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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.

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NURSINGCAS UPDATES

The 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Academic Update Windows 

The 2024-2025 Fall Academic Update (AU) II will open on Monday, December 1:

  • 2024-2025 cycle: December 1, 2025 – January 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET

The 2025-2026 Fall Academic Update (AU) I will open on Monday, December 15:

  • 2025-2026 cycle: December 15, 2025 – February 13, 2026, 11:50 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 2024) or enter newly-planned coursework (i.e. Fall 2024) 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.

Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) and Minority Serving Institution Pathways Initiative (MSIPI)

Applications for the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) and the Minority Serving Institution Pathway Initiative (MSIPI) are now open. With one application you can apply to both SHPEP and MSIPI sites, selecting up to three locations in total across both programs. The deadline to submit your application for SHPEP and MSIPI is February 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET

SHPEP is a FREE six-week summer enrichment program that prepares college students for a career in the health professions by enhancing their academic proficiency and providing career development opportunities.

MSIPI is a FREE five-week summer enrichment program helping students develop competencies to become successful applicants to health profession programs, plan academic journeys, and gain clinical exposure while engaging in programming at either a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) or a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

Share Your Nursing School Experience to be Featured on Our Social Media

We want to share the experiences of our nursing student community. Complete this form to send us your nursing school achievements, goals, and advice for a chance to be featured on our social media. Your submissions could empower other nursing students and inspire applicants to take the next step.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn to see what your fellow students are saying!

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

NursingCAS Quick Start Guide and FAQs

If you’re just getting started with your NursingCAS application or you want to know more about how the application works, this resource is for you! The NursingCAS Quick Start Guide and FAQs gives an overview of NursingCAS and provides a suggested application timeline with key actions to take at each point in the process. You’ll also find answers to common questions about submitting transcripts, how to find your application status, fee waivers, and more.

APPLICATION TIP

Application Tip: Make Note of Application Cycle Dates and Deadlines

Knowing the dates of the application cycle you want to apply for and the deadline for your selected programs is crucial to ensuring you can start school when you plan to. Visit our New Application Cycle FAQ resource to make sure you know the application cycle dates and check the individual deadlines for the specific schools you want to attend. Make a note of them in a place that is easy to find and give yourself enough time to submit each application item before the deadline.

OPEN SEATS

Bellarmine University

Our nurses are known and respected regionally and nationally. Bellarmine, located in Louisville, KY, boasts of 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!

2026 seats now available for MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (2-yr) Apply now on NCAS!
All graduate programs are online or hybrid, but our southern hospitality makes you feel like you’re right here with us on our beautiful Kentucky campus!

Find out more by registering for an upcoming info session (11/19, 12/10) or scheduling an appointment.

Carroll College

Carroll College in Helena, Montana is still accepting applications for our Accelerated Nursing Program, beginning in May 2026. This 15-month, full-time program is designed for students who have earned an associate (AA/AS) and or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in another field who are ready to make the transition into nursing. Applicants must meet all required prerequisites. With only 20 spots in the cohort, those who apply in November can expect to receive their admission decision in December.

May 2026 cohort timeline

  • May 1, 2026 – First tuition payment due
  • May 15, 2026 – Accelerated Nursing orientation
  • May 18, 2026 – Classes begin
  • August 2027 – Completion date for May 2026 cohort

Carroll nurses stand out. Our students boast a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate, and employers nationwide seek our graduates for their clinical skills, adaptability, and heart for patient care.

Located in beautiful Helena, Montana, you’ll find a close-knit campus community with endless opportunities for connection and adventure.

If you have any questions, please contact Christine Stout at cstout@carroll.edu.

Edgewood University

Your Accelerated Nursing Career Starts Here!

Edgewood University (formerly Edgewood College) is now accepting applications for our January 2026 and August 2026 In-Person Accelerated BSN Cohort in Madison, WI!

In just 12 months, you’ll:

  • Join a close-knit cohort of 21–25 students
  • Learn from expert faculty with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Gain hands-on experience in Madison’s top healthcare system, including UW Health

Fast-track your nursing degree, find community, and step into a career with purpose.

Apply now to secure your spot!

Reach out to ABrinks@Edgewood.edu if you have any questions!

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 88 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.

Loma Linda University

The DNP Leadership program is now fully hyperflex, with occasional live, synchronous sessions to help you stay engaged and connected. Plus, we’re thrilled to announce a special Spring 2026 application cycle — an incredible opportunity to start sooner and reach your leadership goals faster!

Applications for the DNP Leadership, all MSN programs, and MS to DNP are now open for Spring 2026. All other DNP programs, except CRNA, are now open for Fall 2026.

If you’ve been thinking about advancing your nursing career—now is the time! Enjoy greater flexibility, more opportunities, and the same exceptional education that Loma Linda University is known for.

Apply today and take your next step toward leadership, expertise, and impact in nursing. Have questions? We are here to help – graduatenursing@llu.edu

Applications are now open for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Loma Linda University School of Nursing for the Fall 2026 term, which begins in September 2026.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 — deadline to submit your application through NursingCAS.
  • Supporting Documents Due: March 1, 2026 — make sure your transcripts and exam scores are received by this date.
  • Letters of reference are now optional
  • Personal essay is no longer required
  • In-progress prerequisites: You can still apply! Final prerequisite courses just need to be completed before the term begins.

Have questions or interested in a free transcript evaluation or consult – contact us at nursing@llu.edu

Oregon Health & Science University

The OHSU School of Nursing RN to B.S. program is still accepting applications to start in Winter 2026. This program is designed for Registered Nurses who have an associate degree in nursing and want to earn a bachelor’s in nursing. Complete the 100% online program in as little as nine months. Learn more and apply before Dec. 1 to start in January! Questions? Email the Admissions Office at proginfo@ohsu.edu or call us at (503) 494-7725!

Regis College

Regis College is accepting applications to the full-time Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing for Non-Nurses program. The program starts in the Fall only, with clinicals starting that same semester.

We require seven prerequisites (Chemistry I and II, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Statistics, and Human Development) which can be fulfilled through undergraduate course work or after at other institutions. You may apply and be accepted without all prerequisites having been completed; however, all prerequisites must be completed by the start of the program in September. We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2026.

We have the following application deadlines:

  • Priority: December 15th
  • Preferred: March 15th
  • Rolling admission following the deadlines based on space availability

Please contact David Dinwiddie at david.dinwiddie@regiscollege.edu with any questions.

Roseman University of Health Sciences

Whether you want to become a BSN or advance your career to become a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anesthetist, Roseman University College of Nursing has you covered. We are excited to announce that Roseman University is accepting applications for seats in the following nursing programs:

  • Accelerated BSN Program 17-months to complete (Spring, Summer & Fall start dates)
  • Doctorate of Nurse Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner (Summer 2026 start date)
  • Doctorate of Nurse Practice-Nurse Anesthesia (Summer 2026 start date)

Visit our website to learn more about how you can start your academic journey to become a nurse or advance your career in nursing with our graduate programs. For more information, you can contact Roseman University of Health Sciences by phone at (702) 968-6642.

University of Missouri – Columbia

The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing is a land grant university centrally located in mid-Missouri with a long history of serving rural and underserved populations. We accept students from across the country to our online DNP, MS(N) or post-graduate certificate programs . We are CCNE accredited, require limited on-campus visits, and charge in-state tuition to all students making completion of your degree affordable and convenient. Our deadlines are September 30th (all degrees) and February 15th (all degrees) every year. Graduate Certificate program only admits for Fall. For more information on becoming a MIZZOU Nurse, visit our website or contact Dr. Miriam Butler (butlermd@missouri.edu) or Esther Ellis 573-884-4705 (ellise@missouri.edu) or Leslie McPeak 573-882-0200 (mcpeakl@missouri.edu).

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult-Gerontology
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Leadership & Innovations in Healthcare (MS or DNP)
  • Graduate Certificate Care Management Online
  • MS Nurse Educator
  • MS Leadership in Nursing and Healthcare Systems

Hear more about our program from one of our students: Christine Harris, Nursing Leadership and Innovations in Health Care DNP

DEADLINE EXTENSIONS

Oakland University

Online Ph.D. in Nursing Program

Be among the next generation of Nurse Scientists influencing the health and well-being of society.

We have extended our application deadline for the BSN to Ph.D. through December 12, 2025, with open seats available.

The Oakland University School of Nursing will prepare you with the highest-level nursing degree with full faculty support and mentorship. Oakland University’s online Ph.D. in Nursing Program is designed to prepare nurse scientists to respond to the escalating health care needs of society, enhance nursing knowledge through research, and steward the nursing discipline.

Oakland University offers in-state tuition rates to out-of-state Ph.D. students in Nursing. Three tracks are offered: BSN to Ph.D./80 credits, MSN to Ph.D./60 credits, and DNP to Ph.D./48 credits.

Information Session will be held on December 2 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Register to attend here: https://www.oakland.edu/nursing/student-resources/advising

For more information about the Oakland University PhD in Nursing Program, visit our website or contact Dr. Ron Piscotty, PhD, RN, CNE, FAMIA at piscotty@oakland.edu

NEW PROGRAMS

No New Programs to share this month – check the 2025-2026 NursingCAS application to explore newly launched programs!

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?