Applicant Newsletter

The NursingCAS Applicant Newsletter is a monthly newsletter intended to keep you informed about programs with available space, deadline extensions, and new programs added to NursingCAS. The newsletter features:

• Open Seats: One of the benefits of NursingCAS is to provide notifications to applicants about programs that have available space. Review the listing below to determine if you would like to apply to one of these programs.
• Deadline Extensions: Programs often extend their deadlines in order to allow applicants more time to complete the admissions process. Review the list below to see if any programs you are interested in have extended their deadline.
• New Programs: New programs are added to NursingCAS on a continual basis. Discover and learn about new program offerings available to you by reviewing the listings below.
  

Applicants can also view the NursingCAS Events Calendar, where NursingCAS schools provide prospective students with information on events like upcoming webinars and information sessions throughout the application cycle.

Reminder: 2024-2025 Academic Update Window Will Open Through August 22

The 2024-2025 Spring/Summer Academic Update (AU) window opened on Monday, May 26 and will close on Friday, August 22:

• 2024-2025 Cycle: May 26, 2025 – August 22, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET

Please review and complete the three-step process to submit an AU request by the designated deadline above.

The AU allows applicants to update final grades for previously entered planned/in-progress coursework (i.e. Spring 2025) or enter newly-planned coursework (i.e. Fall 2025) since NursingCAS verification. Applicants are eligible for AU if at least one of their programs is in ‘Verified’ status by the AU request deadline. Application status can be viewed under the Check Status tab in NursingCAS. Upon submission of the AU request, NursingCAS will verify the applicant’s new grades, calculate an updated GPA, and send this information to their programs. While an AU is optional, some programs require this information for admissions consideration.

Students are encouraged to submit their request for new transcripts to their Registrar’s Office ASAP to allow plenty of processing/mailing time.

Questions? Please contact the NursingCAS Customer Service Team at nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org.

Recording Available: Preparing and Strengthening Your NursingCAS Application Webinar 

NursingCAS recently hosted a Preparing and Strengthening Your NursingCAS Application webinar. If you weren’t able to make it, you can still watch the recording to stay well-informed on applicant best practices.

Webinar content includes:

• Detailed overview of the NursingCAS application
• Guidance on requesting transcripts and submitting coursework entry
• Answers to FAQs (application statuses, references, etc.)
• Tips to avoid common mistakes
• Recommendations to ensure quick application processing times
• Resources available for NursingCAS applicants

OPEN SEATS

Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

There’s still time to apply for Fall 2025 undergraduate programs at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, but the Aug. 4 deadline is fast-approaching. Apply now to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing at one of the region’s top academic nursing institutions—and make a difference in patients’ lives.

If finances are holding you back, explore our BJC Full-Ride Scholars Program, which covers 100% of qualified tuition and fees for eligible students in our Accelerated and Upper Division BSN programs. This life-changing award also propels graduates into nursing careers at BJC HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in the nation. More than 260 students have benefitted from this program—and with more than 50 awards still available, you could join them. Apply by Aug. 4 for fall admission.

Explore our BSN program options:

• Accelerated BSN: An intensive 12-month (three-term) program designed for motivated students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
• Upper Division BSN: A 20-month (five-term) program for students who have completed their first two years of college and are ready to focus on nursing.
• Weekend Evening Option BSN: A flexible, 36-month (nine-term) part-time program ideal for students balancing school with work or family responsibilities.

Visit our website to learn about our location on the bustling Washington University School of Medicine campus, home to two of the top hospitals in the country: Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Our graduates are highly sought after for jobs in the nation’s best hospitals based on their hands-on learning and skill development, including dozens of high-fidelity simulations and virtual reality practice in preparation for clinicals.

Questions? Contact our enrollment team at admissions@barnesjewishcollege.edu

Bellarmine University

Bellarmine University nurses are known and respected regionally and nationally. Bellarmine will give you supportive faculty that will prepare you individually for a career making an impact in the lives of your patients! Many faculty not only teach but also practice in the community setting. This work provides Bellarmine students with the most current methods of patient care and creates a collaborative setting between students and faculty. This ensures you will be better prepared to be a compassionate and capable provider! Experience one of our Forbes Magazine-ranked top 10 NP programs for yourself!

Fall 2025 seats still available:

• MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Apply on Nursing CAS)
• MSN: Administration & Education
• DNP: Executive Leadership, Advanced Practice
• BSN to DNP: Leadership

Find out more by registering for an upcoming info session (6/11, 6/25, 7/1, 7/15), scheduling an individual appointment with Amy Harrison, or applying on our website. All graduate programs are online, but our southern hospitality makes you feel like you’re right here with us on our beautiful Kentucky campus!

Creighton University

Creighton University College of Nursing has a national reputation for providing excellent nursing education, a commitment to service, and being at the forefront of the ever-changing field of nursing. Whether you are interested in career advancement, diversifying your skills, or simply taking the next step in your education, Creighton can help you get there. We offer programs at the baccalaureate (BSN), master’s (MSN) and doctoral (DNP) degree levels. We also offer a variety of post-graduate APRN certificates.

We are now accepting applications for a Spring 2026 start date for the following programs:

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN):

• Priority deadline- September 1
• Secondary deadline- October 15

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP

• Deadline- October 1

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN):

• Deadline- October 1

If you have any questions or we can provide additional information about any of our nursing programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at nursing@creighton.edu.

Florida International University

Florida International University’s (FIU) Graduate Nursing programs are accepting new applications for the Post-BSN to DNP Part-Time program (with accelerated options) and the Post-Master’s DNP Online program.

Nationally-ranked among the U.S. News & World Report’s best graduate nursing schools, the FIU Graduate Nursing unit of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees for the following concentrations:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (predominantly online)
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (predominantly online)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Applications will be open for Spring 2025 admissions from May 1 – August 1, 2025. To learn more, or to register for one of our monthly information sessions, visit our website.

Harding University

The application is open for Harding University’s Master of Science in Nursing programs: Family Nurse Practitioner and Master’s Entry Level into Professional Nursing. Scholarships are available for eligible admitted students. Apply now!

• Master of Science in Nursing –Family Nurse Practitioner: Available to registered nurses with a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing and higher degrees, this program prepares family nurse practitioners for outpatient settings across the lifespan. The program consists of online courses with on-campus intensives three times throughout the entire program. Part-time and full-time tracks are available. Now admitting in Fall, Spring, and Summer. Please contact our office for deadline information.
• Master of Science in Nursing –Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing: Harding offers the first prelicensure program in Arkansas, preparing students to become advanced entry-level professional nurses who graduate with a Master of Science in nursing. The master’s entry into professional nursing will include a focus on health care administration and leadership. The five-semester program is offered year-round. Completed applications are reviewed upon submission.

Two tracks are available for the MEPN program:

1. Traditional track for those with bachelor’s degree in any field.*
2. Early entry track for those with 90 undergraduate credit hours.*

*Both MEPN tracks require Arkansas nursing prerequisites

For more information on the FNP program, please visit our FNP program page or email fnp@harding.edu. For more information on the MEPN program, please visit the MEPN program page or email mepn@harding.edu.

Kettering College

Open Seats for August 2025!

Building on a tradition of excellence and innovation, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Kettering College is designed to prepare nurses for leadership roles in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Students choosing this degree are interested in advancing their nursing careers toward leadership and management to improve healthcare outcomes. The MSN curriculum is based on the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Leader Core Competency Model, and includes content in leadership, health promotion, organizational behavior, human resources, emotional intelligence, education, financial management, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and mentoring.

The 39-credit program is scheduled for completion over 2 years (6 semesters) with courses offered online and practicum experiences arranged with healthcare facilities close to the student’s geographic area. Graduates are academically prepared for certification when the graduate meets eligibility requirements for work experience.

Apply through NursingCAS by the July 1 deadline for August admission and by the December 1 deadline for January admission.

Have questions? Contact Mary Kay Cobb, Graduate Admissions Counselor, at mary.cobb@kc.edu.

Morehouse School of Medicine

Open seats exist for Executive Leadership DNP in Community Engagement & Health Justice exist for Fall 2025 starting in August. The Graduate Education in Nursing (GEN) Program at Morehouse School of Medicine is dedicated to preparing nursing professionals who lead with purpose and impact. Focused on addressing disparities in maternal health and chronic disease, the program equips nurses with the skills needed to champion health equity and transform care delivery across diverse communities.

Through a dynamic curriculum and real-world application, students develop key competencies in:

• Translating research into practice
• Shaping healthcare policy to improve outcomes
• Designing and implementing innovative clinical models
• Leading interprofessional teams to solve complex health challenges

Oregon Health & Science University

Join our Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program and become dually certified in both primary care and acute care. View admissions requirements and apply by Sept. 1 to start this fall!

Questions? Drop in for virtual office hours, schedule an advising appointment, email proginfo@ohsu.edu or call 503-494-7725. We look forward to talking with you and helping you become a PNP!

Union University

Be prepared to change lives through the professional practice of nursing at Union University, where knowledge and faith unite. We offer an accelerated BSN if you want a career change or a variety of graduate programs to further your education. We also offer a fast-track program for registered nurses desiring a bachelor’s degree.

Undergraduate Degrees

Accelerated BSN

15-months in-person full-time program for 3 Tennessee locations:

• Jackson – Apply by June 30 for fall start
• Germantown and Hendersonville – Apply by June 30 for fall start or Nov 30 for spring start

RN – BSN

Complete the RN-BSN online in 18 months (excluding general education requirements). Apply by July 1 for fall start or Nov 1 for spring start.

For more information and details on these undergraduate degrees, please contact Melissa Harden at 731-661-6542 or mharden@uu.edu.

Graduate Degrees

Graduate applications open each year in August with a variety of deadlines and admissions criteria for each program.

MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)

Tracks include:

• Administration
• Education
• Nurse Practitioner (FNP & P-MH)
• MSN/MBA dual degree

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

Available tracks include:

• Executive Leadership (BSN-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP)
• Nurse Anesthesia (BSN-DNP)
• For Licensed CRNAs (CRNA-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP)
• Nurse Practitioner (Family and Psychiatric Mental Health – BSN-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP)

*MBA dual degree option with Post-Master’s DNP

*BSN-DNP options are 36 months, full-time only. Post-master’s options are available, either full-time (five semesters) and part-time (eight semesters)

Post-Graduate Certificates: Administration, Education and Nurse Practitioner

Nursing Endorsements: Education, Administration

For more information and details on these graduate degrees, please contact Amy Joyner at 731-661-5028 or ajoyner@uu.edu.

University of Saint Francis

The University of Saint Francis (SF) has open seats for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in all tracks – Leadership, FNP, AGACNP & PMHNP.

Open seats available now!

Why choose Saint Francis?

1. Franciscan  Values – Our mission is to educate future nurses who have been called to care. The university’s Franciscan values, in line with the Nursing Code of Ethics, center our curriculum.
2. Pass Rates – We are one of the most respected nursing education programs in the region, building off 85 years of experience. Our graduates have a 100% board certification pass rate.
3. Flexible Enrollment – The curriculum is rigorous but is built to be flexible (part-time or full-time) for working nurses as a hybrid program, with most core courses delivered in eight weeks and online.
4. Hybrid Format – For clinical tracks, students will join us on campus for “intensives” once or twice per semester, with synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
5. Clinical Sites and Preceptors – If you are unable to find a preceptor, we will find one for you.
6. Tuition Funding – SF has received grant funding from HRSA for the NFLP to increase the number of qualified faculty providing low-interest loans for individuals studying to be nurse faculty and APRNs who will serve as a clinical preceptor after graduation and allows loan cancellation up to 85% for those who then go to work as faculty.

Application deadlines: Fall 2025 – August 1, 2025

Questions about the program, contact Dr. Margie Pyron, Graduate Nursing Program Director by email at mpyron@sf.edu Or please contact the Admissions Office by email at gradschool@sf.edu or by phone at (260) 399-8000 for admission questions.

University of Sioux Falls

Now Accepting Applications for USF’s Accelerated BSN – January 2026 Start

The University of Sioux Falls (USF) School of Nursing is now accepting applications for the January 2026 start of our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program through NursingCAS, the centralized application service for nursing schools.

This new partnership simplifies the application process—students can easily upload materials, track progress, and stay organized through one convenient platform.

Priority review deadline is July 1, and spots are still available for the upcoming January 2026 cohort. If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and are ready to launch a new career in healthcare, now is the perfect time to apply.

USF’s ABSN program offers hands-on clinical training, expert faculty, and a supportive learning environment rooted in Christian values. Our graduates are known for compassionate, high-quality care.

For more information, contact our admissions team at nursing@usiouxfalls.edu.

DEADLINE EXTENSIONS

Check next month’s Applicant Newsletter for more information on deadline extensions!

NEW PROGRAMS

Carson-Newman University

Carson-Newman University, nestled in the scenic foothills of East Tennessee, is a Christ-centered institution known for academic rigor and a commitment to service. The Nurse Anesthesiology Program offers a comprehensive doctoral education (DNP) rooted in clinical excellence, compassion, and professional integrity. Our program emphasizes personalized mentorship, high-fidelity simulation, and diverse clinical experiences throughout East Tennessee. With small cohorts and exceptional faculty, students are equipped to become skilled, reflective, and service-oriented Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

Learn more here: https://www.doctorofnurseanesthesiapractice.com/

Hood College

Our online, asynchronous program is designed for working professionals seeking to expand their scope of practice and provide comprehensive, evidence-based to the adolescent, adult, and geriatric population, ages 13 and up. The MSN program is available on a full- or part-time basis and can be completed within 21-36 months.

Learn more here: https://www.hood.edu/graduate/academics/programs/nursing-msn 

North Central College

Old Dominion University

Our Nurse Anesthesia Program is part of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Center and the Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University (ODU). It is a 36-month, full-time Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program that begins each May. It combines on-campus and online classes, focusing on nurse anesthesia specialty and DNP courses. Key discriminators of our student-centered program include a diversity of clinical specialty sites, dedicated faculty with low turn-over, small and cohesive cohorts and an emphasis on student support and professional development.

Learn more here: https://www.odu.edu/nursing/graduate/dnp/anesthesia