Accredited
Hybrid
On-campus
Online
Public
BSN DNP MSN RN-to-MSN RN-to-BSN Entry-Level BSN MSN-to-DNP CNL CRNA NP Master's Post-grad Certificate Other
- Accreditations CCNE COA
- Location(s) Iowa
- Telephone 1-319-335-7018
- Request Information
The College of Nursing, established in 1898, offers many nationally ranked graduate and undergraduate Nursing programs.
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
There are two ways to earn admission to the University of Iowa College of Nursing: Early Decision and Competitive Admission.
Early Decision
This program is designed for high-achieving high school students. Up to 72 students will be selected to fill this cohort each fall.
To be considered for Early Decision, students must meet minimum GPA, ACT and course requirements and submit responses to essay questions on supplemental application.
Competitive Admission
Available for transfer, second degree and current Iowa students.
Minimum Criteria (not all inclusive)
- Minimum 28 ACT Composite score
- Minimum 25 ACT Science Reasoning Score
- Minimum 3.8 or higher cumulative GPA
- 4 years High School English, 1 year Biology, 1 year Chemistry, 1 year Physics
- 4 years (fourth level proficiency) of the same world language or two years (second level proficiency) in two different world languages
- Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry
- 3 years Social Studies
RN-BSN
Degree requirements include a minimum of 128 semester hours and satisfactory completion of all RN-BSN program requirements including prerequisites, general education, elective requirements, and 32 semester hours of required and elective nursing major courses.
Two plans of study are offered: full-time (3 semesters) and part-time (5 semesters).
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
The program is comprised of six semesters plus one Winter session. This program is offered primarily online, with the exception of NURS:5031 Health Promotion and Assessment for Advance Clinical Practice, which requires time on campus. The GRE is not required for this program.
Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)
- Baccalaureate or advanced degree in Nursing and approximately one year RN experience
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Graduate from CCNE or NLNAC accredited nursing program
- Complete prerequisites by the start of the program
- Upper-level statistics course completed within 5 years of the application deadline
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Specialty Areas
- Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
- Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Health Systems
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Certification: Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult/Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Certification: Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Certification: Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Certification: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
MSN to DNP
Students entering the program with a master's degree must complete a minimum of 72 semester hours following the bachelor's degree. Some coursework from master's program may be counted toward the degree.
- Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (Post MSN/NP)
- Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (Post MSN/NP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Post MSN/NP)
- Health Systems
- Health Systems (for applicants with a non-Health Systems master's degree)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (Post MSN/NP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (Post MSN/NP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post MSN/NP)
Post-APRN to DNP
For MSN/APRNs that want to obtain a DNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Post-Graduate Certificates
- Post Graduate Adult/Gero - Acute Care Certificate
- Post Graduate Adult/Gero - Primary Care Certificate
- Post Graduate Family Certificate
- Post Graduate Pediatric - Acute Care Certificate
- Post Graduate Pediatric - Primary Care Certificate
- Post Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate
Nurse Anesthetist - DNP
This graduate program is designed for RNs with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) who wish to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). The program can be completed in 36 months of study combined with clinical experience. The program has a low attrition rate of about 4-5%. Since converting to a DNP curriculum in 2010, the attrition rate has remained low, at 3.2% (2/62).
Approved Critical Care RN Experience
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
- Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
Rankings
US News & World Report (2020)
- #38 (tie) in Top Public Schools
- #89 (tie) in National Universities
- #53 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #88 in Best Value Schools
- #65 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
- #21 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #17 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- #4 (tie) in Clinical Nurse Leader
- #8 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care
- #8 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Primary Care
- #7 (tie) in Nursing Administration
- #10 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia
- #159 (tie) Best Global Universities
NICHE (2019)
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #27 of 1,542
- Best Big Colleges in America #33 of 131
- Top Public Universities in America #34 of 672
- Best Colleges for Nursing in America #49 of 599
- Best College Campuses in America #91 of 1,408
- Best Colleges in America #123 of 1,647
- Best College Locations in America #152 of 1,553
- Most Liberal Colleges in America #157 of 687
- Best Value Colleges in America #172 of 1,590
- Colleges with the Best Academics in America #204 of 1,591
- Most Diverse Colleges in America #283 of 1,592
- Best College Locations in Iowa #1 of 27
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in Iowa #1 of 27
- Best Colleges for Nursing in Iowa #1 of 14
- Top Public Universities in Iowa #1 of 3
- Best Colleges in Iowa #2 of 27
- Most Diverse Colleges in Iowa #2 of 25
- Most Liberal Colleges in Iowa #2 of 10
- Best Value Colleges in Iowa #3 of 27
- Colleges with the Best Academics in Iowa #4 of 27
- Best College Campuses in Iowa #4 of 26
- Best Colleges in Cedar Rapids Area #1 of 4
- Best Value Colleges in Cedar Rapids Area #1 of 4
Forbes (2018-2019)
- #152 Top Colleges
- #44 in Public Colleges
- #81 in Research Universities
- #25 in the Midwest
- #99 America's Best Value Colleges
College Factual (2018-2019)
- #1 Best Colleges for the Money in Iowa
- #382 Overall Best Colleges for the Money nationally
The Princeton Review (2019)
- The Best 384 Colleges
- Best Midwestern
MONEY Magazine ranked UI #36 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018).
The AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org ranked the University of Iowa No. 1 on its list of "Best in Nursing for 2017".
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science, Post-graduate APRN, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
The University of Iowa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
