University of the Ozarks has joined into a new academic partnership with the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing for students interested in careers in nursing.
Under the 2+2 articulation agreement, students complete the first two years of study at U of O and transfer all credit hours to UAFS for completion of the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). The pre-nursing track at Ozarks will be implemented beginning the Fall 2025 Semester.
The agreement was signed recently by U of O President Richard Dunsworth and UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley.
Dunsworth cited the projected shortage in nursing in Arkansas and the region as the catalyst behind adding the pre-nursing track at Ozarks. According to the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), over the next decade it is projected that Arkansas will be short more than 3,500 registered nurses. Oklahoma is projected to be short nearly 7,000 and Texas another 32,000.
“It is imperative that educational institutions positioned to fill this void come together and create opportunities,” Dunsworth said. “The 2+2 agreement between University of the Ozarks and University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will allow students another opportunity to fill this important need. It is our hope that these students will choose to stay and serve the River Valley and we are excited to partner with UAFS in this exciting new venture.”
The newly-articulated academic pathway is the product of the historically strong partnership between the two universities, according to Dr. D. Antonio Cantù, dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences at UAFS.
“This agreement is the result of the collaborative efforts of the respective leadership teams at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and University of the Ozarks,” said Cantù. “The agreement will serve to build upon this partnership by not only establishing for students an efficacious academic pathway to the BSN program, but also by providing them with, upon degree completion, a professional portal to a career in nursing, further increasing the pipeline of healthcare professionals in the River Valley Region and across the state. In the end, the agreement helps qualified pre-nursing students at University of the Ozarks advance to the next phase in their academic journey as nursing students in the BSN program at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, bringing them one step closer to realizing their dream of entering the nursing profession.”
Dr. Paula Julian, associate dean of the UAFS College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences and executive director of the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing, said the articulation agreement “creates a seamless pathway for students, providing them with a clear, structured route to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.”
“This collaboration enhances the educational experience by combining the strengths of both institutions, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive, high-quality education and are well-prepared to meet the growing demand for practice-ready nurses,” Julian said.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a nine percent growth in nursing employment from 2020 to 2030, accounting for an estimated increase of 276,800 jobs in the field. The BLS suggests that about one in every eleven new jobs created will be in nursing.
Those interested in more information about the U of O pre-nursing program are encouraged to contact admission@ozarks.edu
Topics: Academics