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Prelicensure Track

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HEALTH CARE

Nurses are in demand. Through the College of Nursing's flexible Prelicensure Track program, students will earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing and the skills to make a positive impact in health care.

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Prelicensure Emphasis Overview

Graduates of the Prelicensure Emphasis will achieve the following:

  • Distinguish the unique perspective of nursing through integration of liberal arts and sciences to establish a professional nursing practice.
  • Deliver safe, effective, person-centered care that respects the diversity of patient experiences and recognizes the individual as a full partner in team-based care.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of nursing practice that promotes health equity and enhances population health.
  • Synthesize and integrate current best practice evidence with clinical expertise to improve health and transform health care.
  • Implement quality improvement principles and practices to enhance health care outcomes and foster a culture of safety for all.
  • Utilize interprofessional partnerships with patients, caregivers, and health care professionals to provide inclusive care through communication, collaboration and teamwork.
  • Advocate for patient-centered care by identifying the role of organizational structure, socioeconomic environment, health care disparities and evidence-based practice in the delivery of care.
  • Integrate information and data management systems, along with available technology to improve patient care, streamline communication, facilitate efficient information exchange and optimize decision-making processes in the ethical delivery of health care.
  • Construct a sustainable professional identity inclusive of principles of accountability, health justice, perspective and collaboration, consistent with standards of moral, ethical and legal nursing practice.
  • Demonstrate commitment to personal and professional development to support acquisition of nursing expertise and assertion of leadership.

Program Length

The Prelicensure program can be completed in 4, 5, or 6 semesters

Mode

In-person, with some online and hybrid options

Diverse Clinical Experience

Gain hands-on training across specialties and settings, from hospitals to community health.

Interprofessional Training

Train with future doctors and pharmacists in a top medical center.

Emphasis Information

      Semester One: (Semester credits: 15.5)

      NURS 3305 - Foundations of Clinical Nursing Care  
      NURS 3315 - Maternal/Infant Health Nursing             
      NURS 3280 - Intro to Professional Nursing 
      NURS 5255 - Foundations of Interprofessional Education   
      NURS 3350 - Principles of Clinical Management I        

      Semester Two: (Semester credits: 16)

      NURS 3360 - Health Systems & Populations I
      NURS 3322 - Information Tech & EBP          
      NURS 3410 - Acute Care Nursing Practicum 
      NURS 3450 - Principles of Clinical Management II

      Semester Three: (Semester credits: 16.5)

      NURS 4535 - Mental Health 
      NURS 4610 - Care Transitions        
      NURS 4365 - Health Systems & Populations II 
      NURS 4550 - Principles of Clinical Management III 
      NURS 4860 - Population Health Practicum     
      Approved IPE (take here if graduating in Summer)          

      Semester Four: (Semester credit: 15.5)

      NURS 4450 - Leadership 
      NURS 4650 - Capstone Clinical 
      NURS 4430 - Clinical Applications of Research 
      NURS 4230 - Transition to Practice
      Approved IPE course (take in last semester if graduating Fall/Spring)  

      Program total credits: 63.5

      View the University of Utah Catalog.

      Semester One: (Semester credits: 15.5)

      NURS 3305 – Foundations of Clinical Nursing Care
      NURS 3315 – Maternal/Infant Health Nursing
      NURS 3300 – Professional Roles I: Foundations of Professionalism
      NURS 5255 – Foundations of Interprofessional Education
      NURS 3350 – Principles of Clinical Management I

      Semester Two: (Semester credits: 10)

      NURS 3322 – Information Tech & EBP
      NURS 3811 – Acute Care Nursing Practicum Part 1
      NURS 3450 – Principles of Clinical Management II

      Semester Three: (Semester credits: 13)

      NURS 4535 – Mental Health
      NURS 3812 – Acute Care Nursing Practicum Part 2
      NURS 4550 – Principles of Clinical Management III
      NURS 3360 – Health Systems & Populations I

      Semester Four: (Semester credits: 9.5)

      NURS 4610 – Care Transitions
      NURS 4365 – Health Systems & Populations II
      NURS 4860 – Population Health Practicum
      Approved IPE (take here if graduating in Summer)

      Semester Five: (Semester credits: 15.5)

      NURS 4650 – Capstone Clinical
      NURS 4430 – Clinical Applications of Research
      NURS 4230 – Transition to Practice
      NURS 4450 – Leadership
      Approved IPE course (take in last semester if graduating Fall/Spring)

      Total program credits: 63.5

      View the University of Utah Catalog.

      Semester One (Semester credits: 11.5)

      NURS 3305 – Foundations of Clinical Nursing Care
      NURS 3315 – Maternal/Infant Health Nursing
      NURS 3300 – Professional Roles I: Foundations of Professionalism
      NURS 5255 – Foundations of Interprofessional Education

      Semester Two (Semester credits: 8)

      NURS 3360 – Health Systems & Populations I
      NURS 3350 – Principles of Clinical Management I

      Semester Three (Semester credits: 12)

      NURS 3410 – Acute Care Nursing Practicum
      NURS 3322 – Information Tech & EBP
      NURS 3450 – Principles of Clinical Management II

      Semester Four (Semester credits: 10)

      NURS 4610 – Care Transitions
      NURS 4365 – Health Systems & Populations II
      NURS 4550 – Principles of Clinical Management III

      Semester Five (Semester credits: 12)

      NURS 4860 – Population Health Practicum
      NURS 4450 – Leadership
      NURS 4535 – Mental Health
      Approved IPE (take here if graduating in Summer)

      Semester Six (Semester credits: 12.5)

      NURS 4650 – Capstone Clinical
      NURS 4430 – Clinical Applications of Research
      NURS 4230 – Transition to Practice
      Approved IPE course (take in last semester if graduating Fall/Spring)

      Total credits: 66 

      View the University of Utah Catalog.

      Total cost estimate for the Prelicensure program:

      Fall Start:

      • Four Semester, Resident: $30,800
      • Four Semester, Non-resident: $69,200
      • Four Semester, WUE: $38,600
      • Five Semester, Resident: $32,100
      • Five Semester, Non-resident: $74,700
      • Five Semester, WUE: $40,700
      • Six Semester, Resident: $33,400
      • Six Semester, Non-resident: $67,800
      • Six Semester, WUE: $40,300

      Spring Start:

      • Four Semester, Resident: $30,800
      • Four Semester, Non-resident: $69,200
      • Four Semester, WUE: $38,600
      • Five Semester, Resident: $32,100
      • Five Semester, Non-resident: $64,100
      • Five Semester, WUE: $38,600
      • Six Semester, Resident: $33,400
      • Six Semester, Non-resident: $72,800
      • Six Semester, WUE: $41,200

      Summer Start:

      • Four Semester, Resident: $30,800
      • Four Semester, Non-resident: $57,200
      • Four Semester, WUE: $36,100
      • Five Semester, Resident: $32,100
      • Five Semester, Non-resident: $64,400
      • Five Semester, WUE: $38,500
      • Six Semester, Resident: $33,600
      • Six Semester, Non-resident: $70,300
      • Six Semester, WUE: $40,600

      This cost estimate covers only tuition and mandatory student fees. Possible program and course fees are not included. Other expenses, such as book, supplies, and travel, are not reflected. Amounts are rounded to the nearest $100 and are based on the 2025-2026 College of Nursing tuition table provided by the Bursar and use the 2025 Program of Study for this specialty track. Possible tuition increases or changes to a student's program of study are not reflected. Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time. The University of Utah only charges resident rates during summer semesters. 

      Students are encouraged to use the University's Tuition Estimator tool below to get a more specific tuition estimate for each semester. Possible program and course fees are not included. Other expenses, such as books, supplies, and travel are also not reflected. The Cost of Attendance is an estimate of school-related expenses a student can expect for the academic year or semester of enrollment, and general Tuition Schedules are maintained by the University's Bursar's office. The University of Utah maintains comprehensive cost of attendance information in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, section 472.

      For additional questions, please reach out to Heather Clarkson at Heather.Clarkson@nurs.utah.edu.

      Application Deadlines

      Fall Semester
      Opens: November 1
      Closes: February 1, 5:00PM MT

      Spring & Summer Semester
      Opens: June 1
      Closes: September 1, 5:00PM MT

      Contact Us

      Questions for an undergraduate advisor?
      advising@nurs.utah.edu

      Questions about admissions?
      admissions@nurs.utah.edu

      Office of Student Services
      (801) 587-3194