The University of the Ozarks’ Pre-Nursing program provides students with a strong academic foundation for admission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS). Through a 2+2 articulation agreement, students complete their first two years of coursework at Ozarks before transferring to UAFS to complete the professional nursing curriculum.
Students benefit from Ozarks’ small class sizes, close faculty mentoring, and personalized advising while completing the prerequisite science and general education courses required for admission to the UAFS nursing program.
Why Study Pre-Nursing at Ozarks?
- Complete your first two years in a supportive, student-centered learning environment.
- Follow a degree plan designed to align with UAFS nursing admission requirements.
- Learn from experienced faculty in biology, chemistry, health sciences, psychology, and related disciplines.
- Receive individualized advising throughout the nursing application process.
- Participate fully in campus life while preparing for a high-demand healthcare profession.
The 2+2 Pathway
Students complete approximately 62 credit hours of prerequisite coursework during their first two years at Ozarks before applying for admission to the UAFS Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Coursework includes:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology and Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Medical Terminology
- Nutrition
- Statistics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Communication
- General Education courses
Students who are admitted transfer to UAFS to complete the final two years of clinical nursing education leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Personalized Advising
Admission to nursing programs is competitive. From the first semester, Ozarks faculty advisors work closely with students to develop a competitive academic record, monitor prerequisite completion, and prepare for the transfer application process.
Students also receive guidance regarding required certifications, transfer timelines, and application deadlines.
Flexibility if Your Goals Change
Career goals sometimes evolve. Students who decide not to pursue nursing may transition into the Health Education/Promotion major and remain on track for graduation without losing significant progress toward a bachelor’s degree.
Admission to the Nursing Program
Admission to the UAFS nursing program is competitive and is based on academic performance and successful completion of prerequisite requirements. Students must meet minimum GPA requirements, earn grades of C or higher in prerequisite courses, complete Basic Life Support certification for healthcare providers, and satisfy all UAFS admission requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Career Opportunities
Graduates who complete the BSN at UAFS are prepared for careers in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Emergency & Critical Care
- Community & Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Women's Health
- Long-term Care
- Physician Clinics
- Home Health
- School Nursing
- Graduate Study in Nursing
- Advanced Practice Specialties
START YOUR JOURNEY
If you’re passionate about caring for others and making a difference through healthcare, the Pre-Nursing pathway at the University of the Ozarks offers an excellent beginning. You’ll receive individualized support, rigorous preparation, and a seamless pathway toward earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Students interested in veterinary school after graduating from Ozarks prepare for a career dedicated to the health and well-being of animals by developing strong skills in the biological sciences, chemistry, and mathematics, as well as gaining an understanding of animal behavior and care. We offer students guidance in selecting coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and mentorship to help students meet veterinary school prerequisites while exploring their personal interests in animal health, wildlife conservation, or biomedical research.
Degree Outcomes
Students gain a strong academic foundation in the biological sciences, chemistry, and mathematics that supports admission to veterinary school and other graduate programs in animal or biological sciences.
Students develop skills in scientific inquiry, animal behavior, and critical thinking that prepare them for graduate study and research in animal health, biology, or related fields.
Students are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to pursue careers in veterinary medicine, animal care, wildlife conservation, or biomedical research.
At Ozarks, the Pre-Law Program is not a major or minor. Law schools don’t require specific academic majors, and neither do we. Instead, our program is designed to help you build the core skills that matter most for success in law school and beyond: critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and exceptional oral and written communication skills.
We recommend that you major in the discipline that fascinates and challenges you the most and inspires your best work. You should also take courses that will help prepare you for the LSAT and the academic work you will encounter in law school. Our LENS curriculum is a good fit for the academic work that will prepare you best for law school. Whether you major in Political Science, English, History, Philosophy, Biology, or any other field, the Pre-Law Program provides structure, guidance, and enrichment opportunities tailored to your legal ambitions.
Degree Outcomes
Provide students with a strong foundation in critical thinking, preparing them to analyze legal issues and construct compelling arguments for applications in law school and beyond.
Advise students about how to meet admissions requirements for law schools, of the students choosing, through coursework in courses related to Political Science, Mathematics and Philosophy, History, Sociology, Communication Studies, and more.
Equip students with foundational research skills and improved communication skills, preparing them for the demands of law school and legal practice.
The Pre-professional Therapy Concentration is designed for students with a major in Health Science, who wish to complete the matriculation requirements for admission into a graduate program in Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy. Students should review the matriculation requirements of their intended graduate program and then work with their faculty advisors to choose the courses best suited to their intended graduate program.
Degree Outcomes
Advise students about how to meet admissions requirements for Physical or Occupational Therapy schools, of the students choosing, through coursework in Health Science along with other required coursework.
Help students grow as compassionate members of a larger community.
Help mentor students on complimentary pathways that will round out their Physical or Occupational Therapy school applications.
A career in pharmacy offers a broad range of opportunities including local and hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical research, pharmaceutical and medical field sales, and medical research. A student planning a career in pharmacy ordinarily completes two years of pre-pharmacy course work prior to seeking admission to a school of pharmacy. The student should work closely with the pre-pharmacy advisor to tailor their program to the requirements of the particular pharmacy school in which the student is interested.
Degree Outcomes
Advise students about how to meet admissions requirements for pharmacy schools, of the students choosing, through coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.
Help students grow as compassionate members of a larger community.
Help mentor students on complimentary pathways that will round out their pharmacy school applications.
The Pre-Medical curriculum is recommended for students who wish to pursue such careers as traditional human medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, or nontraditional medical arts that require intensive undergraduate preparation in biology and chemistry. The premedical sciences curriculum begins building the student’s knowledge base and testing the student’s qualification for medical or veterinary school through diverse, challenging courses. However, to become a good physician (of humans or animals), the student must possess or develop compassion, integrity, and dedication to service, in addition to intellect and stamina.
Degree Outcomes
Advise students about how to meet admissions requirements for professional schools, of the students choosing, through coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics
Help students grow as compassionate members of a larger community.
Help mentor students on complimentary pathways that will round out their professional school applications.