  • Graduate level Statistics
  • Interview

Required Nursing Experience

  • FNP: One (1) year full-time experience as an RN (additional work experience may be required by faculty)
  • NNP: 2 years recent experience level 3 NICU (other experience may be considered)
  • Midwifery: Optimally (not required) - one year clinical practice preferably in Labor and Delivery with extensive observational experiences of birth or education and practices as a doula

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) accredited the nurse midwifery program.

Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2018-2019)

  • #78 (tie) in National Universities
  • #44 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
  • #57 in Best Value Schools
  • #42 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
  • #72 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's (tie)
  • #41 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (tie)
  • #388 (tie) Best Global Universities
  • #10 (tie) in Nursing-Midwifery

NICHE (2019)

  • Best Christian Colleges in America #15
  • Most Conservative Colleges in America #108
  • Top Private Universities in America #110
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in America #126
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in America #128
  • Best Colleges in America #158
  • Best College Campuses in America #270
  • Best Value Colleges in America #422
  • Most Diverse Colleges in America #748
  • Best Christian Colleges in Texas #3
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in Texas #5
  • Top Private Universities in Texas #5
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in Texas #5
  • Best Colleges in Texas #7
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in Texas #10
  • Colleges with the Best Professors in Texas #11
  • Most Conservative Colleges in Texas #12
  • Best Value Colleges in Texas #14
  • Best College Campuses in Texas #18
  • Best College Dorms in Texas #28
  • Most Diverse Colleges in Texas #38

Forbes (2018-2019)

  • #197 Top Colleges
  • #136 in Private Colleges
  • #105 in Research Universities
  • #40 in the South

US News & World Report ranked Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing as its 2018 Best Online Program-MSN Leadership and Innovation Online Program #39.

Best Nursing Colleges ranked Baylor LHSON in the top 10% in the United States and #10 Nursing School in Texas (2018).

Kiplinger ranked Baylor #61 in their "Best College Value" (2018).

The Fiske Guide to Colleges listed Baylor University a "Best Buy" for 2017.

Baylor University earned the 2017 Military Friendly School designation by Victory Media.

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