Nursing Degree Online in Texas: 7 Top Accredited Schools

You can earn a nursing degree online in Texas. Several Texas schools offer fully online or hybrid nursing pathways (especially RN→BSN, MSN, and DNP), but you still must complete in-person clinicals or practicum hours locally, and you must follow the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) licensure steps (including NCLEX when applicable).

Types of Nursing Degrees Online in Texas

• RN → BSN (online completion): This is the most common online nursing degree in Texas. Many RNs with an ADN can complete a 30-credit BSN online, often with practicum experiences completed in their home community.

• MSN and Advanced Practice: Online MSN or even RN → MSN programs are offered by Texas universities for RNs wanting to become nurse educators, administrators, or advanced practitioners.

• Competency-Based Models: Some schools (e.g., East Texas A&M) offer a competency-based structure allowing working RNs to leverage prior experience and accelerate their coursework.

Read Also: 10 Nursing Schools With Rolling Admissions in the UK

Accredited Schools Offering Nursing Degree Online in Texas

Here are several credible Texas schools that offer online nursing degree programs. These are accredited or board-approved and represent real pathways for students.

How These Texas Schools Fit into Your Online Nursing Degree Plan

By knowing these real schools, you can make better decisions about which program to apply to. Here’s how to integrate this school list into your path:

1. Match your current status (RN or non-RN):

   • If you are a licensed RN, consider RN→BSN programs at TAMIU, East Texas A&M, UTA, MSU, TWU, UH, or UTMB.

   • If you are aiming for advanced practice (MSN), UTA offers RN→MSN for NP tracks or an MSN in Nursing Education.

2. Compare program cost and structure:

   • For example, TAMIU offers a very affordable RN→BSN (~$8,995 total) with 6 admission points/year.

   • East Texas A&M offers flexibility through its competency-based design, letting you move faster or slower depending on your work-life balance.

   • UTA gives a clear pay-as-you-go model, course-by-course, for online RN-BSN.

3. Ensure program quality and licensure alignment:

   • UTA’s MSN and BSN programs are CCNE-accredited.

   • East Texas A&M’s RN-to-BSN is designed to meet the Texas Board of Nursing competencies.

   • TAMIU’s program is ACEN-accredited, which is important for federal aid and licensure.

4. Practicum and clinical placement:

   • Even though coursework is online, UTA requires preceptors for its MSN Education track; they help with placement, but you may need to locate a clinical site near you.

   • East Texas A&M allows theory courses online and supervises your local practicum; their CBE model means you can apply what you already know.

5. Admission timing and flexibility:

   • TAMIU: multiple start dates per year.

   • East Texas A&M: self-paced, so you can slow down or speed up term to term.

   • UTA: offers both full- and part-time delivery for RN → BSN.

Read Also: Accelerated Nursing Programs for International Students

Advantages and Opportunities with These Texas Programs

Including schools like these in your plan gives you several real opportunities:

• Affordability: Some programs (e.g., TAMIU) are very cost-competitive for Texas RNs.

• Flexibility: Competency-based and accelerated formats give working nurses better control.

• Career Advancement: RN-to-MSN pathways (like UTA’s) let you skip earning a separate BSN first, saving time and money.

• Licensure-Ready Curriculum: Using CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs ensures that when you graduate, you are eligible for NCLEX or further advanced programs.

• Employment Leverage: Graduating from a recognized Texas nursing school boosts your credentials with Texas hospitals, especially for leadership or education roles.

Updated Step-by-Step Approach

Going back to the step-by-step plan (from the earlier article), here is how you can use these schools in your real planning:

1. Decide your track:

   • Licensed RN → BSN: Consider TAMIU, East Texas A&M, UTA, MSU, TWU, UH, UTMB.

   • RN → MSN: Consider UTA’s RN-to-MSN NP or Education tracks.

2. Check admission requirements and apply:

   • For TAMIU RN-BSN, you need an active RN license and a cumulative GPA.

   • For UTA RN-MSN: check their RN-to-MSN program page for prerequisites (active RN license, transcripts, etc.).

   • For East Texas A&M: apply through their CBE RN-to-BSN portal; check cost per 7-week term.

3. Plan for clinical/practicum:

   • For programs like UTA MSN Education, you’ll need to identify a preceptor and possibly a local clinical site.

   • For RN-BSN programs, you’ll document practicum or leadership project hours within your community or workplace.

4. Budget and funding:

   • Use tuition numbers from school sites: TAMIU ~ $8,995 total for RN-BSN.

   • Ask your employer if they will pay for classes at these institutions.

   • Apply for financial aid: compatible programs are accredited (ACEN, CCNE), so students often qualify for federal aid.

5. Finish and Licensure/Advancement:

   • After graduating from an RN-BSN, you already hold an RN license (if you started as an RN), so your next step may be career advancement or MSN.

   • For MSN graduates, look for certification or roles in education (if you chose UTA Education) or advanced practice (if RN-to-MSN NP track).

Conclusion

In summary, you absolutely can get a nursing degree online in Texas, and multiple reputable, accredited schools make that possible. Real options include:

• TAMIU (Affordable 100% online RN → BSN)

• East Texas A&M University (Self-paced, competency-based RN → BSN)

• UTA (RN → BSN, RN → MSN, MSN Nurse Education)

• Midwestern State University, Texas Woman’s University, UH, and UTMB Galveston — all with online or hybrid nursing pathways

These schools give you flexibility, recognized credentials, and practical pathways to complete your degree while working or living in Texas. Use the steps above to apply, plan, and succeed — always verifying accreditation, BON approval, tuition, and clinical requirements.